License to Parent with Trace Embry: Recent Episodes
Trace Embry
Friend of Trace – Paul CoughlinPaul Coughlin is an expert witness regarding bullying and the law, and the founder and president of the anti-bullying program The Protectors. He has appeared in many media outlets. Paul is a best-selling author of eight books, including the freedom-from-bullying parent and teacher resource Raising Bully-Proof Kids, as well as a former newspaper editor. He works with numerous professional organizations to diminish bullying. His anti-bullying curriculum is used throughout North America as well as in South Africa, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil among other countries.
Paul is a boys varsity soccer coach, where he was voted Coach of the Year twice. Paul has previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s School in Medford, Oregon.
He is also a popular men’s conference speaker who has inspired thousands across North America as well as in Wales and England.
Freeing Us from BullyingTrace Embry and Michelle Hill talk with friend Paul Coughlin. They discuss the issue of bullying with a focus on how parents can help their children navigate this problem. They share the importance of recognizing that anyone can be a bully, including one’s own child, and the need for a plan of action if this is the case. The role of the internet is also highlighted and how it exacerbates bullying as it allows for constant harassment.
Paul Coughlin, author of the book “Freeing Us from Bullying,” emphasizes the importance of teaching children to stand up against bullying, and the dangers of allowing them to become victims. He also differentiates between teasing and bullying, and explains why some people become bullies. The discussion also touches on the misinterpretation of biblical teachings, such as “turning the other cheek,” in the context of bullying.
Episode Highlights:
- Have you ever considered if your child was the bully?
- Is bullying worse now than it was 20 years ago?
- Determine the difference between bullying and kids just playing around.
- Does the Bible give examples of bullying and how to deal with it?
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Friend of Trace – Michael FarrisMichael P. Farris is a lawyer and founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Patrick Henry College. He is the former President & CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, which he served from 2017 until 2022. Michael is also an author. He’s written several titles on homeschooling and parenting.
Bring up a Child the Way He Should GoTrace Embry, Michelle Hill and guest attorney, Michael Farris from Alliance Defending Freedom discuss the importance of standing up for family’s religious convictions and liberties. Michael claims that the government is overstepping its boundaries and imposing its power on parents, particularly in the realm of education.
He believes that parents should have the right to direct the upbringing of their children, especially in terms of their moral and religious beliefs. He also discusses the issue of critical race theory and critical gender theory in public schools, arguing that these theories are promoting a form of systemic racism and undermining parental rights.
Michael Farris encourages parents to consider alternatives to public schooling and to fight back against these issues through litigation.
Episode Highlights:
- Why Christian parents need to know about Alliance Defending Freedom.
- What is the most pressing issue regarding parental rights?
- Michael Farris’ take on systemic racism and the public school system.
- Is your religious freedom at risk?
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Friend of Trace – Richard Cohen, M.A.Richard Cohen, M.A. is the founder and executive director of Positive Approaches To Healthy Sexuality, or PATH, a psychotherapist, educator, and author. He travels the world teaching on such issues as healthy sexuality, marital relations, communication skills, parenting skills, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
He has authored seven books, and also does consultations and speaking engagements at colleges and conferences.
Healthy Touch & Emotional ConnectionTrace Embry, Michelle Hill, together with guest Richard Cohen, M.A. discuss the changing dynamics of the parent-child relationship in our American culture. They argue that children today have more influence and authority in their homes than previous generations, which some view as progress, while others see it as potentially harmful.
Richard Cohen, M.A. shares about his book “Healing Humanity: Love, Time, Touch, and Talk.” He emphasizes the importance of healthy touch in parenting, arguing that many people in Western culture are oversexed because they are undernourished in terms of healthy, non-sexual touch.
He suggests that parents should introduce healthy touch incrementally and always inform their children before implementing a new parenting skill. Cohen also discusses the importance of parents modeling healthy touch and emotional connection in their own relationships.
Episode Highlights:
- Have we helped our kids survive the American Culture norms?
- Learn what healthy touch is within the family, community, church and the culture?
- Is it possible to have a deep need and desire for appropriate touch by others without realizing it, particularly by one’s parent?
- How to attach and show affection to your child in a healthy way?
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Friend of Trace – John RosemondJohn Rosemond earned his masters in psychology in 1971 from Western Illinois University, and is licensed in North Carolina. During his career he has directed several mental health programs for children, and has help numerous families and children every since.
John devotes his time to speaking and writing now. John is syndicated in well over 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written over eighteen best-selling parenting books, and travels to speak all over the country sharing his parenting experience and humor with so many others.
He lives in North Carolina with his wife Wilma, a.k.a. “Willy.” They have been married over 50 years. He is also the founder of ParentGuru, where he helps parents to raise responsible adults.
Prepare Your Kids for the WorldTrace Embry, Michelle Hill, together with John Rosemond, author of The Bible Parenting Code, share about the importance of traditional parenting methods and the dangers of modern psychology’s influence on parenting.
John Rosemond argues that parents should not strive to be in a relationship with their children, but rather should focus on disciplining and preparing them for the world. He also discusses the importance of parents being on the same page and putting their marriage first.
John Rosemond suggests that parents should not compromise their standards to secure a relationship with their children. He advises parents of adult children who have cut off communication with each other to pray about it rather than pursue it.
Episode Highlights:
- What’s John’s advice to parents with adult children?
- Do parents need to change the way they are doing parenting?
- What is the importance of parents being on the same page in their parenting style?
- What does Scripture say about parenting?
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Friend of Trace – Dr. Nicholas KardarasDr. Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, a well known speaker and addiction expert. He is also the CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Maui Recovery in Hawaii and Omega Recovery in Austin, Texas. Dr. Kardaras is the author of the book titled “Glow Kids.” Please visit his bio page to learn more about his amazing accomplishments.
Keep Your Kids from Glowing in the Digital AgeTrace Embry, Michelle Hill, and Dr. Nicholas Kardaras speak about the dangers of excessive screen time for children and its impact on their emotional, social, physical, and spiritual health. They highlight the importance of face-to-face interaction and the role of parents in setting examples for their children.
They also discuss the influence of digital technology on the mental health of young people, particularly the addictive nature of devices and the impact of social media influencers. They suggest that the excessive information and lack of critical thinking skills can lead to mental health issues, self-destructive behaviors, and even suicide.
They advocate for delayed access to devices, regulation of screen time, and avoidance of social media and gaming to protect children from the harmful effects of digital technology.
Episode Highlights:
- How has technology affected how we parent our kids?
- Learn the influence of digital technology on the hearts and minds of human beings, particularly kids.
- What is impulsivity & who has it?
- Younger females contracting Tourette syndrome.
- What percent of mass shootings are linked to mental illness?
- Culprits of Digital Addiction?
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Friend of Trace – Lieutenant Colonel Dave GrossmanLt. Col. Dave Grossman is a Retired (1998) US Army Ranger, a paratrooper, and a former West Point Psychology Professor. He has become one of our nation’s leading trainers for military, law enforcement, mental health providers, and school safety organizations. He has a Black Belt in Hojutsu, the martial art of the firearm, and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Lt. Col. Grossman has five patents to his name, published many books including his bestseller “On Killing” and a New York Times best-selling book co-authored with Glenn Beck. He is well-known for his research, has been cited by the President of the United States, and has presented papers before the national conventions of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Today, Lt. Col. Grossman is the director of Grossman On Truth, LLC. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he has written and spoken extensively on the terrorist threat with articles published in many leading law enforcement journals. He has been inducted as a “Life Diplomate” by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, and is a “Life Member” of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute.
Parents Know the Danger Violence has on Your KidsTrace Embry, Michelle Hill and our friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, who is an expert on human aggression and violence, together discuss the potential negative effects of violent video games on children. They also speak about other dangers of technology on our young people.
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman shares his research and knowledge that the addictive nature of video games, combined with the violent content, can lead to serious issues such as sleep deprivation, impaired judgment, and increased aggression. He also criticizes the video game industry for fighting against regulations that would limit children’s access to violent games.
Trace Embry and Lt. Col. Grossman agree that parents need to be proactive in monitoring their children’s gaming habits and enforcing age-appropriate content. They also recommend resources like Lt. Col. Grossman’s book “Assassination Generation” and the website of our friend Melanie Hempe, ScreenStrong.org, for parents seeking guidance on this issue.
Episode Highlights:
- How has technology affected how we parent our kids?
- Is social media designed to be addictive?
- How sleep deprivation affects our behavior.
- Do you believe video games generate violence?
- How can parents push back on big tech and social media?
- Is violence tolerated more today than 5o years ago & how does it affect our emotions?
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Friend of Trace – Gary Chapman, Ph.D.Gary Chapman, Ph.D. is an author, speaker, and counselor who has a passion for people to help them form lasting relationships. He is a well-known marriage counselor and director of marriage seminars. The 5 Love Languages® is one of Dr. Chapman’s most popular titles with millions of copies sold and on the New York Times bestsellers list since 2007. Find all of Dr. Chapman’s resources at his Store.
Dr. Chapman has been directly involved in real-life family counseling since the beginning of his ministry years, and his nationally-syndicated radio programs air nationally on Moody Radio Network and over 400 affiliate stations. His Podcasts are Building Relationships & A Love Language Minute.
Dr. Chapman holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, respectively. He received his Ph.D. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has taken postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke University.
Dr. Chapman and his wife, Karolyn, have been married for more than 45 years, reside in North Carolina and have two grown children.
How to Help Your Child Feel Loved Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and our friend Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages of Children, discuss how parents can foster emotional wellbeing in their children by understanding their love languages. He explains that each child has a primary love language, which could be physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, or quality time.
Parents can identify their child’s love language by observing their behavior, listening to their complaints, and noting their requests. Dr. Chapman emphasizes that while all love languages are important, speaking the child’s primary love language is crucial for them to feel loved. He also suggests that discipline should be wrapped in the child’s love language to ensure fairness and understanding.
Dr. Chapman shares a sad story of a young man who never really knew his father. This was shared with Dr. Chapman by the young man at his father’s graveside service. Therefore leaving Dr. Chapman sad knowing it was now too late for that father to know his child’s love language.
Episode Highlights:
- Can you name the 5 Love Languages?
- Ask yourself, “Do your children feel loved?”
- How to identify your child’s love language.
- When is it NOT a good time to offer advice to your child?
- Why is it so important to spend time with your children?
- What are Primary and Secondary love languages?
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Friend of Trace – Melanie Hempe, BSNMelanie Hempe, BSN, is an author, speaker and the founder of ScreenStrong and Families Managing Media (FMM). She received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University and has worked with technology experts and researchers on the impact of social media and video game use. She helps families avoid problematic screen use, i.e., video games, pornography, social media, etc. in their kids’ lives.
Through ScreenStrong, she provides resources and education courses on brain development and the effects of screen use on kids, and solutions for parents who desire to free their kids from screen addictions. Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast and has been featured in Psychology Today, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, “Screened Out” (the movie), and many other news and television outlets.
Melanie lives in North Carolina with her husband, Chris, and their four children. As a family they enjoy reading good books, spending time with friends in their home and just good family fun without screens.
Life on the Other Side of the Screen Delima Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and guest Melanie Hempe, BSN discuss the dangers of screen time and digital addiction with our children, comparing its effects on the brain to that of cocaine and heroin. The conversation brings out passions how the constant exposure to screens can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
Trace and Melanie also highlight the importance of parents taking responsibility for their children’s screen time and setting boundaries. Then Melanie Hempe shares the personal experience she encountered with her own son’s gaming addiction and how she managed to help him overcome it.
Melanie emphasizes the importance of real-life social interactions for children and warns against the false sense of social fulfillment that social media provides. She encourages parents to stick together with other like minded parents. The three of them encourage parents to seek support and gather resources to help manage their children’s screen time effectively.
Episode Highlights:
- Effects of addiction to screens is much like substance abuse.
- What changes has the pandemic brought on regarding digital addiction?
- Will we look back on too much screen time like smoking cigarettes?
- What was Melanie’s son addicted to and how did he overcome it?
- Parents have to ask themselves; “Is it worth it to let my kid have a smartphone?”
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Friend of Trace – John RosemondJohn Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of psychology. In 1971 he earned his masters in psychology from Western Illinois University, and is licensed in North Carolina. During his career he has directed several mental health programs for children.
For the last 30 years or so, John devotes his time to speaking and writing. John is syndicated in well over 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written over eighteen best-selling parenting books, and travels to speak all over the country sharing his parenting experience and humor with so many others.
He resides in North Carolina with his wife of over 50 years, Wilma, a.k.a. “Willy.” He is also the founder of ParentGuru, where he helps parents to raise responsible adults.
Help for Parents from the ParentGuru Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and psychologist John Rosemond discuss John’s latest book, “The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God’s Perfect Plan for Parenting.” John shares an amusing personal experience of raising his son using modern psychological methods, which resulted in his son being the worst behaved child his teacher had seen in 20 years.
After this revelation, John and his wife Willy decided to raise their children the way they were raised, which led to a significant improvement in their son’s behavior and academic performance.
John Rosemond is a critic of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and refers to it as a book of bogus diagnoses. He emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s perfect parenting plan as outlined in the Bible. He also discusses the congruence between Scripture and recent astrophysical facts as a way to affirm the truthfulness of Scripture.
Episode Highlights:
- Why does John call his wife of 50 years “Willy?”
- Learn how John & Willy dealt with their worst behaved child.
- What does John say about children’s feelings?
- Is modern psychology all it’s cracked up to be?
- John’s contrast of astrophysics and Scripture.
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Friend of Trace – Holly HunterHolly Hunter is the founder of Hunter Investigations, LLC and Safe Passage Global. It is her passion and calling to help families in crisis. For more than twenty years she has been a private investigator helping parents with crisis management intervention. Holly also helps families transport troubled teens to therapeutic programs via Safe Passage Global. She is certified in crisis management, a mental health coach, first responder, a Christian life coach, and so much more! On a more personal level, Holly cares deeply about people, loves to take pictures, writing books, and singing.
Help for Parents with Unruly Teens Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and Holly Hunter share their experiences about the challenges parents face when dealing with troubled teenagers and the options available for help. They discuss the role of residential care programs like Shepherd’s Hill Academy, which offers therapeutic and educational support for teens in crisis.
They also discuss the importance of parents maintaining their relationship and not blaming each other for their child’s issues. Our guest, Holly Hunter, founder of Safe Passage Global, explains her organization’s role in transporting troubled teens to therapeutic schools and programs and their benefits. She emphasizes the importance of family unity and the need for professional help in extreme cases. They also touch on the legal aspects of involuntary treatment and the misconceptions surrounding it.
Episode Highlights:
- Informing parents that long-term treatment programs exist for the safety of their child and family?
- No shame in seeking outside help for your family.
- Holly explains residential care?
- What resonates with parents to help them choose residential care?
- What is the important to not play the blame game?
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Friend of Trace – G. Craige LewisG. Craige Lewis has been ministering for over 30 years. He’s been pastoring Adamant Believers Council in North Richland Hills, Texas for over a decade, promoting the message of Christ and fighting against the secularization of God’s church.
Lewis also leads and is the founder of EX Ministries; established to share God’s Truth to the body of Christ and others, and to expose the deception of the enemy. He is often called on to speak about the hip-hop sub-culture, as he authored the “The Truth Behind Hip Hop” series.
Musical is SpiritualTrace Embry, Rich Roszel and G. Craige Lewis discuss the impact of music on children and teenagers. They share that the music young people listen to can shape their identities and influence their behavior! To a higher degree, certain types of music, particularly rock, rap, and hip-hop, can have a negative impact on young people, potentially leading them to engage in harmful behaviors. They all stress the importance of parents being intentional in their parenting and being aware of the music their children are listening to.
G. Craige shares his views on the spiritual nature of music and its effect on human behavior. He argues that music can bypass a person’s moral code and influence them in ways they may not be aware of. He also emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit to discern the spiritual nature of music. Rich expounds on this and shares a personal story about how music touched his soul.
Trace expresses this; “I think we’ve got too many people claiming the name of Christ who want to live like hell and expect heaven for a reward. It just doesn’t work that way.”
Episode Highlights:* Is there an inherent evil found in certain songs or certain kinds of music? * Can certain music profoundly affect our kids behavior negatively? * Why do parents overlook the effects of music? * Is today’s music worse spiritually than in years past? * What are God honoring lyrics? * Learn what Ex Ministries is all about!
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📣 ANNOUNCEMENT: For a Season, production of New Radio programs of License to Parent is on “Pause” mode. We Thank Our Radio Listeners!! The Podcast will now showcase the Best performing, Most listened to programs at this Website and at your favorite Podcast platforms. Click Here to Subscribe & Continue Listening! The RSS Feed will be updated with the Classics of License to Parent so you can Stay Tuned!!
Keep Reading for the Reason for the Season as Trace shares his heart below. His audio message is also at the 27:20 mark in this .mp3 file and in the last recorded program “Emotional Safety with Dr. Joshua Straub.”
Trace Shares His ❤️For the last 15 or so years I have had the honor and a privilege to interview many of the best and the brightest in the fields of child and family relationships, cultural studies and insights that affect parent-child relationships. Hollywood film makers, scientists, theologians, authors, mental and medical health professionals, philosophers, and many of the giants in today’s broadcasting who have had their fingers on the pulse on many of the things affecting child-rearing for today’s parents, Christian, and secular like. And virtually every one of them, whether they realized it or not, would’ve understood and affirmed the biblical principles for child-rearing from their respective disciplines, whether they were actually Christians or not because the Bible and science don’t contradict one another. The Bible and objective truth do not contradict one another.
For all these years, I’ve left every License to Parent broadcast feeling very much affirmed about what our kids and families are learning and experiencing at Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Family healing and life transformations are the physical evidences that God and His Word through Jesus Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life and certainly the model for a parent’s best shot at raising healthy, well-adjusted kids in a society that’s imploded before our eyes.
When we first launched License to Parent, only a man and a woman could possibly make a marriage. Only man and woman could’ve possibly birthed and raised a healthy child. Virtually all Americans would have agreed with that. Today, in the eyes of more and more people, our systemically mentally and spiritually ill society doesn’t even know what a man or a woman is! This and much more is just an example of how quickly and how drastically reality itself is being redefined and how science is being ignored.
Reason for the Season 🙏🏼One of the highest compliments that has been paid to this broadcast, as far as I’m concerned, is the idea that we have not been giving parents answers to the most common questions, but rather License to Parent has been giving parents answers to questions they should be asking but aren’t. Just like our goal at Shepherd’s Hill Academy, our goal here at License to Parent has always been to help build better parents by helping them to become change agents to our culture rather than helping them to become more microcosms of it. Today’s church has produced too many of those already and now it seems we’ve had hell to pay for it.
But in the course of being a beacon of light in a dark world with respect to raising kids, I’ve also had the privilege of working with consummate production professionals who helped make this broadcast what is, people like Rich Rozel, Carl Peetz and my co host Michelle Hill. I want to thank you guys big time, this too has been an honor and a privilege.
So it’s with a heavy heart ❤️ that I have to say today is our last License to Parent Radio broadcast, at least until prayer and circumstance dictate otherwise, or perhaps Jesus comes back.
There are many reasons for this decision, first and foremost for health reasons. So I would ask you to please pray for my wife, Beth who’s dealing with health issues right now. She’s been given a serious cancer diagnosis. Therefore I’ll be doing my best to make her my first ministry right now. Again, until prayer and circumstances dictate otherwise.
In the meantime, if you like to continue listening to our License to Parent Podcast, just go to our License to Parent website: LicenseToParent.org and click the button to “Subscribe to Podcast.” As prayer, time and circumstances dictate, I’ll look forward to providing you the same kind of information our radio broadcast has provided these past several years.
Thank you so much for the love and support you’ve given us. I love you! 💙
And we do hope to see you (for new production) another time, Lord willing.
“And as always “Remember folks, if you don’t train your children somebody else will.”
About Joshua Straub, Ph.D., CMCLCDr. Joshua Straub is the Co-Founder and President of Famous at Home, a company that equips others with relational connections and emotional intelligence. He is also an author and speaker. He is passionate about helping others lead; he is a marriage and leadership coach, and is a Fellow at the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling. He takes most pride in his role as husband and dad. He and his wife Christi host the Famous at Home podcast.
How to Cultivate Emotional Connection with KidsMichelle Hill, Trace Embry and Dr. Joshua Straub discuss the importance of emotional safety in raising children.
Together, they also highlight the importance of showing up for children, both physically and emotionally, and the role of a biblical community in child-rearing. Dr. Straub suggests that parents should regularly check in with their children to understand their needs and feelings and to show them grace and wisdom.
Both Trace and Joshua share stories about their own fathers. Joshua also gives pointers how he parents his own children as he and his wife homeschool and have family weekly meetings.
Episode Highlights:* Be sure to listen to the end; Trace gives a special announcement. * With risks all around us, how do we keep our kids safe? * God’s standards never fall short. * Is there safety without boundaries or exploration? * What is effective parenting without grace? * How do messed up parents turn out some really good kids?
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About Brad GriffinOur guest, Brad M. Griffin, is the Senior Director of Content & Research for the Fuller Youth Institute. Brad develops research-based resources for youth ministry leaders & families. Brad is the coauthor of over fifteen books, including Faith Beyond Youth Group, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager & 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future, Growing Young, and Sticky Faith. He is also a speaker, writer, and volunteer pastor. Brad and his wife, Missy, live in Southern California with their three teenage and young adult kids.The Ideal Youth GroupTogether, Michelle Hill, Trace Embry and Brad Griffin discuss the role of youth groups in the church and how they can and should impact a child's faith.The ideal church youth group knows how to express and live out the importance of trust, consistency, and communication with its members. They also highlight the need for youth leaders to model Christ-like behavior and promote conversations about faith outside of the youth group.It is suggested that parents should expect youth leaders to provide information about the content of the group's discussions and activities. Parents should be given an outline of the youth group discussion topics to facilitate effective discipleship and transparency.Youth groups shouldn't try to compete by trying to keep kids entertained. They already get enough of that! There should be an emphasis on the importance of fun in youth groups, but be cautious on relying too heavily on entertainment.Episode Highlights: Can parents be a stumbling block for youth leaders trying to disciple youth group participants? Think about your own child's youth group. Can youth groups be harmful to your child's faith? What does the ideal youth group look like? Does effective discipleship always include entertainment?Image from Canva
About Jordan WhitmerOur guest, Jordan Whitmer, age 25, is the Founder of the evangelism and missions organization reaching Generation Z youth called the HowToLife Movement. He also hosts the podcast called "Gen Z Today." He is a graduate of Liberty University, with a Bachelor’s in Religion: Biblical and Theological Studies, and is an ordained reverend. Jordan's heart is that Gen Z find Christ and live and lead boldly for Him.Gen Z for JesusTogether, Michelle Hill, Trace Embry and Jordan Whitmer discuss discipling to Gen Z.The Gen Z generation, those aged between 11 and 26, are reportedly leaving the church at a higher rate than previous generations. The reasons for this are complex, but some suggest it may be due to a lack of discipleship and the influence of secular agendas.However, Jordan Whitmer believes that many Gen Z individuals are open to faith conversations and can be reached through peer-led evangelism events. Learn more how to get involved and see how Jordan is making a difference.Whitmer's movement has organized over 155 student-led evangelism events across 29 U.S. states and 11 countries. Despite the challenges, Jordan remains hopeful for the spiritual future of Gen Z!Episode Highlights: What is causing Gen Z's to leave the church? Learn Jordan's heart for evangelism to young people. What is the common makeup of Gen Z? Are Gen Z's looking for truth more than other generations? Is Gen Z giving up on their millennial aged parents?Image from Canva
About Dr. Frank TurekOur guest, Dr. Frank Turek is an Author and President of Crossexamined.org, a Christian Apologetics ministry helping young people defend the Christian faith. Frank hosts an hour-long TV program each week called "I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist." He hosts a podcast with the same name. He also writes for Townhall.com.Help Defend the Faith with Christian ApologeticsTogether, Michelle Hill, Trace Embry and Dr. Frank Turk discuss the challenges of raising Christian children in a secularized culture. Dr. Turek emphasizes the importance of Christian apologetics in defending the faith and addressing tough questions sparked by secular standards.Dr. Turek also highlights the role of the digital age in spreading distorted information and lies about God and His word. He encourages parents to equip themselves with cogent answers to these questions and to guide their children in navigating the digital world.There is also discussion on the concept of miracles, arguing that the universe itself is a miracle and that natural laws require a lawgiver. Frank shares that the fundamental essence of the story of Christ is sacrifice. People sacrifice themselves to save others, and that's what all the top movie blockbusters of the past 50 years have heroes that sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed Himself to save His friends. Jesus said 'There's no greater love than to lay down your life to save your friends."Episode Highlights: What is it others are stealing from God? What is Christian Apologetics. Do Christian parents have to be Theologians to answer their kid's questions? What lies are being fed to our kids. Who is to say what morality is?Image from Canva
Continued from Last WeekIn this episode of License to Parent, Trace and Michelle continue their discussion on the impact of sexual perversion and the LGBTQ+ movement on society and the church. They mention how the normalization of these issues are causing a moral decline and confusion among young people.Open and Honest DiscussionThey also discuss the importance of parents having open and honest conversations at a young age with their children about sexuality, and setting clear boundaries. They emphasize the need for parents to guide their children based on biblical principles and to always affirm their love for them, even when they make choices that go against these principles.Episode Highlights: What is the lie that people believe today? What is the difference between harm and hurt? A good analogy on God's plan for sex. Why aren't we calling out the evil that is happening?Image from Canva
About Today's ProgramTrace and Michelle approach the sensitive topic of individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ that is often left undiscussed among families. They recommend and offer this disclosure for today's program audio: (If you have younger kids in the room, you may want to distract them from our conversation today, or hit the pause button and listen to this when they're out of the room because this is kind of a delicate subject).Love and LustTrace attributes the increase of Gen Z members joining the LGBTQ+ community with regard to a combination of factors; including the removal of God from daily life, the conflation of love with lust, and the misuse of freedom. Trace remarks that the LGBTQ+ community is not about love, but about sexual lust without moral restraint.He also suggests that the acceptance and celebration of sexual perversion in society is leading to a rise in sexually transmitted diseases. Trace and Michelle both agree that we need to return to God's definition of love and sex within the bounds of traditional marriage. They also discuss the dangers of other sexual behaviors including; narcissism, addiction, delusion, autism, and OCD.Episode Highlights: Why does the LGBTQ+ society seem to be increasing? Can what we do in the privacy of our bedroom hurt others? A good analogy on God's plan for sex. Do the members of Gen Z feel peer pressure to join the LGBTQ+ community?Image from Canva
About Karen WhitingOur guest, Karen Whiting, is a mother of two daughters and three sons, and that includes rocket scientists. She's a grandmother of 15 and her late husband served in the U.S. Coast Guard, so they raised their children from Hawaii to New York and Michigan to Florida. She is the author of 27 books, an International speaker, certified writing and marketing coach, and a former television co-host.Gaining a Peaceful Heart within Your FamilyTrace, Michelle and Karen discuss the importance of peace within families and how to cultivate it. They share their thoughts on the current state of the American family where internal conflict and anxiety are prevalent due to the complexities of modern life. They suggest that genuine peace can only be achieved through faith in God. The conversation also touches on the role of parents in guiding their children through life's struggles, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and allowing children to experience failure as a means of growth.Karen shares her approach to fostering peace within her family through devotions, prayer and active listening. She gives great examples of how this approach helped her children have love and compassion for each other. She also discusses the negative impact of permissive parenting and the overuse of digital devices on children's mental health.At the end, Trace and Karen differentiate between peacekeeping and peacemaking and explain which they think is a long-term solution that sometimes requires conflict, and use the example of Jesus in the temple in Matthew 21:12-17.Episode Highlights: What is the polar opposite of peace? Karen's take on anxiety, and how to get your kids to get a long. What is investigative listening? How media or music can affect your child's peace. Do people seem to thrive on conflict?Image from Canva
Transported to TreatmentToday we explore the process of what it looks like to transport a child to a treatment program. It takes building trust with the child. It comes with fear, and that's where we must work with parents to alleviate the fear, give them as much information as we can so they can process what to do, how to do it, and how to move forward.What is a SafePassageA parent's decision to send their child to a residential program, or a wilderness program to seek treatment is one of the most difficult decisions they are faced with. How parents get their child to the physical location to get them help can be a challenge. Sometimes the child is not willing to go, or the parents can't bare to "drop them off." This is where a trusted transport company comes into play like SafePassage Global.Holly Hunter is the founder of SafePassage Global, and a private investigator for more than 20 years. She holds certifications in crisis management intervention and has been a Christian life coach. Holly is also a first responder, and a certified mental health coach. In her spare time she enjoys writing, singing and taking pictures.Episode Highlights: What is SafePassage Global? Is it safe to use a transport service to get my child into a program? What percentage of kids are transported to a program by their parents? When should a parent transport a child instead of taking them themselves? What should a parent look for in a transport service?Image from Canva
Exploring Residential CareThroughout the 18-year journey of parenting, conflicts between parents and children are inevitable. However, when these conflicts intensify during the teenage years, leading to constant battles, what steps should parents take? What happens when the strategies to control a rebellious teenager no longer work, putting the household and its members at risk? When all ideas seem exhausted in maintaining a safe and peaceful home, there are alternatives available, guided by professionals specializing in assisting families in such situations.Discussing Residential Care with Holly HunterHolly Hunter has been transporting troubled teens to therapeutic schools and programs across the country through Safe Passage Global which she founded. Holly has been a private investigator for more than 20 years, holds certifications in crisis manager intervention, and has been a Christian life coach. Holly is a certified mental health coach, first responder, and much much more. Holly is good at what she does and cares deeply about people. When Holly has some downtime you can find her singing, taking photos, or writing books.Episode Highlights: Awareness about the existence of long-term treatment programs for parents. The emotional struggles parents face when seeking external support. Holly's perspective on residential care and its significance. Guidance on choosing residential care through specific language or phrases. The importance of avoiding blame in such situations and focusing on solutions instead.Image from Canva
Ask TraceEver wished for a chance to glean wisdom from an expert specializing in troubled teens? I ask your questions to Trace Embry, a leading authority in working with challenging teens. Periodically, we engage Trace Embry in discussing parenting difficulties, drawing from his vast experience as the Founder of Shepherd’s Hill Academy. This institution has successfully redirected numerous teens on a negative path towards a positive future. Trace's expertise lies in understanding teenagers and facilitating their growth. Gain insights into handling issues like bullying, discernment, and more.Discussing Parenting with Trace EmbryTrace Embry is the Founder of Shepherd’s Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.Episode Highlights: What is the primary challenge faced by parents today? Is a family akin to a democracy, or is it different? Despite having certain advantages, why might a child remain unhappy? What is our fundamental nature as individuals? Why is it crucial for parents to encourage their children to undertake tasks they may not want to do?Image from Canva
Christmas StressOur thoughts can easily lean more toward sentiments, traditions, or even festivities, but Christmas is definitely a time for emotions - often mixed emotions.Discussing Emotional Stress during Christmas with Bob LepineBob Lepine is the long-time co-host of Family Life Today. You can also hear him on Truth For Life. Bob is a pastor, author, and serves various other ministries. Bob and his wife have five children, and ten grandchildren. Today we’re talking with him about his book, “The Four Emotions of Christmas.”Episode Highlights: Why is Christmas such an emotional time? For both Christians and non-Christians? What are the “four” emotions of Christmas? How can Christmastime be a good time to engage people in spiritual conversation? Why studying our emotions around Christmas can help us examine what’s really going on in our souls. Is there possibly a spiritual issue creating stress during the Christmas season?Image from Canva
Ask TraceDelve into issues concerning bullying, discernment, and the starvation experienced by children—though not related to hunger. Reach out to radio@licensetoparent.org to seek solutions to your parenting challenges.Discussing Parenting with Trace EmbryTrace Embry is the Founder of Shepherd’s Hill Academy, a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.Episode Highlights: What are the unmet needs of our children? What is the emerging role of science in parenting? How can we begin providing our children with what they truly require? Who else plays a role in shaping our children's upbringing? What steps can a previously lenient parent take to initiate changes?Image from Canva
Ask TraceIn today's societal landscape parents are faced with tough decisions. Raising their children in a manner that aligns with their faith often requires a denial of certain activities that their peers might enjoy. During our co-host, Michelle Hill's own childhood this meant not being allowed to go to movie theaters, a source of disagreement within her household. Navigating cultural norms and effective parenting can lead to some tough questions.Discussing Parenting with Trace EmbryTrace Embry is the Founder of Shepherd’s Hill Academy, a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.Episode Highlights: Trace sheds light on the most misguided statement any parent might make. The importance of parental guidance: "If you don’t train your children, who will?" Identifying the "right ways" to effectively raise children, as highlighted by Trace. An exploration of whether God truly holds sway within American households. The potential outcomes when parenting adheres strictly to prevailing cultural norms.Image from Canva
Five LiesPerhaps we need to look to our society for answers.Discussing Our Society with Rosaria ButterfieldRosaria Butterfield is a pastor’s wife, homeschool mom, author, and speaker. She is a former tenured professor of English and Women’s Studies at Syracuse University. Rosaria converted to Christ in 1999 in what she describes as a ‘train wreck.’ Today we are discussing her book, Five Lies Of Our Anti-Christian Age.Episode Highlights: Why can society be considered another parent to our kids? When and why did American society begin turning away from a biblical worldview? What is the definition of culture? How does unfettered access to social media and digital outlets affect our kids? What are the five lies that our society promotes?Image from Canva
Raising the UnshakableWhen raising kids, it’s important that parents raise them to be unshakeable. But what exactly does that mean? Today, we are continuing our discussion with author Lauren Gaines about instilling an unshakable spirit into our kids and teens, and what that looks like. Discussing Resilience with Lauren Gaines.Lauren is an author, speaker, teacher, and mother. She is the creator of Inspired Motherhood, an online community for moms, and author of Unshakeable Kids. Today, Lauren is a busy mom of three, and her unique approach to parenthood can be credited to her masters degree in school psychology. Episode Highlights: Is there a void of ‘grit’ in today’s kids? Why is it important to not be too gentle when raising kids in today’s society? How can parents create a loving bond without constantly pacifying their kids? Can discipline be an act of love? Are parents prioritizing the right things? Is society pressuring women to do too much?Image from Canva
Building Strong MarriagesIt has been commonly understood that stronger marriages have always helped to produce healthier and more well-adjusted children. There are many studies on this topic. Today we will talk with Bob Lepine about his most recent book, “Build A Stronger Marriage”. Discussing Marriage with Bob LepineBob Lepine is best known to radio and podcast listeners as the long-time co-host of Family Life Today. Now you can hear him on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. Bob is a pastor and he serves in various other ministries. In his spare time, he writes books. Bob and his wife Mary Ann live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have five children and 10 grandchildren.Episode Highlights: What sense does a strong marriage give to the children? What fundamental, when addressed, helps secure marriages? What has happened to marriage in America? First and foremost- what kind of relationship is marriage? In what way is marriage emblematic of the godhead?Image from Canva
Raising Conservative KidsThroughout history, parents in every country around the globe have been given the right to exercise final authority over their own children. This includes how they raise their kids. Teaching them things like values, religion, and worldview along with reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, these days political correctness, the “woke” police, public schools, the media, government, and more appear to have teamed up to create something on par with Hitler's Youth. Today we will be talking with Stacy Manning, co-author of “Raising Conservative Kids in a Woke City”. This book will help you preserve your right to be the final authority over your own children. Discussing Woke Culture with Stacy ManningStacy Manning is senior Editor for the organization Them Before Us which advocates children over adult desires and helps to give children a voice. Stacy is a stay-at-home suburban mom, author, and a side hustle professional. She and her husband have over 20 years of experience raising their 3 children behind enemy lines in a suburb just outside of Seattle. When Stacy does not have her hands in another writer's work she is barefoot in the kitchen making her husband a sandwich.Episode Highlights: When did the slippery slope start? What does it mean to be “woke”? What does Trace say about systemic racism? What tool do the “woke” use to dismantle society? What two questions do conservative kids need to be able to answer so they can defend their worldview?Image from Canva
Entertainment RolesIn the past, by and large, Christian parents in America raised their kids to assimilate into the culture, but that was when American culture had, for the most part, accepted and lived by Judeo-Christian moral values. Today the cultural pendulum has swung far from any semblance of the biblical standard that once shaped it. So now we have to raise our kids in a more intentional way. One that prepares them to swim against the flow of our culture. Today we will be talking with Focus on the Family’s Adam Holz about the role entertainment might play not only in shaping our culture but in our homes and churches as well.Discussing Entertainment with Adam HolzAdam Holz served as an Associate Editor at NavPress Discipleship Journal and consulting Editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s Reviews. These are reviews of movies, games, books, and music. Adam is the site's director. He and his wife Jennifer have three children. In their free time the Holz’s enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming, and of course- watching movies. Episode Highlights: How do SHA students come to understand the emptiness of the world’s promises? What two things draw the students to Jesus? What is Plugged In? What specifically is Plugged In trying to provide? What is the site's hope?Image from Canva
The Miracles of Shepherd's HillHave you ever taken a step of faith believing that God was directing you and knowing that He would do just that? Trace and Beth Embry saw a need in our world and knew God was calling them to be the answer and to bring healing. So step by step, brick by brick, child by child, through God they are breathing life into our next generation. And they are watching God build something incredible. Discussing Miracles with Trace EmbryTrace and his wife Beth have a heart and a passion for the parents of the youth of today’s culture. Trace was a former business owner and police officer in the Chicago area, but God led them on a journey. The Embry family basically gave up everything to move to Georgia and begin Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Trace is the author of "The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill". Trace and Beth have 5 kids and 9 grandchildren. Episode Highlights: How do you define miracles? What is the story of Shepherd’s Hill? How did you know this was from the Lord? How was the land of SHA a miracle? What is it like to keep stepping out in faith one step at a time?Image from Canva
Intentional ParentingOpen the Bible to Proverbs 22 and you will find these words, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” As parents you know you have 18 years to guide, direct, discipline, coach, and train your child “in the way he should go.” Those 18 years set them on a path for success in the world and hopefully eternity. That is what you hope for, right? You’re probably realizing that it takes time! Time and intentionality. Both time and intentionality take work. Being intentional with our time as we prepare our children for what lies ahead. Discussing Intentionality with Dave GlanderDave Glander was formerly a devout atheist and is now a deeply committed believer in Jesus Christ, and a Speaker for Reasons for Hope. Dave teaches Christians how to know what they believe and how to defend their faith. He is a pastor and founder of an apologetics youth camp called Equip Retreat and is the author of “How, Why, Where” and “The Faith Survival Guide."Episode Highlights: What does Deuteronomy 6:6-7 say? What does the “as you go” concept mean? What do our kids need to see in us all the time? What does Colossians 3:23 say? What is the average time a parent spends face-to-face with their child?Image from Canva
Faith Still MovesWhether in raising our children or in life in general, we exercise faith. The object of our faith makes all of the difference. If you and your family have been blessed by Trace Embry’s book, “The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill,” then stay tuned. Today we will be speaking with Fox News’ Harris Faulker who has also broached the realities and benefits of faith, prayer, healing, and miracles in the face of adversity. It is all in her New York Times Best Selling book, “Faith Still Moves Mountains: Miraculous Stories of the Healing Power of Prayer.”Discussing Prayer with Harris FaulknerHarris Faulkner is the author of the New York Times Best Seller “Faith Still Moves Mountains: Miraculous Stories of the Healing Power of Prayer.” She is a six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist. Harris currently anchors two daily daytime programs on Fox News; The Faulkner Focus and she is the co-host of Outnumbered. Outside of her work as a journalist Harris is a motivational speaker, writer, and philanthropist. She is involved in the Green Beret Foundation as well as the Navy Seal Foundation. She helps funds breast cancer research and has received an award for her humanitarian efforts. Harris and her husband have two daughters.Episode Highlights: What was Shepherd’s Hill when Trace bought it? What was Harris’ motivation for writing her book? What statistics surprised Harris during her research for her book? What does Harris say about facing the unknown? Where does truth come from?Image from Canva
Sound MindsIt is no secret that grit is something that seems to be lacking in many of our kids today. This even includes some of our 30-something-age kids. So how can we impart a sturdier constitution in our children while they are still at home? Not only for the sake of our children’s future but for our sanity and success as parents. After all, we may likely need the help of an emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually strong offspring to take care of us someday. Find out how to raise kids with sound minds and whole hearts who stand firm in their God-given identities. Discussing Parenting with Lauren GainesLauren Gaines is an author, speaker, teacher, and mom. She is the creator of Inspired Motherhood which is an online community for moms. Today Lauren is a busy mom of 3 whose unique approach to parenthood can be credited to her Master's Degree in School Psychology. She worked in the public school system and taught Human Development as an Adjunct Professor. Lauren understands the mental overload that families are experiencing today.Episode Highlights: What phrase has led to our cultural decline? What is the best gift we can give our kids? What does overload do to our kids? What vital skill do young children not have? Where does the problem start?Image from Canva
Supermoms ActivatedThroughout all of history, from Bible times until now, it seems that when leadership fails among the male population God has always brought forth brave women to stand in the gap. Today it seems that fewer American males are taking the leadership that they need to, which means that once again men aren't standing up and speaking out to protect their kids and society from the insanity that is infecting our nation. Jacqueline Toboroff wrote the book "Supermoms: Activated" to discuss just this topic. It explains what we can do to stem the tide of government-sponsored child abuse.Discussing Action with Jacqueline ToboroffJacqueline Toboroff is a power hitting mom who is leading a nation wide revival. She has taken a stand for her two kids and also for you. Jacqueline is a private citizen from Manhattan who ran for city counsel and was appointed VP of the Manhattan GOP. Jacqueline is a speaker and author of the book "Supermoms: Activated." She is providing a platform for mothers who are fed up with having their parental rights challenged by the government.Episode Highlights: What does Isaiah 5:20 say? How does our knowledge of history impact our ability to be effective leaders today? Psalm 14:1 says what? How does Jacqueline describe her book? What 3 things do we need to know about Jacqueline's book?Image from Canva
Vertical MarriageOne of the keys to success for just about any endeavor in life is setting proper priorities. Proper priorities are important for having a healthy marriage, bringing up healthy kids, and for managing a healthy family. Dave and Ann Wilson will be talking with us about proper priorities for keeping families upright amidst the chaos of a world that has gone sideways. It is what they call vertical marriage. Find the book here.Discussing Priorities with Dave and Ann WilsonDave and Ann Wilson are speakers, authors, and co-founders of Kensington Church which is a national multicampus church based in the Detroit area. They are also hosts of the radio program Family Life Today. Dave and Ann have been married for more than 42 years and have spent the last 37 teaching and mentoring couples and parents across the country. They are featured speakers at Family Life’s Weekend To Remember, and they also host their own marriage conferences across the county. Dave and Ann have three grown sons and a growing number of grandchildren.Episode Highlights: Why is a child-centric parenting paradigm not good for children? What is Vertical Marriage about? Where do our eyes go when they are not on Jesus? What is the first step to re-prioritizing your family dynamic? How can the unprioritized spouse confront the "offending" spouse on their priorities?Image from Canva
In His Image We learned from the creation story that God didn’t do anything random. Day One God created the light, Day Two was the sky, and so forth. Then we come to Day Six. After God created the animals He made humans. Here are the words from Genesis 1:27, “So God created mankind in His own image. In the image of God, He created them. Male and Female, He created them.” What it means to be male and female is really coming into question today. Or rather, it is coming under hard scrutiny today. The government, doctors, counselors, teachers, and more are telling our children that they get to decide “What is a woman?” Today we will be talking to the director and producer of a film called “In His Image”. Discussing Gender Identity with Tim Wildmon and Kendra White Tim Wildmon is the executive director of “In His Image”. He is also president American Family Association and American Family Radio. American Family Association is a national organization that advocates for Biblical teaching on morality and values. Tim also hosts a daily program on Amercian Family Radios 180+ stations. Tim and his wife Alison have three children and seven grandchildren.
Kendra White is the producer for American Family Studios which is the film division of American Family Association. She co-wrote and directed American Family Studio’s first feature film “Summer Snow” with her brother Jeremy White. Kendra is passionately pursuing Christ and loves to encourage other women to fall in love with the Savior who has stolen her heart. Kendra is married and has one daughter.
Episode Highlights:
What was the inspiration behind the making of "In His Image"? What are the proposed reasons for the astronomical growth in women transitioning? What is the difference between gender dysphoria and gender confusion? What was the simple reality that the 11-year-old girl was struggling with which had her convinced she was gay? Who does the LGBTQ+ community want to be to your children?
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Loving Our Children For most parents loving our kids is as natural as breathing. It’s hardwired into us. And though they would usually agree that we really do love them, our kids may not necessarily always agree that we always make them feel loved. At least not in a way that fosters security and emotional well-being. How can you foster that security and emotional well-being in your children? Dr. Gary Chapman is the 5 Love Languages guy and today we will be talking about his book “The 5 Love Languages of Children”. Discussing Love with Dr. Gary Chapman Dr. Gary Chapman is best known for working to improve or heal our most important relationships. Since the success of his first book, Dr. Chapman has expanded the Love Language series to specifically reach out to teens, singles, men, children, and military families. Dr. Chapman is a pastor, marriage counselor, conference speaker, and author. His book "The Five Love Languages of Children" can be found here.
Episode Highlights:
What are the 5 love languages? What is your primary love language? What is/are your child(ren)'s primary love language(s)? Do you know for certain that your children feel loved? What is the value of affirming effort? Do gifts always have to cost money?
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Father Figure Though you wouldn’t think anyone would have to make an argument for it, fathers are a big plus toward healthy emotional and spiritual development in their kids. While no family functions optimally without a father, fatherlessness still compromises 80% of American households in some areas of the country. Not surprisingly these are also the most crime-ridden areas. Is that a coincidence or is there a link between fatherlessness and lawlessness? Both in our homes and in our society at large? Today we will be talking to Dr. Meg Meeker as she argues for the importance of every household having a strong father. Discussing Fathers with Dr. Meg Meeker Dr. Meg Meeker is one of the global leading experts on child-father relationships. She has over 30 years of experience as a pediatrician, is the author of the best-selling book, and now movie, "Strong Fathers Strong Daughters". As an expert in the field, Dr. Meg equips Dads with tools and training built through extensive practical experience and research. Dr. Meg says that "hero dads are game changers".
Episode Highlights:
Why should a woman be teaching men about fatherhood issues? What helps dads become who they need to be? What is the hard yet simple thing that Dr. Meg references? What answer do the students of Shepherd's Hill give to the question, "What can we never stop doing?"? What do parents believe about conflict? What two things do children need?
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Family Life A parent's love for their children is immeasurable. For most of us, this love seems to be wired into us from the moment our first child is born. But is it possible that this unconditional love, despite good intentions, could be misdirected? Something that can block God’s design for a healthy family? Dennis Rainey talks to us about choosing a life that matters and about loving our kids, our spouse, and our God in ways that can help make family life the good life. Discussing the Internet with Donna Rice Hughes Dennis Rainey and his wife Barbara Rainey are founders of the family and marriage ministry Family Life. They have devoted their lives to seeing marriages thrive and individuals grow in their relationship with God. Dennis is a pastor, a popular author and speaker, and for over 25 years he was the host of the radio program Family Life Today. Dennis longs to empower people to live in courageous faith as they parent their kids and love their spouses well.
Episode Highlights:
What is God’s ecosystem? What are the three most important relationships in life? How is true success measured? What is a life that “matters”? What is the quote that brought Dennis freedom?
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Enough is Enough 2 Last week we heard from an expert in making the internet safe for your family. She said, “Let me just share the story of John Doe who was a convicted sex offender in a high-security prison. I talked to him for three hours. He would look for kids online that he was interested in. He was talking to a 13-year-old girl. That 13-year-old girl liked boys who were around 15 and played soccer. He would find pictures of boys that looked like that and he would send it and pretend to be that boy and engage that girl. Often times these lead to sexual encounters and situations where he would get nudes of them and back and forth and then used [those same pictures] to keep that child silent.” Donna Rice Hughes is the CEO and president of Enough is Enough. Discussing the Internet with Donna Rice Hughes Donna Rice Hughes works hard to protect our children from internet predators. She is the President and CEO of Enough is Enough and also is an internationally known internet safety expert, author, speaker, and producer. Donna’s vision, expertise, and advocacy have helped to birth the internet safety movement in America at the advent of the digital age. For 30 years Donna has been working hard to make the internet safe for your kids and family. She has developed and spearheaded the National Safe Wifi Campaign which is calling on corporate America to filter pornography and child sex abuse images off of public wifi. As a result of these efforts, two major companies that own stores all across America are now filtering wifi in their stores.
Episode Highlights:
How did the internet help close the gap between boys and girls and pornography use? What dangers are girls more prone to over the internet than boys? What percentage of 8-12-year-olds are using social media (regardless of “age restrictions")? How many pro-eating disorder accounts does Instagram have? What is the most important thing that Christian parents need to do about this issue?
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Enough is Enough It is obvious that we are raising our kids in a nation that has veered from the Christain morals and moreens that helped make America a global superpower. Consequently, our children are now being abused as a logical outworking of this moral veering. So what is a wise and godly parent to do for today? We will be talking about Donna Rice Hughes about how we can bring a semblance of sanity and spiritual grounding back into our homes and hopefully back into our nation as well. Discussing the Internet with Donna Rice Hughes Donna Rice Hughes works hard to protect our children from internet predators. She is the President and CEO of Enough is Enough and also is an internationally known internet safety expert, author, speaker, and producer. Donna’s vision, expertise, and advocacy have helped to birth the internet safety movement in America at the advent of the digital age. For 30 years Donna has been working hard to make the internet safe for your kids and family. She has developed and spearheaded the National Safe Wifi Campaign which is calling on corporate America to filter pornography and child sex abuse images off of public wifi. As a result of these efforts two major companies that own stores all across America are now filtering wifi in their stores.
Episode Highlights:
What word does Trace say some people argue started America’s loss of morality? What hypocrisy and cognitive dissonance does Trace point out? How did the redefinition of “freedom” lead to many of our problems today? What is Enough is Enough? What happened to the underground black market crimes when the internet debuted?
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Feelings Pt. 2 Last time on License to Parent we talked with John Rosemond about the mental health crisis and how it is affecting our teens. Mr. Rosemond said, “My contention is that it all goes back to the fact that we followed the herd in the early 1970s and we radically overhauled our parenting practices and we “fixed” something that wasn’t broken and we are paying a terrible price for that.” Today we continue this conversation. Discussing Mental Health with John Rosemond John is a family psychologist, best-selling author, and a popular speaker on parenting issues. He is husband to his wife, Wilma, of 55 years, father to two successful adults, and grandfather to seven well-behaved grandchildren. John’s goal is to help you parent with love and leadership and to raise responsible adults. You can find his website here.
Episode Highlights:
What difference has Trace seen in parents and kids since smartphones came out in the early 2000s? What does John say about the statistical data that the mental health field is helping reduce the mental health problem in America? What does Trace say about epigenetics? What is one of the most popular questions in psychology from a psychologist to their client? What does John have to say about that question?
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Feelings It used to be that when a parent needed advice for parenting they would go to a trusted and seasoned family member like a grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle - even if the child had behavioral problems. And if that didn't help, then the parent usually went to their pastor or clergy. But today we see that behavioral issues are viewed many times as clinical issues and this has given birth to what many refer to as the mental health industrial complex. John Rosemond is going to help us think through what modern mental health has become and the role it should or shouldn’t play in your family's well-being. Discussing Mental Health with John Rosemond John is a family psychologist, best-selling author, and a popular speaker on parenting issues. He is husband to his wife, Wilma, of 55 years, father to two successful adults, and grandfather to seven well-behaved grandchildren. John’s goal is to help you parent with love and leadership and to raise responsible adults. You can find his website here.
Episode Highlights:
What does John call psychology? Why have people tried various times to take John’s license away? What does John say is the truth about the mental health profession in America? Emotions are not more important than what? The more you talk to your child about their feelings the more - what?
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Prodigal You may have read a myriad of books about raising Godly kids and you are truly following the principles, but one of your own kids walks away from God. You could be a Sunday school teacher who taught other parents how to bring up Godly kids and yet your child still leaves the fold. Or you are actually the author of a preeminent parenting book and still one of your kids abandons the Lord. As a parent, if you’ve been disillusioned by doing things right this program is for you.
Last time Kari Trent-Stageburg said, “Even though there was not a day that I didn’t hear or know that my parents were crazy about me, and that there was a God who was crazy about me - for me what it really was, was that God just felt incredibly abstract and I wasn’t able at the time to figure out the relationship piece. [It made me think] why would I follow this if it doesn’t actually impact my life?” Today we will continue our conversation. Discussing Endurance with Dr. John Trent & Kari Trent Stageberg Dr. John Trent is the Founder and President of the organization Strong Families. He is also the author of the book “The Blessing.” His daughter Kari Trent Stageberg works alongside her dad as CEO of Strong Families and together they help build stronger marriages, coach parents to be better parents, and move everyone toward a closer relationship with God.
Episode Highlights:
How long does Kari say that she lived in rebellion? What does John Trent say to parents of children who walked away from God 20+ years ago and show no signs of returning? Where did John go in the Bible to find encouragement while his daughter was walking away from God? What does Hebrews 13:5 say? What does Kari say we don't get to choose?
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Walk Away Let’s say that you have read the myriad of books that have been written about raising godly kids and you are truly following the principles in those books to a “t." Still one of your own kids walks away from God as a teenager. Maybe as a Sunday school teacher, you taught other parents how to bring up godly kids from what you have read in those same books, and yet your Bible Quiz winner has now become an angsty teen. What happens when you’re actually the author of one of those preeminent parenting books and still one of your kids abandons the Blessing that you thought would guarantee you and your family blessing in return? As a parent, if you’ve been disillusioned by doing things right this program is for you. Discussing Parenting with Dr. John Trent & Kari Trent Stageberg Dr. John Trent is the Founder and President of the organization Strong Families. He is also the author of the book “The Blessing.” His daughter Kari Trent Stageberg works alongside her dad as CEO of Strong Families and together they help build stronger marriages, coach parents to be better parents, and move everyone toward a closer relationship with God.
Episode Highlights:
How do we reconcile what the Bible says about training up a child when we do it and it doesn’t seem to work? What was the idea behind the book “The Blessing?" Where does the Blessing come from? The Blessing is not a-what? What caused Kari to walk away from God and her family? What brought her back?
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Daily Hope No one would disagree that it is difficult to raise teenagers today. However, some would argue- when have parents not found the times unprecedented and the task of raising teenagers difficult? On the surface, this argument might sound plausible, but when we really peel back the onion to see all of the moving parts it seems apples are being compared to oranges. Perhaps a better analogy is that maybe molehills are being compared to mountains. A generation of kids without hope is what too many parents are dealing with today. What we need is hope for every day. Discussing Hope with Mark Gregston Mark is an author, speaker, radio host, and the Founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 50 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life Area Director, and now as Executive Director of Heartlight. Today we discuss his new book, "Daily Hope for Families."
Episode Highlights:
What is the second leading cause of death in teens? What quote does Trace give from Voltaire? What is the main reason kids feel hopeless? What main question does Mark ask himself? What is our role as parents and grandparents?
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Digital Madness If you haven’t noticed we are living in a time where parents have to raise their kids in a society that itself has become mentally ill. If you have listened in before you may have wondered if we are just being extreme or if our culture really has descended into an emotional, psychological, and spiritual abyss. Unfortunately, the data would suggest the later. Many times we suggest that parents ask what role digital technology may play in all of this. Today we will receive insights from Nicholas Kardaras’s book, “Digital Madness: How Social Media is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis and How to Restore Our Sanity.” Discussing Tech Addiction with Nicholas Kardaras Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is an Ivy League-educated psychologist, best-selling author, internationally renowned speaker, and an expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age. He is one of the country's foremost addiction experts. Dr. Kardaras lives with his wife in Sag Habor, NY and they have twin sons. He is a frequent presenter and lecturer on the subjects of philosophy, mental health, and both substance and screen addictions.
Episode Highlights:
What quote from Voltaire does Trace give? What does Trace believe is the real root of our society's mental health problems? Sin will take us _, cost us _, and keep us _. Who do Dr. Kardaras and Trace theorize God is using to wake up His people? “What harm can that do?” What harm does this phrase cause?
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Ask Trace It’s another installment of Ask Trace where I ask Trace questions that are on your hearts. Today’s topic is kind of sensitive. It is around the topic of LGBTQ youth. Over the last couple of weeks, I have had several conversations about pronouns and how to adjust your thinking around that. In some of those eye-opening conversations, I am seeing parents, teachers, and leaders in the Christian community that are on opposite sides. Both believe that they are on the side of compassion and the gospel. So how does Trace handle this with the teens at Shepherd’s Hill Academy?
Email asktrace@licensetoparent.org to ask your tough questions. Discussing LGBTQ+ with Trace Embry Trace Embry is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.
Episode Highlights:
What happens when you start to break down the fundamentals of reality? What do common definitions of terms provide? How are the students at Shepherd’s Hill addressed? What is Shepherd’s Hill here to bring? What leads to spiritual and psychological healing?
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Moms Raising Men Family values today are being challenged and even marginalized. Traditional gender roles have also been challenged and even redefined. Our boys are receiving distorted information about what it means to be a man while more single moms are raising sons without a good male role model to help live out what it really means to be a man. This is becoming generational. Almost to the point that extremists have now convinced many of today’s young men and women that the scientifically backed gender binary is either fluid or non-existent. So what is a single mom to do? How do moms raise sons to be men?
Discussing Raising Men with Rhonda Stoppe Rhonda Stoppe is a Christian author and speaker with over 30 years of experience as a pastor's wife, a mom coach, a marriage mentor, and a homeschool keynote speaker. Rhonda is Nana to 15 little ones. She also has 2 sons and 2 daughters and loves to share all that she learned through that experience. 10 years ago Rhonda wrote the book, “Moms Raising Sons to be Men” and it has just recently been re-released.
Episode Highlights:
What is the logical outworking of illogical teachings? Where should any parent find their standards for manhood? The more a mom tries to control a child the more- what? Why is it important to allow your child to make mistakes? To sin? What things did Rhonda’s single mom friends do to raise Godly sons into men?
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Resilient Kids The American culture is full of adults who are ideologically divided, emotionally fragile, addicted, mentally ill, and devoid of God. Sadly many of these adults are also averse to logic, objective truth, common sense, and even science. As responsible parents, we need to foster resilience in our kids like never before. But how do we do this when our kids seem to have lost so much confidence in and respect for the parents of the last few generations? Especially when many of these parents have taught them to trust and even emulate people like teachers, coaches, medical and mental health professionals, lawmakers, law enforcement, media personnel, businessmen, scientists, and too often even clergy. Dr. Kathy Koch will help bring clarity to this issue through the discussion of her book “Resilient Kids: Raising Them to Embrace Life with Confidence.”
Discussing Resilience with Kathy Koch Dr. Kathy Koch is the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids and the co-founder of Ignite The Family. Dr. Kathy has influenced thousands of parents, teachers, and children in over 30 countries through her messages, seminars, chapels, and other events. She speaks regularly at schools, churches, and pregnancy resource centers. She is a featured speaker for Great Homeschool Conventions and is also on the faculty of Summit Ministries. Dr. Kathy is for kids, especially your kid. Dr. Kathy is a champion in helping parents understand just how smart their kid is.
Episode Highlights:
What do children need to know about their parents which will make them grow in resilience? Every child and adult is created _? What has changed recently regarding children’s resiliency? What has the highlight reel taught our children? Effort is a part of life. What does it mean?
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The BlessingWell, let me tell you about this gift.
It does cost a little. It has a little investment involved. But this gift is so much more valuable than the latest gadget that they probably want. It’s a gift that can improve their lives now and in the future. It’s unlike most gifts that you know of. This gift is The Blessing.
So exactly what is the blessing? You’ll find out today on License to Parent.
Discussing Blessing Your Children with John Trent John Trent is the founder and president of Strong Families and claims that he, in fact, has the best job in the world. He writes, speaks, and trains others to create cultures of blessing in their homes, workplaces, ministries, and around the world.
In fact, John’s written over 30 books. We’re going to talk with him today about his award-winning book called “The Blessing“.
Episode Highlights:* Does one’s childhood guarantee success or failure as an adult? * How do we bless our kids the most? * What is the greek word for forgiveness? How is it significant? * What is it like to experience the blessing? * What is the blessing?
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Healthy TeensIf you have ever thought that we now live in a time and place where it has never been harder to raise healthy teenagers, you’ll get no argument from most parents. However, could it be that today’s dystopian-like society might be making it impossible? Frequent listeners to License to Parent know the answer. There is a possibility of raising healthy teenagers. Teaching you how to equip your child to navigate the pitfalls and dangers of teen life in a world gone mad is our work.
Discussing Health with Tom KerstingTom Kersting is a nationally renowned licensed psychotherapist, family counselor, author, and educator. He is a regular guest expert on many national television shows and talk shows. He also lectures throughout the country offering expert insight and advice for parents, children, and educators. Tom is the founder and owner of Valley Family Counseling LLC in Park Ridge, New Jersey. He and his wife have two teenage children. His latest book is “Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of Teen Life.”
Episode Highlights:
- What are the main issues facing teens today?
- What is mental freedom?
- What are our kids constantly distracted from?
- Why is practicing silent thought helpful?
- What are the outworkings of an anhedonic state?
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Words of LoveHow many of us have ever had a deep discussion with our kids about love? About what it is and what it is not? Love is a multifaceted term and the English language only has one word for it, but other languages, like Greek, have many. Greek’s uses of its other terms for love can be for describing a parent, or the love of a spouse. An entirely different word for love is used for the love of a friend. And still, another word for love transcends all the rest. It is the kind of sacrificial and unconditional love that springs from God Himself. It can be so easy for our kids to get a distorted idea about love when this term is applied to the myriad relationship scenarios that life brings our way. We need to ask ourselves what are the biblical perspectives on love?
Discussing Love with Shannon BreamShannon is an American journalist and attorney. She is the host of Fox News Sunday and the chief legal correspondent for Fox News Channel. Shannon is also the author of several best-selling books including, “The Love Stories of the Bible Speak.” Shannon is married to her husband Sheldon and they enjoy traveling, fly fishing, and college football.
Episode Highlights:
- According to Trace, when does genuine healing begin in the student of Shepherd’s Hill Academy?
- How are the love stories of the Bible relatable?
- Which characters is her book about?
- How is sex like fire?
- What is intimacy? What is it not?
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Hard QuestionsLast week we spoke with Dr. Don Williams about his book “The Young Christian’s Survival Guide.” In this podcast, he told us that his Grandfather was an illiterate country farmer from central Georgia and yet he had a tradition that marked Dr. William’s life forever. He required the youngest of his 9 children (who was literate) to read the Bible aloud for him each evening when he came in from the fields. His commitment to scripture marked Dr. Don’s father and in turn, marked Dr. Don. He genuinely loved the Lord and God’s word, despite his flaws. He had a real foundation. And this foundation is where apologetics truly starts. A person’s apologetics can only begin to be effective when that person is living a life of sacrificial love for the Lord. This conversation continues in this week’s podcast.
Discussing Biblical Truth with Don WilliamsDr. Donald Williams is a professor emeritus of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. Dr. Williams calls himself a border dweller. He says he stays permanently camped out in the borders between theology, literature, serious scholarship, and pastoral ministry. So to speak, Narnia and The Middle Earth. Dr. Williams has authored 13 books including “The Young Christian’s Survival Guide: Common Questions Young Christians Are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered” He is a pastor and church planter and has taken the gospel to places like Bulgaria, Uganda, India, and of course here in the United States.
Episode Highlights:
- What is the biggest contributor for why kids are walking away from the church?
- The problem wasn’t that they didn’t have answers it was what?
- What backs up Jesus’ supreme confidence?
- What is the purpose of answering a question with a question?
- Why are the Beatitudes so “dramatic”?
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Lasting ImpactIn our nation’s past most people would have found it safe to say that kids who were submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ were more likely to bring joy to themselves and to their families than the kids who chose to pursue the sinful pleasures of the world. Yet in today’s information age the truth of Scripture, and the virtues of faith, family, and common sense are often belied as too restrictive, oppressive, and even immoral. Many now consider the Bible to be an evil collection of dark fairy tales that speak of the evil deeds of an oppressive God- far too horrifying to be true. In this world parents and children need help to answer some of the toughest questions that pertain to the veracity of God and his word.
Discussing God’s Veracity with Don WilliamsDr. Donald Williams is a professor emeritus of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. Dr. Williams calls himself a border dweller. He says he stays permanently camped out in the borders between theology, literature, serious scholarship, and pastoral ministry. So to speak, Narnia and The Middle Earth. Dr. Williams has authored 13 books including “The Young Christian’s Survival Guide: Common Questions Young Christians Are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered” He is a pastor and church planter and has taken the gospel to places like Bulgaria, Uganda, India, and of course here in the United States.
Episode Highlights:
- What issues does Dr. Williams’ book address?
- Who specifically can benefit from the book?
- If apologetics is the 2nd most important, what is the 1st?
- What does Dr. Williams say about his father’s attempts to raise him to love the Lord?
- What made the real difference in Dr. Williams’ walk with God?
- Apologetics is only effective when spoken by what kind of people?
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Empty NestingMany parents invest 18 years into the lives of their kids before sending them out into this great big world. Maybe that’s you right now and your child is leaving the nest and that is something you excitedly anticipate. Or maybe it is a time of apprehension and sorrow and possibly even dread. Either way, it is a time of significant change and there is a certain sense of loss that is part of this new equation. However, that sense of loss does not have to result in the loss of your joy.
Discussing the Empty Nest with Jim BurnsJim Burns is the president of the ministry Homeword where he writes and speaks on their core values. The core values are; strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids, and healthy leaders. Jim and his wife live in southern California and they have three grown daughters. Jim and his wife are finding joy in the empty nest. Jim has authored multiple books, the latest of which is, “Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life.”
Episode Highlights:
- What is the best way to prepare for your children to leave the nest?
- What advice does Jim give empty nesters?
- What does “reinventing yourself” look like for an empty nester?
- What are some suggestions Jim gives for filling your time?
- What things in your life will take intentionality?
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God in TechJust before the advent of the smartphone, it was reported that former US Education Secretary Bill Bennet said, “America is rapidly becoming the kind of nation that civilized nations send missionaries to.” For those who heard Mr. Bennett’s comment, it would have been hard for them to believe the kind of changes that would occur in America over the next 15 years. Smartphones have become a cultural change agent and maybe have even broken down the American Dream and culture. Those change agents seem to have gotten the drop on those who would otherwise use the internet for good. As we head into Easter it’s a good time to ask the question, “does scripture have anything pertinent to say about the digital age and technology that we now have to navigate as parents?”
Discussing Tech with Chris KasparChris Kaspar is the founder of Techless an innovative tech start-up that created Wisephone– a pure and simple phone for intentional people. Chris is married to Ciera and is the fun dad of four beautiful daughters. Chris and Ciera have been foster parents for a handful of kids and they live for a deeper purpose.
Episode Highlights:
- How are the 7 deadly sins related to tech?
- What is the purpose of Techless?
- What is God’s purpose for technology?
- How does Chris define technology?
- What Biblical passages does Chris offer to parents?
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The BlessingIf I said that I knew what the perfect gift was that you could give your child for their next birthday you would want to know what it was, right? This gift does cost a little bit of money, and it has a little investment involved, but it is more valuable that the latest technology. The one that they probably want. This is a gift that can improve their lives now and in the future. It is unlike most gifts that you know. This gift is The Blessing.
Discussing Blessing with John TrentJohn Trent is the founder and director of Strong Families. He claims to have the best job in the world. He writes, speaks, and trains others how to create cultures of blessing in their homes, workplaces, ministries, and around the world. John has written over 30 books including his award-winning book “The Blessing”. He and his wife have two wonderful daughters.
Episode Highlights:
- How do we bless our kids most?
- Who is the only perfect parent?
- How many people does it take to make a difference in someone’s life?
- Where did John first see the blessing?
- What does “curse” mean in Hebrew?
- What does every kid deserve?
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Battle PlanWe all know the story of the prodigal son. In fact, it seems we all know a family that actually has a prodigal child. This is true for the President of the United States down to the average American Smith or Jones family. As believers in God and his Word, we understand that there are spiritual forces battling among us vying for our loyalty. A spiritual battle is also going on for our children. What parents need is a battle plan. Warfare strategies to win back the prodigals.
Discussing Warfare with Laine CraftLaine Craft is a mom, wife, and partner with God. Laine wants to see the impossible things become possible. This is because she has walked through several impossible. She walked through a marriage that resurrected after 17 miserable years, God healing her daughter from life-threatening illnesses, and seeing her three prodigal children become free, whole, and healed from porn, drugs, alcohol, and depression. Laine is also the author of the book “The Parent’s Battle Plan: Warfare Strategies to Win Back Your Prodigal“. Laine wants to encourage parents that it is possible to win the war against the enemy.
Episode Highlights:
- Why does raising our children to love God invite spiritual attack?
- Who are the devil’s main targets?
- What is the prize for enduring this battleground?
- What do every mission and every war have?
- What does prodigal mean?
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WisephoneIt has been long overdue, but in recent years a handful of visionaries and a growing contingent of parents are beginning to wake up to a vital need that can effect positive change not just in families, but in our culture. If you have happened to lookover ways to restore righteousness, peace, and joy to your child-rearing experience in your home then stay tuned. Find out how your family can have a wiser, safer, and more “free” alternative to the dangers and corruptions that threaten your kids through smartphones.
Discussing Tech with Chris KasparChris Kaspar is a leader in the creation of healthy tech. He is a part of cleaning things up. He is the founder of Techless an innovative tech startup that created Wisephone, a pure and simple phone for intentional people. Before Techless Chris founded Dancing Fox Films a film production company and Espresso, an ad agency specializing in brand development. Chris is married to his wife Ciera and is a father to four beautiful daughters. Chris and Ciera have also been foster parents for a handful of kids. They both live for a deeper purpose.
Episode Highlights:
- How is cognitive dissonance a factor in the smartphone issue?
- The mind can always justify- what?
- What is mammon?
- Why did Chris found Techless and what is his vision for the wisephone?
- The goal of Techless is to “lead people to live fully with-” what?
- What are the Wisephones specs?
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Ask TraceParent’s in today’s culture are facing some really hard choices. Raising their kids in a way that honors God means that their kids probably won’t be allowed to do things and activities that their friends get to do. When I was young it meant that I didn’t get to go to a movie theater. That was tough and caused lots of arguments in our household. Navigating culture and parenting leads to some tough questions.
Discussing Parenting with Trace EmbryTrace Embry is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.
Episode Highlights:
- What does Trace say is the stupidest thing that any parent could possibly say?
- If you don’t train your children, who will?
- What does Trace call the “right ways” to raise children?
- Is God really the God of the homes in America?
- If you parent according to the culture what can you expect your children to reflect?
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FBI DadsToday’s American culture continues to marginalize the value of the nuclear family. This makes it easier for more and more fathers to abandon their God-given responsibility to help nurture their offspring. As a result, the issue of absentee fathers has become a maximum problem for a culture that has been minimizing their significance. How do we turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers?
Discussing Fatherhood with Ryan RoyRyan Roy is the leader of FBI Dads. FBI Dads stands for “fathers being involved.” Ryan is the author of “Be the Dad You Wish You Had.” His father abandoned him when he was just five years old. After many years of research and trial and error Ryan has uncovered the most effective tools and methods to teach any dad how to be the dad he wishes he had.
Episode Highlights:
- How are both men and women responsible for the creation of absentee fatherhood?
- According to Ryan why are dads not so involved anymore?
- In what way are women incentivized to have fatherless children?
- What is an advantage of having God in the picture for these difficult situations?
- What is the mission of FBI Dads?
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GamerIn 2021 Americans spent over 60 Billion dollars just to play video games. What that actually cost our nation in lost productivity and revenue is anyone’s guess. Anecdotal evidence gives rise to the notion that much of this could be used in the workforce to help balance out our economy, but instead, we have young adults in their parents’ basements watching porn and playing video games. How can you keep your family from becoming victims in a digital disaster?
Discussing Video Games with Adam BrookerAdam Brooker grew up in the Charlotte area. He graduated high school in 2010 and went to North Carolina State University for one year. He then dropped out to enlist in the Army and ended up leaving for basic training in 2012. Adam was part of the 82 Airborn Division and five years later he finished his undergrad in North Carolina. Now Adam is in his last semester at Campbell Law School in Raleigh North Carolina.
Episode Highlights:
- What is the difference between sustenance and substance?
- People can’t feel good about themselves when- what?
- How many hours a day did Adam game?
- What events caused Adam’s slight video game addiction to take a downturn?
- What used to be the goal of college and what do young people expect differently, now?
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Digital AddictionSmartphones have this pull on us- me, you, and everyone. They are designed that way! When was the last time you left your phone somewhere and didn’t panic? Your brain and mine have developed and matured in ways that your child’s brain has not. So why do you give your child a phone? It is understandable- they need it for football practice and other activities. They need to get ahold of you and vice versa! But, how do you talk through pulling back on the phone? Let’s discuss some practical steps.
Discussing Technology with Melanie HempeMelanie Hempe is the founder of Screen Strong and has been on our program before. One of her goals in Screen String is to help parents think through the double standards on phones and other devices when they’re talking with their children.
Episode Highlights:
- What have smartphones virtually brought into our homes?
- What two aspects does Trace tie to kids who become school shooters?
- How are hypocrisy and double standards different?
- What is the Gold Standard offered by Screen Strong?
- What two things did Melanie and her husband say “no” to in order to fix the digital issue in their home?
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The EndOur world has always dealt with political corruption and evil. Yet these days it seems that American parents are having to raise their kids in a culture where the breakdown of the very foundations and fundamental principles of reality have been challenged and sometimes redefined. This is a different kind of evil. A kind of evil that logically culminates into chaos which logically ends in conflict, destruction, and death. So the question becomes- may we be living in the last days?
Discussing End Times with Sam SorboSam Sorbo studied biomedicine at Duke University but went on to be a model traveling the world and becoming fluent in five different languages. Modeling then took her to Hollywood for acting. Acting in LA is where she met her husband Kevin Sorbo. Today Sam hosts the nationally syndicated Sam Sorbo Show and speaks publicly around the nation. Find out more about Sam, her passions, and her family at her website.
Episode Highlights:
- What is the name of this most recent Left Behind movie?
- What current events are tied into the movie?
- What is the hope of the movie?
- What three things make people look clueless (even though they are not?)
- What is our job as believers?
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Wrecking BallDuring the course of almost every mom and dad’s 18-year parenting journey, you will encounter conflict with your children. Guaranteed. But what happens when the conflicts become routine and magnify into combat in the teen years? How should parents proceed when you can no longer restrain your teenage wrecking ball from wrecking your home and the loved ones inside it? There are options if you run out of ideas for keeping your home a sanctuary of sanity and safety. These options are provided by a professional who helps families for a living.
Discussing Recovery with Holly HunterHolly Hunter has been transporting troubled teens to therapeutic schools and programs across the country through Safe Passage Global which she founded. Holly has been a private investigator for more than 20 years, holds certifications in crisis manager intervention, and has been a Christian life coach. Holly is a certified mental health coach, first responder, and much much more. Holly is good at what she does and cares deeply about people. When Holly has some downtime you can find her singing, taking photos, or writing books.
Episode Highlights:
- How many parents are aware that long-term treatment programs actually exist?
- What feelings do parents struggle with when seeking outside help?
- According to Holly what is residential care?
- What words may help a parent choose residential care?
- What is the importance of not pointing fingers?
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Defending FaithIn our previous episode, our guest Alex McFarland helped parents understand what they need to do to help start changing our culture for the good. The early church prevailed because the gospel is true and because they were willing to die for their faith. What happened was that Christians built great families, Christians gave an honest days work, and men married women and had children and adopted children. Christianity turned the world upside down on the strength of family, morals, and personal excellence. We can do this again. Learn how to defend your faith.
Discussing Truth with Alex McFarlandAlex McFarland speaks worldwide and is known as a Christian Apologist, author, evangelist, religion and culture analyst, and defender of truth. Alex has written 18 books on apologetics and the Christian faith, one of which is “100 Bible Questions and Answers.” He is the host of the Alex McFarland Show which can be heard on American Family Radio and other outlets. He and his wife live in North Carolina.
Episode Highlights:
- What are two common questions kids today ask about religion?
- How can we know that the Bible is what it claims to be?
- What is Bible inerrancy?
- What is the Chicago Council on Biblical Inerrancy?
- What are the autographa and how do they relate to inerrancy?
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ApologeticsTake a moment and stop to think. How many of our child-rearing woes might actually stem from the fact that our kids don’t truly know God and His word? Or maybe they have lost faith in what they once claimed to believe. Many Christian families are losing their kids to the secular way of doing life. We hope to bring clarity to some of the most common sticking points that today’s kids are struggling with from Scripture and world events. Learn how to defend your faith.
Discussing Truth with Alex McFarlandAlex McFarland speaks worldwide and is known as a Christian Apologist, author, evangelist, religion and culture analyst, and defender of truth. Alex has written 18 books on apologetics and the Christian faith, one of which is “100 Bible Questions and Answers.” He is the host of the Alex McFarland Show which can be heard on American Family Radio and other outlets. He and his wife live in North Carolina.
Episode Highlights:
- What two main points are being taught to help parents argue concerning their faith?
- How does trusting God help children trust their parents?
- What does Trace mean by “honoring the fifth?”
- What makes Alex’s book “100 Biblical Questions and Answers” a book which should be in all homes?
- How have the biblical questions people ask shifted over the last 20 years?
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Shepherds HillIf you are a regular listener you know that our goal is to equip parents with the knowledge and authority to be the parent God has ordained for all families. We are here to both challenge and embolden you. In a sense, we want to re-issue you a license to parent your own children as you deem best. However, as faithful listeners, you also know that our perspectives and insights here at License to Parent come straight from the word of God and the proving ground here at Shepherds Hill Academy.
Discussing Miracles with Allison WallaceFor the last 17 years, Allison has been serving families and adolescence in crisis. Allison is a main part of what happens at Shepherds Hill. She is the Director of Program Development and has been a part of residential care since 2006. Allison studied counseling and psychology and developmental psychology at Toccoa Falls College. Allison works along with her husband Joshua who is the Chief Operations Officer. Together they have a beautiful little girl, Lilliana.
Episode Highlights:
- What kept Allison at Shepherds Hill?
- How does Trace speak about his daughter?
- What was Allison’s experience of the miracles that grew Shepherds Hill?
- What did Allison see God do in 2022 at Shepherds Hill?
- What has amazed Trace in 2022?
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Real MiraclesHave you ever stepped out in faith? Feeling led to do what some would consider impossible, but believing that God was directing you and knowing that he would do just that? Trace and Beth Embry saw a need in our world and they knew God was calling them to be the answer and to bring healing. Step by step, brick by brick, child by child, and through God they are breathing life into our next generation. They are watching God build something incredible. The Miracles of Shepherds Hill.
Discussing Beginnings with Trace EmbryTrace is the founder and executive director of Shepherds Hill. Trace and his wife Beth have a heart and passion for the parents and youth of today’s culture. Trace was a former business owner and police officer in the Chicago area, but God lead them on a journey. The Embrys gave up almost everything to move to Georgia and begin Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Trace is the author of the book “The Miracles of Shepherds Hill: An Extraordinary Odessey of Divine Interventions” Trace and Beth have five kids and six grandchildren.
Episode Highlights:
- How does Trace define miracles?
- What is the purpose of the book?
- Where did Shepherd’s Hill start?
- How long did Trace and his wife wrestle with the calling on their life?
- What examples of miracles does Trace give?
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Bible ParentingWhat happens when all of the things we have been taught about parenting turn out to be wrong? When our children are disrespectful, lazy, or even making dangerous choices? Reevaluating your parenting method is difficult and can be scary, so how do you get back to God’s parenting ecosystem? The first step- dig into the Bible.
Discussing Parenting with John RosemondJohn Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of psychology. John is a writer and speaker and his work is syndicated in a couple of hundred newspapers nationwide. He has written over 20 best-selling parenting books and he is also one of America’s most popular speakers in the field of parenting. John’s website is www.rosemond.com where his book “The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God’s Perfect Parenting Plan” can be found. John and his wife live in North Carolina.
Episode Highlights:
- What is the proof of psychology being a lie?
- The raising of a child is fundamentally what?
- Why are parents not on the same page?
- What is the motto of co-dependency?
- What does psychology say good parenting is about? How is this wrong?
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Parenting CodeWe can never love our kids too much when we love them in the right way. The right way is when we love them congruent to God’s ecosystem. However, God’s ecosystem seems to have gotten distorted in recent decades. This is why it is important to discuss some of the fundamentals of God’s parenting ecosystem by diving into His parenting playbook; the Bible.
Discussing Parenting with John RosemondJohn Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of psychology. John is a writer and speaker and his work is syndicated on a couple hundred newspapers nation wide. He has written over 20 best selling parenting books and he is also one of America’s most popular speakers in the field of parenting. John’s website is www.rosemond.com where his book “The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God’s Perfect Parenting Plan” can be found. John and his wife live in North Carolina and his favorite grocery store is Trader Joe’s!
Episode Highlights:
- What happens when you buy into a false premise?
- What has the field of psychology done to the raising of children?
- What does the new psychological paradigm emphasize?
- What happened to John’s family when he followed new parenting guidelines?
- What was the first step to correct their parenting?
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Lockdown As parents have we been teaching our kids about the merits of hard work and the American free market? If so, how do we explain to them why our government appears to be fundamentally straying from the principles that once made our nation the envy of the world? A system that has always rewarded hard work and hailed a free market. Many experts believe that today’s kids will never acquire the economic status their parents enjoyed because too many are taught to believe socialism and free things from cradle to grave is the way to the new American dream. Or the Great Reset. Discussing Socialism with Cheryl Chumley Cheryl is the online opinion editor and host of “Bold and Blunt” the podcast for the Washington Times. She is an in-demand public speaker and media guest who is passionate about topics related to Christianity and the country's Judeo-Christian roots. She is also passionate about the Constitution, politics and policy, the United Nations and sovereignty issues, Congress and Captial Hill, and pretty much anything that lends itself to exposing matters that run counter to freedom, Biblical principles, and the preservation of America as the greatest country the world has ever seen. Cheryl is also the author of “Lockdown: The Socialist Plan to Take Away Your Freedom.”
Episode Highlights:
What tactic did the American government use during the Pandemic? What are the likely next steps the American government will take? What is the saying Trace references about training? What are school children being brainwashed to believe? What is our moral obligation?
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Stump Living There are scripture verses that speak about the sins of the fathers and many would agree that these verses also apply to the sins of the mothers. Whether you are a mom or a dad, even Godly parents are not immune from the shame, grief, and guilt, that can often accompany the secret sins of our past. These past sins and the emotions that stem from them can adversely affect the way that we raise our kids. They can even do damage to our parent-child relationships in the process. Adding insult to injury, the children of shame and guilt-ridden parents find themselves struggling with many of the same traits and issues that they did not know about their self-loathing parents. We need to get past the past for the sake of our kids today because you can’t live on a stump. Discussing Mistakes with Dr. Harold Rhoades Dr. Harold Rhoades is a counseling psychologist. He was an intelligence officer in the US Army and he was also the head of counseling programs at Emmanuel College and Reagent University. He is the founder and director of Healing Springs Retreat Ministry. Dr. Rhoades is the author of the book “You Can’t Live on a Stump.” Dr. Rhoades and his wife live just down the road from Shepherd's Hill Academy.
Episode Highlights:
How does your past life negatively impact your child-rearing? How does your past life positively impact your child-rearing? What is one of the main things people struggle with in regard to their pasts? Why did Dr. Rhoades decide to reveal his own past mistakes in his book? What is the most important thing you can communicate to your children about mistakes?
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Assassination Generation It's been said that practice makes perfect. This is true in sports, music, and in all entertainment arts. Video gaming is no exception either- including violent games. With that said have you ever thought about what might be getting perfected in your children with respect to the video games that they regularly play? Is it possible that we could perhaps be party to some serious issues brewing right in our own homes? Discussing Gaming with Dave Grossman Dave Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker. He is one of the world's foremost experts in the field of human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime. Dave is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. Dave founded the Kilogy Research Group and he speaks on ways to reduce violence in society and deal with the aftermath of violent events such as school shootings.
Episode Highlights:
What examples show that this issue truly is a big thing? Is this issue entirely the fault of violent video games? What is a key factor in suicides and traffic deaths? Why are tech advances today not to be compared to advances in the past parenting-wise? How does sleep deprivation affect children and adults?
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Screen Strong When we think of addiction or any activity that can damage human emotions, bodies, and brain matter we often think only in terms of drug addiction. But what if our kids are regularly engaging in other things? Things that bring about the same kind of damage? Do you realize that our children’s screen time could be doing just that? The fact is digital abuse does affect the brain in the exact way that it is affected by cocaine and heroin. Digital abuse may also be affecting your child’s body and emotions in a similar way. Discussing Digital Use with Melanie Hempe Melanie is the founder and director of Screen Strong. Melanie helps families avoid the problematic use of screens. She does this from the heart of a parent who has had to walk her own children through some hard screen addiction. Through Screen Strong, Melanie provides easy education on brain development and the effects of screen use on kids. She also provides solutions for parents. Melanie does not just tell parents to take away the devices, she helps them think through it so they can reconnect their family.
Episode Highlights:
What are some things smartphones give your child access to? What is the purpose of the Screen Strong organization? What “accreditation” does Screen Strong have that others may not? Medically speaking what effects do screens have on our children? What is the biggest issue screen use causes?
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Media Access Our kids are being raised in a media-saturated world where their media choices have become virtually endless. Some of this is good, but when does it turn into too much of a good thing and become bad? Can too many media choices dilute what good and bad choices look like? With respect to digital technology is it wise for our kids to have unrestricted access to the proverbial candy shop of media? Are there psychological, emotional, behavioral, physical, and spiritual risks when media access is unrestricted? Discussing Media with Philip Telfer Philip Telfer is firstly a child of God and a disciple of Christ. Philip is a pastor and is also a founder of Media Talk 101. He is the author of “Media Choices: Convictions or Compromise.” He also enjoys roasting his own coffee and sharing it with his family and friends.
Episode Highlights:
How many different platforms for entertainment are on the internet? Why is this topic not covered in Sunday sermons? How old was Philip when he recognized the negative impacts of media? What is the first step to dealing with media issues? What event in history has begun waking people up to media dangers?
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Counter Cultural Kids For over 2,000 years Christian parents around the world have trained their kids to live counterculturally. This simply means they are different from the norms of their native land. For the most part in America, Christian parents have raised their kids to fit into America's culture. From the beginning, Americans had largely accepted the moral principles of God’s word, but due to recent cultural shifts helping our kids fit into our culture means turning a blind eye to what God’s word teaches. Discussing Children with Gary Chapman Tina is known as the counterculture mom. She has the inside scoop and a wealth of knowledge about Hollywood. In her younger years, she worked on TV shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Young and the Restless, Lizzie McGuire, 90210, and many others. Today she uses what she learned about pop culture and the entertainment industry to inform parents about how Hollywood is eroding the development of our kids.
Episode Highlights:
It is much easier to succeed as a parent when you apply what? What is the difference between a dream and a vision? What is the main problem in culture today? What is the biggest thing we need to do as parents? What is happening that is worse than Sodom and Gomorrah?
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Loving Children Well For most parents loving our kids is as natural as breathing. It’s just wired into us. Although they usually would agree that we really do love them, our kids may not necessarily agree that we always make them feel loved. At least not in a way that fosters security and emotional well-being. So how can we foster that security and emotional well-being in our children? Discussing Children with Gary Chapman Dr. Gary Chapman is best known for working to improve or heal our most important relationships. Since the success of his first book, Dr. Chapman has expanded the Love Language series to reach out to teens, singles, men, children, and military families. Dr. Chapman is a pastor, marriage counselor, conference speaker, and author. His book The Five Love Languages of Children can be found here.
Episode Highlights:
What are the 5 love languages? What is your primary love language? What is/are your child(ren)'s primary love language(s)? Do you know for certain that your children feel loved? What is the value of affirming effort? Do gifts always have to cost money?
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Healing Humanity American parents are realizing that there is something amiss in our culture and that it is radically affecting their children. Kids today seem to have gained much more influence and authority in their homes than those of previous generations. It looks like progress to some, but to others, it is considered child abuse. Is it possible that the American culture is abusive? Many parents and grandparents would argue that our culture needs a complete overhaul. We need to heal humanity for the sake of our kids. Discussing Healing with Richard Cohen Richard is a psychotherapist, educator, and author. He travels throughout much of the world teaching about marital relations, parenting skills, healing from sexual abuse, and understanding gender identity and sexual orientation issues. Over the past 34 years he has helped hundreds in therapy and thousands through healing seminars as well as training physicians, psychologists, counselors, and ministry leaders how to assist those dealing with gender identity and sexual orientation concerns. His latest book is entitled “Healing Humanity: Time, Touch, and Talk.”
Episode Highlights:
Why should we not want our kids to “fit in” to culture today? Who should be our final authority in child-rearing? What is the single most important thing we parents can do in raising our children? What makes healthy touch such an important part of parenting? Why is our culture so over-sexed?
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Man and Woman We learn from the creation story that God didn’t do anything randomly. Day one, God created the light. Day two, was the sky and so on. And then we come to day six. After God created the animals he created humans. Here are the words from Genesis 1:27, “So God created mankind in his own image. In the image of God, he created them. Male and female he created them.” What it means to be male and female is really coming into question today. No, let's say it's coming into hard scrutiny today. The government, doctors, counselors, and teachers. There are many who are telling our children that they get to decide “what is a woman?” Discussing Gender with Tim Wildmon and Kendra White Tim Wildmon is the executive director of “In His Image.” He is also president of the American Family Association and American Family Radio. American Family Association is a national organization that advocates for biblical teaching on morality and values. Tim also hosts a daily program on American Family Radio’s 180+ stations. Tim and his wife Allison have three children and ten grandchildren.
Kendra White is the producer for America Family Studios which is the film division of American Family Association. She co-wrote and directed American Family Studios’ first feature film “Summer Snow” with her brother Jeremy. Kendra is passionately pursuing Christ and loves to encourage other women to fall in love with the Savior who is in her heart. Kendra is married and is pregnant with their first child.
Episode Highlights:
What is the reason In His Image was made? What did the study in the UK find? What is the difference between gender confusion and gender dysphoria? How are schools grooming kids to approach these issues? What do we as parents need to understand?
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Empty Nest Several months ago I watched a mother Robin build a nest outside my window. First, there was a nest, and then came the blue eggs. Then the blue eggs hatched and we had baby birds and then those baby birds flew away and all that was left was an empty nest. Jim Burns is back with us to talk more about how to find joy in the empty nest. Discussing Joy with Jim Burns Jim Burns is the president of the ministry Homeword where he writes and speaks on their core values. The core values are; strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids, and healthy leaders. Jim and his wife live in southern California and they have three grown daughters. Jim and his wife are finding joy in the empty nest.
Episode Highlights:
How do you find joy in the empty nest? What does it mean to live your life with significance? What will rob you of joy in the empty nest stage? How does treating your kids like adults (even if they’re not acting like them) help this stage? How can you embrace your second half of life? What does tough love mean?
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Understanding Genesis As Christian parents, when we raise our kids to believe that the Bible should be the final authority of moral truth we need to know how to interpret scriptures for ourselves. This starts with the book of Genesis. What we understand about Genesis will help us better determine what the rest of Scripture says. This will give us a better chance of knowing how to glorify God. Discussing History with Del Tackett Del Tackett is a well-known biblical worldview teacher and author. He is the creator of The Truth Project and The Engagement Project. He is the host of the new feature film called “Is Genesis History.” Del wants to be known as a tour guide. A guide that takes you on an incredible excursion, the most breathless place possible; to gaze upon the face of God and to understand how his nature and character undergird all of reality.
Episode Highlights:
What is “Is Genesis History” actually about? Who was the target audience of this movie? Who was the creative Person of God during the creation of the world? How does Jesus’ comment about divorce help support Genesis as actual history? What is the danger in accepting the premise that Genesis is allegorical?
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Religious Liberties It seems that people in our government are exercising or rather imposing their power and authority on parents. It may feel to you that our government is now the final authority to determine what is best for our children. While we the people have given the government certain liberties to intervene when blatant abuses occur in our homes, these liberties have sometimes been abused. Too often we the people have allowed it. Many of these governmental overreaches have had no logical, scientific, or moral undergurney. Discussing Rights with Michael Farris Mike Farris is the president and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom and he brings to the role a diverse background as an effective litigator, educator, public advocate, and communicator. He is widely recognized for his successful work on both the national and international stages. Mike has been fighting for our religious freedoms for many years. He was a founding president of both the Homeschool Legal Defense Association and also Patrick Henry College. Mike is the author of over 15 books. He is married to Vickey and they have ten children and many grandchildren.
Episode Highlights:
What is the title “License to Parent” trying to communicate? What is Alliance Defending Freedom? What is the concept behind “America Bless God”? What kind of people do we need to become? How is “the separation of church and state” a slogan?
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A Good America Today’s news is filled with any number of hot-button issues; racism, abortion, white privilege, gun control, climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, and more. These are just a few hot-button issues. Our kids are being influenced by the people that they trust to form value judgments that can often contradict much of what you may be teaching them. There are some dangerous perspectives on the issues at hand that can easily shape, if not hijack, the worldview of us and our children. Discussing Worldview with Joe Battaglia Joe Battaglia is a broadcaster, author, and president of Renaissance Communications which is a media company whose mission is to provide media platforms for gifted communicators of Biblical truth. He is the executive producer of the nationally syndicated radio program Keep The Faith, and for over 16 years has been involved in the promotion of highly successful hit movies like “Miracles from Heaven,” “War Room,” and “I Can Only Imagine.” His latest book is “Make America Good Again.”
Episode Highlights:
What is the first thing parents need to do when trying to teach their children good v. evil? What movement lead to destroying the moral standard in America? What has more influence on people, laws, or the arts? What do our media habits tell us about our spiritual lives? Why are children lacking direction?
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A Good America Today’s news is filled with any number of hot-button issues; racism, abortion, white privilege, gun control, climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, and more. These are just a few hot-button issues. Our kids are being influenced by the people that they trust to form value judgments that can often contradict much of what you may be teaching them. There are some dangerous perspectives on the issues at hand that can easily shape, if not hijack, the worldview of us and our children. Discussing Worldview with Joe Battaglia Joe Battaglia is a broadcaster, author, and president of Renaissance Communications which is a media company whose mission is to provide media platforms for gifted communicators of Biblical truth. He is the executive producer of the nationally syndicated radio program Keep The Faith, and for over 16 years has been involved in the promotion of highly successful hit movies like “Miracles from Heaven,” “War Room,” and “I Can Only Imagine.” His latest book is “Make America Good Again.”
Episode Highlights:
What is the first thing parents need to do when trying to teach their children good v. evil? What movement lead to destroying the moral standard in America? What has more influence on people, laws, or the arts? What do our media habits tell us about our spiritual lives? Why are children lacking direction?
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Digital Diet Raising emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually healthy kids is exhausting. It requires healthy relationships. A generation ago, routine parent-to-child face-to-face interaction was just part of raising children, but now excessive screen time really helps diminish this essential face-to-face interaction. It is more important than ever for parents to be intentional in making this face-to-face interaction possible with their kids a top priority. Discussing Digital Abuse with Nicholas Kardaras Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is an Ivey League-educated psychologist, an internationally renowned speaker, and one of the country's foremost addiction experts. He is considered a leading expert on young people and digital addiction. Dr. K, as he is known, wrote “Glow Kids,” which has been translated into 10 languages. Dr. Kardaras lives in Austin Texas with his wife and twin boys.
Episode Highlights:
What is driving our mental health crisis? How are your children being shaped by social media? What is the copycat effect? What does media prime our children for? What is the TikTok Tourettes phenomenon?
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Taking Back Joy Raising kids has always been a challenge and a joy, but today the challenges in raising kids seem to overwhelm the best of parents and the joy can feel gone. Parents seem to have lost their voice in the home and in our culture. We are seeing many couples opting out of raising kids altogether. Our culture now appears to be working against traditional families and robbing them of the joy that once was. Discussing Joy with Rick Boyer Rick Boyer is recognized by many in the homeschool network as Uncle Rick. He is an author, speaker, and homeschool pioneer. For many years his audio recording have taken scripture, history, and adventure stories and turned them into character lessons for many children. Rick and his wife Marilyn created the homeschool curriculum “Character Concepts.”
Episode Highlights:
What happens when a nation forgets its history? How could God be using the homeschooling movement? What does it mean to be a Son of Issachar? What in our school systems is reminiscent of The Hitler Youth? What is the difference between leaders and followers?
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Facing Struggles When you talk with anyone raising kids today you’ll see that difficulties abound in one form or another. Then the child enters their teens and these difficulties seem to intensify. In the 16th chapter of the Gospel of John verse 33, Jesus told his disciples that “in this life, you will have tribulation, trials, trouble, and sorrows.” So life isn’t always gonna be a bed of roses. This will certainly include your parenting experience. Navigating life’s difficulties in a world gone mad. Discussing Difficulties with Anthony Selvaggio Anthony Selvaggio is a pastor, author, and former practicing attorney. He currently serves as pastor of the Rochester Christian Reformed Church in Rochester New York. His latest book is “Considering Job.”
Episode Highlights:
Why are people in our culture not equipped to process suffering? Who is responsible for building resilience into children? Why is failure good for children? What does the book of Job remind us of? There is a redemptive purpose to ______.
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Bully Proof Nobody likes a bully and nobody wants to be bullied, but now the tough question: have you ever considered that your child could be the bully? Have you thought of a plan of action if you discover your child is a bully? Or what is your strategy if your child is being bullied? Discussing Bullying with Paul Paul Coughlin is a dad, husband, speaker, author, and expert witness standing against bullying. He started the organization The Protectors which stands for freedom from bullying through courage, character, and leadership. Paul has written eight books including, “Raising Bully-Proof Kids,” “Free Us from Bullying,” and a number of years ago he wrote the book “No More Christian Nice Guy.”
Episode Highlights:
What kind of feedback does a kid get who is experimenting with bullying? What exactly is bullying versus children just being children? How is teasing not bullying? What is the short answer for why people bully? Why is being nice not the solution? In what three vocations can a bully do the most harm?
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Navigating Culture If you are over 50 you have lived through some drastic changes, or rather deviations, in our culture. Even some of our kids have lived through these changes and our cultural attitudes and behaviors toward things that used to be considered abnormal. Less than 10 years ago, only a few people identified as gay. Yet in the last few years, we have seen those numbers rise and more than double. Are we preparing our kids to interact in a world that is changing drastically? Some of our own kids are feeling influenced to follow this lifestyle. What are we to do? Discussing Cultural Navigation with Joe Dallas Joe Dallas is an author, conference speaker, and ordained pastoral counselor. He directs a biblical counseling ministry for those dealing with sexual and relational problems. He also works with their families. Joe says that one of his greatest joys is seeing people’s lives conformed to God’s will. Joe has also authored six books on human sexuality from the Christian perspective and his new book is “Christian in a Cancel Culture.”
Episode Highlights:
What does Psalm 11:3 say? What are the things in danger from the mainstream agenda? What is the best place to start when facing sexual education? How can discussing feelings help build a foundation for the topic of sexuality? When talking to young children about sexuality what should you start with?
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Women of the Bible When you think of the Bible do terms like love, righteousness, redemption, and holiness come to mind? Perhaps you think of the flip side terms like hate, vengeance, adultery, or lust. All of these topics and many more are found in the Bible. God’s word does not discriminate when reporting the truth. But this ancient document, the Bible, can help you as a parent build character in your kids. Even in today’s difficult culture. Discussing Biblical Women with Shannon Bream Shannon is the anchor of Fox News at Night with Shannon Bream which is live from midnight to 1 am EST. Shannon is also the chief legal correspondent for Fox News and is the host of the podcast Livin’ the Bream. Shannon has written 3 books including, “The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak: Lessons on Faith from Nine Biblical Families.” This book is #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List. Shannon lives in Virginia with her husband and their beloved dog Biscuit.
Episode Highlights:
Why does God include healthy and dysfunctional families in the Bible? What can you take from the women in the Bible? How will the study questions help you? Who is Shannon’s favorite family and why? How do the flaws of people help highlight the righteousness of God?
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The Power of Music Pt. 3 Since the beginning of time philosophers, spiritual leaders, and even musicians themselves have all shared their convictions about the power of music and its ability to influence attitudes and behaviors for good or for ill. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are just a few who affirm these observations. In modern times scientists and musicologists have also weighed in on musics' extraordinary power to affect body and brain chemistry positively and negatively. Yet, many parents still see music as a benign form of entertainment that serves as nothing more than just that; entertainment. Could the music we allow be a catalyst for some of the ill behaviors that can wreak havoc in our homes? Discussing Music with Joe Schimmel Pastor Schimmel has been equipping Christians with the truth of God's word since 1987 and his testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ in his own life can be seen in the powerful expose “They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll.” Brother Joe started Good Fight Ministries with a mission to reach a lost and dying world with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Joe’s life work and ministry are dedicated to carrying out the great commission of Jesus Christ.
Episode Highlights:
What is the main sin the Bible mentions? What are we designed to do? What do we do about it? What is the danger that superheroes present? Who is much of the comic world influenced by?
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The Power of Music Pt. 2 Since the beginning of time philosophers, spiritual leaders, and even musicians themselves have all shared their convictions about the power of music and its ability to influence attitudes and behaviors for good or for ill. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are just a few who affirm these observations. In modern times scientists and musicologists have also weighed in on musics' extraordinary power to affect body and brain chemistry positively and negatively. Yet, many parents still see music as a benign form of entertainment that serves as nothing more than just that; entertainment. Could the music we allow in our homes be a catalyst for some of the ill behaviors that can wreak havoc in our homes? Discussing Music with Joe Schimmel Pastor Schimmel has been equipping Christians with the truth of God's word since 1987 and his testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ in his own life can be seen in the powerful expose “They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll.” Brother Joe started Good Fight Ministries with a mission to reach a lost and dying world with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Joe’s life work and ministry are dedicated to carrying out the great commission of Jesus Christ.
Episode Highlights:
Words are powerful, but what other part of music is more powerful? What part of the brain can be bypassed by music? Why is it dangerous to have Christian music paired with a heavy sound? What songs cause you to sing without grace in your heart? How are worship and entertainment in music similar, yet different?
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The Power of Music Since the beginning of time philosophers, spiritual leaders, and even musicians themselves have all shared their convictions about the power of music and its ability to influence attitudes and behaviors for good or for ill. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are just a few who affirm these observations. In modern times scientists and musicologists have also weighed in on musics' extraordinary power to affect body and brain chemistry positively and negatively. Yet, many parents still see music as a benign form of entertainment that serves as nothing more than just that; entertainment. Could the music we allow in our homes be a catalyst for some of the ill behaviors that can wreak havoc in our homes? Discussing Music with Joe Schimmel Pastor Schimmel has been equipping Christians with the truth of God's word since 1987 and his testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ in his own life can be seen in the powerful expose “They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll.” Brother Joe started Good Fight Ministries with a mission to reach a lost and dying world with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Joe’s life work and ministry are dedicated to carrying out the great commission of Jesus Christ.
Episode Highlights:
In what two realms is music targeting our children? Who invented music? How is music addictive? How does God use believers? What does Hebrews chapter 5 teach us?
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Joy and an Empty Nest Many parents invest 18 years into their kids' lives before sending them out into this great big world. Well, maybe that's you right now and your child is leaving the nest and that is something you anticipate. Or maybe it’s a time of apprehension, sorrow, and maybe even dread. Either way, it is a time of significant change and there is a certain sense of loss that is part of this new equation. But that sense of loss does not need to mean the loss of your joy.
Discussing Joy with Jim Burns Jim is the president of the ministry Homeward where he writes and speaks on their core values. Those core values are strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids, and healthy leaders. Jim and his wife live in southern California and they have three grown daughters causing the Burns’ to also experience this empty nest phase. Jim has authored multiple books and his latest is Finding Joy in the Empty Nest.
Episode Highlights:
What do children gain from emotionally sound parents? Why are child-centric homes unhealthy? When a child leaves to gain fresh experiences, what should you do? What do you have the most of with an empty nest? What must be redefined during the empty nest phase? Empty nesting is not just about staying in love, it's about..what?
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The Perfect Parent As a parent, you are thrown a lot of scenarios and there is no way to prepare for every single one of them. You may know deep down that you're not the perfect parent. As much as you’d like to be and as much as you try. Your children’s friends' parents seem to have it all together, but I want to share a little secret with you. There are no perfect parents. In this world, anyway.
Discussing Parenting with Dave and Ann Wilson Dave and Ann Wilson are the hosts of the radio program Family Life Today. They are authors of Vertical Marriage and No Perfect Parents. Dave was chaplain for the Detroit Lions and together they have co-founded a large church in the Detroit area called Kensington Community Church. They’ve raised three sons and now are reaping the benefits and are now playing with their grandbabies.
Episode Highlights:
Who is the secret to successful parenting? What is the second part of the secret to successful parenting? What is your goal for your children? What is the danger of having “happiness” be your goal for your children? What is the difference between joy and happiness? What family “hierarchy” is expressed and shown to be good?
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iSlavery with Nate Randle Would you believe that virtually every other student in your child’s school has hard-core pornography wired directly into their bedrooms and that it is actually approved of and paid for by their parents? Would you ever consider paying to have pornography wired into your child's bedroom? Does that same hard-core pornography affect kids more or less if they were given unfettered access to it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year? When kids are given unfettered access to smartphones, this is effectively what’s happening.
Discussing iSlavery with Nate Randle Nate Randle is the CEO at Gabb Wireless. In his role at Gabb Wireless Nate has overseen record-breaking sales along with a new level of community outreach which includes a special focus on helping single parents. Nate is married and has four kids so he brings a focus on family approach to his leadership at Gabb.
Episode Highlights:
What three elements lead to not speaking against smartphones? What can the mind always justify? What are just a few areas where smartphones cause problems? What one thing do children do that makes parents give in? You can trust your child, but do you trust who can reach them? How are smartphones like swim lessons?
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Sexual Education with Jeff Johnston We’re raising our kids in a post-Christian nation, so we can’t assume that our government, nor its agencies, are in agreement with God-fearing moral values that built and sustained what many would call American exceptionalism. For a while, foreign and domestic enemies have been chipping away at America's God-fearing heritage and infrastructure. Though colleges and universities have always been the prime target, today an even more vulnerable and impressionable demographic is being targeted. It’s our elementary schoolers and even our preschoolers. So as concerned Christian parents it’s time that we stand up, lift our voices, and make our concerns known.
Discussing Sex Ed with Jeff Johnston Jeff Johnston is the Issues analyst for Focus on the Family. Jeff wrights and teaches about Marriage, Homosexuality, and Gender. Basically, Jeff encourages and helps Christians understand the latest issues. A number of resources can be found on Focus on the Family including, The Daily Citizen, Back To School – For Parents, and “Sexualizing Schoolchildren: Comprehensive Sex Ed”. Episode Highlights:
What does Proverbs 13:14 say? What agenda is being put on children in public schools? What booklet did Planned Parenthood publish worldwide? What is the danger of teaching a child consent? Why is this agenda confusing for children?
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Face to Face I have a question for you. Have we become a society that likes to hide? Because since the lockdowns it seems that some are okay with staying inside their four walls. But while we hide inside we also have more courage with our words on social media. You know these little devices, our phones? They give us the power to say things that we wouldn’t otherwise say. Especially if we were face to face. And this brings me to another question. Is canceling face-to-face relationships decivilizing our society?
Discussing Relationships with Geremy Keeton Geremy is the senior director of counseling services at Focus on the Family. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist, and he leads the focused mental health team of clinicians and pastoral specialists. Episode Highlights:
What does it take to be seen and known? What is the pace of our technology doing to us? How have smartphones impacted our youth? What pace will help us foster relationships? What are the 5 components of emotionally healthy people? How do you develop emotional health?
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Rebel Parenting The cultural revolution in the 1960’s changed the face of America. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll led the way to much of what we still see today in rebellion and immorality. After all it's the youth of that generation that are the grandmas and grandpas of today. Now many parents, the children of the rebel generation, are having to navigate this new cultural norm and they’re finding that Biblical parenting flies in the face of what they were taught and what much of the culture now believes. Do today's Christian parents face a different kind of rebellion as they raise their kids? Perhaps a rebellion against the rebellion?
Discussing Parenting with Ryan Dobson Ryan Dobson is a dad of two and he's the son of parenting expert Dr. James Dobson. Ryan has written six books. He speaks most weekends to people wanting help with their families and he is host of the podcast Rebel Parenting. Episode Highlights:
How do you win the spiritual war? What does a “weirdo” look like? Who can learn to live in grace? What is your family’s common denominator? How does Ryan posture himself to reach his daughter? What is the greatest experience in life?
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Biblical Worldview For most of our nation's history America has been known as having a Christian culture. We’ve been a redemptive nation upholding moral standards. Standards that have mostly aligned with a Biblical worldview. We knew that ultimately moral right and wrong was for God to determine; the God we see in the Bible. Today, however, we’re raising kids in a culture that is increasingly antagonistic to God and His word. So as Christian parents we have to be more intentional about raising our kids with a Biblical worldview.
Discussing Worldview with Nicole Hunt Nicole is an attorney and a spokesperson for Focus on the Family. She writes and speaks on issues that affect us today, like religious freedom, parental rights, marriage, and gender. Nicole is married to Jeff Hunt and they have four kids. Episode Highlights:
Why is having a Biblical worldview so important? How do moral absolutes protect us? What is the danger in “do what feels good”? Who are you serving? How can you live out a changed life? How can you raise your kids to be counter-cultural?
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Time and Intentionality Proverbs, Chapter 22 says: “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Parents know that you only have 18 years to guide and train your child in the way he should go. Those 18 years set him on a path for success in the world and eternity. Or that’s what you’re hoping for, right? You’re probably realizing that it takes time! Time and intentionality. Both of which take work. Being intentional with our time as we prepare our children for what lies ahead.
Discussing Intentionality with Dave Glander Dave was formerly a devout atheist and now he is a deeply committed believer in Jesus Christ. He teaches Christians how to know what they believe and how to defend their faith. David is a pastor and founder of an apologetics youth camp called Equip Retreat and is also the author of How Why Where and The Faith Survival Guide. Episode Highlights:
Where can you find teachable moments “as you go?" How can you take the sacred to the secular in your day? How much time per week, on average, do father’s spend with their children? What does it mean to be intentional? What do you need to sacrifice?
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The Gift of a Lifetime Well, let me tell you about this gift. It does cost a little. It has a little investment involved. But this gift is so much more valuable than the latest gadget that they probably want. It’s a gift that can improve their lives now and in the future. It’s unlike most gifts that you know of. This gift is the blessing. So exactly what is the blessing? You’ll find out today on License to Parent.
Discussing the Blessing with John Trent John Trent is the founder and president of Strong Families and claims that he, in fact, has the best child in the world. He writes, speaks, and trains others to create cultures of blessing in their homes, workplaces, ministries, and around the world. In fact, John’s written over 30 books. We’re going to talk with him today about his award-winning book called The Blessing.
The Great Impact Episode Highlights:
Does one’s childhood guarantee success or failure as an adult? How do we bless our kids the most? What is the greek word for forgiveness? How is it significant? What is it like to experience the blessing? What is the blessing?
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Directing Our Steps Have you ever taken a step of faith believing that God was directing you and knowing that He would do just that? Trace and Beth Embry saw a need in our world and knew God was calling them to be the answer and to bring healing. So step by step, brick by brick, child by child, through God they are breathing life into our next generation. And they are watching God build something incredible.
Discussing the Miracles with Trace Embry Trace and his wife Beth have a heart and a passion for the parents of the youth of today’s culture. Trace was a former business owner and police officer in the Chicago area, but God led them on a journey. The Embry family basically gave up everything to move to Georgia and begin Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Trace is the author of The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill. Trace and Beth have 5 kids and 8 grandchildren.
Explaining Miracles Episode Highlights:
How do you define miracles? What is the story of Shepherd’s Hill? How did you know this was from the Lord? How was the land of SHA a miracle? What is it like to keep stepping out in faith one step at a time?
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Same & Equal Is this popular phrase true? It certainly is typical for individuals living within the same society or culture to have their own set of cultural norms, beliefs, morals, and ideas about what is normal. But what about when you cross over cultural lines? What happens when you move into or even visit another culture? Culture shock can occur because of unique traits and differences. People from one culture often question, judge, or consider that of another to be too progressive, oppressive, backward, or sometimes even criminal. Let’s take for example slavery, cannibalism, and pedophilia. All of these are appalling practices. The very mention of these things invokes anger and disdain. Yet these practices are alive and well in other parts of the world. Today we want to look at cultural lines that exist and the differences we encounter when we cross those lines. However, these lines occur within our very own country and culture today. Think for a minute about what happens when someone parents differently than you do. Now a step further, what if a parent allows their children (or even equips them) to do things that are harmful, dangerous, abusive, or morally wrong? Is there an authority that transcends culture? How can we raise healthy kids no matter where we are in the world?
Discussing a Shadow Pandemic with Dr. Nicholas Kardaras Dr. Kardaras is a psychologist, best-selling author, internationally renowned speaker, professor, and expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age. He has also developed clinical treatment programs and clinics all across the country. His books include Glow Kids, How Plato and Pythagoras Can Save Your Life, as well as a new book currently in the works. In his work with adolescents, Dr. Kardaras has discovered that many teens today are suffering from genuine psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and even psychosis-like symptoms as a result of their screen dependence. He understands that smartphones and screen time have become a new type of digital drug that is used as an escape for young people.
Screen time is also incredibly addictive. In researching the effects of screen time on the brain, he found that the effects neurologically mirrored that of actual substance addiction. It is especially troublesome and impactful to children whose brains are still developing.
Peoples is Peoples Episode Highlights:
What is being referred to as a shadow pandemic? How were we as humans meant to live? How has technology impacted our mental health? Is there a loneliest generation? Who has the lowest levels of depression?
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Living in the Blitz Last time on License to Parent: “It was the worst blitz ever, and yet they proved victory over sin and over death. And that blitz that Christ faced is the paradigm for how we are to live.” That’s Jeff Kemp, former NFL quarterback, now coach to the family. He’s going to help us understand how to deal with the blitzes. If you haven’t already listened to Episode I of this two-part series, you can find it in our 30-minute episode archives. Episode I is titled Facing the Blitz with Jeff Kemp.
Discussing the Blitz with Jeff Kemp Jeff has faced many blitzes in his life. He’s been an NFL quarterback for the Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, and Eagles. Since the NFL, Jeff has worked to improve the lives of children by strengthening marriages and families. He founded and led Stronger Families, served as VP and catalyst for Family Life, and is the author of Facing the Blitz. He’s married to his wife Stacy and they have 4 sons and 5 grandchildren.
Wisdom For Parents Episode Highlights:
How do I parent through the loss of a dream? What's the difference between a dream and a vision? How can parents help their kids align their dreams and visions? Should a parent have a dream for their child? Why is it so important to cultivate our relationship with Christ first and foremost?
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How to Stand Quarterbacks have to be intentional in building healthy relationships, leading, and planning success. Being flexible and strong in leadership is key. Sometimes the quarterback must call an audible or a “verbal change of plans.” Sometimes he’s calling an audible because he’s sensing a blitz coming his way. A blitz is an overwhelming attack from the opponent. Now turn your attention to parenting. Moms and dads call audibles all the time and face multiple blitzes in their daily life. It’s just part of raising kids in the 21st century. Like a quarterback, parents have to be intentional. They have to lead and plan for success.
Discussing the Blitz with Jeff Kemp Jeff has faced many blitzes in his life. He’s been an NFL quarterback for the Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, and Eagles. Since the NFL, Jeff has worked to improve the lives of children by strengthening marriages and families. He founded and led Stronger Families, served as VP and catalyst for Family Life, and is the author of Facing the Blitz. He’s married to his wife Stacy and they have 4 sons and 5 grandchildren.
There is Help Episode Highlights:
How can parents use this book to deal with the blitzes life throws their way? What if I don’t believe in God? How is this relevant to me? What is the most overwhelming factor facing parents since 2020 and beyond? How does my past impact my kids? What is the identity crisis in our culture? How is it impacting our kids?
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Help for Parents of Prodigals At the end of the day, a choice is made. Unfortunately, it’s not the parent’s choice. It’s the child's decision. It’s the choices that they made that got them into the situation they are in. As parents, we can love our kids, pray for them, encourage them, and guide them. But they must make the final decision.
Discussing Where to Turn with Fair & John Brocard Last week we heard from John Brocard and his wife Fair in Part I. They are parents of a former prodigal and the founders of Prodigal Child Ministries. Today we invite you to join us for Part II of our conversation as we bring hope to the parents of prodigals.
There is Help Episode Highlights:
Is there any encouragement for parents of prodigals? What resources are available for parents and their children? Are there other families out there like mine? How can I connect with them? What programs and treatment facilities are available for teens and adults? What does God have to do with mental health? Does Prodigal Child Ministries only serve families in Atlanta, GA?
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The Wayward Child The story of the wayward child is no stranger to virtually every parent today. Just about everyone you talk to either knows or has a son or daughter who has struggled with something. That could be behavior, attitude, or a combination of both. Addiction, self-harm, and even suicide are all incidents that are growing at an alarming rate among young people today. But yet, our standard of living is at an all-time high. It’s also no secret that many parents don’t know what to do, and it’s no wonder! The myriad of things that can cause a child to stumble and fall away are ever-growing and enticing. We often see parents doing everything they can to keep their kids smiling. But is this the end-all? Where can parents turn and what can they do when they just feel like giving up?
Discussing the Prodigal with Fair & John Brocard Fair is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and a graduate of Furman University with a BA degree in Early Childhood Education. Following graduation, and after teaching kindergarten, she raised her three children. She then worked in the children’s ministry at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Metro Atlanta for 6 years. Fair’s husband John is a native of Rockville, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC. He too graduated from Furman in 1975 with a BA degree in Political Science. He received his law degree from the Potomac School of Law in 1978 and has been in active practice of law since 1980. Incidentally, he specializes in juvenile and adult criminal defense and significant personal injury cases. He also serves as a court-appointed guardian ad litem in the juvenile court system of Cobb County, Georgia. In 2004, the Brocards were called into ministry to reach out to parents of struggling teens and young adults. They are the founders of Prodigal Child Ministries, which is a 501(c)3 foundation. The Brocards have 3 ground children as well as 2 daughters-in-law and one son-in-law, as well as 3 grandchildren.
There is Hope Episode Highlights:
What is the story of the Brocards? What impact did their troubled teen have on their family? What happened when they introduced treatment into the picture? Do good families have struggling kids? How can parents get through the difficult days? What is Prodigal Child Ministries and can they help my family?
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Finding a Healthy Balance But I’m thinking that with connection to each other there needs to be some balance. So I want to ask you this: “Is it possible to have too much of a good thing?” Let’s take food for instance. Is it possible to eat too much? Too much chocolate cake may just give you a stomach ache but indulging in that chocolate cake day after day after day. You could really pay the price and I’m not just talking about the scale. Let’s apply that same thought to our wired connections to each other. I’m wondering and wrestling with this. Have we and our kids become digital gluttons in society?
Discussing Today's Digita Society with Arlene Pellicane Today we are speaking with Arlene Pellicane. She is passionate about helping parents learn to find happiness in their homes. Arlene is a speaker and author of nine books including 2 that she co-wrote with Gary Chapman titled, “Screen Kids” and “Growing up Social.” Arlene appeared on various media outlets including Fox & Friends, the Today Show, Focus on the Family, and now License to Parent.
Growing Up Social Episode Highlights:
What digital devices, platforms, or venues (if any) would you say parents should consider to be on the “no-no” list? What does it mean for social media to be “bottomless?” Is technology inherently or intentionally addictive? How can parents impact their child(ren)’s tech habits? What are some workarounds/hacks for technology use? Are there friendships developing “offline” for our kids today?
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Something Old When facing change and becoming something new it’s important to remember why God made us new in the first place. Why are we here? What’s our purpose? What did and is God calling us to do? Today we’ll introduce something new, or in this case someone new, and we’ll remember something old: what God called us to do here and why we keep doing it.
Discussing Something New with Michelle Hill Michelle Hill has been involved in ministering to families for quite a while. For more than 17 years she’s worked as a producer and a host at Family Life with Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine. She has also been a foster mom and worked to mentor girls exiting the foster program. She has a real passion for the work we are doing at Shepherd’s Hill Academy.
Introducing a Good King of Change Episode Highlights:
Why is Michelle so excited to be back in the family focus sphere? Something Old: What is Shepherd’s Hill Academy all about? Discover more of the story with the book: The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill Academy What is Insight for Today’s Culture? How is License to Parent different than other programs out there?
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The Bible Parenting Code Last time on License to Parent: “Our first obligation in the raising of a child is not to the child. Our first obligation is to God the father. Your second obligation is to your neighbor. Your third obligation is to your child.” That’s John Rosemond, author of The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God’s Perfect Parenting Plan. “You see, parenting is about more than just the kids. It’s about serving God and others through your parenting.” We’ll talk more about that today on License to Parent. If you missed our first conversation with Dr. John Rosemond, be sure to listen to our last episode, Raising Well Adjusted Children.
Training Our Children Today Episode Highlights:
Is there ever a time when we train our children to do wrong? What is the first lie that a child learns? Are parenting trends today worthy of our attention? How to answer “why?” And when not to. What does obedience look like in our kids?
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Parenting as Coaching One familiar and consistent premise among coaches is the emphasis on fundamentals. Wooden took these principles to the next level. His team members could expect an entire lesson at the beginning of each season on how to put on socks. But why focus on socks? “Because in order to play the game, you have to start with a good foundation. Putting on your socks correctly is critical. Because if you don’t, you get blisters. And if you get blisters it impacts everything else you do as a player. Ultimately, that impacts the whole team.” As Christian parents, have we gotten wrapped up in the game and neglected the fundamentals? It’s time to get back to the basics.
Discussing the Fundamentals of the Game with John Rosemond John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of Family Psychology. Presently, his time is devoted to speaking and writing. John’s work is syndicated in several hundred newspapers nationwide. He’s written about 20 best-selling parenting books. He’s also one of America’s most popular speakers in the field of parenting.
Coaching Our Kids Episode Highlights:
What does Psalm 11:3 have to do with parenting today? How has mental health impacted parenting? Where do I turn for parenting advice? Are parenting principles in line with godly principles? How did we become a post-modern progressive society?
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Representation For All The United States of America has an Emancipation Proclamation. Did you know that we are the only nation that has one? Not only that, the USA is the only nation that fought a war to end the practice of slavery. You may not be familiar with these facts, because they are often overlooked and underreported. Today you will hear, however, from plenty of false prophets on the topic of representation and racism.
Discussing the Truth of American History with Bob Woodson That’s the voice of Bob Woodson, author of the book Red, White, and Black; Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers. Last week with spoke with Bob Woodson on Part I of our II part series. This message is a timely one for us as parents, as well as citizens alike in a culture that tells us that we are a systemic racist society.
Why History Matters Episode Highlights:
What is the definition of racism? What is CRT (Critical Race Theory)? How can we discuss racism productively in today’s culture? What do I do if my child is being taught CRT? Is there an alternative curriculum to CRT that promotes facts & representation? Why is it so important for the truth to be spoken about race?
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Racism in America There are seemingly simple questions reeling through our teen’s minds. These questions should be obvious and fundamental. Things like “am I a boy?” “am I a girl?” “Does my skin make me inferior?” “Am I a racist and I don’t even realize it?” “Is my country racist?” This is a confusing time for teens and children. Our kids’ values, worldviews, and brain matter are still being developed. Their security, identity, and emotional and spiritual wellbeing are all being established. Imagine how frustrating and confusing it is for teens today when basic truths of life are being questioned, especially in a time when mental illness is becoming an epidemic. Is our country actually becoming more divided before our eyes? Is your child racist? Are you? Today we look at who, what, and where we are as a people. Is it possible to be a redemptive people living in a redemptive nation?
Discussing Systemic Racism with Bob Woodson Robert (Bob) Woodson is an American civil rights activist, community development leader, author, and founder and president of the Woodson Center. He is among a collection of prominent and respected black scholars and thinkers that reject the false narrative of history in our society today. They have come together to correct the record and try to tell the true story of black Americans in all its complexity, diversity of experience, and poignancy. Collectively they paint a picture of black people living the very grand American experience, however bumpy that road may be along the way. But rather than being apart, he sees blacks as woven into this nation and what makes it unique. Mr. Woodson has curated and edited a collection of essays on this subject in a brand new book entitled, Red, White, and Black: Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers. In addition to his book, he has dedicated his life to assisting low-income families transcending impoverished conditions. He has written extensively on this topic in his book, “Lessons from the Least of These” and “The Triumphs of Joseph: How today’s community healers are reviving our streets and neighborhoods.”
Red, White & Black Episode Highlights:
Why is it essential for parents to be educated in civil rights? What is the 1776 Unites Campaign? Why do children today seem hopefully? What is systemic racism? What critical crisis exists in America today? Is there a difference between equity and equality?
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Empowering Parents If you missed Part I of our two-part series with Kimball Lewis, go back now and listen in. As a parent today, do you feel stuck? Do you feel that your teen is continually rebelling against you and your spouse? Have you reached your wits end? If you just aren’t sure what to do anymore or how to handle what’s going on in your home then this message is for you. Listen in as we discuss how to regain power in your home and experience healthy parent-teen interactions.
Discussing Practical Parenting with Kimball Lewis Kimball Lewis is an executive who spent his career using research and technology to improve the lives of individuals and businesses. He began his career as a health, welfare and child policy researcher for a leading public policy think tank in Washington. He then served as a technologist and executive in his series of successful healthcare start-up businesses before joining empoweringparents.com.
Experiencing Change at Home Episode Highlights:
Do you find yourself arguing with your teen? Do you know why? Can parents simply “walk away” from an argument? What is training? Is this a good or bad thing? Discover the “why trap.” What power do words hold? What is self esteem? Is it really good for our kids?
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The Nature of Children Rebellion is just part of our child’s nature, right? No! If your child is rebellious, sneaky, argumentative, or seems to be lying about just about everything, then this episode of License to Parent is for you. Wouldn’t it be such a relief to see a total transformation in your child? Image feeling empowered as a parent to see a true and lasting change that positively impacts your entire family. It’s possible. Today we speak with expert Kimball Lewis on the emerging issues we see in our children today. While some of this information is practical, you’ll be surprised that it feels like a brand new revelation!
Discussing Practical Parenting with Kimball Lewis Kimball Lewis is an executive who spent his career using research and technology to improve the lives of individuals and businesses. He began his career as a health, welfare, and child policy researcher for a leading public policy think tank in Washington. He then served as a technologist and executive in his series of successful healthcare start-up businesses before joining empoweringparents.com. He began as the CEO there in 2017 as he continues the work of James Leeman offering practical advice to parents struggling with some of the most challenging child behavior issues. Mr. Lewis resides in Florida with his wife and two teenage sons of his own.
A Total Transformation Episode Highlights:
Why is authority within the household important? Is too much structure dangerous to kids? What is a reasonable rule? How can we come up with and determine rules for our family? Do we as parents have responsibility to our society? How do I help my child when I don’t like them right now?
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Living Out the Faith Last time on License to Parent we heard from Dave Glander. Dave talked about how people oftentimes confuse condoning and validating with loving someone as Christ. Just because we choose to walk with someone doesn’t mean we are accepting their decisions. “I can love anyone through any circumstance, but that doesn’t mean that I need to show them I’m accepting that.” Dave explains that he has many people that he ministers to that differ in their faith and lifestyle. “I have gay people that I minister to all the time and they know where I stand and we respect each other.” Everyone was created in the image of God and we should respect them as human beings and individuals. But that doesn’t mean we need to condone or validate sin. “I can walk with them, hold their hand, pray with them and love them, but at no point am I risking my Christianity to say I'm validating or accepting what you’re doing. There is a big difference.”
Discussing Apologetics with Dave Glander Dave was a devout atheist prior to experiencing a radical encounter with Jesus Christ and he is now a deeply committed believer both in Christ and in the Bible. Dave has been a pastor for many years. He is the founder of an apologetics youth summer camp called Equip Retreat. Today we continue our conversation with Dave on equipping our children to defend a biblical worldview with science, history, and the ability to reason. If you missed Part I of this two-part series, be sure to listen to How, Why, and Where With Dave Glander.
The Importance of a Biblical Worldview Episode Highlights:
What does it mean to have a biblical worldview? Why is a biblical worldview so critical in today’s culture? Do miracles actually happen? Is critical thinking essential? What is the enemy’s playbook? Why should children (and adults) be educated on opposing viewpoints?
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Truth is on Your Side Unfortunately, many churches today are struggling to instill biblical values into our kids. Some may argue that this is the reason that the church is so openly attacked and discriminated against. But what if we were actually describing the marginalization of churchgoers adhering to a biblical worldview? As parents, it is our God-given assignment to instill into our kids the values of Scripture. We must be intentional about teaching our children how to defend their faith, providing them with the tools that they need in order to understand and support the truth. The good news is that logic, science and history are on our side, and it is possible to construct a cogent argument for what we believe. Easy enough right? Now make sure that as we help our kids grow in truth and knowledge that they also grow as respected witnesses to the character and power of Jesus Christ. Sound overwhelming? Perhaps it is. But you are not alone. With the power of God, and the help of today’s guest, you will be encouraged to be steadfast in the word of God knowing that truth is on your side.
Discussing How, Why & Where with Dave Glander Dave was a devout atheist prior to experiencing a radical encounter with Jesus Christ and he is now a deeply committed believer both in Christ and in the Bible. Dave has been a pastor for many years. He is the founder of an apologetics youth summer camp called Equip Retreat. He’s also the author of Faith Survival Guide and the book we want to talk about today called How, Why, and Where?
Faith & Questions Episode Highlights:
What are the “Big Questions?” What does it mean to practice? How can our kids practice their faith at home? What is the power of personal testimony? How is being real with our kids more powerful than being perfect? How can parents discern and teach truth in today’s culture? What difference can the gospel actually make today?
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Will They Stand? Without question, as a parent, you would do everything in your power to stop the abuse and prevent any further harm. You would teach your kids warning signs, how to fight back, and how to get as far away from the evils as possible. When we think of abuse we often think of physical or sexual abuse. But there are many other forms such as emotional and spiritual abuse. But what about secularism? Depravity? Immorality? Apathy? These things are all real, dangerous, and all around us. While moral relativism says it’s ok, Christians who say otherwise are often considered intolerant or hateful. Unfortunately, as parents today we have let our guard down. Rather than standing strong and teaching our kids the absolute values and biblical principles we know, we’ve let culture slide in. Is it any wonder then that so many kids are losing their faith altogether? We are the closest representation of Christ our kids have. If we don’t stand strong, who will?
Discussing Strengthening the Family with Ken Ham Ken Ham is the CEO and Founder of Answers in Genesis and the High-tech Creation Center and Museum located in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, and the visionary behind “Ark Encounter” located in Kentucky. Ken is a biblical apologist and his work addresses such topics as the reliability of the Bible, how compromise over biblical authority undermines society. He’s the author of a number of books including Already Gone, The Lie Evolution, and Gospel Reset. Most recently he wrote the book Will They Stand, and it addresses today’s topic head-on. Will our children be equipped to stand strong against cultural giants that previous generations never imagined, or will our kids be overcome?
Back to the Beginning Episode Highlights:
How can we as parents raise children strong in their faith? What does it look like to stand strong in today’s culture? What does church attendance tell us about the state of our nation? Does moral relativism impact the church? How? What is the authority of the bible? How do we pass this on to our children? How does Genesis play a role in answering culture related questions today?
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Wrapping Up 2021 As followers of Christ, we do trust in something. We trust in the eternal God who created all things, including us, and has our best interests at heart even more than we do. In addition to connecting the dots, looking back also reminds us of the many things we have to be thankful for. To me, a thankful heart is what gives me a better ability to look to the future with hope. If God was faithful to take care of me in the past, He will be faithful in the future as well. As we end the year 2021 at License to Parent we are going to be looking back, looking forward, and connecting some dots in the coming year.
Discussing the Residential Program of SHA with Trace Embry Trace Embry is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy in Martin, GA. Trace, along with his wife Beth (co-founder) has a heart and a passion for helping hurting teens and their families. Shepherd's Hill Academy was founded in 1994 in Martin, GA, where it has grown to serve families from virtually every state and across the world. Along with being an entrepreneur and prominent business owner, Trace served as a Police Officer in their hometown after graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1978. Trace and Beth felt the Lord’s prompting to full-time ministry and attended college at Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, GA, and pursued other extensive training to prepare them for working with troubled teens. Trace is also the Host of the License to Parent radio program.
Connecting the Dots Episode Highlights:
What does a year in the life at Shepherd’s Hill Academy look like? How would you define the program at SHA? How is SHA unique from other programs? What does the outdoor aspect entail? How does SHA deal with consequences? What is the goal of the unique features and unplugged environment of Shepherd’s Hill Academy? How does the group dynamic at SHA work?
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A Look Back on the Blessings This is actually part of a whole series of miracles that included prophecies, a virgin birth, angelic warnings, protection from a wicked ruler set out to kill the newborn king, and so much more. We celebrate this series of miracles each Christmas as we proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ. Today on License to Parent we want to tell you about some more miracles. In fact, these are miracles that have happened during the past year! The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill. We hope that by sharing these stories you may be blessed and may also gain a better understanding of what we do here and why we do what we do on License to Parent. You’ll also get a glimpse into what God is doing day in and day out at our year-long residential therapeutic program for teens in crisis; Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Discussing the Many Blessings Miracles with Trace Embry Trace Embry is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy in Martin, GA. Trace, along with his wife Beth (co-founder) has a heart and a passion for helping hurting teens and their families. Shepherd's Hill Academy was founded in 1994 in Martin, GA, where it has grown to serve families from virtually every state and across the world. Along with being an entrepreneur and prominent business owner, Trace served as a Police Officer in their hometown after graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1978. Trace and Beth felt the Lord’s prompting to full-time ministry and attended college at Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, GA, and pursued other extensive training to prepare them for working with troubled teens. Trace is also the Host of the License to Parent radio program.
Inside the Gates of Shepherds Hill Academy Episode Highlights:
Listen in the real-life examples of a miracle student whose life was transformed at Shepherd’s Hill Academy How has the future been shaped and lives transformed by a small program in Martin, GA? What are the prayers of Shepherd’s Hill? What is the goal of License to Parent? How does the work of SHA impact the entire family? How can I get a copy of The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill?
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Entertainment in Today's Culture First, we were able to teach our kids how to assimilate into the culture. This was due to the cultural norms of the day. These norms tended to line up with a biblical worldview, for the most part, and even unbelievers accepted them. Those who strayed from the norms still knew the difference between right and wrong. They simply chose to do wrong. Even hardened criminals of the day viewed people of faith as those to be respected and even emulated. Today, we’ve lost our common understanding of right and wrong. That means that as Christian parents, our culture no longer backs us up. God is now frowned upon, openly mocked, and depending on how you live out your faith can even get you arrested. Today on License to Parent we look deeper into the entertainment side of our culture. How much has this shift had to do with the entertainment we have today? Could changing our entertainment habits at home allow us to better raise kids who are empowered to influence culture?
Discussing Entertainment in Culture with Adam Holz Adam Holz oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In reviews as the website director. His official title at Plugged In is the Director of Media at Focus on the Family. Adam and his wife Jennifer have three children of their own, all in their teen years. In their free time, Adam and his family choose entertainment options of playing games, playing musical instruments, swimming, and watching movies.
Entertainment Tips for Christian Families Episode Highlights:
What is Plugged In? How is it beneficial to families? How does Plugged In review & offer insight to parents? How do we know what to embrace in our culture? Is it ok to have cable/dish/streaming services as a Christian family? How has entertainment changed over the years? How has streaming impacted this? How does entertainment take creative liberties to continue to push the envelope?
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Making a Change Today we engage in Part II of that conversation. If you missed Part I with Eric, you can listen to it online.
Discussing a Changing America with Eric Holmberg Eric Holmberg is the Founder and President of Reel to Real Ministries. He’s also with the Apologetics Group, an ordained minister, an author, speaker, and video documentarian.
The American Way & Our Role as Parents Episode Highlights:
How can we impact change in our own communities? Does relocation impact American thought? What does creation tell us about our culture? What does it mean to be woke? How do hierarchies impact our lives? Our culture? How can we prepare our kids to live and find love today?
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The Divine Reset As children and teens, the world we experienced back then seemed to be much more straightforward. For the most part, our culture tended to agree on what was right and what was wrong; even if some chose not to follow the rules. Enter the worldwide web. Screens and keyboards have become a new alter of worship as our kids are learning and discovering the ways of thinking of the masses without a moral lens or perspective. We find that culture today goes against many of the principles of scripture, science, logic, and what we would consider to be common sense. Unfortunately, if you are waiting for a figurehead to take over and lead us back into morality, you may be in for a long wait.
Discussing a Different Approach with Eric Holmberg Eric Holmberg is the founder and director of Reel to Real Ministries and the Apologetics group. He’s not only an ordained minister, but he is also an author, speaker, and video documentarian. His work has been featured on a number of broadcasts and web media platforms. His writing has been featured in publications such as Focus on the Family Magazine, Time Magazine, and the American Family Association Journal. Eric’s work covers everything from revival to rap music and from science to sex; helping to bring a biblical worldview to the conversation and ultimately transform lives. He is working on a new project called “The Divine Reset: America 2.0.”
Woke or Awakened Episode Highlights:
What is meant by a divine reset? Is there a culture war? Are we winning or losing? How is culture impacting and influencing our children? What is courage and what role does it play today? How can parents practice and exhibit courage? What happens when we live differently?
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Never Knowing a Time Without Tech A generation ago, raising children was a totally different ballgame! Sure, technology has made our lives (and our parenting journeys) much easier in a lot of ways. But in other ways, technology has made our lives a whole lot more complicated. Some may argue that technology today is hindering parents and their ability to impart, maintain and preserve moral standards, wisdom, and spiritual maturity. We also see that technology has played a role in the decision of young people to leave the church that they once called home. How can we help to guide our children and help them establish a solid biblical worldview? Can we remain relevant in our society today? Is it possible that tech could actually be a part of the solution?
Discussing a Life with Tech with John Fuller John Fuller has worked with Focus on the Family for the last three decades. Since 2001 he has been in the co-host seat of the Daily Broadcast with Focus President Jim Daily. That program reaches over 6 million listeners each week. He also hosts Focus on The Family Minute and the podcasts Focus on Marriage and Focus on Parenting. Most Focus programs are available online on Focus Radio. He has written dozens of magazine articles and has also written a book called First Time Dad: The Stuff You Really Need to Know. John and his wife have six children of their own.
Offering a Solution Episode Highlights:
Why is it so important for parents to first model healthy technology use? How do we equip our kids? How is this different than protecting them? Can technology be used in a positive way to help our kids grow closer to Christ? Are there any resources available to parents that offer guidance on this subject? What role does our lifestyle play in our child’s faith? What is the impact of showing up for our kids?
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Leading the Christian Life Well, the Bible is clear that the Christian life will involve warfare. Metaphorically speaking, it refers to putting on the full armor of God. It also uses many other analogies of war that describe our role in advancing God’s kingdom. In fact, Jesus himself describes his kingdom as something to be entered rather forcefully. Some English translations even use the word “violently”. Furthermore, Jesus said that he came not to bring peace, but a sword, and yet Scripture calls him the “Prince of Peace.” Unfortunately these days many people confuse peacemaking with peacekeeping.
Discussing Fighting Back with Sam Sorbo Sam Sorbo is a model, actress, homeschool activist, media host, and linguist. She speaks five different languages. She’s a parent and educator who also has a background in biomedical engineering from Duke University. She’s also an author and film producer. She’s the host of the nationally syndicated “The Sam Sorbo Show” and speaks publicly around the country. She has also worked with her husband, Kevin Sorbo, on recent films, Let There Be Light and Miracle in East Texas. Today, Sam discusses her brand new book, “Words for Warriors.”
Words for Warriors Episode Highlights:
How are words changing and adapting in today’s culture? What is systemic racism and critical race theory? What is an NPC? Why is this important? How can we fight to get our language back? How do we impact our school systems and school board? How are thoughts & ideas created? What is the idea exchange?
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Suicidal Ideations in Teens Mental illness, addictions of all kinds, self-harm, and suicide are among the most prevalent. Sadly, suicide is now the second leading cause of death today among American teenagers. That is only surpassed by motor vehicle accidents. This is absolutely tragic. Today we speak with one of our friends at Focus on the Family about the topic of suicide and how to keep this epidemic from invading your home.
Discussing the Teen Suicide Epidemic with Joannie Debrito Joannie Debrito is part of the counseling team at Focus on the Family and draws from over 30 years of diverse experience as a parent educator, family life educator, school social worker, administrator, and licensed mental health professional. She speaks concerning how we can take an active role in suicide prevention. Her expertise and personal experience, including counseling students and families after the Columbine tragedy, is something we hope will be an encouragement to you. We invite you to not only learn about this but to also take part in the solution.
Helping Teens Discover Hope Episode Highlights:
What are suicidal ideations? How does this differ from a fleeting thought about suicide? How do suicidal thoughts manifest? What do suicidal teens think about? Do most people consider suicide at some point in their lives? Are suicidal ideations contagious? How can a parent recognize suicidal ideation? What can parents do to help their teen who is exhibiting suicidal tendencies? What resources are available for those struggling with suicidal ideations?
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God’s Perfect Parenting Plan Last time on License to Parent: “Our first obligation in the raising of a child is not to the child. Our first obligation is to God the father. Your second obligation is to your neighbor. Your third obligation is to your child.” That’s John Rosemond, author of The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God’s Perfect Parenting Plan. You see, parenting is about more than just the kids. It’s about serving God and others through your parenting. We’ll talk more about that today on License to Parent. If you missed our first conversation with Dr. John Rosemond, be sure to listen to our last episode, From Child Rearing to Mental Health with Dr. John Rosemond.
Raising a Child in the Way They Should Go Episode Highlights:
Do we ever have to train a child to do wrong? What is the first lie a child tells? Should we be concerned about the parenting trends of today? Do we need to always answer the “why” questions? When should children obey their parents? The most obedient children are the happiest
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Coaching the Fundamentals Now many coaches through the years have used a framework for success that includes focusing on the fundamentals. But Wooden takes that to the extreme. At the start of each season when he would meet with the new team, he would spend about half an hour giving step-by-step instructions on the correct way to put on your socks. “Because in order to play the game, you have to start with a good foundation. Putting on your socks correctly is critical. Because if you don’t, you get blisters. And if you get blisters it impacts everything else you do as a player. Ultimately, that impacts the whole team. As Christian parents, have we gotten so wrapped up in the game of life that we’ve neglected or forgotten the basics? Today we’ll be talking with two men who likely agree that we have; Trace Embry (our host) and Dr. John Rosemond on today’s License to Parent.
Discussing parenting today with Dr. John Rosemond John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of Family Psychology. Presently, his time is devoted to speaking and writing. John’s work is syndicated in several hundred newspapers nationwide. He’s written about 20 best-selling parenting books. He’s also one of America's most popular speakers in the field of parenting.
The Role of Childrearing Episode Highlights:
Psalm 11:3 - What does this verse say and why is it so important for Christian parents today? How has mental health changed the parenting landscape? Who do I to when I need parenting advice? How have parenting principles shifted away from God’s principles? How did we transition to post-modern and progressive?
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The Devil's in the Details It’s really no different with our kids. Who they are, how they act, and what they think and do, could be rooted in or at least fueled by the things they see and hear. This includes the music they listen to. Could the be an inherent danger, or even evil, found in certain songs or types of music? Could there be a danger and evil that is profoundly impacting our kids in a negative way? Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, and many other great thinkers throughout the world and down through history seem to think so. In fact, Scottish writer, patriot, and politician Andrew Fletcher is often quoted as having said, “let me make the songs of the nation and I care not who makes the laws.” Today let’s discuss the rap, rock, and hip hop elephants in the room on License to Parent.
Discussing the power of Music with G. Craige Lewis G. Craige Lewis has been ministering for over 30 years. He’s been pastoring Adamant Believers Council in North Richland Hills, Texas for over a decade, promoting the message of Christ and fighting against the secularization of God’s church. Lewis also leads an organization called EX Ministries, established to open the eyes of the body of Christ to the deceptions of the enemy. Although he is often called on to speak about the hip-hop sub-culture, he also shares great insight on the kingdom of God and God’s people being aligned in preparation to reach the world and welcome the return of Christ.
Listening with Your Heart Episode Highlights:
What have we become as a people when the songs today are winning Grammy’s and our kids’ hearts? How does music infiltrate your brain without your consent? How can we as parents impact our child’s music choices? Should we allow kids to listen to music because “we listened to stuff too?” Where are musical influences hiding today? How have they infiltrated our lives at ever turn? Is the music worse today than it was when we were kids?
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Raising Well-Adjusted Kids With respect to raising healthy, well-adjusted kids, every generation of parents down through the ages have had their own unique challenges during the times that they lived. This has been true whether the challenges be economic depression, sharp social changes, wars, plagues, natural disasters, technological advances, or other negative influences beyond our control. Now some people would say that parenting challenges in the 21st century are more unique or more challenging than those of the past. Others, however, would beg to differ. But what’s important is identifying, examining, and learning how to overcome today’s challenges. Helping you do that is our goal today on License to Parent.
Discussing Overcoming Obstacles with Danny Huerta Dr. Daniel Huerta works with Focus on the Family, overseeing its initiatives that help equip mothers and fathers with biblical principles and counsel for raising healthy resilient children. Dr. Huerta is a bilingual licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado of Colorado Springs. He recently received his doctorate in psychology from California Southern University. Dr. Huerta maintains a private practice in Colorado Springs and also serves as a board member of the El Paso County Mental Health Association. He has been married for 24 years and he and his wife Heather have 2 children.
The Mental Health of Our Children Episode Highlights:
Has there ever been a tougher time in America to raise healthy kids? What are some of the most glaring challenges parents are facing today? Is it possible to give our kids too many choices? How do parents cultivate mental health in their homes? How can we teach our kids to understand their emotions? How does physical health impact mental wellbeing?
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Peoples is Peoples But is that true? Within a certain culture, we may all be similar in our beliefs about right and wrong and normal. But what happens when you cross cultural lines, or when you move to another culture? People from one culture often find the practices of another to be backward, too morally progressive, too morally oppressive, even criminal. For example, most American’s would say that slavery, cannibalism, and pedophilia are appalling practices, yet they are still practiced in other parts of the world. Today though, we want to look at a different cultural line that exists and the differences that we encounter when we cross that line. What happens when parents allow their children or even equip their children to do things that are harmful, dangerous, abusive, and morally wrong according to the moral tenants of scripture. This is an authority that should transcend any cultural norm; especially when it comes to raising healthy kids.
We’ll unpack this and more with today’s guest, Dr. Nicolas Kardaris, on today’s License to Parent.
Discussing mental health in a digital world with Dr. Nicholas Kardaras Dr. Kardaras is a psychologist, best-selling author, internationally renowned speaker, professor, and expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age. He has also developed clinical treatment programs and clinics all across the country. His books include Glow Kids, How Plato and Pythagoras Can Save Your Life, as well as a new book currently in the works. In his work with adolescents, Dr. Kardaras has discovered that many teens today are suffering from genuine psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and even psychosis-like symptoms as a result of their screen dependence. He understands that smartphones and screen time have become a new type of digital drug that is used as an escape for young people.
Screen time is also incredibly addictive. In researching the effects of screen time on the brain, he found that the effects neurologically mirrored that of actual substance addiction. It is especially troublesome and impactful to children whose brains are still developing.
A Different Kind of Pandemic Episode Highlights:
What is the shadow pandemic? How have we shifted away from the way we were meant to live? How has our intersection with fancy gadgetry impacted our mental health? Who is the loneliest generation? Why? Who has the lowest levels of depression? What is the impact of anhedonia on our society today?
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Finding Hope for Parents Last time on License to Parent: “We always tell them that it’s not the parent’s choice. It’s the child’s choice that got them into the situation that they are in. All we can do is love them, parent them, model them, encourage them, and point them in the right direction. But ultimately it’s their decision to make and we try to reinforce that as much as we can.”
Discussing Resources for Parents of Prodigals with John and Fair Brocard Last week we heard from John Brocard and his wife Fair in Part I. They are parents of a former prodigal and the founders of Prodigal Child Ministries. Today we invite you to join us for Part II of our conversation as we bring hope to the parents of prodigals.
Where to Turn Episode Highlights:
What encouragement is there for parents of prodigals? What resources are available for parents and prodigals? How can you find other families dealing with similar difficulties and challenges? Is there a list of treatment programs for teens and young adults? Why is the existence of God so important to mental health and goodwill? Do parents need to be in Atlanta to receive assistance from Prodigal Child Ministries?
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The Family of the Prodigal Child These days just about every parent you talk to either has or knows someone who has a son or a daughter who has gone off the rails in terms of behavior, attitude, or both. Addiction, self-harm, and sadly even incidents of suicide are all growing at an alarming rate among America’s young people. Curiously, this is happening at a time when America’s standard of living is at an all-time high! Consequently, many parents don’t know what to do. They strive to do everything in their power to keep their kids smiling. Yet rebellion and self-destructive behaviors continue. So many of these parents are at a loss for what to do or where to turn. But the good news is there are options. Today, we’re going to explore them!
Discussing the Prodigal Child with John and Fair Brocard Fair is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and a graduate of Furman University with a BA degree in Early Childhood Education. Following graduation, and after teaching kindergarten, she raised her three children. She then worked in the children’s ministry at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Metro Atlanta for 6 years. Fair’s husband John is a native of Rockville, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC. He too graduated from Furman in 1975 with a BA degree in Political Science. He received his law degree from the Potomac School of Law in 1978 and has been in active practice of law since 1980. Incidentally, he specializes in juvenile and adult criminal defense and significant personal injury cases. He also serves as a court-appointed guardian ad litem in the juvenile court system of Cobb County, Georgia. In 2004, the Brocards were called into ministry to reach out to parents of struggling teens and young adults. They are the founders of Prodigal Child Ministries, which is a 501(c)3 foundation. The Brocards have 3 ground children as well as 2 daughters-in-law and one son-in-law, as well as 3 grandchildren.
Hope for the Prodigal Episode Highlights:
What experience do the Brocards have with teens in crisis? How did the Brocards’ troubled teen impact their family? How has treatment positively impacted the Brocards? Good families can have children that struggle. You are not alone. What are the keys to getting through the tough times? What is Prodigal Child Ministries?
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Changing My Child's Behavior There’s a reason for this. Young people have been leaving the church in droves. This exodus, to use a biblical term, doesn’t seem to be slowing down. There are reasons for this also. So the question is why? Why are our young people leaving the church? What can we do as parents to keep our own kids in taking part in this rush for the door? Even more importantly, how can we keep them from abandoning what we and they have always believed to be the foundation of moral and spiritual truth? Today, we’ll be peeling back this onion on a quest to find the truth for a new generation with a special guest, Dr. Alex McFarland.
Discussing Church for Our Generation with Alex McFarland As a Christian apologist, evangelist, author, religion and culture analyst, and advocate for Biblical truth, Dr. Alex McFarland speaks worldwide. He has preached in over 2000 churches throughout North America and many more around the world. He also speaks at Christian events and conferences, debates, and other venues to teach biblical truths and preach the gospel. Alex is the only evangelist we know about who has preached in all 50 states in only 50 days. His Tour of Truth crusade swept across America featuring 64 evangelistic services, many decisions to receive Christ, and Christians were equipped and encouraged to defend their faith. Alex is the past president of Southern Evangelical Seminary and College of Charlotte, NC. He served as Focus on the Family’s first director of Teen Apologetics. He’s written a number of books including Stand Strong in Your Faith, The 21 Toughest Questions Your Kids will ask about Christianity, the Assault on America, and The God You Thought You Knew. Alex is heading up an apologetics conference on October 15-17 in Myrtle Beach, SC called Truth for a New Generation.
Truth for a New Generation Episode Highlights:
How do we reach and retain young people for the church? What is Ground Zero ministry in Myrtle Beach? Why do parents need to be aware of woke culture? Why should every church have an intercessory team? What is the importance of apologetics in the home? More details on the Truth for a New Generation Conference
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Changing My Child's Behavior Last time on License to Parent: “Hey, you just took that toy and pushed your brother. What does that say about how you view your brother? What’s going on inside of you is that you value yourself and what you want more than you value your brother. So what is that? That’s selfishness and it’s also pride. But the problem is that the Bible calls that a sin.” That’s Israel Wayne in last week’s episode of License to Parent. If you missed that podcast you can listen to Raising Them Up with Israel Wayne. We discussed what happens when you look to someone to “fix” your child. We discovered that fixing the child usually also means fixing the parent, the environment, and the relationships. That leads us to the question of, would it be better off to ask if we as parents are willing to invest the time, effort, and intentionality it takes to keep our child (and our family for that matter) from becoming damaged goods in the first place.
Discussing Gospel-Centered Parenting with Israel Wayne Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker with a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a biblical worldview. He’s the author of a number of books on homeschooling and parenting including Raising Them Up: Parenting for Christians.
A Shift of Focus Episode Highlights:
What is gospel centered parenting? Why is it so important to focus on the heart behind behavior? Does having a parent full time in the home make an impact on our kids? What is the importance of time? How can bread-winning fathers find time with their children? How impactful is digital technology on our kids? Why?
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Parenting Today's Children Today Well before you answer, fixing a child usually also means fixing the parents, fixing the environment, and fixing the relationships. Perhaps a better question would be, “are you willing to invest the time, effort, and intentionality it will take to keep your child and your family from becoming damaged goods in the first place?” That’s going to require some self-reflection, divine intervention, and intentionality on your part. It’s always harder (if not impossible) to fix the WHAT when we neglect to find out the WHY behind our children’s damaged emotions, their values, attitudes, and actions.
Discussing the Importance of the Why with Israel Wayne Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who has a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a biblical worldview. He’s the author of a number of books on homeschooling and parenting including, “Raising Them Up: Parenting for Christians." He’s also the site editor for christianworldview.net and he’s the director of Family Renewal. Israel and his wife Brooke are currently raising their 11 children in Michigan
Parenting for Christians Episode Highlights:
What is the parents’ responsibility? Should we be our child’s “buddy?” What does it mean to “be the parent?” Why is parenting so hard? Should we raise our children how we were raised? Where do we look to for parenting advice?
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The Perfect Father Whether it’s a biological father, an adopted father, or our heavenly father, there’s an incalculable value afforded any child who’s been blessed with a good father. Yet as our culture downplays the significance of the traditional family, so too goes the value placed on fatherhood. As a result, more and more American men are placing their value and significance in just about anything and everything but being a quality dad. The funny thing is that the offspring of these men most often wish otherwise. Could there be a biological and spiritual need for children to bond with and cultivate a relationship with their father?
And what about a man who isn’t actually the child’s biological father? Can he fulfill this same need? Today we talk with the creator of a documentary film that looks at what it really means to be a father.
Discussing Fatherhood with Alex Kendrick Show Me the Father is being released on September 10th. Alex Kendrick is the Executive Producer and Writer. If you are not familiar with the Kendrick name, the Kendrick brothers have a string of successful faith-based films such as Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous, War Room, Overcomer, and Show Me the Father. Alex has served in church ministries for about 20 years. He then turned his attention to writing, speaking, and producing Christian films. He has co-written the NY Times best-selling books, The Love Dare, The Resolution for Men, and The Battle Plan for Prayer. Alex and his wife Christina are the parents of six.
The Stories of Fatherhood Episode Highlights:
What do you hope to accomplish through the film? Why should parents take their kids to see this movie about all others? Why a documentary over a feature film? Why have media outlets marginalized fathers/fatherhood? How did these stories of fatherhood come about? Why is it so important to see the film?
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There’s a Big Difference Last time on License to Parent: “I think sometimes people confusing walking with somebody with condoning or accepting or validating what they are doing. I can love anyone through any circumstance. But that doesn’t mean that I need to show them that I’m accepting that. I’ve got gay people that I minister to all the time and they know where I stand and we respect one another. I respect them as a human being and as a person who was created in the image of God but they know that I don’t condone what they’re doing. I can walk with them and I can hold their hand, I can pray with them and I can love them. And they know that I deeply love them but at no point in time am I risking my Christianity to say that I’m validating or accepting or condoning what they’re doing. There is a big difference.”
Discussing Apologetics Today with Dave Glander That’s our guest, Dave Glander, a former devout atheist before an experience that completely changed his perspective and life purpose. Now he’s a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and serves as a pastor, author, and founder of a youth apologetics summer camp called Equip retreat. Today we continue our conversation with Dave on equipping our children to defend a biblical worldview with science, history, and the ability to reason. If you missed Part I of this two-part series, be sure to listen to How, Why, and Where With Dave Glander.
The Importance & Impact of a Biblical Worldview Episode Highlights:
What is a biblical worldview? Why is a biblical worldview so important? What do you believe about miracles? Why is critical thinking so important? What does it mean to have the enemy’s playbook? Should you research your own perspective or an opposing one? Why?
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Answering the Big Questions Sadly, even many churches today are hard-pressed to do so. Many would say that this is the reason that the church is now so marginalized, discriminated against, and openly attacked. But this may actually be more accurately describing churchgoers adhering to a biblical worldview today. As parents, we are going to have to be more intentional about helping our kids adopt a biblical worldview. We will also need to know and teach our kids to know how to defend a biblical worldview with the tools that unbelievers actually identify with. These are things like logic, science, history, and the ability to reason while constructing a cogent argument for what we believe. And all while being respected witnesses to the character and power of Jesus Christ. Sound overwhelming? Perhaps. But the power of God and today’s speaker may just encourage you to buckle down and buckle up knowing the truth is on your side.
Discussing How, Why, and Where with Dave Glander Dave was a devout atheist prior to experiencing a radical encounter with Jesus Christ and he is now a deeply committed believer both in Christ and in the Bible. Dave has been a pastor for many years. He is the founder of an apologetics youth summer camp called Equip Retreat. He’s also the author of Faith Survival Guide and the book we want to talk about today called How, Why, and Where?
Getting Real with Our Kids Episode Highlights:
What three big questions does this book address? Why do our kids need to “practice” at home? Why are our personal testimonies so powerful? Why should we as parents be more transparent/real with our kids? We are where we are supposed to be. What kind of impact does the gospel have?
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God's Model for the Family In a real and abstract sense, not to understand the importance of the family is to come into life and then go through it crippled. When the family crumbles, or when it’s totally redefined by humankind, entire societies crumble. Yet even when societies do crumble, those people committed to God’s definition and plan for the family can still stand strong. The family also acts as an organic support system. It’s is one that serves in the same way that a strong and durable cable serves. Both are made up of many smaller, weaker fibers or members. But together they form something that is strong. In other words, when put together correctly the family really is greater than the sum of its parts. History and scientific data back this up. The Bible does too.
Discussing Strengthening the Family with Scott Brown Scott Brown is the Director of Church and Family Life and the Pastor at Hope Baptist Church in Wakeforest, North Carolina. He is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with w degree in History and he received a Master of Divinity degree from Talbot School of Theology. Scott devotes much of his time to local pastoral ministry, conferences on fatherhood, church reformation, and strengthening the family. Scott is also the author of several books including, “A Weed in the Church,” “Family Reformation,” “Preparing Boys for Battle,” “Preparing for Marriage,” “Helping them to Choose,” and a book that we very much want to discuss today: “The Theology of the Family.”
The Truth About the Family Episode Highlights:
What is The Theology of the Family? Does Scripture speak specifically about the family? Where? What is the difference between the biblical and scientific/secular definition of the family? How can parent assure their kids that the Bible is the model of the family? How do we talk to our kids about the imperfect/dysfunctional families in scripture? What does scripture say is the optimum model for family?
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True Representation We are the only nation on the face of the earth that has an emancipation proclamation. We are the only nation that fought a war to end slavery. But the facts are not reported. The messages coming out that supposedly represent blacks today are false prophets.
Discussing Rescuing American History with Bob Woodson That’s the voice of Bob Woodson, author of the book Red, White, and Black; Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers. Last week with spoke with Bob Woodson on Part I of our II part series. This message is a timely one for us as parents, as well as citizens alike in a culture that tells us that we are a systemic racist society.
The Importance of History Episode Highlights:
How is racism defined? What is critical race theory? How you we drive discussions on racism? What should parents do if critical race theory is taught in your child’s school? How can I get alternative curriculum to critical race theory? Why is it so important for truth to be spoken on the issue of race?
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A Redemptive People I’m talking about obvious and fundamental things like am I a boy or am I really a girl? Am I inferior because of the color of my skin? Could I actually be a racist without realizing it? Is my country systemically racist? For a child, it can be a confusing time. It’s a time when our kids’ values, worldview, and brain matter are still being developed most. It’s when their security, identity, and emotional and spiritual wellbeing are all being established. So not being sure about the basic truths of life only exasperates this confusion; especially at a tie when mental illness really is becoming systemic in our nation. Have the red, white, and blue of our United States actually become the red, white, and black of our divided states? Is your child really a racist? Are you? Today we look at who, what, and where we are as a people. Is it possible to be a redemptive people living in a redemptive nation?
Discussing Systemic Racism with Bob Woodson Robert (Bob) Woodson is an American civil rights activist, community development leader, author, and founder and president of the Woodson Center. He is among a collection of prominent and respected black scholars and thinkers that reject the false narrative of history in our society today. They have come together to correct the record and try to tell the true story of black Americans in all its complexity, diversity of experience, and poignancy. Collectively they paint a picture of black people living the very grand American experience, however bumpy that road maybe along the way. But rather than being apart, he sees blacks as woven into this nation and what makes it unique. Mr. Woodson has curated and edited a collection of essays on this subject in a brand new book entitled, Red, White, and Black: Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers. In addition to his book, he has dedicated his life to assisting low-income families transcending impoverished conditions. He has written extensively on this topic in his book, “Lessons from the Least of These” and “The Triumphs of Joseph: How today’s community healers are reviving our streets and neighborhoods.”
A Redemptive Nation Episode Highlights:
Why is the topic of civil rights important to parents? What is the 1776 Unites Campaign? Why do kids have no hope? What is systemic racism? What is the more critical crisis facing America? What is the difference between equality and equity?
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The Term Abortion But there’s another definition for the term abortion calling it an object or undertaking regarded as unpleasant or badly made, or carried out. Sadly for some parents, even after choosing to give birth to their child, raising that child can too often be regarded as an unpleasant undertaking that’s badly carried out. Could this application of the term abortion be accurately applied to successful full-term births that result in lives that are forced to endure extreme neglect, abuse, or other misery? However, one definite abortion, when it involves a human life there is no doubt that a miscarriage of justice has taken place. Today we look at parenting from a different kind of pro-life perspective. Today we speak with Marvin Olasky.
Discussing Pro-Life Living With Marvin Olasky Marvin Olasky is editor and chief of World News Group. He’s also Dean of the World Journalism Institute. He joined World back in 1992 and has also been a university professor and provost. He’s written over 20 books including, “Reforming Journalism” and “The Tragedy of American Compassion.” He just completed season three of the podcast, “The Olasky Interview.” Today Marvin Olasky discusses his newest book, “Abortion at the Crossroads.” Marvin and his wife reside in Austin, Texas, and have four grown children.
The Three Paths Forward Episode Highlights:
Are the struggles of today’s culture simply “part of growing up?” How do we be consistently pro-life after children are born? How does our view of our children impact their future? Should we think the best of our child? How do we protect the unborn? How do we protect the youth we are raising into adults?
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Transformation through Empowerment If you haven’t already done so, be sure to listen to Part I of our two-part series with Kimball Lewis. Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of teen and parent interactions. Do you feel stuck? Is your teen rebelling against you? Are you at the end of your rope? If you don’t know how to handle what’s going on in your home or feel that you have lost the power in your home, then this message is for you.
Discussing Practical Parenting with Kimball Lewis Kimball Lewis is an executive who spent his career using research and technology to improve the lives of individuals and businesses. He began his career as a health, welfare, and child policy researcher for a leading public policy think tank in Washington. He then served as a technologist and executive in his series of successful healthcare start-up businesses before joining empoweringparents.com.
A Real Change in the Home Episode Highlights:
Why do so many parents find themselves involved in long arguments with their teens or children? What does walking away from the argument look like in real-time for parents? What is wrong with training? Why is training a bad thing? What is the “why trap?” Why do words matter? What role does self-esteem play in parenting?
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The Problem Child(ren) Does your child lie to you and argue with you about virtually everything? Does rebellion just seem to be part of your child’s very nature? Would you enjoy a total transformation of your child with the help of an expert who’s equipped for empowering parents? Today we are going to be addressing the emerging issues we see in our children. So much of this is so practical and basic, you’ll be surprised you never thought of it yourself!
Discussing Practical Parenting with Kimball Lewis Kimball Lewis is an executive who spent his career using research and technology to improve the lives of individuals and businesses. He began his career as a health, welfare, and child policy researcher for a leading public policy think tank in Washington. He then served as a technologist and executive in his series of successful healthcare start-up businesses before joining empoweringparents.com. He began as the CEO there in 2017 as he continues the work of James Leeman offering practical advice to parents struggling with some of the most challenging child behavior issues. Mr. Lewis resides in Florida with his wife and two teenage sons of his own.
Empowering Parents Episode Highlights:
Who is the total authority within the household? Does too much structure restrict growth? How should reasonable rules be determined? How do we as parents discuss rules with our children? What if I don’t like my child? What is our responsibility to society?
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The Impact of Healthy Families All of this has combined to put a damper on the security of its people. Those are all vital to the emotional health of our people. This is a particular challenge for our kids. So when the people and institutions that our kids would have historically trusted most are no longer necessarily trustworthy. It’s even more important to ensure that we, their parents, can be trusted and we do our best to keep the institution of the family healthy and intact. With enough healthy families, we may just be able to be a part of helping to make America good again.
Discussing Making America Good with Joe Battaglia Joe Battaglia is the founder and president of Renaissance Communications, a media company providing platforms for gifted communicators of biblical truth. He is also the executive producer and general manager of the nationally syndicated radio program “Keep the Faith.” He is the author of several books including Make America Good Again: 12.5 Biblical Principles to Unite Our Nation, Restore True Greatness & Reshape Our Political Rhetoric.
Restoring True Greatness Episode Highlights:
What is the difference between greatness and goodness? How can we become good again? Why is Joe’s book good for parents and kids? Why is oneness important? Why is it important to understand oneness? What does science say about forgiveness?
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Standing Strong Well, it’s no doubt that as parents we would do everything we can to stand strong to stop the abuse, to teach our kids to fight back against it, and get as far away from it as possible. Let’s also remember that abuse comes in many forms. There’s sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse. But what about this: secularism, depravity, immorality, and apathy? These are all around us. Moral relativism says it’s ok. Just because it isn’t right for you doesn’t mean it’s wrong for someone else. Christians who say otherwise are hit with a borage of hate and intolerance. Unfortunately, we the parents have, in many ways, taken the guard rails down rather than standing strong and teaching our kids to do likewise. Is it any wonder then that so many kids lose their faith by the time they are in college? We are the closest representative to Christ that our kids have, after all. If we don’t stand strong, how can they?
Discussing Standing Strong with Ken Ham Ken Ham is the CEO and Founder of Answers in Genesis and the High-tech Creation Center and Museum located in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, and the visionary behind “Ark Encounter” located in Kentucky. Ken is a biblical apologist and his work addresses such topics as the reliability of the Bible, how compromise over biblical authority undermines society. He’s the author of a number of books including Already Gone, The Lie Evolution, and Gospel Reset. Most recently he wrote the book Will They Stand, and it addresses today’s topic head-on. Will our children be equipped to stand strong against cultural giants that previous generations never imagined, or will our kids be overcome.
Equipping the Next Generation Episode Highlights:
Why is it important to raise strong believers in today’s society? What does it mean to be standing today? What does church attendance say about this generation? How does moral relativism impact your biblical foundation? How do parents share with their kids the authority of the bible? What is the importance of Genesis when it comes to answering questions about culture today?
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The Divine Reset Today we engage in Part II of that conversation. If you missed Part I with Eric, you can listen to it online.
Discussing America 2.0 with Eric Holmberg Eric Holmberg is the Founder and President of Reel to Real Ministries. He’s also with the Apologetics Group, an ordained minister, an author, speaker, and video documentarian.
Collective Culture & the American Way Episode Highlights:
What roles can parents take to create change in their own communities? How does relocation impact American thought? What can we learn about culture through the study of creation? What is the woke culture? Why are hierarchies important and essential to life? How can we prepare our kids to live and find love in today’s culture?
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America 2.0 I mean let’s face it. The world we grew up in at least seemed to be a bit more straightforward. Not everyone followed the rules but at least most people agreed on what right and wrong were. In many ways, screens and keyboards have become our kids’ gateway to the culturally accepted source of moral inspiration and discernment. Or lack thereof. We might say that they are the new alters of worship. Many of the things our culture now accepts are contradictory to scripture, logic, science, and what used to be called common sense. If you’ve been waiting or even praying for some dynamic, spiritual, or even political leader to come along and put a halt to all of this madness, you may be in for a long wait. What seems to be needed is a reboot. America 2.0. Or maybe Christianity 2.0. Imagine what that would look like if it were birthed in our own Christian homes.
Discussing a Reboot with Eric Holmberg Eric Holmberg is the founder and director of Reel to Real Ministries and the Apologetics group. He’s not only an ordained minister, but he is also an author, speaker, and video documentarian. His work has been featured on a number of broadcasts and web media platforms. His writing has been featured in publications such as Focus on the Family Magazine, Time Magazine, and the American Family Association Journal. Eric’s work covers everything from revival to rap music and from science to sex; helping to bring a biblical worldview to the conversation and ultimately transform lives. He is working on a new project called “The Divine Reset: America 2.0.”
Awaken from the Woke Episode Highlights:
What is The Divine Reset? Are we losing the cultural war? What is the extent of the damaging effect our culture is having on our kids? What role does courage play in our culture? How can we, as parents, exhibit courage and godliness in our culture? What can we expect when we live differently than others in our world?
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The Impact & Dangers of Technology There is a lot of conversation about healthy child-rearing. In this current age, and for generations to come, parents will be faced with concern and discussion surrounding one very important topic: digital technology. In a world saturated by media and digital technology, our children may just be at risk of being impacted every waking hour of every single day for the rest of their lives. How do we, as parents, handle this challenge and prepare them for a healthy and successful future?
Discussing How to Disconnect with Tom Kersting Tom Kersting is an expert in the field of mental health and families and parenting in the digital age. Tom authored the book “Disconnected, how to protect your kids from the harmful effects of digital dependency.” Tom holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Saint Thomas Aquinas College, a Master’s Degree in Counseling and human development, a second Master’s in administration and supervision, both from Montclair State University and a Ph.D. in clinical hypnotherapy from Kona University.
Parenting & Technology Episode Highlights:
How can sanity be restored in our families and communities? Is technology connected to narcissism? Hypocrisy? Violence? What is the difference between loneliness and aloneness? How can false knowledge and lies from the internet affect the parent/child relationship? What are the three simple parenting tips? How can you apply them in your home?
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A Generation Raised on Technology Raising kids today is certainly different than a generation ago. There are many different ways that technological innovations have made parenting (and life in general) much easier. In other ways, digital technology and information access have actually complicated our approach to raising kids. There’s an argument to be made that technology is actually hindering parents' ability to impart, maintain and preserve moral standards, wisdom, and spiritual maturity. Additionally, there’s no question that it plays a role in the influence of young people to leave the church in droves. What can we do to better establish a biblical worldview in our kids? How can we remain relevant in a society that marginalizes people of faith? Can digital technology actually be part of the solution rather than just part of the problem?
Discussing Parenting with Technology with John Fuller John Fuller has worked with Focus on the Family for the last three decades. Since 2001 he has been in the co-host seat of the Daily Broadcast with Focus President Jim Daily. That program reaches over 6 million listeners each week. He also hosts Focus on The Family Minute and the podcasts Focus on Marriage and Focus on Parenting. Most Focus programs are available online on Focus Radio. He has written dozens of magazine articles and has also written a book called First Time Dad: The Stuff You Really Need to Know. John and his wife have six children of their own.
From Problem to Solution Episode Highlights:
How do parents best model technology use? Protecting vs. equipping our kids Is there a way to use technology to rekindle our children’s love for Christ? What resources are available for kids? How can our lifestyle impact our kids? Why is showing up for our kids so important?
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New Priorities in Parenting Where are you taking your parenting cues today? Is it from pop psychology? The media? Science? Scripture? It is essential for today’s Christian parents to keep their priorities straight. Our parenting manual comes straight from Scripture. We can be confident in our decisions when we are walking in the foundations of God’s word. Sometimes our way of parenting may seem a little odd or outdated to the rest of the world. But we don’t take our cues from them. If your parenting style, discipline, or general way of life is seen as different; take that as a compliment! Let’s dive back into our discussion on a different kind of parenting with parent expert and psychologist John Rosemond.
Discussing Parenting Today with John Rosemond John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of family psychology. In the past few years, John has appeared on numerous national television programs including 20/20, Good Morning America, The View, The Today Show, CNN, and CBS Later Today, as well as numerous print interviews.
Good Old Fashion Parenting Episode Highlights:
Grandma was right! How can we implement the lessons of our parents into our parenting strategy? Where can we go to seek godly instruction for parenting? How important are your kids? Should we focus on the happiness of our children? How can we both serve and guide our children well? What is the difference between happiness and joy?
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Politically Incorrect Parenting When we parent according to Scripture, we aren’t always seen as normal in the eyes of the world. Sometimes we even see strange looks from other Christian parents! But answer this for me: Are your kids more emotionally well-adjusted than other children? Are they better behaved? Are they easier to handle? Keep this in mind when you see side glances or others begin to question why you choose a Scriptural foundation for your parenting decisions. It is certainly tempting to update our parenting style to match the culture around us. Maybe no one openly questions your Scripture-based parenting, but you may feel like a parenting primitive who is behind the times for choosing to raise your kids with a different set of restrictions and requirements. If these statements ring true in your life, then we want to encourage and stand with you. You are a politically incorrect parent! And there is nothing in the world wrong with that.
Discussing Parenting in a Political Correct Culture with John Rosemond John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of family psychology. Presently, his time is devoted to speaking and writing. John is syndicated in approximately 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written eleven best-selling parenting books. He is also one of America’s busiest and most popular speakers and most certainly the busiest and most popular in his field. He’s known for his sound advice, humor, and easy, relaxed, engaging style.
Raising Our Kids a Little Differently Episode Highlights:
Is secular mental health the best resource for parenting our children? What does research say about the parenting styles and methods of today? What is an integrationist? Does the Bible talk about self-esteem? What are the downfalls of self-esteem? What does handling criticism say about a generation?
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The Absolutes of Manhood In today’s world, it’s difficult to even have an intelligent conversation about manhood. Why? There are new terms, new standards, new protocols that many of us are still needing clarity on and to become familiar with. In fact, many of the terms being tossed around need to be defined and agreed upon before we can truly communicate on this topic. Fluidity has overtaken the conversation about boyhood and manhood. Absolutes have disappeared. But more than that, our culture has become ripe and ready for systemic discouragement of young men. Are we emasculating our boys before they even have a chance to grow into strong men? What we can do about it? The crisis of manhood extends beyond political correctness. We’ve messed with God’s ecosystem. But somehow, the creation thinks they have a better idea for doing and defining life than the creator. And that’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Discussing the Challenges of Manhood with Gregory Koufacos Today we welcome Gregory Koufacos to the program. Gregory is a veteran addiction counselor and therapist. He has just published a book called: The Primal Method: a book for emerging men. This book explores the epidemic of young men failing to launch. Gregory holds a master’s degree in Psychology from the New School of Social Research. He’s a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor and a nationally certified recovery coach. Gregory’s work helps clients identify what’s gone wrong, why traditional therapy often fails them, and how emerging men can break their debilitating cycles.
The Crisis of Manhood Episode Highlights:
How can parents mitigate the negative impact of culture while their children are still boys? How much of this issue is due to all the things our young kids are stimulated with 24/7/365 via technology? How can parents do a better job at helping their sons find their purpose? In what way is the authentic connection a part of healing and growth? What is the primal mind? What is the difference between finding a purpose and finding your purpose?
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The Evolution of Higher Education & Faith But today the very mention of having faith in God is something that is often considered equivalent to being a neanderthal. A Christian Perspective on Higher Education Many of the nation’s most prestigious institutions actually began as theological establishments. However, today we see a much different picture. So how can we as parents set our children up for not only academic success, but spiritual growth as they enter the college-bound years? Is there a way to prepare them to enter an environment that may not be receptive, and may even be hostile to their faith? Should we prepare our kids to stand their ground amidst a hostile environment that challenges their faith to its core? Do we even consent to send our kids to such an environment? How do we guide our children to making a decision that will strengthen rather than hinder their faith?
Discussing the Hostile Environment of Colleges & Universities with Dan Dupee Dan Dupee is President Emeritus of the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO). He served as President and CEO of the CCO from 1999-2015, and as Chairman of the Board from 2016-2020. Dan is also the author of It’s Not Too Late: The Essential Part You Play in Shaping Your Teen’s Faith, which was published in 2016 by Baker Books. Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives. They share the Gospel with students and develop passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. They serve together with the church and invite students into the lives of local congregations. They give students a vision for serving Jesus Christ in their studies, jobs, communities, and families.
The Christian Faith & College-Bound Teens Episode Highlights:
How has our society impacted higher education? What role has the pandemic played on educational institutions? Why is there hostility toward the Christian faith? How can Christian parents prepare their kids for college? How can our community strengthen and encourage our children through the college experience?
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Manipulation, Money & Modern Parenting America continues to be a country that sparks not only the curiosity but the desire of those from other nations. Day after day people are trying to get here; whether that be legally or otherwise. If American is such a terrible place to live, then why are we facing a crisis at the border? There are those that would seek to manipulate our society into hating our country. As the church, we must learn to recognize this for what it is: a history lesson in a failed form of government. Our kids deserve the rest of the story. Our kids are not naive to manipulation. In fact, I’ve learned through my work with teens that they don’t particularly like to be unjustly controlled, played, conned, or manipulated. They don’t tolerate hypocrisy and lies from anyone; not the government, teachers, bosses, coaches, or even their own parents. So why would they accept being conned by foreign billionaires? Unfortunately, manipulated is a good word to describe our youth today. And it’s happening by way of lies, revisions to our history, and lore of free stuff. But our kids aren’t the only victims of this manipulation. Many adults have bought into the lies that society is constantly feeding us. And this includes highly intelligent and educated adults.
Discussing George Soros with Dr. Frank Wright Dr. Frank Wright has been the president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) for more than 10 years. He’s also acted as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Salem Communications Corporation. He then joined Dr. D. James Kennedy ministries as its president and CEO in 2015. Dr. Wright’s organization has produced a documentary that exposes the architecture of left, the well-heeled foundations that make the grants, activist groups that do the work (including Catholic, Protestant, and evangelicals organizations), and politicized media who amplify the message.”
Learning from History Episode Highlights:
Should our kids be aware of George Soros? Why? What is a socialist? What is a globalist? What is the overall goal of Soros? Should Christians be concerned with the influence of George Soros? What is the “follow the money” chart? How do we respond to our kids who think this is just a “conspiracy theory?”
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Navigating Our Culture's Digital Landscape Can our children navigate the digital landscape free of corruption and addiction? Is there wisdom in giving our children digital technology? What about virtually unfettered access to digital technology by way of the smartphone? How can we know when our kids are safe? Or when they’ve crossed the line? When are our kids at risk of becoming eye-slaves to digital tech? What does healthy technology use look like? How do we teach our children to successfully balance healthy tech use? Do we have what it takes to step in when they cross the line?
The Technology Take Over For many children in America, screens have become their “other parent.” What impact does technology have on our children? Unfortunately for many, technology has shifted from “parent” to god. Their energy, time, and thoughts are consumed by what they find on the screen. What does the Bible say about technology use in our lives? Can we find wisdom on this matter in Scripture? Today we discuss how we as parents can install biblical, safe, and healthy wisdom into our kids’ hearts and lives.
Discussing Screens and Teens with Kathy Koch Dr. Kathy Koch is the founder and president of Celebrate Kids Incorporated, based in Fort Worth, TX. She is the co-founder of Ignite the Family. Dr. Kathy earned a Ph.D. in Reading and Educational Psychology from Purdue University. She was a tenured associate professor in Education at the University of Wisconsin. She was also a teacher of 2nd graders, a middle school teacher, and much more! She has also written 6 books including her most recent, Start with the Heart. We have asked her here today to discuss one of her previous books entitled Screens and Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World.
Balancing Screentime at Home Episode Highlights:
What is happiness? What is joy? Is there a difference? How can we as parents set up a wise technology protocol in the home? Why are parents allowing their children to spend so much time in front of screens? What does a technology addiction look like? Is using technology in education really more beneficial? Are there more resources for parents on balancing safe technology use?
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When Our Kids Look to Us in the Unknown As adults, many of us were completely blindsided by the events of 2020. The careers we held in high esteem, the same careers we planned to retire from, suddenly don’t exist anymore. Positions cut, or moved remote at the very least, initiated a huge shift for our personal lives and for our family. But the ripple effect of the pandemic didn’t just impact us. It impacted our kids. Normally our children would be seeking our guidance and wisdom on dealing with the unknown. But what happens when we are both sailing in uncharted waters together?
The Impact of a Global Pandemic on Our Child’s Mental Health Many of us have never experienced a global pandemic. So the old model of teaching our kids and story-telling through our learned experiences doesn’t work here. Our kids are seeing us struggle. They are seeing and working through the very raw and real emotions that we are. That brings with it stress all its own.
Discussing Mental Health and Crisis with June Hunt June Hunt is an author, speaker, singer, and founder of Hope for the Heart. Hope for the Heart is a worldwide biblical counseling ministry founded in 1986. The ministry offers practical help through biblical counsel, coaching, and content for contemporary concerns in more than 60 countries on 6 continents. June’s books have sold more than a million copies. In February, June released her newest book called Anxiety: Calming the Fearful Heart. Today June and Trace Embry will look at the impact Covid-19 has had on our teens.
Discovering Healing in a Pandemic Episode Highlights:
How has Covid-19 impacted our children and teens? Is my teen struggling with finding hope and a will to live? How can I tell when my teen is anxious? Afraid? Suicidal? What phrases are common to teens in a time of crisis? What causes teens and children to feel hopeless? What is the role of hope in our lives?
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Explicit Content & Our Children Today, sexually explicit images aren’t just those naughty magazines sold from behind the drug store counter. Milder or “soft” versions of it can be seen on billboards along the highway. Stronger forms are readily available out in the open now as well. They may be lurking just next to the candy aisle at your local convenient store. These images are not only in the line of sight of your children but well within their grasp. But this isn’t the worst of the readily available images. Many parents are continuing to harbor explicit images and scenes by way of satellite or cable TV packages. These images are in high-definition motion picture and living color, truly bringing these scenes to life and leaving nothing to the imagination. Could there be anything worse? Unfortunately, yes! Many parents have given (often unknowingly) their children their own private access to it. The access comes by way of the devices they carry to school, to play, and even to bed each night! All of this and more are available with a simple click on their smartphones. How do we protect the eyes, hearts, minds, souls, and spirits of our kids against a now socially acceptable poison? Listen in as we discuss with Kristen Jensen.
Discussing Christian Parent’s Roles in Protecting Our Kids from Pornography with Kristen Jensen Author Kristen Jensen speaks with us today to give us an update on a cultural pandemic. Kristen is the author of Good Picture Bad Pictures, a read-aloud series of books for kids that has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide! These books help kids develop an internal filter against inappropriate content. Kristen is also the founder of Protect Young Minds, an organization dedicated to helping parents empower themselves with tools to resist and reject pornography. She is a mom of three children and recently became a grandmother.
Empowering Parents to Raising Healthy Children Episode Highlights:
Is it possible to do anything about what our children see in our society today? How should we be educating our kids about pornography? Should we be talking to our kids about sex? When? How? How can Good Pictures Bad Pictures assist parents in having healthy conversations with their kids? How does pornography harm our child spiritually? How can parents prepare and empower their children to have healthy marriages?
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Healthy Boundaries & Our Children Even as parents, we also need to adhere to boundaries both for ourselves and in other interpersonal relationships. But what if you were told that in some areas of life, even in your child’s life, that there may not be a reason to adhere to boundaries at all. What if you were told that boundaries, in some cases, might actually be detrimental? When it comes to spiritual growth and Christ’s character in our kids and ourselves, growth has no boundaries. Let’s explore what that kind of growth actually looks like today as we speak with Dr. Henry Cloud.
Discussing Boundaries with Dr. Henry Cloud Dr. Henry Cloud is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a BS in Psychology, he completed his PhD in Psychology at Biola University. Dr. Cloud is a New York best-selling author where his book Boundaries, sold over 15 million copies worldwide. His latest book is called Growth Has No Boundaries.
Boundaries and the Christian Home Episode Highlights:
Should our children have boundaries? Are boundaries positive? Are they negative? What are the indicators that our child(ren) are experiencing spiritual growth? How can we, as parents, help to facilitate and empower spiritual growth? Do you find it difficult to see your child(ren) fail? You’re not alone!
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Technology Use for Good & Evil It seems as though as soon as you get a new computer it has already sneaked in its replacement and it’s already out of date. If you’re looking for the latest apps for your smartphone, anything you download today will surely be obsolete tomorrow. Now we’ve often said that technology isn’t bad in and of itself. It’s a tool that can be used to do great things. But in the wrong hands or when used in the wrong way, some technology can actually be a dangerous weapon. Case in point; smartphones. They represent multiple ways to communicate but they also offer unencumbered access to the internet. We’re not fans of that!
Discussing the Gabb Wireless Alternative with Anne Marie McDonald Last week we talked with Anne Marie McDonald, Vice President of Public Relations and Strategy at Gabb Wireless. Gabb is a tech company offering not only wireless phone service but also wireless phones. And that suggests that there may be a safe alternative.
How Gabb Can Be a Solution for Your Family Episode Highlights:
What is Gabb doing to give parents and children a safe option for families? How does Gabb allow kids to be kids? What does the Gabb phone look like? What are the functionalities of the Gabb device? What resources are available to parents concerning wise tech use? How do we prepare our kids while raising them up with biblical principles? Use code WISEPHONE to receive $10 off your Gabb Wireless Device.
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The Over-Consumption of Technology By Our Kids Is being ostracized even a wise or valid reason? After all, kids being ostracized is a risk of having or not having or participating or not participating in something all the time. If our reference point of how to live is what other people think we are all going to be in for a lot of disappointment! However, being ostracized for doing something right can actually result in good things for our kids such as character growth, resilience, grit, integrity, patience, and a stronger resolve to keep doing what’s right. Being strong enough to incorporate a safe and wise digital alternative for our kids. There is no reason that any minor should have unencumbered access to his or her own smartphone. This even includes those who use their own money to pay for it. And there is a case to be made for this from the scientific perspective, biblical perspective, relational perspective, logical or psychological perspective, the physical perspective, and the spiritual perspective. But I’m not saying kids should be without phones altogether. It’s a safety issue and a convenience. It’s a communication issue. But just because smartphones have become a systemic symbol of cultural relevance is not a good reason for giving a minor unfettered access to a smartphone and all that comes with it. We’ll be talking about all of this with someone who is doing something about it today on License to Parent.
Discussing Technology and Discernment with Anne Marie McDonald Anne Marie is the Vice President of public relations strategy at Gabb Wireless. She manages outreach opportunities to further the education of age-appropriate tech solutions. She frequently speaks about family and tech safety on various podcasts, broadcasts, and webinars that are in line with Gabb’s mission. She speaks from the heart on this because Anne Marie and her husband have four children ranging in age from 5 to 15.
Talking about Tech with our Family Episode Highlights:
As a parent how can I understand good and bad technology and provide effective tools for my family? Discussing tech habits and hygiene with our kids. The dangers of having a smart device as a babysitter. How do we fight the "this phone is your friend" narrative? How to introduce wise phone use into a smartphone world. How technology changes our kids. Use code WISEPHONE to receive $10 off your Gabb Wireless Device.
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Parenting Priorities and Today's Culture Are we, as parents, taking our parenting advice from popular media? Science? Pop Psychology? Scripture? As Christian parents, it is important to take our cues from Scripture, walking in the foundations of God's word. Today, we speak again with John Rosemond as we continue to discuss politically incorrect parenting. Our parenting styles, disciplines, and general way of life may not always add up to what culture expects. Today we discuss some important questions that Christian parents should be asking, and how the answers will impact the well-being of our children for years to come. Discussing The Hard Questions with John Rosemond John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of family psychology. In the past few years, John has appeared on numerous national television programs including 20/20, Good Morning America, The View, The Today Show, CNN, and CBS Later Today, as well as numerous print interviews.
Old Fashion Parenting Episode Highlights:
What are some things you believe Grandma was right about and how can we implement these truths into the lives of our kids today? What instructions do we need to follow to raise our kids? Should your kids be the most important thing in your life? Is happiness the main focus in the pursuit of raising children? What is the balance in serving and guiding our kids? What is the difference between happiness and joy?
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Parenting Differently in Today's Culture You may parent a little bit different than those in your neighborhood, at the grocery store, and even those in your extended family. A genuine commitment to God and His word can get funny looks from your kids’ friends, the parents of those friends, and even other Christian parents. But have you noticed that your kids are more emotionally well-adjusted, better behaved, and easier to handle? Still, the temptation to give in to the prevailing parenting trends of our culture may be a nagging concern to you. Maybe no-one openly rebukes you for it, but you may still feel at times like a parenting primitive who is behind the times and raising your kids with a different set of restrictions and requirements than most other kids. Your kids often seem to identity better adults than with their actual peer group. You are a politically incorrect parent. And we’re here to encourage you in that.
Discussing The Challenges of Parenting Today with John Rosemond John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of family psychology. Presently, his time is devoted to speaking and writing. John is syndicated in approximately 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written eleven best-selling parenting books. He is also one of America’s busiest and most popular speakers and most certainly the busiest and most popular in his field. He’s known for his sound advice, humor, and easy, relaxed, engaging style.
The Dangers of Self-Esteem Episode Highlights:
Why do people trust secular mental health when it comes to child-rearing today? Are these methods backed up by real research? What is an integrationist? Is self-esteem biblical? What are the downfalls of self-esteem? How does today’s generation handle criticism?
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The Crisis of Manhood Today, there are new standards, protocols, and even terms that many of us are yet to be familiar with. In fact, many of the definitions of these terms have to be sorted out and agreed upon before we can have an intelligent conversation about manhood. Apparent absolutes about boys and men have become fluid. But more than that, American culture has created a climate ripe for systemic discouragement of our young men. Have they been in some sense emasculated? If so, what can be done about it? The crisis of manhood extends beyond political correctness. The bottom line is that we have messed with God’s ecosystem. When the creation thinks that they have a better idea for doing and defining life than the creator, that’s when we are building a house of cards.
Discussing The Challenges of Manhood Today with Gregory Koufacos Today we welcome Gregory Koufacos to the program. Gregory is a veteran addiction counselor and therapist. He has just published a book called: The Primal Method: a book for emerging men. This book explores the epidemic of young men failing to launch. Gregory holds a master’s degree in Psychology from the New School of Social Research. He’s a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor and a nationally certified recovery coach. Gregory’s work helps clients identify what’s gone wrong, why traditional therapy often fails them, and how emerging men can break their debilitating cycles.
A Parenting Crisis Coming to Light Episode Highlights:
What can parents do to mitigate negative culture while their children are still boys? How much of this issue is due to all the things our young kids are stimulated with 24/7/365 via technology? It is essential for every young man to find his purpose in life. How can parents do a better job at helping their sons find their purpose? In what way is the authentic connection a part of healing and growth? What is the primal mind? What is the difference between finding a purpose and finding your purpose?
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Putting Romans 12:2 into Practice By and large, a vast majority of moral views and perspectives of even non-believers in America used to be in line with biblical views. Unfortunately, it’s hard to say that about many Christians today. This similarity in views also applied to parenting. This was specifically seen in what used to be required of our nation’s youth and what they were allowed to be exposed to. But the times have certainly changed. Today’s American parents don’t look the same as they used to. It’s a struggle and a challenge for parents to range healthy and emotionally well-adjusted kids. It requires us to be so much more intentional about the parenting choices that we make. We now must teach our kids to “swim upstream” against the current cultural tide. That means taking Romans 12:2 to heart and to a whole new level. Our goal is to be counter-cultural parents raising counter-cultural kids.
Discussing The Challenges in Counter-Cultural Parenting with Tina Marie Griffin Tina Marie Griffin went from bailing hay and milking cows at a young age on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, to working as an actress in Hollywood. At the age of 20, she moved to Los Angelos to study and pursue a film and acting career. Since then, she has appeared in numerous films and television programs. Today she travels around the country speaking on how pop culture and media have been glamorizing harmful behavior without showing the consequences. She exposes how this in turn erodes the foundation of the development of today’s youth. Tina Marie has spoken about how positive media, friends, and good choices can lead to a successful life. She and her husband Luke have 4 children and they are homeschooling parents (even before Covid-19).
A Parenting Crisis Coming to Light Episode Highlights:
Do Hollywood actors, artists, and media personnel allow their own children to view or listen to their own work? How has the media been pushing a political agenda? What is Spy-Gate? The importance and power of prayer Text GUIDE to 55444 for Free Parent Media Guide What about Kanye? What can parents do to equip their children?
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Educating our Children in Today's Culture As a result, our kids have been allowed to be exposed to influences that we wouldn’t regularly even think of allowing them to be exposed to. Media, movies, peers, popular culture and more are vying for our kids' attention. Have we been complicit in all of this? We must be vigilant. Our kids are God’s kids and we have the responsibility to train them in the way they should go. The tragedy is that today in many cases someone else already has trained our children. In the past, it was always the “bad crowd” that parents warned their kids about. But today the bad crowd could be what was traditionally thought of as the good crowd of people we trusted. This could be school board members, teachers, professors, media personnel, news anchors, doctors, lawyers, and the list goes on. Today it seems like the spiritual life has been sucked out of the noble professions. But they still hold much of the influence in today’s society. If there is a systemic problem in America today— it’s a moral and spiritual problem.
Discussing The Challenges in Education with Sam Sorbo Sam Sorbo is an actress in films such a Bonfire of the Vanities and Twenty Bucks. She has also acted in television shows such as Chicago Hope and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. She is now the host of a nationally syndicated radio program: The Sam Sorbo Show. She continues to act, produce and write books including They’re Your Kids - An Inspirational Journey from Self Doubter to Homeschool Advocate.
A Parenting Crisis Coming to Light Episode Highlights:
We are going beyond an Education Crisis to a Parenting Crisis What parents are learning in the midst of a pandemic Parenting and discipline come before education How has 2020 impacted the educational landscape What are some of the Covid-homeschooling resources available to parents How does secular schooling impact our worldview as parents? How does this impact our kids? What role does morality play in society?
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The Christian Perspective of College Yet many of these prestigious universities such as Harvard, Yale, and others actually began as Christian theological institutions. As Christian parents then, how should we be preparing our kids to deal with an academic environment that might actually be hostile to their faith? How can we better prepare our kids to stand their ground amidst this growing hostility? Should we even consider sending our kids to a college or university that might draw our kids away from God? It's no secret that for quite some time now there's been a liberal bent in much of higher education. But, it seems that in recent times there's actually become a seething resentment, perhaps even hate, for anything to do with faith in God. Another thing that so many of these academics don't always have, is the ability or the wisdom to come to terms with the limits of their own finite knowledge. That's a huge and arrogant mistake. So, when they pass-on their emotionally-charged leftist rhetoric to their young and impressionable students, things don't always end well. Especially for those students who graduate "con-sum-lager" in Bolivian Snipe-hunt theory and then wonder why no one's hiring. So, these kids have the time to brood down that warped road of bias and hostility, anger, resentment, jealousy, and misery that their leftist professors have gone down and helped pave for them. But, that's exactly how and when so many of our "educational" institutions embolden and equip more entitled "adult" spoiled brats to try to break our stuff or take our stuff away from us; including our faith. Particularly our Christian faith.
Discussing the Changes in Higher Education with Dan Dupee Dan Dupee is President Emeritus of the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO). He served as President and CEO of the CCO from 1999-2015, and as Chairman of the Board from 2016-2020. Dan is also the author of It's Not Too Late: The Essential Part You Play in Shaping Your Teen’s Faith, which was published in 2016 by Baker Books. Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives. They share the Gospel with students and develop passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. They serve together with the church and invite students into the lives of local congregations. They give students a vision for serving Jesus Christ in their studies, jobs, communities, and families.
Higher Education & Our Faith Episode Highlights:
The impact of society and a pandemic on higher education Why is there an animosity towards the faith? How has higher education changed? What can we, as parents do to prepare our kids for college? Can Christian students thrive in a secular college environment What is CCO? Why is community more important than ever?
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Forsaking The Ideals of Socialism & Globalism Our country is the country people from other countries are trying to get to; both legally and illegally. If it is such a terrible place then why are they trying to do this? Today we look at how the church can recognize manipulation by those who would want us to hate America and those who wish for us to accept the narrative of a historically failed form of government. We need to let our kids in on the rest of the story. I know from working with kids that they don’t like to be unjustly controlled, conned, or otherwise manipulated. Not by their government, their teachers, bosses, coaches, or their own parents; and certainly not by foreign billionaires! But being controlled, conned, and otherwise manipulated is exactly what’s been happening to our kids these days through lies, revisions of history, and lore of free stuff! Our kids aren’t the only victims here. It’s a lot of adults too. I’m talking highly educated adults. I can’t tell you why but we know that there is no fool like the educated fool, right? Whatever the case, this is an interesting and important parenting topic and we’re excited to have Dr. Frank Wright with us today to talk about it.
Discussing the Exposure of Falisies with Dr. Frank Wright Dr. Frank Wright has been the president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) for more than 10 years. He’s also acted as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Salem Communications Corporation. He then joined Dr. D. James Kennedy ministries as its president and CEO in 2015. Dr. Wright’s organization has produced a documentary that exposes the architecture of left, the well-heeled foundations that make the grants, activist groups that do the work (including Catholic, Protestant, and evangelicals organizations), and politicized media who amplify the message.”
Christian Parents & the Importance of History Episode Highlights:
Who is George Soros? Why do you kids need to know who he is? Is Soros a socialist or globalist? What is the difference? What is the overall goal of Soros? Why are we even concerned with what George Soros does or thinks? What is the “follow the money” chart? How do we respond to our kids who think this is just a “conspiracy theory?” How do we influence our culture today? What can we, as parents, do?
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The Impact of Screens on Our Children & Teens
We’ve seen that screens often become something like our children’s “other parents” but has it become even worse than that? Could these smart devices have become our children’s god? What does the Bible say about this topic and how to instill biblically, safe, and healthy wisdom into our kids?
Discussing Digital Addiction with Kathy Koch Dr. Kathy Koch is the founder and president of Celebrate Kids Incorporated, based in Fort Worth, TX. She is the co-founder of Ignite the Family. She is a featured speaker for Great Homeschool Conventions and is a frequent speaker for Care Net, Axis, and a number of other organizations. Dr. Kathy earned a Ph.D. in Reading and Educational Psychology from Purdue University. She was a tenured associate professor in Education at the University of Wisconsin. She was also a teacher of 2nd graders, a middle school teacher, and much more! She has also written 6 books including her most recent, Start with the Heart. We have asked her here today to discuss one of her previous books entitled Screens and Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World.
A Healthy Balance of Screentime Episode Highlights:
Why does there need to be a wise digital protocol in the home? Why are so many kids still allowed to spend so much time in front of screens and keyboards? Should we be happy all the time? What is the difference between happiness and joy? How do you know if your teen has developed an addiction to technology? Is there a benefit to paper books over e-reader books? Is using a screen for education beneficial? Additional resources available in Kathy's new book
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Guiding Our Children through the Unknown It’s challenging for us as adults, but it’s challenging for our kids too. But it’s challenging to them in different ways. Normally our kids would look to us for guidance on how to get through life’s challenges. We’re usually pretty good at helping them because, more often than not, we’ve already been through the challenges ourselves and can show them how we managed them.
Covid-19s Impact on our Children 2020 has shown us that this model isn’t going according to plan either, as most of us have never experienced a global pandemic. It’s new to us just like it’s new to our kids. This time, they get to see us flounder. That brings up another point of stress: Covid-19’s impact on our kids and how we can help them manage these pain points and come out stronger on the other side.
Discussing Mental Health Struggles with June Hunt June Hunt is an author, speaker, singer, and founder of Hope for the Heart. Hope for the Heart is a worldwide biblical counseling ministry founded in 1986. The ministry offers practical help through biblical counsel, coaching, and content for contemporary concerns in more than 60 countries on 6 continents. June’s books have sold more than a million copies. In February, June will release her newest book called Anxiety: Calming the Fearful Heart. Today June and Trace Embry will look at the impact Covid-19 has had on our teens.
Navigating the Struggles of a Pandemic Episode Highlights:
Are children and teens struggling with the will to live? How has isolation impacted the suicide rate and mental health overall? Recognizing indicators and signs of anxiety, fear, concern, and suicidal ideations. What phrases should parents look for in teens who are suicidal? What actions are indicators? What should I do if my teen shows signs of anxiety or suicidal ideations? What are the causes of kids/teens feeling hopeless? What is the role of hope?
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Grace and Compassion Last week we began a conversation with Kendra about this new film that addresses the conflicts between the LGBTQ+ community and the teaching of the Bible; yet with compassion and grace.
Continuing the Conversation with In His Image Director, Kendra White There is so much to uncover that we simply didn’t have enough time to squeeze it all in in one episode. If you missed our first interview with Kendra you can listen to it HERE. Kendra joins us today to offer more great insights from the film.
Rooting Our Family in Scripture Episode Highlights:
Investigating the topic of Choice Vs. Born this Way Is abuse a factor in gender identity? Does God make somebody desire the opposite gender? Does He trap someone in the wrong body? Without freewill you cannot love Is there conflict within the LGBTQ community? Why must this topic be addressed in the church? Scripture to help you address confusion
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In His Image So what are our kids supposed to think? What are we adults supposed to think when educated individuals are promoting their ideas as scientific fact? In light of God and his human creation, what does it really mean to be created “in His image?” Can we be proud and practicing LGBTQ+ proponents with God’s blessing?
Interview with In His Image Director, Kendra White Kendra White is Director of In His Image and producer at American Family Studios. From directing faith-based films such as Summer Snow to writing AFA’s children’s animated series Ryan Defrates: Secret agent, Kendra has produced a wide variety of resources to inspire, uplift, and encourage Christian families. She began researching the topics discussed in In His Image two years ago and became increasingly burdened to speak out about these issues when she began noticing both family and close friends struggling with their gender and sexuality. “It became like a fire in my bones,” she says, “and I knew God was calling me to boldly proclaim the truth in love to those who are lost and hurting.”
Sin & The Sexual Revolution The 1960’s sexual revolution, along with postmodern thought, really gave us the green light to take the natural consequences out of our sins; particularly sexual sins. In the mental health industry, sin isn’t even in the equation. The bigger problem comes when we sin and not only want everyone else to accept it but actually embrace it. But today in the case of the LGBTQ+ agenda, it doesn’t stop there. We are now expected to help celebrate it, but as believers, that’s something our faith won’t allow us to do.
Parenting in a Postmodern World Episode Highlights:
God is in the business of setting people free & transforming lives. The film, In His Image, shares testimonies of many individuals previously in the LGBTQ+ community. Is there abuse in the mental health system? Are drugs used on children with gender dysphoria approved by the FDA? Are there risks? What should a parent's biggest takeaway be from watching this film? We have to be ready to show genuine love for those questioning and uncomfortable in their own bodies. How can our children take their hearts captive?
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Gender, Sexuality, Sin, and the Church At the same time, accepting sinners cannot be the same thing as affirming sin. The church is to call every kind of sinner to repent. So how is the church to relate to those of the LGBT community? How are we to reach out with the gospel without being judgmental? Could it be that honest and patient relationships focused on gentle and kind conversations can help people understand what the Bible says about gender and sexuality, resulting in changed lives? Today, we’ll talk about a new documentary that will help start this conversation while being upfront and welcoming at the same time. Today we learn from God’s plan together, delighting in God’s plan for gender and sexuality. Interview with AFA President, Tim Wildmon Tim Wildmon is the President of the American Family Association and the Executive Producer of the documentary, In His Image. American Family Association is the parent ministry over American Family Studios. Delighting in God’s Plan for Gender & Sexuality What makes this documentary such an interesting film is that this is a conversation that is so difficult for most of us to have; especially with members of the LGBTQ+ community. But why is it so hard?
Perhaps it is difficult because there is a public outcry against any talk that would appear to be condemning any part of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. To be fair, our job is not to be condemning the sinner but rather to point out the sin and to lead the sinner into a warm, welcoming, and loving relationship with the savior, Jesus Christ. What the Church Needs to Know about LGBTQ+, Compassion, and Sin Episode Highlights:
Where can I watch the Documentary, In His Image, for Free? Why was there even a need for a documentary on LGBTQ+ issues from a Christian perspective? What is the definition of a family? Who gets to define it? How do gender definitions and decisions impact our country and culture? What are our children being taught in schools today? How does this impact our view of sin? What is the overall goal of the film, In His Image? How Parents can use the film, In His Image, as a Tool for parenting their children?
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In America today, pornography, at least as it has been traditionally defined, is everywhere. It’s not just a stack of naughty magazines sold from behind the drugstore counter anymore. Milder forms of it can be seen on billboards along the highway. Stronger forms are out in the open now too; right next to the candy rack at the local convenience store or gas station. That means that it’s not only in the line of sight of your children but well within their grasp as well. This isn’t even the worst of it! Many parents have retained the worst of it in their satellite or cable tv packages in high definition motion picture and living color. It leaves nothing to the imagination.
Still worse, others have freely given their children their own private access to it. It travels with them to school, to play, and to bed each night via their smartphones.
Protecting the eyes, hearts, minds, souls, and spirits of our kids against an ever-present socially acceptable poison is essential for parents today.
Today we speak with Kristin Jenson. She’s the author of the best selling “Good Pictures, Bad Pictures” series of read-aloud books for kids that have sold over 150,000 copies worldwide and in seven languages. These books help kids develop an internal filter against inappropriate content.
Kristin is the founder of Protect Young Minds, an organization dedicated to helping parents empower their kids with tools to resist pornography. This includes the Brain Defense Safety curriculum for elementary students.
Kristin is an active member of the Safeguard Alliance, a national coalition to end sexual exploitation. In 2019 she spoke and the United Nations Civil Society Conference. She’s also testified before the Washington State Senate Law and Justice Committee on the public health crisis of pornography.
Kristin is a mom of three children and recently became a grandmother. She and her husband live in Washington state. Educating Our Children on the Dangers of Pornography Episode Highlights:
How can we give our children an internal filter against pornography? Discussing sex and pornography with your children at a young age is advantageous to your child’s growth and future. Is pornography healthy for anyone? How does pornography impact the future health of our kids? We must give our kids good, cohesive, age-appropriate, and convincing arguments on why pornography is harmful to them, their lives, and the world. How do we teach our kids healthy self-discipline? How to teach children what pornography is and what to do when they see it. There is hope for those who have seen or continue to view pornography. There is redemption.
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When we think of addiction we often think of young adults strung out on some kind of drug lying in an alley or a gutter in some city in America. Terms like “stoner” come to mind; someone with long greasy hair, disheveled, seeking that next fix. Drug addiction doesn’t always look like that. Drug addiction is only one addiction that our common enemy, the devil, uses to diminish our kids and our entire nation. These other addictions are a little less easy to spot at first. When it comes to our kids, it’s easy to justify or become complicit in activities that look like routine culture norms that can be life-controlling or addicting. Dr. Karl Benzio, MD is a Christian psychiatrist. He is board certified by the American Board of Psychology and Neurology. He has held several health system clinical director and management positions infusing his blend of spiritual faith with science to treat thousands. He loves to write, consult, and address the impact of a wide range of behavioral health issues and how to bring God’s healing to individuals, families, societies, and social policy issues.
Addiction and Our Children Episode Highlights:
Is the term addiction being abused? Boredom helps develop creative thinking There is an internal spiritual component to addiction Everyone is addicted to comfort What are the six stages of addiction? Changes seen in children are an indicator to start asking questions How to help our kids manage their feelings and questions The importance of focusing on our relationship with our kids
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When we think about raising our kids, teaching them civics is not the first thing we often think about. Unless of course, we’re talking about the civics class they may or may not be taking in school. If they are teaching civics in your child’s school, the question we should be asking is “by what standard is it being taught?” Love of country, our neighbors, and posterity has always been the great motivation behind civics in America. But what happens when school systems indoctrinate our kids to have disdain for our nation, especially for certain people groups within it? As parents, how should we respond when the foundation of our constitution is being challenged, especially when options such as socialism and even communism are being portrayed as better systems? Cheryl Chumley is an author, commentary writer, and the online opinion editor for The Washington Times. She is also a licensed private investigator of Chumley Investigations, LLC in Virginia. She is the author of the book, "Socialist Don’t Sleep: Christians Must Rise or America Will Fall.” She has also written “The Devil in DC: Winning Back the Country from the Beast in Washington” and “Police State USA: How Orwell’s Nightmare Is Becoming Our Reality." Cheryl is the host of the bi-weekly podcast at the Washington Times called “Bold and Blunt.” She is a public speaker and media guest, speaking extensively on topics related to Christianity, the Constitution, politics and policy, the United Nations and sovereignty issues, Congress and Capitol Hill, and much more from a biblical worldview. Cheryl is an Army Veteran, CASA Volunteer, and ambassador of a nonprofit. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, four children, Golden Retriever, and cat. Today on License to Parent, Cheryl speaks to the unrest in our country and discusses how parents can use the current cultural situation to teach valuable lessons to our children.
Christians Must Rise Episode Highlights:
What does it mean that “socialists don’t sleep?” Is socialism a step to communism? How should parents respond to activities and events related to socialism when it relates to their children? Should our children be exposed to socialist ideas? Why do we need a democratic republic?
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There is only one real God we can put our faith in. But God gave us free will. We are not his puppets. We can choose to accept him. This idea of faith and the idea that bad things happen in this world led to God sending you. So how are you leading your life? It’s time to put away the cellphone, text messaging, and video game. It’s time to get a real-life full of purpose and meaning. Walk away empowered and enriched. It’s so important that we come to the issue of violence from the critical perspective of faith-based. You have to take the bad stuff out before you can put the good stuff in. Dragging our kids to church once a week can’t simply overcome 40 hours of violent movies and video games. Today we continue the conversation on Grooming Our Kids for Love and Not Violence with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. He understands how the military trains to kill and warns of the real dangers to our children in today’s video games. If you missed Grooming Our Kids for Love and Note Violence Part I, be sure to listen in to this segment first.
Modern Violence & Our Culture Episode Highlights:
In order for something to be violent there has to be “intent” Children as young as 18 months recognize violence Sex trafficking is related to the desire for violence Our culture & entertainment has created a narrative of criminals as heroes Sleep deprivation creates chronic pain Screen Strong is a medical approach to screen addiction— Discover if your child is set up to succeed in college The importance of getting involved in grassroots politics
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When we think of our kids being well-groomed, we think of issues tending to physical hygiene and dress; some things at least parents have some control over. Or to help our kids gain control over.
There is grooming going on with our kids today that many of them, or their parents, are not even aware of. It’s the grooming that builds appetites in our kids; violent and sexual appetites built by the constant consumption of violent and sexually explicit video games, movies, and other forms of entertainment. It’s said, “you are what you eat.” Well, what we consume with our eyes and our ears shapes what we become too, and in ways you would never have imagined.
Don’t think that your inability to ever imagine your child to become a violent killer or sexual pervert makes this ugly possibility an impossibility. Besides, how far down that path are you willing to go as a parent, and how do you know when you’ve crossed the point of no return? Violent tendencies and sexual perversion do creep up incrementally.
Grooming our kids for love and not violence - this is what License to Parent with special Guest Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman discuss today. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, currently the Director of the Killology Research Group. He is also a retired US Army Ranger, a paratrooper, and a former West Point Psychology Professor. He has a Black Belt in Hojutsu, the martial art of the firearm, and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. It's no wonder he is an expert speaker and author and one of our nation’s leading trainers for military, law enforcement, mental health providers, and school safety organizations. Love & Not Violence Episode Highlights:
The need to protect our children from the corrosive effects of culture. Regardless of a moral or industry code, the media masses do not care how kids are impacted. Assassination Generation - book by Col. Grossman on how A young person's obsession with video games that teach to kill increases their overall tendency to commit violent acts. Increase in sleep deprivation, drug overdose, more violence and murders, suicides, and sex trafficking - What... the problem is the police? The movie, television, and video game industries pump money into politics. What parents can do, now and more to come in Part 2.
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With this year brings so much change into our lives with the rearranging of our everyday lives because of COVID, do you think that we are unintentionally looking over our children and their needs? Have we let them fall victim to our culture because we have become complacent about all that has been going on?
Sam Sorbo is an American actress who has played in films such as Bonfire of the Vanities, 20 Bucks and also starred in television series such as Chicago Hope and Hercules, where she met her husband Kevin Sorbo. Sam is the host of a syndicated radio show, The Sam Sorbo Show. She also speaks all around the country and is an author of many books, including “They’re Your Kids, An Inspirational Journey from Self-doubter to Homeschool Advocate”… She has also written many books with her husband Kevin, she is a mother and also homeschools her children.
Parents And Homeschooling Episode Highlights:
Do you believe that we have a systemic moral and spiritual problem in our society? Our opinions of right and wrong as a culture change, so do the laws. But God’s view of right and wrong do not and will not ever change. As parents we have to take a step back and not expect perfection but look more at the relationship with the child. Do you believe that homeschooling is the best option for Christian parents in our culture today?
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When discussing child rearing in this generation and for generations to come, the parenting concern that will always be discussed is digital technology. Do you believe that digital technology can affect our children every waking hour of every day for the rest of their lives?
Tom Kersting is an expert in the field of mental health and families and parenting in the digital age. Tom is an author including the book “Disconnected, how to protect your kids from the harmful effects of digital dependency.” He also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Saint Thomas Aquinas college, a Master’s Degree in Counseling and human development, a second Master’s in administration and supervision, both from Montclair State University, and a Phd in clinical hypnotherapy from Kona University.
Parenting Technology Episode Highlights:
What do you think can be done and needs to be done to restore sanity in our families and communities?
Is there a connection between the generation of kids who grew up with digital technology and the narcissism and hypocrisy we are seeing in the adult temper tantrums and violence that is taking place in America today? What is the difference between loneliness and aloneness? Do you believe there is a difference? How do you think the false knowledge that kids receive from the internet affects the parent/child relationship? There are 3 simple parenting tips. 1. Get back to the dinner table. 2. Do not allow your kids to have smartphones or any other electronic devices in their bedrooms. 3. Get your kids involved, such as cooking dinner, cleaning the house, give them choirs to do.
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Many Christian parents around the world have raised their kids in Godless societies with no biblical standards and common sense for the last 2000 years. Could we be putting too much emphasis on common sense? How about when it comes to raising our children?
John Rosemond is an American columnist with a pa parenting column syndicated in over 225 newspapers across the country. Mr. Rosemond is also a public speaker and an author of parenting books such as, “Grandma Was Right After All.” John hosted the nationally syndicated show, “ Because I Said So,” an American Family radio up until 2018. He is well known for his sound advice, his humor, and his relaxed style. He has been married for over 40 years with two children and 7 beautiful and well-behaved grandchildren. UnCommon Episode Highlights:
Do you believe the primary responsibility in the raising of a child is to instill a biblical worldview within them? In today's society do you believe that parents try to avoid consequences to a child when they misbehave? Just as you can not change the atom into something other than an atom- you can not change God’s truth into something other than the truth. One way that America has corrupted our public schools is by teaching children to believe that they can do anything in life that they want to do. Do you believe that everyone has the same chances as everyone else in life? How can we when we are all born different?
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The old saying, “he doesn’t have the sense that God gave a billy goat,” seems to be said more and more here lately. Do you think that common sense is lacking in a culture today? Do you believe that children learn common sense from watching others such as their parents?
John Rosemond is an American columnist with a pa parenting column syndicated in over 225 newspapers across the country. Mr. Rosemond is also a public speaker and an author of parenting books such as, “Grandma Was Right After All.” John hosted the nationally syndicated show, “ Because I Said So,” an American Family radio up until 2018. He is well known for his sound advice, his humor, and his relaxed style. He has been married for over 40 years with two children and 7 beautiful and well-behaved grandchildren.
Sense Has Become UnCommon
Episode Highlights:
How do you think we can come to any objective truth about common sense?
Do you believe our culture struggles with defining good and evil for themselves?
Is common sense in a child from birth or is this something that is taught by the world around them?
How do we as parents equip our kids for success as opposed to being set up to succeed?
Given the spiritual and social climate in America, should parents no longer expect common sense from kids today
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Can you imagine in our culture today that so many musical artists do not believe in Christ? Do you see how the media glamorize evil in our world? Do you think they are brainwashing our children with today’s pop culture?
Tina Marie Griffin grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin but in her 20’s went on to be a Hollywood actress. Tina Marie has appeared in numerous films and television programs but for the past 15 years or so she has been traveling and speaking around the globe to show how Pop Culture and how the media have been glamorizing the harmful behaviors without showing the consequences. She has spoken to audiences about positive media, friends, and choices that can lead to a successful life. Tina Marie and her husband Luke have 4 children and they are homeschooling parents.
Pop Goes The Culture
Episode Highlights:
Do you believe the saying, “what one generation does in moderation, the next generation does in excess,” is true?
Did you know that Steve Jobs did not allow Apple products in his home? Do you believe that Hollywood actors shelter their kids from the entertainment that they do and that musicians even change their lyrics so their children can listen to their music?
Do you research the people that your children like as actors and the musicians they listen to, to see if they follow Jesus Christ?
In our culture today, do you believe that outside influences use Hollywoodd and technology to destroy America from within?
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In our culture today there are so many ways to access the internet, to open the doors of dangerous material that can damage our children, not just mentally, but socially, spiritually, and emotionally. How can you protect your child from today’s technology when they are given access in every way possible from school to church?
Lance Black, Vice President of Gabb Wireless, is the father of 6 children and has one grandchild. He was born and raised in a small town in Utah where he learned what he calls his, “honest cowboy values,” which has guided him throughout his life. He graduated with a BS in computer science because of his love for technology and a few years later received his MBA. His family is the main reason he is passionate about keeping kids safe from technology. He says that too much tech to soon can be dangerous.
The Smartphone
Episode Highlights:
Do you believe that smartphones could be harmful socially, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually?
Knowing what you know about people like Larry Flint, Charles Manson and Ted Bundy would you let them babysit your kids? Then how can you let your kids have a smartphone knowing what they can access from it?
Did you know that even flip phones can have access to the internet? Would you purchase your child a phone that has no browser for the internet, no games, or an app store to purchase them from?
As a loving and caring parent, would you give your child access to drugs, alcohol and sex? A smartphone can be just as addictive and dangerous.
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During the COVID pandemic, many people have relied on technology for school, meetings, and even church. Do you believe our way of doing things has changed? Do you believe we have learned from this experience, especially for the future?
Dr. Leslie Parrott and her husband, Dr. Les Parrott founded the Center for Relationship Development on the campus of Seattle Pacific University. They are both speakers as well as the New York Times best-selling authors. Dr. Parrot and her husband have written books such as Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, Love Talk, and their latest, Healthy Me, Healthy Us, your relationships are only as strong as you are.
What Happens Next
Episode Highlights:
Could there be a silver lining to what has happened during the COVID 19 pandemic?
What changes do you think the pandemic has caused that we will never see go back the same? Do you think there will ever be normal again?
In these confusing times, do you think there is more emotional drama than before?
What are some things that you have learned during the pandemic? How have you shared them with your children?
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Every wise parent knows the importance of exercising boundaries with their children, but when should our children be allowed to grow without boundaries? What areas of growth in their lives need no boundaries?
Dr. Henry Cloud is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a BS in Psychology, he completed his PHD in Psychology at Biola University. Dr. Cloud is a New York best selling author where his book Boundaries, sold over 15 million copies worldwide. His latest book is called Growth Has No Boundaries.
With or WIthout Boundaries
Episode Highlights:
What is the area of growth that parents should be concerned about in our culture today?
Do you believe there should be boundaries in our children’s lives? Do you believe boundaries are positive or negative in their lives?
How do you know as a parent that spiritual growth is present and taking place in our children?
In our “everyone is a winner” culture, why do you think that its so hard for parents to see their children struggle?
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In our culture today so many things have changed and we are now faced with a dilemma that America as we knew it, no longer exists. What are some ways that we as parents can teach our children to have morals and values? Do you see us as America ever getting back to the true American dream?
Alex McFarland is a speaker which has spoken in hundreds of locations around the world, he is also a writer, with his new book America Under Assault coming out in September and an advocate for Christian apologetics. Alex has preached in over 1500 churches in North America and Internationally and he has been featured in numerous national conferences. In 2006 Alex was named the 3rd president of the Evangelical seminary and college located in Charlotte NC. He once served as the 1st director of teen apologetics with Focus on the Family.
A Melting Pot
Episode Highlights:
Do you believe the reality that we grew up in is the same reality our children are living today?
Where have we gone wrong as a society and how can we fix it?
In today’s society who is going to have the courage and conviction to stand up and say that males and females can not change genders?
In addition to praying, what can parents do to help their children get back to critical thinking?
What happens when children see businesses and even law enforcement appeasing the situations and the people causing the situations?
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Raising children in today’s society has been even more difficult than our parents ever dreamed, especially our daughters. What do you think are the challenges that our daughters face in our culture today? Do you believe that it is harder raising children now compared to 20 years ago?
Dr. Meg Meeker has spent 30 years as a practicing pediatrician and she is the author of the best selling book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters. She serves on the advisory board of the Medical Institute and is a fellow of the American Pediatrics. Dr. Meeker is an associate professor of medicine at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and she also shares a medical practice with her husband Walter, in Northern, MI. Her latest book is, Raising a Strong Daughter in a Toxic Culture.
Our Daughters
Episode Highlights:
Do you believe that sex and dieting are the two challenges that our daughters face in today’s culture?
In today’s culture it seems that girls have stopped looking for good guys because they feel they do not exist anymore. What do you think is at the root of eating disorders in our daughters today? Do you fee that not just society but parents put a burden on girls to be skinny? Smartphones are huge in our culture today. Do you believe there should be an age limit to giving your child a smartphone? What are some ways that you feel you could help your daughters to be stronger in our toxic culture today?
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It is not an easy job being a parent to any child, but even harder being a parent to a daughter. What are some parenting techniques you use to raise a daughter in our toxic culture? Are you discussing with your daughters about today's vial sexual marketing of and to young girls?
Dr. Meg Meeker has spent 30 years as a practicing pediatrician and she is the author of the best selling book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters. She serves on the advisory board of the Medical Institute and is a fellow of the American Pediatrics. Dr. Meeker is an associate professor of medicine at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and she also shares a medical practice with her husband Walter, in Northern, MI. Her latest book is, Raising a Strong Daughter in a Toxic Culture.
Strong Girls to Powerful Women
Episode Highlights:
Do you believe that girls have become victims in today’s toxic society? Do you think it has become hazardous to their mental health? Parents have a difficult time navigating in a culture where they have to explain why George is now Gina and why their young teen daughters' friends are already sexually active. Do we as parents need to just let our kids figure life out and stop micromanaging their every thought, move and judgment? Is this too much Freedom? If we are not aligned with God, and you do not believe in science, you do not have the ability to discern any kind of truth. As a parent, are you recognizing the Madison Ave. marketers that have targeted our daughters and their young minds? Are you teaching your daughters they have to earn respect and admiration?
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Postmodernism is basically a person creating his own reality and say this is what's real for me in my life and the result of that is that, not only have you created your own reality, but you have created your own morality. Do you agree with this analogy of what postmodernism is? What can you add or take away from this definition?
Trace Embry, the founder of Shepherds Hill Academy, along with his wife Beth, listened to what God told them and with hard work and dedication, not only to their family but to the Lord have a Premiere Christian Boarding School for teens in crisis. Not only is Trace involved with the day to day operations of the school, he also dedicates to teaching parents outside the gates of Shepherds Hill Academy how to parent is this postmodernism culture we live in today.
Obeying God
Episode Highlights:
License to Parent is to teach parents outside the gates what is learned inside the gates of Shepherds Hill Academy. There are many programs that focus on families or children but License to Parent focuses on parenting our children in today’s culture. As what God wants us to do gets clearer, there is no 5-year goal, I obey God for the day and the vision gets clearer. Learn more about Trace and what prompted him and his wife Beth to begin Shepherds Hill Academy.
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Knowing what our world has come through over the past generations, do you think you could raise a family not knowing where your next dollar would come from, next meal would come from, with no insurance but have the faith in the Lord to give up everything you have known to walk forth in the work he has planned for you?
Trace Embry, the founder of Shepherds Hill Academy, came from a rough background. His parents divorced when he was 5 years old and there was a lot of dysfunction within both parent’s second marriages. Trace says that he got insights from both of his parents because his mom’s family ran differently than his dad’s family, so he took the best of both worlds. He remembers being sent to church on Sunday more or less as a babysitter but at the age of 12 befriended a pastor’s son. Trace says that for about a year he was serious about pursuing the Lord but his friend was not so Trace backslid into a heathen lifestyle, though he wasn’t terrible, he was not living a believer's lifestyle. After 20 years, marriage and kids, Trace was invited by his life long friend who he worked with as police officers, to church. After a not so good experience the first visit, his friend encouraged him and his wife to return and so he did and that is when his spiritual development, his discipleship, his relationship with God really took off.
In the Waiting
Episode Highlights:
Do you think you could ever have the faith to give up a lucrative job to pursue what you think God is telling you to do?
The Lord reassures us that he is in control in many different ways, he gives us peace when we need it the most Dealing with possibly a down syndrome child and then their 5th child's life hung in the balance, and all while many people who they thought were supporters who were not, Trace and Beth's faith kept them strong and united. What prompted our host of License to parent and founder of Shepherd’s Hill Academy to start helping parents and teens.
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Who would give up everything and move their family over a thousand miles from their home to go to bible college? Who would give up everything again and buy a farm to found a residential treatment program for troubled teens? Would you?
A young man and his wife moved from Chicago to Toccoa Ga to attend bible college. With his family, no steady income, and paying for school as they went along, this young man had a calling from the Lord. The Lord told him to purchase land and so he went looking and found a farm, without hesitation he wrote a two hundred dollar check for a deposit on the land. When it came time to go back and make the arrangements to purchase this land, he didn’t know how he was going to buy it. In fact, he even told the owner, who could have sold it 5 times while waiting, that he did not know how he was going to purchase this land. The owner of the land just happened to own the bank in town and he sent him down to talk to a gentleman there and it was set for him and his wife to close on the land a week from that day. That abandoned farm that God had led him to, is now Shepherds Hill Academy. That young man and his wife, are Trace and Beth Embry the founders of SHA. If you have been questioning faith, this is a testimony that you need to hear.
The Testimony of Trace Embry
Episode Highlights:
When your kids watch you make life decisions in faith, then they will grow up, not only making their decisions in faith but understanding that faith as well. Trust and faith turned an old abandoned farm into Shepherds Hill Academy into a Christian based residential program for troubled teens. As parents we must surrender our will to God’s perfect will. Not everything we want to do with or for our kids is God’s will. Where are we putting our faith as parents? Are we putting it into God or into the world around us?
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With experts on the Air offering help to families and guidance to parents, what do you think they should be discussing in today’s culture? Do you think that children listen to these broadcasts as well?
Trace Embry, the founder of Shepherds Hill Academy, came from a rough background. His parents divorced when he was 5 years old and there was a lot of dysfunction within both parent’s second marriages. Trace says that he got insights from both of his parents because his mom’s family ran differently than his dad’s family, so he took the best of both worlds. He remembers being sent to church on Sunday more or less as a babysitter but at the age of 12 befriended a pastor’s son. Trace says that for about a year he was serious about pursuing the Lord but his friend was not so Trace backslid into a heathen lifestyle, though he wasn’t terrible, he was not living a believer's lifestyle. After 20 years, marriage and kids, Trace was invited by his life long friend who he worked with as police officers, to church. After a not so good experience the first visit, his friend encouraged him and his wife to return and so he did and that is when his spiritual development, his discipleship, his relationship with God really took off.
Romans 8:28
Episode Highlights:
What prompted our host of License to parent and founder of Shepherd’s Hill Academy to start helping parents and teens. We have a forgiving God, just because you may have backslid does not mean you can not have a relationship with God. With Some people, when they feel they have been called by God to a specific purpose, they set everything aside and they jump into it with no visible means of support. The bible is the ultimate handbook for husband and wife and also their relationship with their children and how they should be raised.
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Hate, blame, and victimhood have been taught to our children by our culture and are setting them up for a disastrous future. How can we as parents teach our children to see the brainwashing going on by our culture today? What are some of the steps to help them understand that our society is beginning to live in Christian namesake only?
Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson is a courageously outspoken critic of the modern-day Civil Rights Establishments in America. He grew up without his father on a plantation near Tuskegee Alabama during the Jim Crow Era and participated in the civil rights movement. Reverend Peterson moved to Los Angeles about 28 years ago and underwent a spiritual transformation. He founded BOND, a nationally recognized Non-profit dedicated to rebuilding the family by rebuilding then man. Bond has been helping men and families with counseling services and mentoring programs. Reverend Peterson is a radio and talk show host, speaker, and author of several books including The Antidote Healing American from Hate, Blame, and Victimhood. He is also a columnist for WND.com and media commentator for FOX News, CNN, and other TV and radio programs.
Blind Leading The Blind
Episode Highlights:
Are American kids more hateful, bigoted and entitled than they have ever been? Do we as parents have any responsibility in how children are acting today? What does it mean to raise a child believing there is a privilege to one race? How can we correct the course that our culture has our children headed down? Has our society turned many Christians by namesake only?
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In today’s post-modern and politically correct society that we live in, our kids are taught culturally a completely different definition of tolerance and intolerance than you were. Do you feel that we as parents tolerate our culture today? What do you feel is the difference between cultural tolerance and traditional tolerance?
Sean McDowell PHD is an assistant professor at Biola University in the MA Christian Apologetics program. Sean is also a Best Selling author of more than 15 books including The Beauty of Intolerance, which he co-wrote with his dad Josh McDowell.
To Be or Not To Be Intolerant
Episode Highlights:
One of the larger cultural problems are labels such as intolerant, homophobic, bigot, and exclusive. These are words to silence debate. If we all tolerate all worldviews and all beliefs, then where is the problem with that? What are some of the dangerous cultural acceptance norms that many Christian parents blindly tolerate today? The teen years are the most challenging for not only parents but for your kids as well. As parents, how much of parent/child relationship problems are birthed because of redefinition of terms in today’s culture? How would you explain the difference in cultural narrative and the biblical narrative to your kids?
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In our culture today digital technology plays a very huge role in our everyday lives. What types of hobbies do you and your family do together that do not involve technology? Do you moderate the entertainment in your home?
Phillip Telfer has ministered to youth and families for over 25 years. He is the President of Media Talk 101, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to teaching media discernment in the light of following Christ. He is also the author of Media Choices and Why Save Alexander. He is also the founder of the annual Christian Worldview Festival and Filmmaker Guild.
Vicariously Living In Our Culture
Episode Highlights:
What do you think is going on in our culture when it comes to media and what our kids are watching? Why do you think our kids shut out the world and live vicariously through video games? Should parents join in with playing video games to build stronger relationships with their children? How do you as a parent address the issues about the media, movies and video games with your child? What rules does your household have when it comes to technology in the home?
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With today’s technology, kids have access to on-demand media choices. Do you monitor what your child is watching? Are you teaching them to make wise choices to protect their spiritual lives?
Phillip Telfer has ministered to youth and families for over 25 years. He is the President of Media Talk 101, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to teaching media discernment in the light of following Christ. He is also the author of Media Choices and Why Save Alexander. He is also the founder of the annual Christian Worldview Festival and Filmmaker Guild.
The Digital Addiction
Episode Highlights:
How would you grade yourself when it comes to being a Christian parent and exercising Godly discernment and exercising wisdom when it comes to smartphones and media choices? The average teen sees about 14,000 images of pornography a year. What is this doing to their emotional and spiritual health? In today’s technology-driven society, do you feel that you just can’t live without it? Do your kids feel they can’t live without it? Do you believe that our culture has lost the moral values that it once had? Can we be entertained by things that grieve the heart of our God and expect His blessing upon our lives?
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With all that is going on in our society with COVID pandemic and other media heated stories, Do you think that the topic of the LGBTQ and the concerns and issues of it have been shelved? Is it a plan to silently continue to go against GOd’s plan?
Dr. Quentin Van Meter is a Pediatric Endocrinologist in Atlanta, Georgia, he is affiliated with the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the President of the college of Pediatrics. Dr. Van Meter spent 20 years in the Navy Medical Corps and is the clinical associate professor of Pediatrics at both Emory University and Morehouse Schools of Medicine.
Sobering Up to What's Important
Episode Highlights:
Around $30,000 dollars a year is spent to pharmaceutical companies for puberty blocking medication. Do parents struggle with the topic of LGBTQ in their homes with their children? Are we as a society being guilted into accepting something that is not in God’s plan? Transgender affirmation does not cure the underline issues of an individual. With our culture tending to the LGBTQ community and the issues of parents of underage kids, what is even considered sexual perversion anymore?
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Shouldn’t we be raising our kids with a greater purpose in mind in regards to a greater culture? How do you believe parents can succeed at this?
Josh Temple is a 29-year-old military combat veteran that now oversees Christian soldiers at Shepherds Hill Academy where he is the program coordinator. Josh leads a team of dedicated men and women who are actually in the trenches with the students at Shepherds Hill Academy. Josh brings a wise, loving, and organized no-nonsense approach to the ministry and leadership on behalf of all that he serves here.
Generational Changes in Parenting
Episode Highlights:
What has caused the change in homes where the children are running things? Do you believe that parents fear their children more than children fear their parents? Have you seen a rise in family children service cases with each generation? In our culture, do you see parents trying to be their child’s best friend instead of their parent? What does a healthy fear of parents look like, and does it still exist?
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Parents are to lead by example. If this is to be true, would you want your kids doing what you do? Would you allow them too?
Josh Temple is a 29-year-old military combat veteran that now oversees Christian soldiers at Shepherds Hill Academy where he is the program coordinator. Josh leads a team of dedicated men and women who are actually in the trenches with the students at Shepherds Hill Academy. Josh brings a wise, loving, and organized no-nonsense approach to the ministry and leadership on behalf of all that he serves here.
Be A Good Example Episode Highlights:
What example are you as a parent setting for your children? As a parent, where do you think your identity is found? Do you believe that it is religion versus science or that they should coexist together? How do you feel you could build a better relationship with your child(ren)? At times do you feel derailed as a parent because you do not have all the answers?
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Times are changing with each generation. Do you believe that this generation is overly emotionally fragile? Could it have started with their parents?
Josh Temple is a 29-year-old military combat veteran that now oversees Christian soldiers at Shepherds Hill Academy where he is the program coordinator. Josh leads a team of dedicated men and women who are actually in the trenches with the students at Shepherds Hill Academy. Josh brings a wise, loving, and organized no-nonsense approach to the ministry and leadership on behalf of all that he serves here.
Peer Pressured Parents Episode Highlights:
What are some of the long term effects of being emotionally fragile as a parent? Do you believe that our culture plays a role in the way you raise your kids? In our society, do you see parents searching for validation and security in their children? Do we see a change in the roles of men and women in today’s households? Has our culture contributed to the sensitivity to correction and the sense of entitlement in our children?
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For many parents, there is no protocol for their child and technology. Do you have a digital protocol for your child(ren)? If so, what is your protocol for your child’s digital time?
Josh Ochs is a digital citizenship author with a background in marketing at Disney and a love for all things technology. Josh also works to help teens and tweens use Social Media as a portfolio for positive accomplishments. Josh travels the nation speaking to about 30 thousand kids a year, sharing with them some tips they can use to create a positive online presence. Josh has written a book, Light, Bright and Polite for teens. The book teaches kids of all ages that everything you put on Social Media will eventually be discovered by their parents, their teachers, principle, and even colleges and employers.
Your Digital Reputation Episode Highlights:
What you put on the internet will eventually be found by someone you know. Have you ever Googled yourself or your child? Do you believe that people can be hurt with digital technology, such as cyberbullying, what they have posted, or something they have done? Did you know that colleges, employers, and organizations use Google as part of your resume? How are you teaching your kids to have a positive reputation online? At what age do you think a child should have a smartphone? At what age should they have Social Media apps?
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What should we be allowing our kids to watch that is produced in Hollywood? Are there any R rated movies with values? Do you filter the movies that your children are watching?
Alex Kendrick is a dedicated follower of Christ, he has served in church ministry for 20 yrs. Alex now writes, speaks, and produces Christian films with his brothers Stephen and Shannon. He has directed movies like Overcomer, War Room, Courageous, Fire Proof, and Facing the Giant. Alex also co-wrote NY Times best-selling book The Love Dare, The Resolution of Men, and The Battle Plan for Prayer. He also serves on the boards of The Fatherhood Coalition and The Christian Film Foundation.
The Light In Hollywood Episode Highlights:
Could a platform like movies, music, and other Performing Arts outside of church be an effective tool in teaching our children about Christ. Do you believe our generation is struggling with issues of identity? Do you believe that Hollywood pushes an agenda that causes such struggles? What role, if any, should Hollywood’s rating system play in the decision of what your children watch? Do you believe the system is becoming diluted to pursue our youth? In today’s culture, do you think it is harder to find actors to play a role in an R rated film or harder to find them to play in a Christian film? In Christian films, do you believe that actors of Christian faith should play the role of Christians?
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When watching the news this day and time, it looks like our country is one dysfunctional family, do you believe that our political beliefs have divided us as a nation and if so how? Do you believe that Christian families have become accustomed to the society we live in today?
Jackie Gingrich Cushman is a syndicated columnist and author of several books. She is a professional speaker, corporate strategist, corporate financial advisor, and board member. Jackie's 3rd book, Our Broken America, has just been released. Jackie co-authored 5 principles for a successful life, from our family to yours with her father Newt Gingrich.
In God We Trust Episode Highlights:
Has the new media changed the way our culture reacts in situations? Do you believe our society today is manipulated by the news media? How do we get our common sense back today in governing our nation and governing in our homes? Do you believe that intellectual humility is the solution to our nation’s political division? In our culture, today are we abusing our kids mentally in a way that we do not realize it?
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In a society where the age of consent is different in almost every state, do you believe that our nation will accept or legalize what we see as pedophilia? Do you believe the age of consent in sexual encounters will be changed?
Glenn Staton is an author of 9 books including his newest, The Myth of the Dying Church. He is the director of Global Family Formation and Studies at Focus on the Family. He served in the administration for George W. Bush as a consultant on increasing fatherhood involvement, part of the head start program. He is also a senior contributor to the Federalist blog.
Value The Neighbor Not The Lifestyle Episode Highlights:
Do you agree with our country on legalizing homosexual practices in most every state? How do we teach our kids to best love a family member who is part of the LGBTQ community? Do you believe if we teach our kids to love the person who practices homosexuality that we are condoning it? Does being kind and caring for someone mean that you accept their lifestyle? Do you believe that those in the LGBTQ community are born that way or that it is a choice?
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Social Contagion is when a society starts talking about something, then society starts doing it. Do you believe this is true with our children and the social culture they are growing up in? Does the LGBT have this type of influence in our society?
Glenn Staton is an author of 9 books including his newest, The Myth of the Dying Church. He is the director of Global Family Formation and Studies at Focus on the Family. He served in the administration for George W. Bush as a consultant on increasing fatherhood involvement, part of the head start program. He is also a senior contributor to the Federalist blog.
Love The Person Not The Sin Episode Highlights:
How do we teach our kids to love those whose lifestyles we disagree with? Do you feel that our society judges Christians for their religious beliefs? How has our society changed in recent decades when it comes to the LGBT community? Are there any boundaries in today's society when it comes to sexuality? Do you believe our kids face more and more issues with the LGBT because of their beliefs?
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Why shouldn’t parents make their kids watch movies with a faith-friendly storyline? Do you think kids today are looking for films with a good wholesome story?
Kevin Sorbo is an American actor who played Hercules in the TV series Hercules, The Legendary Journey. He is also known for his roles in God’s Not Dead and Let There Be Light. While filming Hercules he met his wife Sam Sorbo, who is also an American actress, author, and radio host. They both are Christian advocates and producers of faith-friendly movies. Kevin is working on a new film Against the Tide which will be out soon.
Using the Arts to Change Hearts Episode Highlights:
Hollywood puts out what films they want to out with their own agenda, Do you think their agenda is changing? What films from generations past do you feel have a redemptive storyline? Do you believe we have to raise our kids to rebel against today’s postmodern culture? Are the kids growing up in today’s culture moved more by feelings or fact in the movies they watch? In today’s culture, are parents afraid of actually parenting? In what way are you instilling the morals and values of being a Christian into your kids?
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The common thread between all religions is said to be devotion. How much time do you devote to your religion? Do you believe science can measure your devotion to your religion?
Herold Koenig completed his undergraduate education at Stanford University, medical school training at the University of California in San Francisco and Geriatric medicine, psychiatry and biostatistics training at Duke University where he is now a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science. He is also published in mental health, geriatrics, and religion.
The Combination of Religion and Science Part 2 Episode Highlights:
To what extent is your life centered around your religious faith? What is the most important thing in your life? Do you believe that religious involvement has an impact on science? What difference do you see between religion and spirituality? Do you believe the pattern of being a religious person begins in the womb?
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In our society today, the world puts a lot of stock in scientific research. Do you believe science and religion go hand and hand? Do you think that science helps ferret out the truth?
Herold Koenig completed his undergraduate education at Stanford University, medical school training at the University of California in San Francisco and Geriatric medicine, psychiatry and biostatistics training at Duke University where he is now a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science. He is also published in mental health, geriatrics, and religion.
The Combination of Religion and Science Episode Highlights:
Do you believe that religion is a key component of our well-being? How does faith tie in to our well-being both mentally and physically? What role does science have in religion in our society today? Is there a common thread between the different religions? Does science really have a place in religion and does religion have a place in science?
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As single parents, the enemy attacks your mind and leaves you feeling depressed and lonely. How can the church help those in this situation overcome these feelings?
Lori Little became a single mom when her son was 2 years old. She is the author of Hope & Help for the single mom, she co-authored with her son, Hope & Help for Teens being raised by a single parent and co-authored with her new husband, Hope & Help for the single dad. She is also the founder of hope4singlemoms.com.
Singled Out with Hope Episode Highlights:
Do we use our freedom to do what we want to do instead of what we ought to do? Do we hear the complete story before judging others such as a single mom or dad? Are teen mothers victims of the indoctrination of our culture? Does our culture just except single parenting as the norm now? Is it better for the church to reach out and to acknowledge those who are single parents? Does the church shun those away for being a single parent?
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Gathering to watch movies is such an American pastime in our culture. As more and more Christan films top the box office, will this have a change in our society that has been shaped by Hollywood entertainment for so long?
Dr. Ted Baehr the founder and publisher of Movie Guide, the family guide to movies and entertainment. He is also the Chairman of the Christian Film and Entertainment industry, as well as a noted film critic, lecturer, and media pundit.
Box Office Hits with Christian Values Episode Highlights:
In today’s culture, do we use discernment when selecting our entertainment? Has Hollywood entertainment shaped what our society is today? What role does Hollywood entertainment play in your family’s household? Do we use entertainment as an escape from the reality of our lives? Can Hollywood entertainment fuel the addictions in our culture today?
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We as parents teach our children right from wrong, we raise them in church and teach them to live a Christian life. SO why do they do what they do? Is our culture of media living indoctrinating our children and undoing what we have worked so hard to instill inside of them?
Phillip Telfer has ministered to youth and families for over 25 years. He is the President of Media Talk 101, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to teaching media discernment in the light of following Christ. He is also the author of Media Choices and Why Save Alexander. He is also the founder of the annual Christian Worldview Festival and Filmmaker Guild. Living Inside a Rated Mature Life Episode Highlights:
How to better understand what’s going on in today’s media culture. There are 168 hours in a week, how many hours do we spend looking at a screen? As parents, do we know exactly what those letters mean in the game rating system? Are we aware of who and what lies on the other side of what games our children are playing? In today’s culture do our children turn to video gaming because they do not feel accepted by their peers?
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Every waking hour those temptations are largely things that are highly addictive by nature. Video games, Youtube videos, social media outlets and yes, even pornography. Screen time dependency is damaging not only to our children now but as they grow up into adults.
Nicholas Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, an internationally renowned speaker, and one of the country's foremost addiction experts. He is the CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Maui Recovery in Hawaii and Omega Recovery in Austin, Texas. He also the author of Glow Kids, a book on how screen addiction is highjacking our kids.
Beware of Digital Addiction Episode Highlights:
Do you feel like you can not live without your digital devices? Is digital technology tied to anxiety, addiction and suicide in teens? Is this informational age that we live in dumbing down our youth? Are digital devices being used as babysitters because of the belief that it’s educational? Are parents blinded to the fact that use of technology can become and is an addiction? DO parents consider time in front of the screen damaging to their children?
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Digital Technology, especially smartphones have already twisted life up in a very insidious way of what childhood and adolescence once was, childhood innocence is virtually gone today. Physically kids are actually maturing sooner, largely because of the sexual content they are exposed to on a regular basis. Emotionally they are stunted because they have been pleasured into imbecility and not made to be responsible for much of anything anymore. Are we letting our moral standards take a backseat to fit into an immoral society?
Stephen Dalby, entrepreneur, and religious educator is the founder and CEO of Gabb Wireless. Gabb Wireless is the first cellular phone network in the world that is designed to be safe for kids by providing talk and text devices, but devices with no access to the internet, app store, social media or games.
Safe Technology for a Different World Episode Highlights:
Knowledge and intelligence are one thing we can get from a computer, but what about wisdom? Why is having discernment important to the mental storehouse of our children? Why giving your child access to a world uncensored can be dangerous? With digital technology, literally at our fingertips, how can we protect our children’s morals?
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Counterfeit comfort is anything that we turn to for comfort, though not all is bad, it should not be what comforts us. For instance, food is a blessing from God, but it was not meant to comfort us, God is meant to comfort us. God is meant to help us when we feel stress, lonely, anxious, fearful, tormented and so on. God is the one we turn to for this comfort, anything else is counterfeit.
Robia Scott began her professional career at the age of 16. She has toured with musicians such as the Pet Shop Boys and Prince. Robia started her acting career at 22, where she landed roles on Beverly Hills 90210 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was at this point in her life where she became a born again Christian. She now travels the world as a Christian speaker sharing her message of having the freedom of Counterfeit Comforts.
Freeing Yourself From Counterfeit Comforts Episode Highlights:
In today’s culture what pulls our children off the right course? What are counterfeit comforts and how we recognize what they are within ourselves? What are some ways to let go of our counterfeit comforts? How do parents make their children their own counterfeit comfort? When a parent does not sacrifice anything, how does it relay to the child?
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Some say, Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result is a sign of insanity. If my child comes up missing, does praying then, make me insane? “No, and I think God does the exact opposite, he says to ask, to seek. God says to be like the widow in front of the judge asking for justice, asking for justice and asking for justice.”
The unknown is a different pain when you are going through something like this, losing a child. Not knowing where your child is, you have to hand your pain over to God, and that is something we are not used to doing. Everything in our culture tells us that we are supposed to do it on our own with positive thinking, and that is not what God wants us to do. He wants us to come to him.
Marie White is a multi-award-winning author, podcast host, non-denominational Christian missionary and the director of publishing for Zamiz Press. Her book Strength of Parents of Missing Children is one of her greatest works and is a best seller.
Missing Children and How Parents Cope, Even After A Child is Returned. Episode Highlights:
Does handing our pain over to God make us weak? After the return of a child, do we become to overprotective of them? How can God help you cope with a missing child even after they are returned? How can you move past the abduction of a child, even when they are returned?
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The trauma of having a child abducted is an emotional ride that we never want to feel. The wondering of what happened, are they alive, who could have done this or even knowing who abducted them is overwhelming, to say the least. The number of suicides of parents who have lost a child to abduction averages 1 a day.
Most parents think there is only one type of abduction, that is, someone driving around snatching children up in neighborhoods. But there are many types of abductions that we are unaware of, from the foster care systems, internet abductions, sex-trafficking, divorced spouses that take the children, some that are never seen again. As parents, we need to be aware, to teach our children and even tell them no at times to help prevent this from happening.
Marie White is a multi-award-winning author, podcast host, non-denominational Christian missionary and the director of publishing for Zamiz Press. Her book Strength of Parents of Missing Children is one of her greatest works and a best seller.
Missing Children and How Parents Cope Episode Highlights:
What can we do to protect our children from being abducted? What types of abductions are there to be aware of? How can the bible help you cope with tragedies such as a missing child? DO we give in to our child’s wants to easily and to much? How do non-believers cope with such tragedies as a missing child?
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Inside Shepherd's Hill Academy, there are two types of audiences that pass through. There is the one where the kids have bought into the culture hook, line and sinker. Giving in to their temptations, whatever their bodies want, give it, whatever feels good, whether it be drugs, sex, it doesn’t matter the harm it can do.
On the other hand, we have the audience that does not necessarily understand the social cues, that have issues with friends and family. They have issues with self-esteem and self-harm. This audience needs to be taught more of the social cues in life as well as both audiences being taught how to deal with temptations in today's society.
The Influence of Today’s Culture and How SHA Helps Teach our Kids to Overcome It Episode Highlights:
Does culture have a tremendous influence on our kid's attitudes and behaviors? How does our culture impact our kids in today’s society? Why is Shepherds Hill Academy the right choice for your child and your family? How can we deal with the cultural influence over our kids? What role does the biblical teaching have in raising your children today?
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Without America turning back to the God Who blessed her, today modern-day Sodom Gomorrah will, likely, only get worse. But, what’s even more frightening is the Orwellian twist that’s now emerged and growing in our culture, a culture where logic, facts, even science and most assuredly, God--are no longer the final arbiters of truth.
American culture is, in and of itself, not just a toxic environment for raising kids, but, perhaps the very root of so many of the attitudinal, behavioral and mental issues we’re seeing in our kids today.
Andrew Klavan is an American writer of crime and suspense novels.Two of Klavan's books have been adapted into motion pictures: True Crime (1999) and Don't Say A Word (2001)Klavan has been nominated for the Edgar Award five times and has won twice. Pushing Forward with Commitment and Adherence to God and His Word Episode Highlights:
What do you think parents should be doing to help create a better-more sane environment for their kids inside their homes? Have we given our kids too many choices? Why shouldn’t Christian parents and Christians in general consider a more aggressive approach to activism? How do we explain it to our kids when they see atheists living more moral lives than Christians? How are Christian families ever going to regain the cultural ground of respect we once had?
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There’s a pretty good case to be made that allowing our kids unencumbered access to “all things digital” has been--and still is--a terrible mistake. This is particularly true when it comes to the indiscriminate way we’ve, carte blanche, divvied out these addictive devices we call smartphones, to our kids. But, has the convenience and seemingly endless stream of information and amusement been worth the fallout?
Tom Kersting is an expert in the field of mental health, families, parenting in the digital age, and over-device use, as he provides advice to millions of people through regular television appearances, radio and print media, books and private sessions. He is a straight shooter, and passionate about helping families whether in crisis or just in disaccord.
Using Digital Technology as a Tool, Not a Weapon Episode Highlights:
What are some of the newer developments in technology parents should be aware of? Is digital technology tied to depression and anxiety? What are some hazardous activities that are occurring with cell phones? What is brexting? And how is this stunting infant growth? What role does self-esteem play in the digital technology conversation?
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As parents have we had an unhealthy need to keep our kids dependent on us? Why shouldn’t the teen years be a time where kids are trained to embrace responsibility rather than be allowed to avoid it. And, finally, what do most teens REALLY think about being overly-indulged, ill-equipped and pampered into an existence that’s bound up with the strings of dependency anyway? Their answers might surprise you. Giving our kids Wings, not Strings.
Dennis Trittin is President and CEO of LifeSmart Publishing and author of “Wings Not Strings: Parenting Strategies to Let Go with Confidence.” His mission is to inspire and equip the next generation with the leadership and life skills they need to flourish and fulfill their purpose.
Proactively Preparing Our Kids for the Future Episode Highlights:
What type of strings do we hold on to as parents? How do these strings impact our children?
As we reach the end of the year, we make decisions about the future path of Shepherd’s Hill Academy and License to Parent. What programs do we keep? What do we cut? What staffing needs and changes need to be met to meet the ever-changing needs of teens in crisis. For the next half-hour, we want to pull back the curtain and share some of those needs with you. That’s next on License to Parent.
Trace Embry is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd's Hill Academy (SHA). SHA is a faith-based residential therapeutic boarding school for teens in crisis. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, SHA offers a haven of hope to teens ages 12-17.
The Resources Needed to Offer Hope to Teens in Crisis Episode Highlights:
The financial impact of a 5:1 student to staff ratio What is an Outdoor Therapeutic Program? How is Shepherd’s Hill Academy set up? Why is this successful? What should SHA “never stop doing?” How is technology used within the program? What role does hard work and hands-on learning play at SHA?
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So could movies, music and other tools outside the local church be effective tools of ministry? Could they actually help us be more efficient and effective inside the walls of the church? Today, we speak with someone who is doing just that.
Alex Kendrick has dedicated his life to following Christ and making His truth known among the nations. After serving in church ministry for 20 years, Alex now writes and produces Christian films with his brothers Stephen and Shannon. Alex directed the movies Overcomer, War Room, Courageous, Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Flywheel. He co-wrote the New York Times Best Selling Books The Love Dare, The Battle Plan for Prayer, and more. Alex and his wife live in Albany, Georgia with their 6 children.
Using Movies and Media to Reach the World Episode Highlights:
Is Media Used to Effect the Hearts & Minds of Individuals? How-so? How do Movies Impact our Emotions? What is the Overall Response to Christian Media? Do Agendas Trump Money in Movie Decisions? What Role Does the Hollywood Rating System Play in Parents Determining What to Allow Their Children to View?
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Our nation’s political climate has become emblematic of what should be our preeminent and most basic form of government. And this government is found under the roofs of virtually every home in America today. It’s traditionally been called the nuclear family. Yet, like our government, it has also become a broken and divided group of people, who actually have more in common than they have differences. But, this doesn’t always quell the heated rhetoric that too often foolishly majors in incidental minors.
Jackie Gingrich Cushman is a syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate. She is the author of two books, 5 Principles for a Successful Life: From Our Family to Yours, and The Essential American: 25 Documents and Speeches Every American Should Own. For over 16 years, she has served on the board of directors, volunteered and assisted Our House, a homeless shelter for newborns and their families. She also serves on the board of the Trust for Public Land and GEEARS (Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students).
Jackie served as a senior advisor and national media surrogate for Newt Gingrich in the Republican Presidential primary for the 2012 election. She holds the CFA designation and the National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow designation. She lives in Georgia.
Keeping Our Families Intact, in Our Broken America Episode Highlights:
How to better understand what’s going on in today’s politics and media. How can American parents help their kids turn back to God without seeming bigoted and intolerant? Why has our government really seemed to turn virtually every argument into a quarrel? What are some of the hidden political agendas that we can help our kids to see through? How do we get our kids past all the emotional rants to the objective truth and logic behind a topic?
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One might not expect that scientific data would actually be needed to assert such claims, but in today’s world, anecdotal evidence alone doesn’t fly anymore. And for good reason.
Parenting Teens in a Troubled World Empirical science is the final arbiter of truth for most people living in today’s digital age; trusted, almost as a religion in and of itself. So, does the claim that religious faith can bring about mental well-being actually stand the test of empirical science?
Dr. Koenig is Director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University Medical Center, and has published extensively in the fields of mental health, geriatrics, and religion, with more than 500 scientific peer-reviewed publications, nearly 100 book chapters, and over 50 books in print or preparation. His research on religion, health and ethical issues in medicine has been featured on dozens of national and international TV news programs (including ABC’s World News Tonight, Dr. Oz Show, and several times on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and NBC Nightly News), over a hundred national or international radio programs, and hundreds of newspapers and magazines (including Reader's Digest, Parade Magazine, Newsweek, Time, and Guidepost).
Dr. Koenig has given testimony before the U.S. Senate (1998) and U.S. House of Representatives (2008) concerning the benefits of religion and spirituality on public health, and travels widely to give seminars and workshops on this topic. He is the recipient of the 2012 Oskar Pfister Award from the American Psychiatric Association and the 2013 Gary Collins Award from the American Association of Christian Counselors. His latest books are a series on religion and mental health
How Religion Affects Overall Mental Well-Being Episode Highlights:
The importance of empirical evidence. What is the difference between religion and spirituality? The effects of various religions on overall mental health. Can parents use science to affirm their Christian faith? Epigenetics, and how religious faith can affect or change brain chemistry at the cellular level?
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Joshua sees first hand every day how teens enter Shepherd’s Hill Academy and what things can lead to their trouble. We’ll conclude our three-part series today as we speak candidly once more on License to Parent.
Parenting Teens in a Troubled World Episode Highlights:
What impact does the peer to peer parenting mentality have on our kids? What leads to entitlement in today’s culture? What does a healthy fear of parents look like? How do you balance boundaries and limits with responsibilities? Healthy parenting is not limiting your child's joy.
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Today we continue the conversation and dive into parenting troubled teens and some of the mistakes parents make along the way. One such mistake includes trying to become friends with our kids. That will come, but first is a process and a period of “pruning” in order for our children to grow into healthy and responsible adults. We will hear more about what Joshua and others see when students arrive at Shepherd’s Hill Academy for the first time. That’s today on License to Parent.
Practical Tips for Today's Parents Episode Highlights:
Sensitive parents bring up sensitive children. How can we become secure as parents so that we can successfully lead? What role does your identity play in parenting? What are the benefits of saying “I Don’t Know” How does technology impact the actions of our children? How important is the influence of parents on today's youth?
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Trace and I will be having a candid discussion about some of the more sensitive and under-discussed topics that face American parents these days. I want to warn you, this program will not be for the faint of heart. In fact, it could even step on some of our toes a little bit. But, if you’re willing to take a hard look at some of the critical issues we parents are going to have to face in order to bring some sanity back into our parenting experience, then stay tuned.
Today we speak with Joshua Temple. He is a 29-year-old US Military veteran. Joshua is now the Residential Coordinator at Shepherd’s Hill Academy, leading the group of staff members who are "in the trenches" with the students during their daily life.
The Challenges of Parenting in America Episode Highlights:
Where is the fragility of our children coming from? Has this impacted our spiritual lives? How has emotional fragility impacted our view of love? What are the long term effects of being emotionally fragile as a parent? What role does entitlement play in our generation? What are the benefits of challenges and obstacles?
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If nothing else, at the very least, the DNA provided by fathers is essential for the very existence of every human being on planet earth. So, why has the institution of fatherhood been so marginalized and maligned in Hollywood and TV and other forms of media and entertainment in recent times? And, why have the offspring of this invaluable institution seem to have taken for granted such a foundational and essential component to the balance and health of God's ecosystem? We'll find out what "Fathers Say" about it next on License to Parent as we speak with Joe Battaglia.
Joe Battaglia is the president of Renaissance Communications, a media company whose mission is to provide media platforms for gifted communicators of Biblical truth. He is also a broadcaster and author of many books including Fathers Say.
Joe is an executive producer of the nationally syndicated radio program Keep the Faith, and for over 16 years, he’s been involved in the promotion of highly successful hit movies, such as Miracles From Heaven, War Room, and I Can Only Imagine. The Influence of a Father Episode Highlights:
What role does trust play in parenting? Why is fatherhood/fathers being marginalized these days? Are all men teachers? Who is responsible for the marginalization of fathers and fatherhood? What words of encouragement would you give to the repentant father?
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Walt Mueller is the founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding and has been working with young people and families for over 35 years. As a result of his work with CPYU, Walt has become an internationally-recognized speaker and author on contemporary youth culture.
He has written extensively on youth culture and family issues and is the author of the following books: 99 Thoughts for Parents of Teenagers (Group Publishing, 2010); The Space Between-- A Parent's Guide to Teenage Development (Zondervan, 2009); Opie Doesn’t Live Here Anymore: Where Faith, Family, and Culture Collide (Standard Publishing, August 2007); Youth Culture 101 (Zondervan, June 2007) and many others.
He is also a regular contributor to numerous journals and magazines. A graduate of Geneva College (B.A.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Walt earned his doctorate at Gordon-Conwell in “Ministry to Postmodern Generations.” Walt has served in ministry with the Coalition for Christian Outreach and as a youth pastor in churches in Johnstown, PA, and Philadelphia. Walt's wife Lisa has served behind the scenes since day one as CPYU’s secretary. A graduate of Geneva College who has a background in radio, Lisa’s voice can be heard on CPYU’s daily Youth Culture Today radio spot. Walt and Lisa live in Elizabethtown, PA and have four children, and three grandchildren. Navigating Today’s Cultural Waters Episode Highlights:
Why is it so important to understand what our culture is doing to the attitudes and actions of our young people today? How can parents do a better job of keeping their influence over digital technology's influence on their kids? Why aren't more pastors speaking to the issues of digital technology's effect on the spiritual well-being of their church's youth? Ways that churches can more effectively reach young people Why are so many kids compartmentalizing their faith today, and what can parents do to help them live their lives with more integrity and consistency?
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Many Americans today, however, view right and wrong more subjectively rather than absolute. Feelings and opinions, therefore, dictate each individual's desire to live as he or she sees fit. The Bible is now considered an archaic book of myths in the eyes of many Americans. Unfortunately, too many of those Americans are our very own children. How to help defend our kids against a Cultural Jihad? That's next on today's edition of License to Parent with Todd Starnes.
Todd Starnes is the author of Culture Jihad: How to stop the left from killing a Nation. Starnes was on Fox News and the Fox News Channel for more than a decade. He is now hosting the Todd Starnes News and Commentary which is airing on over 750 radio stations across the country. Beginning in November the Todd Starnes show will kick-off featuring a 3-hour call-in radio show featuring news anchors, entertainers, artists, and Christian leaders.
Culture’s Impact on the Attitudes and Actions of Our Kids Episode Highlights:
What did Todd Starnes hope to accomplish in writing the book, Culture Jihad? How are public schools facilitating socialism? How is history changing the perception of our historic heroes? Why should parents require their children to learn the constitution? Why should parents teach economics to their children?
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Is it possible that being ill-informed with a warped, or gross lack of historical knowledge could actually be affecting our kids' perspectives, attitudes; and somehow, even their behaviors, today? If so, could this same lack or slanted view of history also be driving a wedge of distrust and disrespect, not only between parents and their children but between their children and their God? That's today's discussion with Brian Kilmeade on License to Parent.
Not many broadcasters can say they are on the air for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, but that is exactly what Brian Kilmeade has been doing since 2006. After joining Fox News in 1997, he was soon named co-host of Fox & Friends, where he still thrives today. During his tenure at Fox News, he has developed the ability to interview and provide insight into newsmakers, politicians, celebrities, and athletes.
Brian has written 5 books, 4 New York Times bestsellers including "Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans" co-written with Don Yaeger. Number 6 is in the works and will be announced this fall and released in 2019. He currently resides with his wife and 3 kids where he grew up in Massapequa, NY. When he is not working you can often catch him on the soccer field watching or coaching. The Importance of Learning & Remembering our History Episode Highlights:
Should history be a larger part of the curriculum of our public education system? What is the danger of neglecting or hiding portions of our history? How do we find a hero in history? How can families find the historical truth? What are good and accurate resources for families?
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I want my kids to have access to the constructive things that the internet has to offer. I just want that access to have some wise and godly boundaries put into place. I want to use digital technology as a tool to engage with my kids. I hear a lot of well-meaning people say, "You have to trust your kids; just love them, train them, and shape their hearts. They'll eventually do the right thing." And that's all true but there's a caveat when it comes to the unencumbered use of smartphones. Remember, we're talking about kids here, not mature adults. Even a kid as old as 15 is still 10 years removed from having his frontal lobe fully-developed. That's the action/consequence part of the brain. Even a kid with a heart of gold can succumb to some pretty crazy stuff when regularly enticed.
Today we hear from Kirk Cameron. Kirk and his wife Chelsea are the founders of Camp Firefly, a camp for seriously ill children and their families. Together, they live in California with their six children. Kirk is also the creator of the recent documentary (now available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and more) called Connect.
Safe Tech and Today Episode Highlights:
What are some challenges surrounding digital technology? How can we navigate being continually connected? How can we aid the first generation to grow up fully immersed in technology? What does safe and constructive tech use look like? Applicable tips for parents today
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But then we become grandparents. Suddenly we discover an entirely new kind of love. The joy of grandparenting is second to none! Today we’ll be talking about being a grandparent with Dr. Ken Canfield as he discusses The Heart of Grandparenting.
Dr. Ken Canfield has committed his life to strengthen families and fathers. He has founded and continues to engage in several organizations dedicated to improving family well-being. Most notably, Dr. Canfield belongs to the National Center for Fathering, where he served as President for 16 years. He is currently president of the National Association for Grandparenting (GrandsMatter.org), which he founded in 2016.
Discovering the Heart of Grandparenting Episode Highlights:
What can we learn from cultures that depend on grandparents? How can grandparents live out their calling with their extended family? What are the physical & health benefits of being an involved grandparent? What benefits does grandparenting offer our grandchildren? Discover the 5 Pillars of the Heart of Grandparenting
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David and Jason Benham (the Benham Brothers) are former professional baseball players, nationally acclaimed entrepreneurs, and best selling authors. Their rise to success earned them a reality show with HGTV that was set to air in the fall of 2014 – yet the show was abruptly canceled because of their commitment to Biblical values. Appearing on CNN, Fox News, ESPN, ABC’s Nightline & Good Morning America, the Benham’s continue to stand up for what they believe and encourage others to do the same. David and Jason have a combined 9 children and live on the same street in Charlotte, NC. They recently released the book Bold and Broken, which we will talk about a little bit more today.
Bold & Broken Episode Highlights:
How can men harness their power for good? What brings about destruction? What does it mean to be bold and broken? How does submitting to Jesus impact men? How do boldness and brokenness work together?
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Without a starting point as fundamental as the gender binary, we parents may actually have nothing meaningful at all to teach our children for which they can’t legitimately respond, “That’s just your opinion, dad/mom”. As scary as it all sounds, there IS truth that transcends our mere opinions. And it’s arguably never more evident than when we’re distinguishing boys from girls.
Today we speak with Ryan T. Anderson of the Heritage Foundation. He is the author of When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment and Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom, and he is the co-author of What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense and Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination.
Ryan T. Anderson, Ph.D., researches and writes about marriage, bioethics, religious liberty, and political philosophy.
When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Movement Episode Highlights:
What has caused the rise of the transgender movement? How has technology impacted the gender revolution? What are the consequences of treatments and gender reassignments? How can parents discuss Transgender issues with their children? What role does the Church play in the conversation?
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I believe the term “toxic masculinity” is just a contrived gateway term that lulls the American masses into a continued pathway toward the feminization of our society as a whole. If they can pull it off, it’ll be a whole lot easier for the powers that be to get people to make more important decisions and life-changing policies and laws based on emotions and feelings rather than logic and reason. Let’s face it: you’re more likely to have to sacrifice something if you make decisions based on logic and reason. To do so requires self-discipline—something sorely lacking in too many people today.
We’re talking about the definition of toxic masculinity, and how to raise our sons in the thick of it, on today’s License to Parent.
Buddy Prow, LAPC, is the Primary Boys Therapeutic Counselor at Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Buddy received his master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. He is currently pursuing his LPC and Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) certifications.
His previous positions working with adults with addictions have led him to proactively reach the teens of our culture to teach them preventive methods for addictive behaviors. It is Buddy’s desire to share his personal parenting point of view as a hurting parent of a once troubled teen himself. He wants to help families reunite in a healthy manner for love and support and to show them there is always hope in the unknown times of parenting a teen.
Buddy is married. He has 10 children he calls “mine.” Of these 10 children, he has five biological daughters, two adoptive sons, two step-sons, and one foster daughter. When he is not occupied helping others, being a husband and a father, or studying, Buddy enjoys hunting and golfing. Raising Healthy Sons in a Toxic World Episode Highlights:
Why is the term “toxic masculinity” used? How does hypocrisy impact young men today? Why does masculinity have such a bad rap today? How do we characterize godly masculinity? Does toxic femininity exist? What does it look like? What are some practical parenting tips for parents of boys?
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Beating their kids into submission may be one parent’s idea of good parenting. Allowing your child to do what they want when they want maybe another parent’s measure. Historically the America standard for raising healthy, well-adjusted children largely comes from the Bible and Judeo Christian ethic. Yet many have strayed from this standard of parenting and we may be witnessing a collapse. Is it worth a rebuild? We think so! We’ll discuss how as we speak with Leonard Sax today on the Collapse of Parenting.
Leonard Sax earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from MIT, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in just five semesters at age 19. He has earned a Ph.D. in psychology and an MD. He established a family practice in Montgomery County Maryland in 1990, where he spent over 18 years. Dr. Sax has authored numerous books including The Collapse of Parenting. He is also an international speaker and has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, Headline News, PBS, Fox News, NBR, BBC and more.
How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown Ups Episode Highlights:
What is the greater impact of allowing a child to determine what’s for dinner? How do you be the “just right” parent? What does that look like? How do parents make decisions that their parents didn’t have to make? Where do you turn when you can’t reference your own upbringing? Sleep deprivation is a major risk factor for anxiety & depression. What can parents do? How has the lesson found in popular tv shows changed from 1960 to today? How is Instagram promoting a toxic culture for young girls?
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Metaphorically speaking, today's kids are born with digital DNA. Yet, as more science is understood about this issue, the more this metaphor may actually be closer to reality. It may not only explain our kids' extreme aversion to boredom; but, also their disinterest in pursuing and worshipping God, an apparent exercise in mental brutality for many kids today. Dealing with the dullness seen in today's glow kids. That’s next on License to Parent as we interview Dr. Nicholas Kardaras.
Dr. Kardaras is a Clinical Professor at Stony Brook Medicine. He has also taught neuropsychology at the doctoral-level and is the author of the book Glow Kids. Kardaras is a frequent contributor to Fox News, Psychology Today, and more!
Dr. Kardaras is a former AAU National Karate champion, recovering NYC nightclub owner and coma survivor. In his clinical work with adolescents--he's worked with over 1,000 teens over the last decade--he began to realize that many were suffering from a screen-induced malaise. Dr. Kardaras lives with his wife and twin sons in Sag Harbor, NY. He is a frequent presenter and lecturer on the subjects of philosophy, mental health, and both substance and screen addictions. How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids Episode Highlights:
Until what age should children be prohibited from screen time? How does screen time specifically impact children on the spectrum? Does digital technology stunt social growth and intelligence? How does screen time impact the love of reading? What are the correlations between reading and educational success? What are we really talking about when we talk about addiction? Is addiction ever good? How can parents intervene at home when teens abuse digital technology use?
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Our culture is in constant turmoil. What we once held to be true is not being challenged, it’s being replaced with the opinion of the day. Those once held beliefs are having to get in line to fight to regain their relevance. So, is it any wonder we need help with parenting and giving our children a biblical point of reference for navigating life? Today we take a look under the hood of Shepherd’s Hill Academy with Founder Trace Embry, along with our Girls Program Manager, Ginelle Kohl.
Ginelle currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a minor in Outdoor Leadership and Education from Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA. Ginelle has worked with youth since 2007.
Ginelle loves working with teens because their youthful energy and life offer so much to today’s culture. Ginelle wants to teach teens how to harness that energy and put it towards worthwhile things. She desires to serve youth and equip them to go out and pour into and serve in the lives of others. In addition, Ginelle loves photography, videography, zip-lining, road trips, coffee, and camping. A Proving Ground for Cultural Change Episode Highlights:
Why was Shepherd’s Hill Academy founded? What was the purpose of the program? What does a typical SHA student look like? What do the first days/weeks look like for a student? How do they change and grow throughout the program? How do technology and social media impact teens? How is an unplugged environment effective in healing? What does the physical program look like?
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New apps, websites, devices --even new languages and other modes of communication and entertainment--are developing virtually every day. And, this includes ways of communicating and sending images that could negatively affect your child's reputation and future success. Consequently, realizing that our kids have a lot more disposable time to explore and use these devices than we do (if we let them), we'll need to come to grips with the significant changes and/or help needed to help them execute a wise digital protocol. We'll be exploring what some of that might look like, next, as we discuss how to shine online with Josh Ochs.
Josh Ochs is a Founder and Digital Citizenship Author with a background in marketing at Disney and a love for all things technology. Josh Ochs combines both to help teens and tweens use social media as a portfolio of positive accomplishments. Josh travels the nation speaking to over 30,000 kids each year sharing with them tips they can use to create a positive online presence.
Josh’s book: “Light, Bright and Polite for Teens” teaches kids of all ages that everything they post on social media will eventually be discovered by their parents, teachers, their school Principal and someday colleges and employers. He shows families and teenagers practical examples they can use to always keep it “Light, Bright and Polite” by posting photos of community volunteer projects that will help them shine online. Josh Ochs' other 5 books teach people and brands how to shine online.
Light, Bright and Polite: Social Media Etiquette for Teens Episode Highlights:
“It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game” How can teens be positive online? How do you "search for yourself" online? Learn how your social media presence becomes a resume What are colleges and businesses looking for online? How can I change my child's perspective of online activity?
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And, when so many of these instant pleasures avail themselves at every turn without any peer pressure to resist, then, like sheep to the slaughter, it can be just too easy to allow our emotion to cloud our reason and proceed with something that we'll likely regret later. And, because so many of today's instant pleasures are ego-driven, visually appealing, excitement oriented or sexually stimulating, today's young men seem to be tempted more than the rest of the general population. Today, we'll be discussing a Guy's Guide to Four Battles Every Young Man Must Face with expert Jonathan McKee.
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the Amazon Best Seller – The Guy’s Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket and The Guy’s Guide to Four Battles Every Young Man Must Face. He has over 20 years of youth ministry experience and speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers and parents on TheSource4Parents.com. Jonathan and his wife Lori live in Northern California. A Guide for our Guys Episode Highlights:
Are guys today a victim of our society? What type of temptations is prevalent in our world? How do they differ from the temptations parents faced as teens? How is smartphone use impacting teen guys? How is the media impacting the sex lives of and sex talk with teen guys? Four Battles: the distraction of a screen, sexual temptation, self-esteem, and substances. Why are accountability partners so important? How do our children find good leaders for accountability if they don’t open up to mom and dad?
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Have we mortgaged our kids' childhoods for "stuff" and status? Why shouldn't our success be gauged more by the relational peace, contentment, fulfillment, joy, and security that we and our kids actually bring to one another? And by the eternal security that comes from our family's knowledge of, submission to, and relationship with the God of the universe? Today will explore a more biblical view of parenting success. You might call it a Theology of Home. And we chat with Carrie Gress, an expert on this subject.
Carrie Gress, a homeschooling mother of four, has a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of America. She is the editor at the online magazine Theology of Home and the author of several books including her latest The Anti-Mary Exposed.
Theology of Home
Theology of Home was created to assist Christian women in discovering truth and knowledge in a way that is applicable to their daily lives. We often see many secular magazines and publications really speaking to deep issues in raising a family, navigating the home, etc. but we also see a lot of junk that is tied to it. The concept of Theology of Home came as the idea struck me that we are all really racing to come home (Heaven/eternity) and everything we do needs to be directed to that. Everything we do can be heavenly and like a sanctuary, or it can feel like hell. As parents, we can create an environment that our children will understand as a foreshadowing of our heavenly home. As parents, the biggest thing is to be present to those in the home and to foster those relationships. Homemaker is not a dirty word. We have a desire (just look at HGTV!) to have beautiful homes, but we need to focus on more than just the perfect throw pillow.
I think that we have to look at the nature of the human person. Unfortunately, our culture has distorted this. If we go back to ancient mythology we see women defined as vessels. We see the ocean, a ship, etc. Women don’t just carry things, they transform them. So much of our culture tells women that children are your enemy and you need to do what men do to be happy. Really, women have a deep desire to nurture and help transform things. These are amazing gifts we can give others.
In today’s culture, we are seeing that the media and other women have a very strong impact on women and the way they see their success. In fact, oftentimes these pressures are stronger than the need for approval from a woman’s own husband or family. Our media is promoting a very specific message that children are our enemy and we can only be happy in our career. However, older women today are looking back and desiring deep relationships that they never took time for in their earlier years. Dedicate time to your kids. These are things that we will not regret later in life.
Episode Highlights:
What are the roles of parents in the home? Do women have a desire to nurture? What impact does the feminist movement have on our home?
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They're known as "Peter Pan males." Because, by all observation, it appears that they just refuse to grow up. They've also been known to be plagued with what's now called "a failure to launch." So, what can we do as responsible and God-fearing parents living in a world full of entitlement political-correctness, trigger words and safe-spaces to prepare our kids for independent and responsible living? That's today's discussion as we explore Parenting for the Launch with Dennis Trittin.
Dennis Trittin is President and CEO of LifeSmart Publishing and author of "Parenting for the Launch: Raising Teens to Succeed in the Real World" and "What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead." His mission is to inspire and equip the next generation with the leadership and life skills they need to flourish and fulfill their purpose.
Previously, Dennis was a senior executive for 27 years at Russell Investments where he managed some $40 billion and evaluated leaders and organizations worldwide. Dennis has been happily married to Jeanne for 37 years, have two wonderful adult children, and reside in Gig Harbor, Washington. Raising Teens to Succeed in the Real World The book Parenting for the Launch was actually written in response to feedback that was received from educators. They kept saying, “can you write a book for parents?” They were identifying just as many issues with parents as they were with children. Educators, employers, universities are all seeing this as a needed resource for parents.
Typically parents don’t think about the teenage years when they dream about raising a family. It’s so easy to just give in and allow things when we cease to realize that we are raising future adults and parents. There has to be a strategy in our parenting. We are dealing with their everyday needs, but are also staying steps ahead. Our view needs to be that we are not just raising children, we are raising adults called to live out God’s purpose. If we don’t think in those terms our focus shifts to our kid’s happiness. This results in a generation of children with a lack of character and soft skills who are not ready for adulthood.
As parents, we need to be intentional. But we also need to teach our kids to be intentional. So, what does intentionality look like during the teen years? It involves building the leadership skills that our kids need to become successful adults. We must put our kids in positions to learn and demonstrate leadership. Secondly, we must teach our kids how to do things they need to do on their own while they are in our home. Look ahead about 3-4 years and start introducing those things along the way. Give them more responsibility and privileges. Introduce your children to other role model adults who will speak life into them and help them develop connections. While kids are pushing parents away in their teens, having other adults to say the same things (but it is received differently from someone who is not their parents) is essential.
Episode Highlights:
What can we do, as parents, to prepare our children for the real world? What is the role of intentionality in parenting? Are students receiving enough "real life" lessons in the education system?
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With more and more young people being lured into believing that socialism is the answer to our nation's ills these days, what will the future of American patriotism actually look like? Can you or your children be true American patriots, while promoting socialism at the same time? So, with respect to patriotism, what should we stand for and what should we be teaching our kids to stand for--and why? Today we speak with Burgess Owens on this very topic.
Super Bowl Champion, Burgess Owens has shown throughout his life a passion for the pursuit of excellence. At the core of his message is optimism that is both inspiring and instructional. As he uplifts our system of government, the freedom and opportunity available because of it, his mantra is embodied in two words…"Dream Big". Burgess discusses what it takes to win, regardless of one's circumstances, background, color or culture. He encourages all to dream bigger, expect more, risk more, struggle more and win more. A priceless message from someone who has been there. He is also the author of Why I Stand: From Freedom to the Killing Fields of Socialism.
From Freedom to the Killing Fields of Socialism
If you go through our history we find a love for God. When we love God, we serve each other. We are the most diverse and progressive in terms of opportunities and freedoms because we’ve learned over time to love each other from the inside out. The concepts and ideas that we are loved and created by God have been at war with the ideology of socialists, Marxists, and atheists from the very beginning. That is our fight today.
However, our fight is not a conversation or even an argument. The ideas that directly oppose Christian values are fought in entertainment, news, academia, and other media in order to propagandize the message. That is how people begin to believe that things like socialism and anti-god principals actually work. But if we look through history we see that it never has worked and never will. In order for us to really speak truth into our children, we need to learn our history. “The first battleground is re-writing our history.” Our kids today don’t know about how great the people in our past were and all the things that they have done. They had such a love for country and God that they fought for our freedom.
Patriotism starts with love and respect for God. Then it drills down to the family unit. We understand that a family name is important. We never do anything to soil that name. We learn about respect for women. Without respect for women, we will never be true men. We learn to see past our differences and see inside out. We love others because we share the common bond of a country we want to make better and kids we want to care and provide for. Now we can sit down, have conversations, agree to disagree, but find the best way to work together.
Episode Highlights:
Is socialism a new idea? How can parents speak truth into their children? What is a patriot?
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If you're a college kid with an accruing mountain of student-loan debt--or a high-school kid looking at your friends' necktie deep dungeon of debt, then free college with no college debt sounds pretty appealing. But, what a lot of our kids aren't aware of, is their history--in this case, the history of socialism. I'm not sure socialism has worked very well anywhere it was tried. So, today's parents have to ask themselves a few questions: "What am I doing to educate my child about America's political history? How do I want that political history to affect my child's political and professional future?" And, "Do I really want our liberal, failing public school system; our kids' favorite entertainment personalities; their 300 social media acquaintances; and, our liberal--postmodern-thinking press to be their only source for political insight?
Today we talk socialism with Dr. Frank Wright, a protégée of Dr. James Kennedy. Dr. Wright served for over a decade as the President and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters and later President and COO of Salem Communications. In 2015 Dr. Wright returned to Dr. James Kennedy ministries where he is now President and CEO. Dr. Wright holds a Ph.D. in Finance from Florida Atlantic University and is an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Throughout the years, he has been very vocal about Dr. Kennedy’s direct impact on him and his ministry, and their shared vision and worldview makes Dr. Wright the ideal person to continue D. James Kennedy Ministries’ push toward the future.
From Formation to Socialism?
If you don’t have a biblical framework to overlay what we see happening day by day in today’s culture it all looks like chaos. But it’s not chaos. It’s by design.
It was said of Benjamin Franklin when he came out of the constitutional convention, “What kind of government did you give us.” To which he answered, “a Republic if you can keep it.” A Republic is where the people elect representatives that represent their interest on their behalf. The fallen nature of man was not something that escaped Mr. Franklin so even he wondered at the longevity of it. I like to say we live in a Constitutional Republic. We are in a Republic where we elect representatives but the structure of government is framed by a constitution.
What exactly is socialism? It is the government ownership or control of all of the means of production of society. That’s land, labor, and capital. When the government owns everything or controls it then all kinds of things happen or don’t happen. When young people today say they are in favor of socialism I ask, “do you realize under socialism there would and could never be Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.” The hallmark of socialism is control. There is no free market. In application, socialist governments go so much further to include the control of speech, jobs, etc. It does not stand competition for authority. Two things that compete directly with a socialist government are the family and the church.
Were the disciples living a socialist lifestyle? In Acts 5 you see that the disciples were keeping their goods in common. However, it doesn’t say they kept ALL of their goods in common. They shared based on needs. They shared voluntarily. The difference is a socialist government takes the money from you. The disciples did it voluntarily. Secondly, look where they brought the money; not to the government but to the church.
Parents, start with your kids on this. The reason that you know that socialism is not biblical is because it is government theft. It is a violation of the commandment “Thou shalt not still.” Secondly, socialism is the gospel of envy. Thou shalt not covet is the other commandment. One of the funniest things about socialism is you will never see socialism begin in a poor country. It happens and begins where there is a system of free enterprise that allows wealth to accumulate.
Episode Highlights:
And what about the new dangers that lurk in our children’s pockets? Too many parents are allowing the likes of Ted Bundy, Larry Flynt, El Chapo, every porn star and the rest of the seedy-side of town, not only into their own homes but into the privacy of their kids' own bedrooms without realizing it. My gosh, even our government won't let you pull the lever on a slot machine until you're 21, because of it's addictive nature. Today we speak with Kirk Cameron on his new film to find out how it can help parents navigate this endless barrage of digital stimuli that are affecting families today.
Kirk Cameron is a television and film actor and producer, noted recently for his work in the family films Saving Christmas and Mercy Rule, the documentaries Unstoppable and Monumental, and the inspirational film Fireproof. He is also known for his memorable roles on ABC’s Growing Pains, the Left Behind movies, and co-host of The Way of the Master television series. Kirk spends much of his time producing new television and film projects and speaking to people around the country, teaching them how to share their faith and live out a gospel-centered marriage and family. Kirk and his wife Chelsea are the founders of Camp Firefly, a camp for seriously ill children and their families. Together, they live in California with their six children. Kirk is also the creator of the recent documentary (now available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and more) called Connect.
Connecting to Your Kids in a Digital World
Kirk Cameron’s new film, Connect, speaks to families about the newfound challenge surrounding being digitally connected. The topic in an of itself is a challenge. It’s a constantly changing moving target. This whole topic really got sprung on us as parents. We are the guinea pigs. We’re parenting the first generation of children who grew up fully immersed in digital technology.
Kirk created the film Connect when his children were required to use smart digital devices. At this time his children were involved in sports and other activities that required some usage of digital technology. It was then that he realized that just because they were a “good family” didn’t mean his kids weren’t being exposed to terrible things. He made this documentary to talk with 5 experts in the field to understand how technology and social media affect all of the areas of life. The documentary was designed to give real help to parents navigating the digital world.
Don’t fall for the “I would never do that mom and dad.” At our weak moments or times where peer pressure is high, we revert to the lowest common denominator of human nature. We make poor decisions that we never thought we would. After learning the neurological and biological effects (not to mention the physical and emotional) of technology on our kids, it’s important for parents to get involved.
So, what can we do? Don’t feel like you are alone as a parent. All of us are dealing with the same thing and it’s hard. Ultimately it comes down to your child’s relationship with you and with God. Model for your kids what healthy technology behavior looks like. Dedicate text free time as a family. Connect with your kids. Experts are saying that even though kids have more virtual followers, they are lacking real-life relationships.
Episode Highlights:
How is the documentary Connected relevant to my family? How is digital technology impacting our kids? What can we, as parents, do to connect with our kids?
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My dad used to say that his grandkids were God's reward for not killing me during the course of my upbringing. But, all joking aside, grandkids are wonderful; and, grandparenting is wonderful. But, there really are a lot of responsibilities and obligations--as well as big-time rewards that go along with being a good grandparent--which I'm still working on. It's kinda like "parenting lite" if your kids are actually being the parents that God has called them to be. If not, grandparenting can also be pretty frustrating--even heart-breaking and exhausting. But, I'm certainly no expert on the whole grandparenting thing. Like I said, I'm still a work in progress, myself. So, I'm looking forward to hearing from a guy who actually wrote a book on The Heart of Grandparenting.
Dr. Ken Canfield, a nationally-known leader, and scholar has committed his life to 8x10 canfield big group2 soft color-5strengthening families and fathers. He has founded and continues to engage in several organizations dedicated to improving family well-being, most notably the National Center for Fathering, where he served as President for 16 years. He is currently president of the National Association for Grandparenting (GrandsMatter.org), which he founded in 2016. Ken and his wife Dee (a Professional Counselor) have been married 40 years. They have five children, three daughters, and two sons, ranging in age from 26-36. They also have three sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and twelve grandchildren.
How Grand to be a Grandparent
There is nothing better than preparing the next generation and those after for success. What really got me into this was the recognition that grandparents were often displaced, forgotten or marginalized. In other cultures, grandparents are depended on and they live for their grandchildren. We need a little bit of that! In Deuteronomy, we see that we should remember what we saw and teach them to our children and children’s children. Our calling extends to our extended family. There are so much value and benefit in engaging with our grandchildren.
You will actually live longer and healthier lives if you engage with grandchildren. Cognitive abilities are kept “on their toes” as you stay up with and interact with the grandchildren. To engage with them will challenge you mentally. When you impart wisdom, humor, reality appropriate to their age, they are endowed with a sense of heritage and confidence that comes only through you.
The mark of the good grandparent is that they are engaged, intentional and proactive. It will not only enhance your wellbeing but the wellbeing of your grandchildren as well. Ken Canfield authored the book, The Heart of Grandparenting.
The Heart of Grandparenting has 5 pillars: Heritage, Example, Angelic Attributes, Reconciliation, Teachers. Grandparents have such an amazing opportunity to raise up and train the next generation in a way that only they can.
Episode Highlights:
What do Grandparents bring to the family? How can Grandparents impact children in a way others cannot? What can Grandparents do to train up the future generations?
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So, what, then, are we to make of our boy’s competitiveness and their rough and tumble ways? Are these unnatural and ungodly traits that need to be rectified? And, what are we to make of the growing remorse that more and more young women are now feeling after following Hollywood, Madison Avenue, and the modern feminist movement for their moral truth and fulfillment in life? In the midst of it all, how do we convey and teach our kids to convey the truth of God, tempered by the love of God to a world devoid of God? Raising our kids to be Bold and Broken, God’s way.
David and Jason Benham (the Benham Brothers) are former professional baseball players, nationally acclaimed entrepreneurs, and best selling authors. Their rise to success earned them a reality show with HGTV that was set to air in the fall of 2014 - yet the show was abruptly canceled because of their commitment to Biblical values. Appearing on CNN, Fox News, ESPN, ABC's Nightline & Good Morning America, the Benham's continue to stand up for what they believe and encourage others to do the same. David and Jason have a combined 9 children and live on the same street in Charlotte, NC. They recently released the book Bold and Broken, which we will talk about a little bit more today.
Bridging the Gap Between Heaven and Earth We’re becoming a people who are now minimizing and marginalizing the natural and God-given personality traits of the traditional American male. And, no doubt, the aggressiveness that's innate in so many males, something that shouldn’t be confused with violence, by the way, needs to be harnessed for the appropriate times and places. This is called loving discipline. And it comes part and parcel with good parenting.
We recognize the attack on masculinity is actually on God’s design. It’s a spiritual battle. The Benham brothers grew up high energy boys who state, “we probably should have been on ADHD medication.” But they recall the words of their father that “only those horses willing to be broken by their master are fit to pull the king’s chariot. The rest are left out to pasture.”
We, as men, have everything within us to do great things, but that same power can destroy. The heart has to change and submit to the gospel of Jesus. When we learn to be his disciple and be controlled by his spirit (not controlled by our spirit) we are able to do what we are called to do. Satan hates it when men are real men. When men submit to the ultimate man who is Jesus they become a powerful weapon for good and good things.
What does it look like to be bold and broken? The book was written based on Ezekiel and the importance of standing in the gap and combining boldness and brokenness. Boldness apart from brokenness makes you a bully. Brokenness but no boldness makes you a bystander. Brokenness is a heart of surrender. It is the fuel for boldness.
Episode Highlights:
What does it mean to be bold and broken? Can you have boldness without brokenness (and vice versa)? How can parents instill godly values and god-given characteristics into our children?
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I've heard it said that Character is "who you are and what you do when nobody is looking." When it comes to our kids, I think character-building has a lot to do with the quality of people that they're surrounded with. I also believe that who and what our kids are regularly being entertained by can affect their character as well. But of course, there's no better model and teacher of character than parents. But that door swings both ways. Your kids are gonna learn from you, for good or for ill, or a little bit of both.
Today we talk more on character with Mr. Pat Williams. Pat Williams is senior vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic. He has more than 50 years of professional sports experience, has written more than 100 books, including the popular Coach Wooden, Coach Wooden's Greatest Secret, and Character Carved in Stone. The 12 Words of Character Building Mr. Pat William’s book, Character Carved in Stone, was inspired by his trip to West Point. Here he discovered 12 benches, each with a word inscribed on the end of the bench. These benches were a gift from a graduating class on their 50th anniversary. They wished to leave and instill these important words into the lives of those at West Point. Each word had been found to be critical in their lives in WWII or Korea as military leaders.
These 12 character traits transition to every one of us, regardless of our field. Whether we are leading in our homes, churches, schools, places of business, etc. these 12 principles are absolutely mandatory if we are going to be fully effective.
Many believe that if you discipline your child you don’t love your child. But really that’s simply not true. They are not polar opposites. Discipline is a component of love. We use the analogy quite often that love is like a car battery. You have the positive (warm and fuzzy) and the negative (tough love) and without both poles, it does not work.
As parents, we need to set the expectations for character and for our child’s future. When a child turns 18, will they go into the workforce? To college? To the military? Building character also includes helping your child develop into a responsible and capable adult. Have the conversation early about their coming of age and what that looks like. No, they won’t sit at home and play video games. They will be a legal adult and be required to start their own lives. Don’t wait until they’re 18 to spring that on them!
One of the words on the benches was integrity. Can we teach our kids integrity without the moral component described in Scripture? Integrity comes from the root word integer which means 1. A leader or a person of integrity is consistent in their life. The walk and the talk match.
Episode Highlights:
How is discipline a component of character building? How can we set our children up to be successful independent adults? Can we teach integrity outside of Scripture?
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It's up to us, as godly parents, to make sure we're equipping our children with the tools that help give our kids the best start in life possible. But, some would argue that the toolboxes from which white parents equip their kids are better tool boxes and are stocked deeper with better tools necessary for success than the toolboxes of most black parents. And, therefore, the playing field needs to be leveled somehow for the black population. Today we speak with Reverend CL Bryant on this relevant topic.
Reverend Bryant is a Senior Fellow at FreedomWorks and the founder of One Nation Back to God and has frequented many mainstream channels such as Fox News. The Blaze. CNN. MSNBC. Syndicated Radio. He is also a columnist and author and the former two-term President of NAACP Garland, Texas. On June 4, 2014, C.L. became Host of soon syndicated radio program The CL Bryant Show. C.L. Bryant is recognized as one of America's most Dynamic Orators and he is a highly sought after Speaker, Motivator, Activist, Organizer, Gospel Preacher. He is married to his wife, Jane C. Pruitt Bryant and a father of four; grandfather of 12.
The Story of Success in America It takes parents to raise children. In today’s world, we have a broken and fragmented society, so it is increasingly imperative for those of us who have been blessed with a solid family foundation to come alongside those who are perhaps less fortunate than we are; white or black. We can show them the principles of the American dream. The American dream is the ability to keep your family safe, fed, warm and dry. It is up to the individual to take responsibility for who they are and where they are and what they will do with their lives.
Reverend Bryant mentioned that he became a conservative because he was asked to speak at a Pro-Choice rally about 30 years ago as the President of the NAACP. When he refused, he learned that they didn’t just want to control him, but the agenda as well to control this group of people. That is when his odyssey truly began. The playing field has never level throughout the history of mankind. The history of mankind is a story of struggle and suffering and only Jesus offers us a victory. Surely we cannot expect the playing field to ever be level, no matter where you live. Judeo-Christian ethics has created the greatest nation on the planet and the greatest success story the world has ever known. That must not go away.
What should black and white parents be teaching their parents? Start by telling the stories of victory in this nation! Many times we start by pointing to the areas of darkness in our nation. Each of us has lived our lives and each of us has dark places. If we dwell on those dark places it hinders our progress forward. That’s what is happening in America today. We are spending so much time dwelling on the darkness, and yes it exists, rather than focusing on the victories that our nation represents as a light to this world.
Episode Highlights:
How can parents talk to their kids about race in America? What truths can we instill into our children? What are the victories
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Objective truth is the only thing that reveals things as they really are. This includes politics, religion, science, gender, logic or race. Fortunately, there are those who understand the truth when it comes to the importance of traditional, moral and family values as it appears in scripture and how these values can improve our lives, families lives and the relationships needed to bring the unity needed to our society.
Today we talk about the truth with Pastor Bill Owens of the Coalition of African American Pastors, founded in 2003. Reverend William (Bill) Owens is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. Rev. Owens is a graduate of Tennessee State University where he received a degree in Education. After teaching at elementary schools in Memphis and Nashville, he then moved to Los Angeles to continue his career in education. Soon, however, his relentless drive and entrepreneurial skills led him to leave the classroom behind and enter the ministry and business fields.
Rev. Owens is known for taking unpopular stands, no matter the consequences. Reverend Owens travels extensively speaking about his core values: choices in education, the sanctity of life, the protection of marriage, and the free expression of faith. He also serves as a consultant to many political campaigns, candidates, and organizations. He is married to Dr. Deborah De Sousa Owens who heads CAAP’s education department and CAAP’s Women’s Ministry. Rev. Owens has eight children and thirteen grandchildren. How Objective Truth Makes an Impact on Race in Society We need to get our kids to understand the importance of objective truth and living out this truth in every aspect of life. It’s the truth required to do science, required in the court of law, and it makes the facts fact. However, today we find that individuals are relying on feelings rather than truth. This is where political correctness takes its stand. If parents of all races and ethnicities can get together on the objective truth train and teach our kids to love our neighbors as ourselves as Christ taught us to do, then I believe we help simplify a problem that I believe we’ve overcomplicated for way too long now.
Reverend William (Bill Owens) explains “What Happened”. He wrote about this topic to discuss the media, politics and the black community at large. Rev. Bill Owens marched with Martin Luther King and explains the stark differences and contrasts in American society then vs. now.
What can parents do to teach children about truth and race? We need to educate our parents as to the history of what did happen. Everything is not racist. We need to understand why. The media has played a large role in defining communities. This country is not racist like it was. A lot of changes have been made. The civil rights movement has been used to fulfill an agenda, rather than to promote truth.
What should parents be teaching their children about those of other races? We need to go out of our way to ensure that we see all races as people. Talk to people. Have dialogue. Be honest. Talk on your child’s level and share with them the truth of Scripture. Integrate them with other people. We make the difference. By sharing the truth with our children, we help to combat the lies that are told in the name of scripture but are actually false doctrine.
Episode Highlights:
How can parents, regardless of race, teach their children about truth and race? Is America more racist today? What is the result of political correctness and political decisions?
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So, when trying to explain all this to our kids, how do we make sense of a world that makes no sense? Do we have a right to teach our children anything, if we can’t even determine whether they are truly male or female—or perhaps both at the same time. Have we created an Orwellian dystopian society that makes it impossible to raise our children to become what used to be called normal? And, is even the word “normal” a bad word anymore? Is the word “bad” a bad word?
Today we speak with Ryan T. Anderson of the Heritage Foundation. He is the author of When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment and Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom, and he is the co-author of What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense and Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination.
Anderson’s research has been cited by two U.S. Supreme Court justices, Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas, in two Supreme Court cases. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University and his doctoral degree in political philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. Anderson has made appearances on ABC, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, and Fox News. His work has been published by the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy and many others.
Responding to the Transgender Movement
There seems to be a whole new approach to science with LGBTQ issues, but particularly with Transgender. Why are scientists, doctors and others just rolling right along with this stuff? This is the most recent outgrowth of the sexual revolution. It’s the 1950s working out its logic. We’ve seen a cultural redefinition of marriage and now we’re seeing a cultural redefinition of sex and gender. All of this is a logical outworking of postmodern thought.
There is also new technology. We have always had people who felt uncomfortable in their own body. Historically we responded with love and attempted to help them feel comfortable in the body they were given. Synthetic hormones didn’t exist 100 years ago. It wasn’t a technological possibility until recently. Hormone therapy and blockers are new. A perfect storm is created by poor theology and new technology. Coupling this with a political party backing the T in LGBTQ, we now see this as a more prevalent issue.
Sexual reassignment surgeries have consequences. They do not resolve the underlying struggles, tension and psycho-social problems. We need to create a platform for physicians, therapist and endocrinologists to feel comfortable and confident that they can speak out.
What kind of discussion should parents be having with their children? First, growing up is hard. Going through the maturation process is difficult. People have struggles and we need to be compassionate. Just because you have a gender identity conflict does not mean you are the opposite sex. Secondly, Just because you feel uncomfortable as a boy or girl doesn’t mean you’re trapped in the wrong body. Frequently it means you need to develop a more authentic understanding of your gender. Typically it’s because of inaccurate stereotypes. Sex cannot be assigned later in life. The problem is with thoughts and feelings, and you can get help aligning those with your body.
Episode Highlights:
How can parents raise young children in our culture today? What caused the rise in the transgender movement? What is our role in this discussion?
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I asked a group of our SHA kids how many had armed guards in their schools. About 75%—80% of their hands went up. Several more knew a school near them where a shooting had happened; and, one student had a shooting take place in the very school she attended. I can jog to a school from where we sit right now that had a shooting just a couple of years ago. And, in the late 90s, I went to church with a family, who’s kid would play all kinds of crazy music in our church parking lot after almost every service. About a year later this kid went on a shooting rampage in our small town, killing at least one person, shooting it out with police and then leading a police-chase all the way to the Florida line--about a 300-mile trek. And, when they caught him, I was watching him being arrested by Florida police on my TV screen in little Martin, GA.
Col. Dave Grossman is a US Army Ranger, a paratrooper, and a former West Point Psychology Professor. He has a Black Belt in Hojutsu, the martial art of the firearm, and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Col. Grossman’s research was cited by the President of the United States in a national address, and he has testified before the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Congress, and numerous state legislatures. Since his retirement from the US Army in 1998, he has been on the road almost 300 days a year, for over 19 years, as one of our nation’s leading trainers for military, law enforcement, mental health providers, and school safety organizations. The Missing Link in Teen Violence Col. Dave Grossman recently released a book entitled Assassination Generation, which he presented to the President and Senators during a meeting following the Parkland shooting. He also has several other books, including New York Best Sellers that have yet to have a single review. So why is that? The media certainly filters out the information that doesn’t match with their own agenda. One thing they are all invested in is that anything harmful can come through media. The violent stories, imagery and video games are said to have no impact on our society. The commercials are worth billions of dollars!
But Psalms 11 says God hates lovers of violence. Very rarely does the Bible discuss God hating. We need to take that very seriously. If we as parents love violent tv shows and movies, how do we train our children to love the things that God loves? Who do we really worship and who have we given our children to?
Another adverse effect that we aren’t discussing as a culture is sleep deprivation. It’s an epidemic across our entire civilization. In fact, one of the results of sleep deprivation can include schizophrenic episodes. Hallucinations can also occur after three days without sleep. Sleep deprivation appears to be the greatest predictor of suicide in our kids. In the military, suicides occur due to sleep deprivation, not combat. A non-combat vet is just as likely to commit suicide as a combat vet. Sleep deprivation is the missing link. In fact, a sleep-deprived person can be up to 5 times more likely to take their life. 18 hours without sleep and your impaired judgment are equal to .08 legally drunk. 24 hours your impaired judgment is equal to .10 legally drunk. Two nights without sleep and you are psychotic.
When you send your kid to bed at night, take their cell phones! No laptop in their room. When they go to their bedroom they need to sleep. The texts and the images that are sent to your child’s phone at all hours can’t just be “turned off” in their minds if the phone is in the room. They will be up all hours of the night trying to defend themselves, finding someone to stand with them. If we as parents can’t ignore that text message in the middle of the night, how do we expect our kids to?
I spoke to a parent who had a daughter, straight-A student and very smart who told him “you can trust me to have my phone.” So he did. Not long after, his daughter committed suicide.
As good parents, we want our posterity to flourish. So, what are we doing for our posterity's sake with respect to giving our kids an informed perspective on the subject of abortion? Are we training our kids to be bold warriors for life? Are we sure where they even stand on the issues?
Today we talk about the truth about abortion with Abby Johnson. Abby worked at Planned Parenthood in Texas for 8 years. She escorted women into the clinic to prevent them from being heckled by protestors. Eventually, she was promoted to center director. Many things started to disturb her, including watching a 13-month old struggle for its life during an abortion procedure. That led to her resignation a week later. In 2012 she started the ministry, And Then There Were None, an outreach to former abortion clinic workers. She is the author of two books including Unplanned, which details her work at Planned Parenthood and was just released as a film. Misguided Compassion Abby was an award-winning leader in Planned Parenthood, making good money, but she left it all. What was it that prompted such a radical turn? Abby explains that in October of 2009 she witnessed a live ultrasound-guided abortion procedure. “I knew then that there was life in the womb and there was humanity in the womb, and if that were true I’m on the wrong side of this debate.” Abby started speaking out and advocating for pro-life but also used her platform to really minister to and reach out to those who had been touched by or plagued by abortion. 61 million recording abortions have occurred since 1973. That’s over 120 million people who have been wounded by abortion, and we need to reach their hearts as well. “I never thought about the baby. You’re not trained to think about the baby. You’re only trained to think about the mother and her rights.” These are normal people coming out of normal jobs and suddenly they’re doing things they never thought they would possibly do.
Unplanned the movie received an R rating for the realistic depiction of abortion. It seems ironic and almost disturbing that a 15-year-old girl cannot go see a movie about abortion without her parent’s consent. However, she can walk into a clinic and physically have an abortion without that same consent.
There are many people who see abortion as a kind and compassionate act. What are we missing? There is misguided compassion there, but we are really missing a key piece of the puzzle if we aren’t looking at the compassion that should be granted to the unborn child. The service of disconnecting a mother from her unborn child is not compassionate. It’s really the antithesis of what compassion truly is. It’s a miscarriage of justice.
At one time the argument on whether or not the child was actually a “child” yet was a strong stance by the pro-choice movement. However, with the medical advances and the technology that is out there now, it is very undeniable that the fetus is a child. While some deny it, more and more people are willing to say “I know it’s human. I know it’s a baby and there’s a heartbeat. But I’m still ok to kill it.” We are seeing the evil coming to the surface.
How do we have the abortion conversation with our kids? When do we start talking about it? As early as possible! At 4 years old, Abby’s daughter was out with her praying at abortion clinics. Conversations need to be age appropriate, but they need to happen. You are not doing your child any favors by not talking to them about this issue. You are not protecting them! If you are not directing the conversation, someone else will be.
Episode Highlights:
What is the arguement for abortion today? How can we have compassion for those who are pro-choice in their stance and actions? How do we talk to our kids about abortion?
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Paul Coughlin, President and Founder of the Protectors, founded in 2005, was born from personal experience and a unique understanding into a fundamental weakness to existing anti-bullying programs. As a Target of bullying while in elementary school, Paul knows just how damaging such a campaign of cruelty can be to a person’s emotional and psychological wellbeing—damage that can harm a person well into adulthood. Some never recover. Practical Steps for Parents of Bullying Victims What are some of the most common mistakes parents make when a child approaches their parent about being bullied? First, a parent may tell their child to “just ignore it.” This is a fallacy and dangerous advice. A bully is looking to overpower and overwhelm, so they will choose the child that they believe won’t push back. When a child doesn’t push back, it is seen as a sign of weakness and an invitation to more aggressive action against them. In contrast, we need to teach our children how to use and wield the power of their words. They will be empowered when they do that and stand up to the bully.
One of the biggest things bullies look for is non-assertive body language. Bullies are profilers. It’s really a very criminal mindset in a young body. They seek out the kid who looks uncomfortable, is nervous looking and doesn’t walk with confidence. Oftentimes it can be the new kid who doesn’t have a support group or structure yet. We need to train our kids how to appear more confident and assertive. Train them to “fake it until they become it.”
You’ve heard the phrase “nobody likes a bully” but that doesn’t always appear to be true; especially in grades leading up to junior high. Early on, particularly in middle school, children and pre-teens tend to mistake power and strength. So while a bully has “power” he is not necessarily strong. As we get older we begin to see through it, but that takes time.
But what about the bullies? How do you turn bullies around? Serial bullies are highly resistant to change. Once they get the taste of bullying and the pleasure of it, it can be so intoxicating that it’s difficult to break that behavior. Many have an extreme sense of entitlement. Your average bully is narcissistic and arrogant. So what do you do with an arrogant person? They need to be humbled, not to be humiliated. They need to see themselves as equal to other people.
We highly recommend martial arts to victims, not so that they can beat someone up, but so that they can learn and gain confidence. They can learn the ability to move and speak with an air of confidence, they are just not as attractive to bullies. One of the things we try to do with kids who bully is explaining to them their charisma and ability to lead other people. We try to appeal to their sense of “healthy pride” and teaching them to use their powers for good. Martial arts for a bully can teach them to use strength to defend others than to attack. And it teaches restraint.
How can a parent detect when their child is being bullied. Look for behavior that is out of the ordinary or that you haven’t seen before. Look for signs of physical aggression or being aggressive in their speech. Sleep patterns can also change, which is also a sign of depression. A lack of interest in school or specific topics in school can also happen, particularly for kids who do well or used to be excited about school activities. Mysterious illnesses can also happen. We need to be cautious of these illnesses, as children aren’t always lying about being sick. There are kids who can become physically sick due to nervousness or stress.
Should parents intervene? 70% of victims don’t actually tell anyone. Part of the reason for that is that victims are afraid their parents will make it worse. Before school begins, say “you know what- I know that bullying is a pattern of behavior. It’s a use of power to intentionally harm someone without reason. In order for me to best help you,
Well, I was the oldest; so, I’ll leave it at that. But, I’ve certainly been the victim of bullying as a kid. I think we all have, in one way or another. I can remember the trauma of being a 4th-grader in a school that was only 4 doors down from my house. A 6th grader and his two high-school brothers, who happened to be my next door neighbors, and another 6th grader made it their daily ambition that year to use me as a human punching bag. So, it was a traumatic event every day at 3 O’clock, just to find a way to make it those 4 doors down from the school-yard to the refuge of my house which, had its own liabilities. Sometimes I made it; sometimes, I didn’t. But, I think bullies know that even if they win a real fight, they’re still likely to come away with some wounds, especially if the person they’re fighting has a just cause. And, to most bullies, I think it just isn’t worth it. Anyway, you asked about my experience. Now, let’s talk to the expert.
Paul Coughlin is an expert witness regarding bullying and the law and is a Fox News analyst and contributor. He is a popular speaker who has appeared on Good Morning America, Nightline, C-Span, The LA Times, The New York Times, Newsweek and other media outlets. Paul is a best-selling author of eight books, including Free Us From Bullying, as well as a former newspaper editor. He works with numerous professional organizations to diminish bullying, including the Baltimore Ravens. His anti-bullying curriculum is used throughout North America as well as in South Africa, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil among other countries. Paul is a boys’ varsity soccer coach, where he was voted Coach of the Year twice. Paul has also previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s School in Medford, Oregon. Paul is a popular men’s conference speaker who has inspired thousands across North America as well as in Wales and England.
Teaching Self-Defense on the Playground So why is bullying just now being brought to center stage? Paul suggests that the misconceptions around bullying have a lot to do with it. We have had a tendency to see bullying as a part of poor communication, misunderstanding, individuals unable to control anger, a right of passage. Perhaps the other thing that has brought us to the forefront of this issue is a perfect storm of diminished parenting, increasingly fragile children, and a new found ability to literally destroy a child through cyberbullying. His book may in fact not be such a needed resource today if it wasn’t for the internet.
How should parents train their kids to deal with internet bullies? A bully, regardless of a digital or physical one, wants to see their victim experience pain and anguish. This makes them feel alive and in control. It’s enjoyable to be a bully. As a response, a child can work to convince the bully that it doesn’t bother them and that the bully is failing. A great comeback really is the word “whatever.” It’s dismissive but it also defends your dignity and worth. This is a much more effective tactic than to erroneously ignore the bully and not say anything. If we don’t respond, it is taken as a sign of weakness. Weakness invites aggression. Train your child how to show strength in the presence of a bully. Don’t feed the machine!
We also need to point out that bullying is very different today than when many of today’s parents were kids. For example, we see “mob bullying” where one kid is up against 3-5 kids. That poor kid is more outnumbered today statistically than in the past and he/she needs help.
Some parenting tactics today have actually increased the impact of bullying. For example, one tactic would be to not say anything that would harm the bully’s self-esteem. In the process, we have created little monsters that grow up to be big monsters. The idea that a bully has low self-esteem is a fallacy. Bullies think they are wonderful. They are filled with a high sense of self-love.
Today’s kids are regularly hearing how fun, enlightening and innocuous pot is. It’s certainly safer than alcohol, they say confidently. And they’re hearing this information from the very elders from whom they should be learning responsibility and wisdom, no less. In fact, many states are not only legalizing marijuana for its medicinal benefits but, now, for recreational use also. And, our kids are taking notice. What should you tell your children about marijuana?
Alex Berenson was born in New York in 1973 and grew up in Englewood, N.J. After graduating from Yale University in 1994 with degrees in history and economics, he joined the Denver Post as a reporter. In 1996, he became one of the first employees at TheStreet.com, the groundbreaking financial news Website. In 1999, he joined The New York Times. At the Times, he covered everything from the drug industry to Hurricane Katrina; in 2003 and 2004, he served two stints as a correspondent in Iraq, an experience that led him to write The Faithful Spy, his debut novel, which won the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best First Novel. He has now written eleven novels and one work of nonfiction, The Number. We’ve invited Alex here today to speak on his book, Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence. Alex lives in Garrison, N.Y. with his wife, Dr. Jacqueline Berenson, their children Lucy and Ezra, their badly behaved dog Maggie, and Maggie’s dog Teddy.
The Marijuana Myth Many who hold the biggest microphones are pushing for the legalization and normalcy of marijuana use right now. Alex is seeing quite a bit of pushback on his stance and message, particularly from both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. We are finding that many for-profit companies (particularly those with a vested interest or potential stakeholders) are ready for the legalization of cannabis. We also find many nonprofits touting its praises, not because they particularly wish for profit, but because the legalization has been seen and marketed as a social justice issue.
From the nonprofit perspective, I think that if you want to legalize a banned substance then it is in your best interest to have the largest amount of people use it as possible. Create a large community of users or customers. A second reason for the promotion is that money often come from the for-profit to the nonprofits. Thirdly, many still view themselves as scrappy outsiders that are fighting for something, completely truthful or not. And we need to be honest about the real truth here.
You can say to your children that neither alcohol nor cannabis is safe for anyone under 21. But yes, we do see that alcohol has an affect on the development of the brain. We’ve also seen that can lead to schizophrenia and violence. While many may argue that correlation does not equal causation it's not just true that many who use pot become schizophrenic or violent. There is a lot of good biological evidence that shows why this correlation is real and how very strong it is. There’s never been a trial where we’ve given a group cigarettes and another have gone without and we come back in 20 years and see the results. But we know that cigarettes cause lung cancer. There is tremendous evidence. And while the evidence that cannabis causes schizophrenia is not quite that strong yet, but it is very strong.
Marijuana changes people’s personalities, and often in a negative way. It turns people inward. SO even with alcohol you hear about “angry drunks” or “happy drunks.” With marijuana you hear about the giggly stoner in a corner. I think that’s a dangerous thing to produce. It create solitude and selfishness. And it’s an interesting drug for this time when we are already withdrawing from the world through technology, our phones, etc.
Now not everyone who uses cannabis will become psychotic or schizophrenic. Of course that is a risk and once you break your mind that way,
What’s on your child’s play-list? What’s on your own? Today we’ll be discussing how the music and entertainment world could be affecting your child’s behavioral, emotional, physical and spiritual health. We’ve had several discussions in the past about the power of music and music’s role in cultivating, perhaps even creating, certain attitudes and behavioral issues in people; particularly in kids. When considering the content of so much of today’s music, why do so many parents, particularly Christian parents, seem to be so cavalier about this subject?
Today we talk about music and entertainment with Eric Holmberg. Eric Holmberg is the founder and director of Reel to Real Ministries, Inc. and The Apologetics Group. He is an ordained minister, author, speaker, and video documentarian, his work has been featured on many outlets such as the 700 club, Wake Up America, Truths that Transform, Focus on the Family Magazine and many more. He has also written and produced many videos covering everything from revival to rap music. His content has helped to transform the lives of many people around the globe. The Impact of Music Eric is the creator of Hells Bells and Hells Bells 2, which are incorporated into a series for our students here at Shepherd’s Hill Academy. But what is it about this, almost 20-year-old content of Hells Bells that continues to impact the lives of teens and adults alike?
When Eric was just a pre-teen he distinctly remembers coming inside for a glass of water between some outdoor chores. He heard a song on the AM station by a new band at the time called the Doors. Intrigued, he purchased the album and found something incredibly unique for that time; an 11-minute song. He played the tune and somewhere in the middle heard words about the singer killing his father and killing his mother and so on and so forth, he instantly recognized it as bad. The next thing he knew, he was listening to it again, and again. Music continued to be the center of his life as he continued to become darker and darker until Jesus changed his life in his early 20s.
Eric describes walking into his home and the Lord distinctly speaking to him that the area that held his once beloved music was, in fact, an altar. He was worshipping here. But it wasn’t the Lord. He rid himself of everything, listened only to Christian music and his entire outlook on life changed.
Argentina is largely a relatively Catholic society with very conservative views. One of the big phenomena of the country is talk shows. These talk shows show scantily clad women with shocking content, but it’s very popular. Basically, these talk shows began to talk about abortion and wanting to see the laws changed to support pro-choice. Gradually throughout the years, these once conservative women of Argentina began to believe that abortion was ok. That’s how media gains influence. So for anyone watching or listening thinking “I can listen to this stuff. I can watch this stuff. It’s not going to impact me,” you are wrong. Like a frog in boiling water, it does affect you.
The Bible talks very clearly about the effects of music. David used the harp to enter into worship. Trumpets and drums were used to pump up soldiers for battle. Horns blasted and the walls of Jericho fell down. There’s something in this 6th sense and beyond that maybe we can’t empirically defend but we see the effects. Parents, we see the positive effects of music. You can build your brain matter, like kids that can play the piano or read music. Why would we not assume the opposite to be true?
So what's the best way to teach your kids about music? Model it in your home. Fill your home with beautiful music and pray they develop a taste for it. You lead by example and influence in today's culture. Start those conversations early and use the available tools to explain the powerful impact of music on our lives.
Episode Highlights:
Does music really affect your spiritual life?
So, what should healthy masculinity for young men of any race actually look like in today’s politically-correct society? And how do we help our sons get there without making them feel like they need to apologize for how God has made them? Today we will be discussing Raising healthy, boys in an unhealthy world with Shepherd’s Hill Academy’s Buddy Prow.
Buddy Prow is the boy’s therapist at Shepherd’s Hill Academy and also leads Celebrate Recovery at the Pointe Church in Toccoa, GA. He holds a bachelors degree in Accounting and has received his master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. He is also pursuing his masters of Theology at Liberty University, completing his licensed professional counselor and master addiction counselor certifications. He also served for 6 years as a youth pastor at Lexington Baptist Church. For 10 years he has been a foster parent. He has served as a case manager. He and his wife have 10 children, 5 biological.
Godly Men and Toxic Masculinity Today we are going to focus on our sons and how to turn them into healthy individuals in their God-given masculinity. There are many things in today’s culture that should alarm us when it comes to raising healthy, godly sons. One thing we see in particular is from the emotional side, specifically anger that comes out in men. Anger is a secondary emotion that is often driven by fear or hurt in men. In today’s world, we have so many options that bring on anxiety, frustration, etc.
Many of the young men we see at Shepherd’s Hill Academy are angry at God. One reason is that they have come from Christian homes where hypocrisy is present. Sometimes in ministry, ministry becomes the mistress of their family. They are angry at God for taking away their parents for the sake of their “mission.”
Men are often the more unresponsive of the sexes. In a church setting, we see that pastors are gearing their sermons towards women because they are responsive, they show up, they are emotionally driven and the impact of the sermon is often more visible. So essentially by doing so, we are alienating men. Men don’t quite communicate in the same way. The other part is that every man’s deep down desire is to have significance, where a woman’s is to be safe. That is why we see that in a healthy relationship a man provides safety for the woman, who in turn provides him with significance.
But what does godly masculinity look like? It’s a quiet confidence. A man must know who they are every day. When you make your identity what’s around you, that changes every day. That’s unstable and unsettling. The best thing to do is to understand what God thinks of you. When you wake up every day you can know who you are and who God thinks you are and that never changes. Being involved in your child’s life is crucial. And be there from an early age to guide them through each stage of life. Allow your sons to try, fall, and try again while you are still around to help them.
Episode Highlights:
What is the difference between toxic masculinity and godly manhood? How do we train our boys up to be men of character? At what point do parents need to be involved in developing their child’s masculinity?
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This is especially true in a day when so many self-proclaimed Christians appear to be conducting their affairs and casting their votes as if they were more secular-minded than biblically-minded. Because, it’s quite possible that parents and children, alike—through our political views and voting habits—will be responsible for helping shape the kind of world our grandkids either have to inherit or get to inherit someday. Today we speak with Dr. Wayne Grudem, as he helps us examine how the Bible helps us navigate our political landscape.
Wayne Grudem is Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary in Phoenix, Arizona. He received a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.Div. and a D.D. from Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia, and a Ph.D. (in New Testament) from the University of Cambridge, England. He has published over twenty books, including Politics According to the Bible. This would be a great reference book for any family discussing over 60 political issues. He is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society, a co-founder and past president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and a member of the Translation Oversight Committee for the English Standard Version of the Bible. He and his wife Margaret have been married since 1969 and have three adult sons. Talking Politics and Religion How do political conversations, along with Politics According to the Bible, better help kids and parents participate in a political discussion? We have the privilege in the United States of living under a system where the government arrives at its powers by the power of the governed. This means we get to decide as a people, but we need the wisdom to choose rightly. The teachings of the Bible provide principals, morals and the proper role of government that help to guide us as we make these decisions.
The bible talks about God’s people having an influence on secular government. In Genesis 41:40, Joseph was second in command over the whole nation of Egypt! In Daniel, Nehemiah, and others, we see other godly figures in places of power. Another well-known bible character, Esther, was able to save God’s chosen people because of the place she was given. In the new testament, we also see figures such as John the Baptist, Paul and others.
How do we as believers engage in the current political and social climate? While some people will be very involved politically, run for office and become officials, others will seek to vote and possibly work more on a local level. That is all part of God’s calling on the individual. But as Christians, we are all called to pray for those in authority. We should not be overtaken by fear and worry, but warn our children against that and how to listen wisely to our media and news outlets.
It seems to me that kids these days aren’t even aware of our biblical heritage and Christian foundation. So how did we get to a place, biblical and morally and theologically where we are so divided? Dr. Grudem states that he is “not sure that we let it happen. The supreme court took to itself powers that it shouldn’t have and began to chip away at religion in general but Christianity specifically.” There is a need to reclaim the ground that has been lost by our supreme court. Romans 13 talks about obeying our government. We need to understand the structure of our government and who really has authority over the people.
Episode Highlights:
How should parents answer their kids who say that their vote isn’t really gonna change anything? We got to where we currently are in America—-politically, morally and ideologically-divided because—how? As parents, what, specifically, could we have done better; and, what can we be doing, now, to better prepare our kids to stem the tide of some of this political insanity and division we’re seeing today?
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I think you’d have to be blind or a liar to refute the fact that, by and large, today’s kids are not exercising the same degree of respect for their elders— or even their own parents—as they did just a generation or two ago. But, the distrust part of the equation, might not be so obvious. Why is that?
Josh Temple is 28 years old. He was raised in a Christian home but says he became an agnostic when he joined the army. During his first tour in Afghanistan, he said that he saw the enemy dying in the name of their god and began to wonder if he would be willing to do the same. God miraculously confirmed his faith but, when he got back home he found himself struggling with survivor's remorse. Fast forward he came to work at Shepherd’s Hill Academy and had the privilege of leading a student to salvation. The Lord confirmed to him that this was, in fact, one of the reasons his life was spared. He continues to work with teens at Shepherd’s Hill Academy and for the last 3 years has served as the lead pastor of Turnerville Church in Turnerville, GA.
Leading the Next Generation By Example When discussing the topic of maturity, one thing that Josh mentioned was how surprising it is that many parents come in to Shepherd’s Hill Academy afraid of their teens. As a young man with a grandfather who was “old school”, he never saw fear in his grandfather’s eyes; much less fear of him. “I remember meeting my first set of parents and being confused and amazed in the fear that I saw and I couldn’t understand why. Kids shouldn’t be running your life. You are setting the boundaries and sticking to them.”
Unfortunately, a lot of these parents let things slide when junior was very young and created the precedent for discipline. Now that junior is 15 years and 200 pounds he is suddenly “out of control.” Instead of discipline a lot of some parents want to film and record and put it on social media. Is it true that so much of what kids distrust and disrespect about their parents can be brought on themselves? For example, do some parents lack limits with their cell phone? Do they spend more time watching tv than interacting with family? Are their addictions in their life? I see so many parents dropping the ball, but it’s not equated with the child’s reactions.
The church is really lacking an element of accountability, especially when it comes to parenting today’s children and teens. We’re shooting ourselves in the foot! Confrontation is uncomfortable, but as Christians, we are told to confront and keep our brothers and sisters accountable. If you want your kids to read the bible and go to church, read your bible and go to church. If you don’t want your kids to drink, don’t drink in front of your kids. Don’t over complicate it. Your children are watching and they are following in your footsteps.
Episode Highlights:
What are today’s children seeing in their parents that may lead to increased disrespect? How can parents today provide a healthy example of living for their children? What is the role of the church in parenting and accountability?
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I think you’d have to be blind or a liar to refute the fact that, by and large, today’s kids are not exercising the same degree of respect for their elders— or even their own parents—as they did just a generation or two ago. But, the distrust part of the equation, might not be so obvious. Why is that? Today on License to Parent we will be speaking with a real “insider” on this topic, Josh Temple.
Josh Temple is 28 years old. He was raised in a Christian home but says he became an agnostic when he joined the army. During his first tour in Afghanistan, he said that he saw the enemy dying in the name of their god and began to wonder if he would be willing to do the same. God miraculously confirmed his faith but, when he got back home he found himself struggling with survivor's remorse. Fast forward he came to work at Shepherd’s Hill Academy and had the privilege of leading a student to salvation. The Lord confirmed to him that this was, in fact, one of the reasons his life was spared. He continues to work with teens at Shepherd’s Hill Academy and for the last 3 years has served as the lead pastor of Turnerville Church in Turnerville, GA.
Rules Without Relationship Produces Rebellion As a child, Josh grew up in a Christian home with a wonderful mother as a spiritual leader for his home. He was taught scripture and godly principles, growing up in that “bubble” of everyone being a Christian and that was how life worked and functioned. In 2010, he moved completely outside of that bubble when he joined the army. For the first time ever he had to make the decision whether or not to go to church and consequently found himself going less and less. There was no accountability and no one to keep his attendance in check. When he went overseas he saw what was happening on the other side of the world in the name of religion, naturally bringing up the question, “how can I believe that the God of the bible is the real, true God?”
One night he prayed and really let God have it. And it was at that moment that he experienced and knew that God was real. God isn’t real to us and cannot be real to us until we’re real to him. It is certainly true that many today don’t grow or experience God because they are afraid to ask questions. “That’s why I really challenge the guys here [at Shepherd’s Hill Academy] to ask questions. Not only does Christianity welcome questions, but it encourages them. ” The bible says to come taste and see that the Lord is good. Come and taste.
So how did Josh get from Afghanistan to Shepherd’s Hill Academy? In 2014 he was on his second tour and started to consider how cool it would be to start a place to send kids, take away their cell phones and make them live in a primitive state because he had gained such an appreciation for life because of his living conditions. Little did he know he would soon find a place exactly like he was describing.
The most important thing that the military was able to teach was the importance of boundaries. While we may not understand rules at the time, they are there for a reason. Bringing that mindset here, and enforcing rules consistently help the staff at Shepherd’s Hill Academy be successful in building trust and offering healing to the students. “I think that as a culture we have a twisted concept of what love is. Not telling someone the truth because it hurts is not love. Love is telling the bad news because it’s good for them. God loves us in a ridiculous way but bad things can and do happen. Jesus took a beating and death in the name of love.” Rules (or boundaries) without relationship (or love) equals rebellion. If there’s no relationship but only rules then rebellion is expected.
Episode Highlights:
What does true, biblical love look like? Why is it so important for your child’s faith to be built on a relationship rather than the tradition of our parents? How can these concepts help us develop the next Greatest Generation?
Too many parents look at entertainment, in general, but movies in particular, as a harmless engagement of time that allows us to escape into a world free of all the responsibilities and liabilities of life long enough to be refreshed in preparation for the real-world responsibilities of life. And, I think that for the most part, that’s exactly right. Just like, for the most part, cars are simply modes of transportation. They are not designed to ruin your life; but, to simply get you from place to place in a timely fashion. The problem is that too many people, particularly kids, get more than merely refreshed from movies and more than just where they're going with cars. Both cars and movies have liabilities to them and can even be dangerous to one degree or the other. The difference with movies over cars is that nobody is making a car that’s purposely designed to hurt/corrupt you or your kid. But, filmmakers can sometimes create movies with agendas that transcend mere entertainment value and, therefore, making them potentially dangerous to the viewer, depending on the audience. But, we have a guest, today, that’s working hard to help us with all that.
Dr. Ted Baehr is Founder and Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE®: The Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment and Chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission® ministry, as well as a noted critic, educator, lecturer, and media pundit. His life’s purpose, according to Ted, is to be used of God to redeem the values of the media while educating audiences on how to use discernment in selecting their entertainment. The Influence of Christian Families on the Entertainment Industry What is MovieGuide? Why did it begin? And how can Christian families benefit from it? Dr. Ted Baehr explains that there are two sides to this answer. MoveGuide was created to help parents choose movies and teach their children to use discernment. There is a principled approach to the analysis of movies. Some of it has to do with content, as well as theological issues and context. The goal of MediaGuide is for teens and children to learn discernment and make wise choices. The platform was born out of Dr. Baehr’s experience within the film industry. Growing up and raised by movie stars, Dr. Baehr leaned very much to the left on content and industry topics. However, God got ahold of him and he began to see the need for analysis of content in the entertainment industry, especially as it relates to our youth today.
How do we redeem the media? We teach our children to be media wise. When they then go and see movies they essentially vote with their dollars. When our children (as well as ourselves) go to movies that are clean, wholesome, don’t contain the violence or nudity that so many movies have, we show the industry with our presence that they really can fill a theater. Movieguide is then able to further influence the entertainment industry directly, noting movies they believe will be impactful for their audience. This allows us to not only influence producers but help show them the love of Christ.
But what about movies with a hidden agenda, specifically in relation to the LGBTQ? Dr. Baehr cautions parents to evaluate films and look for those hidden agendas. Some movies that have gotten great reviews from critiques do not get great reviews from MovieGuide. But the media is starting to take note of our presence at the movies. Did you know that of the top 10 box office films last year, not one had a hidden LGBTQ agenda? In the top 25 box office films, there were maybe 1 or 2 but they were at the bottom of the list. In turn, there were actually less gay/lesbian characters in films this past year in comparison to previous years.
Should Christian parents support films that aren’t necessarily “Christian?” A biblical worldview says that we live in a real world with real pain and suffering that needs a real savior. When we apply this to comic book movies, they are all over the map.
It’s been said that the family is actually the first and most foundational form of government. So, believe it or not; like it or not; accept it or not, as a parent, you’ve been appointed to a very high and important office! Because being a good parent is about being a good leader. And, so much of good leadership comes from the common sense values, feelings, and intuition that God, Himself, has put in you.
Dr. John Townsend is a business consultant, leadership coach, and psychologist. He has written or co-written 30 books, selling 10 million copies, including the New York times best-seller Boundaries series, Leadership Beyond Reason, and Handling Difficult People. For more than twenty years Dr. Townsend has engaged with leaders, organizations, and individuals around the globe, offering them life-changing solutions to their problems. He is a co-host of the nationally-syndicated talk show “NEW LIFE LIVE” which is heard in 180 markets with 3 million listeners. Dr. Townsend is also active on the board of Mustard Seed Ranch, a residential program for abused children. A resident of Newport Beach, California, Dr. Townsend and his wife Barbi have two sons, Ricky and Benny. One of John’s passions is playing in a band, which performs at southern California lounges and venues! Left Brain Logic & Right Brain Intuition Dr. John Townsend joins us today with a book written, not particularly on parenting, but on leading from the gut As parents, we can use these valuable concepts in parenting our children with God give intuition. But what does it mean to be leading from the gut? First off, when you think of parenting you think of leadership. As a parent, you are leading, guiding and structuring someone. Parenting is one of the most important leadership positions you can have. Everything in life starts with the family.
God gave us a brain that has two aspects to it: left side and right side functions. The left brain is logical and rational. The right side is creative, emotional, passionate and intuitive. What we find out is that a lot of people don’t trust the right side. However, both sides of the brain are necessary for good leadership. So the idea of Leading from the Gut is that as a parent we must go into it not using half a brain, but using our whole brain!
When you look at studies on intuition, a lot of intuition has to do with compressed memories. Memories and experiences allow us to “know what this is like.” There is also an intuitive gift, but most individuals have compressed memories that assist in making good calls and decisions. We have also found out that great leaders and parents with high IQs can be very intelligent and logical, but if they cannot read their own feelings or their own gut, their kids fail and their businesses fail. Trust what God created.
How can we make this concept real? What does it look like as a parent to lead from the gut? You have to pivot on your feet pretty quickly! Let’s look at an example where junior is flaking out on his homework. He has the potential, but he’s just not sitting down and working on his homework. The gut says that before I lay down the rules, I need to express how he feels so that he realizes I understand him. He needs to realize that I understand how he feels. The children who don’t learn discipline have very few choices in life. Leading with discipline allows our children to have choices and options later in life, based on their interests and passions.
Episode Highlights:
Identified resources to help parents lead from the gut use Does my child understand that I understand? How does this help me, as the parent, instill values and discipline? How does discipline set your child up for success?
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What’s the old saying? Too much of even a good thing is a bad thing, right? And, when it comes to the under-developed human brain, I think the internet has made a case for the idea that perhaps there’s a point when one can have too much knowledge. Isn’t that what got Adam and Eve kicked out of the Garden of Eden in the first place? They wanted something they weren’t supposed to be privy to (knowledge). Today we discuss teen smartphone use and how to balance the tech world with your kid with Axis CEO and Co-Founder, David Eaton.
David founded Axis because of his passion to see the good news about Jesus transform students, families, culture, and the beautiful-but-broken world that we live in! As CEO, he spends time collaborating with the Axis team, sharing our vision with generous friends of Axis, creating content that always surprises and intrigues, and answering email! David received his degree in engineering from LeTourneau University, where he served as Student Body President. He has spent a total of 10 months in 17 foreign countries. David loves his wonderfully creative wife Lindsey and their darling daughter Shiloh Abigail.
Reboot: Cell Phone Use and Parenting Talking to kids about smartphones- how do you do it? How do you gain control by setting the right boundaries while also building trust?
Parents can completely control their kid's phones by setting time limits, bedtimes, even shutting the phone off if they want to. But unfortunately, not many parents know this. Many feel that they are at the mercy of their child when it comes to smartphone use.
Axis can help you set up boundaries in a way that help you gain trust along the way. They offer a variety of resources including a 30-day reboot for parents. You can’t just give unfettered access to the internet.
We are better in community than we are in isolation. We are made for community and relationship. The phone offers us privacy and an entitled “right to privacy.” But no, that’s not accurate. As human beings, we realize that we need each other and are made for others to survive and thrive. But we are made for each other in all the aspects of communication. The smartphone takes that away.
David Eaton had a child tell him, “The stricter the parents, the sneakier the child.” That’s strictness without a relationship. At Shepherd’s Hill Academy we hear, “I hate my mom/dad. They never tell me no.” Sometimes there’s no other option than to do battle. Your kids actually want you to do battle and they want you to win. That’s where their sense of security comes from.
But how do we answer the idea of “the stricter the parent the sneakier the child? Let me ask you: “Are you raising a sin concealer or a sin confessor?” Are you modeling confession with your kids? At the root of the smartphone issue is trust. Lay out a map of what you are running towards rather than what you are running away from. Are you parenting your kid or is your smartphone parenting your kid?
Episode Highlights:
Identified resources to help parents in monitoring and balancing cellphone use Am I raising my child? Or is their phone raising them? What part does love and morality play in raising a teen with technology?
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We’ll be picking up a conversation we started last time with Dr. Quentin Van Meter concerning the physiological and psychological truths and myths relating to the LGBT community; particularly as they pertain to those struggling through transgender issues. Today, we’ll continue that conversation; but, we’re going to take a deeper look at the history, the key players and the politics that might put together some of the missing pieces of a puzzle that is, no-doubt puzzling to a lot of people today.
Dr. Van Meter is a Pediatric endocrinologist in Atlanta, GA. He is affiliated with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He received his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of medicine. He has been in private practice since 1991, after a 20-year career in the Navy medical corps. He moved to the Atlanta area where he developed his own full-time practice. He is a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at both Emory University and Morehouse schools of medicine. Earlier this year he stepped into the role of President of American College of Pediatricians.
The History, Key Players and Politics Today we join Dr. Quentin Van Meter on an examination of the mental health field and the influences into the LGBT movement. Dr. Van Meter identifies some of the key players in this shift and how they have impacted our society. If you missed Part 1 - be sure to listen to The Transgender Myth.
A concept has been developed that gender was fluid and that society could essentially change this. Dr. Money had an idea and decided to test this theory on a child to determine the success. These illegal acts were then published and have been woven into our society today. It was a dangerous process in which people have been experimented on to prove the theory.
Patients in such experiments and treatments were cited to have hormonal disorders or having other issues where, at birth, it was difficult to distinguish whether or not the patient was, in fact, male or female. A question was raised as to, “if we take someone who looks like a male but has the physical genitalia of a female but raise them as a male, what will be the outcome?”
Two classes of patients existed in these experiments. First, were the pediatric patients. Secondly, we see the adults who wanted to be the opposite sex (transexuals). Adults were treated with hormones and anatomically transformed as best as they could with the technology at the time. These procedures were then extrapolated and used on infants to test the theory. Infants were raised as the opposite sex and given the name of the opposite sex. The prestigious academic medical community at large had shunned these practices of Dr. Money.
A study was conducted in Sweden of those who had undergone gender transitions. Those who had worked to change their gender, whether through hormones and/or physical surgeries, had a 19% higher suicide rate than the general population. This was published in 2012. Sweden was incredibly tolerant and affirming of transgender. To say that these studies are not valid is a political agenda. It is not based on science.
By 2009 the endocrine society in the United States came up with a special interest group within themselves (all transgender agenda) and developed guidelines that were very similar to WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health), and made them recommendations.
But what can parents do, in today’s society, to raise healthy children who may question their gender? Compassion for the child is absolutely paramount. Parents need to express their love and accept the child at the moment for their suffering. They should work to seek out counseling. In fact, roughly 98% in boys and 88% in girls that a child will return to their biological sex following the removal of turmoil in their life. Sometimes this is a short process, but many times it is a long process. It requires family support.
Episode Highlights:
But today we are not living in a world of objective truth. We have found ourselves in a subjective universe where my truth is good for me. But what does that mean for our youth as they grow, learn and discover more about themselves? How do we help them understand and navigate the difficult period of life called adolescence? Today, Dr. Van Meter joins us to speak on some of the gender issues and topics in the headlines today.
Dr. Van Meter is a Pediatric endocrinologist in Atlanta, GA. He is affiliated with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He received his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of medicine. He has been in private practice since 1991, after a 20-year career in the Navy medical corps. He moved to the Atlanta area where he developed his own full-time practice. He is a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at both Emory University and Morehouse schools of medicine. Earlier this year he stepped into the role of President of American College of Pediatricians. Gender Identity Disorder and Gender Dysphoria Endocrinology is the study of hormones and their action within the body. It is a very logical balance of nature that flows out of the basis of science. The hormones that govern how we develop from the fetal stage up to birth essentially create the anatomical outward appearance of our biological sex. Our biological sex is not assigned by a physician at birth but is created at the moment of conception. We do not decide this as a professional.
There are a lot of parents out there that are hearing terms like gender dysphoria and gender identity disorder. Gender identity disorder was a term used to describe the emotional condition and suffering around not identifying yourself as the same as your biological sex. What has happened with the term and language over time, when you fill out a form there’s a 50/50 chance that you will check a box for your sex or gender? But really what it is is sex. It is not a connotation of sexual activity, but it is biological. It is male or female. Gender is a linguistic term developed later that referred to languages such as French or German. It did not deal with humans until Dr. John Money later started using the term as the internal sexual identity that a person perceives. The concept of gender is that it is separate from sex. It is a social construct that the person believes or perceives themselves to be. Sex is physiological. Gender is psychological.
Gender identity disorder was a term used to describe the concept of feeling born into the wrong body. This was thought to be or suggested to be a mental state that was an actual disorder. The pressure was to normalize this, suggesting that there cannot be treated because if it’s normal it does not require treatment. Dr. Zucker was behind changing the term in the DSM-5 to gender dysphoria which means “out of sync” as a caveat for an individual to receive medication. He created this term so that an individual believing they were in fact born into the wrong body but had some sort of associated mental suffering could receive treatment.
But are transgender individuals born that way? Dr. Van Meter states that “there is no biological evidence, and has it ever been searched for. Dr. Francis Collins stated that there is absolutely no biological evidence for same-sex attraction or transgenderism.” There are a number of theories that have been evaluated. One theory is that there is likely a personality type that is vulnerable to develop into same-sex attraction. However, this has not yet been shown in these studies.
There was a study done with London cab drivers before GPS. These drivers had memorized every grid of the streets that they needed to take their passengers. They knew everywhere they had to be to be licensed as a cab driver. Their brains were physically different. This was not something they were born with. This is called neuroplasticity. The same thing would be said of same-sex individuals.
Could we actually be the financiers and the brokers between our own kids and the Silicon Valley iSlave masters who’ve marketed their wares to our children’s carnal appetites, habits and addictions? Have we mortgaged our kids’ childhood for a convenient digital babysitter that molests our kids with amusements that destroy brain matter, personal relationships, emotional health, and spiritual well-being? And, like the slavery debate that divided the church—and our whole country—back in the 1860s, some Christians, today, are finding that other Christians seem to be perfectly OK with it all. Examining the risk against the reward of naively following today’s digital status quo.
Tom Kersting is an expert in the field of mental health, families, parenting in the digital age, and over-device use, as he provides advice to millions of people through regular television appearances, radio and print media, books and private sessions. He is a straight shooter, and passionate about helping families whether in crisis or just in disaccord.
Tom holds advanced degrees including a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Thomas Aquinas College, a Master’s degree in Counseling & Human Development and a second Master’s in Administration & Supervision, both from Montclair State University. Tom also holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Hypnotherapy (alternative/non-traditional) from Kona University. Tom is also a former semi-professional baseball player, an avid golfer and dedicated to fitness. Brain Pathways, Digital Withdrawl, and a Need to Disconnect Tom Kersting’s book, Disconnected, stemmed from an observation he made in his private practice about ten years ago. “What I write about in my book, Disconnected, began when I found a tremendous amount of teenagers being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, many years ago, and I knew that something was wrong. I did some research and found that screen time was changing brain neuro pathways and creating a lack of focus and inattentiveness. I released the book because what I am seeing from a family perspective is discord.”
One term used to describe today’s social media hold on American youth (and adults) is iSlavery. Essentially, technology is a media for control. This has been witnessed time and again in our culture, as tech gurus, investors, and early adopters have come forward about the ill intentions of technical giants. There is a Waldorf school out in Silicon Valley. This is a school that uses a pencil and paper and virtually no technology. 70% of the students are children of big tech companies.
But what is actually happening to the brains of children who have access to screens at a young age? If you’ve ever seen the photo of a brain you’ve seen what looks like a tree branch. Those are neuro pathways. Each of those pathways is critical to human function. You need one to communicate, one to focus, one to cope, so on and so forth. Now when the brain is involved in something highly stimulating for 3 hrs or more per day, the brain will grow new pathways to adapt to that environment. The average child is spending an average of 9 hrs a day on digital technology, and their brains are adapting. The ripple effect is increased anxiety, etc.
There is also a new sense of divisiveness within our country today, largely in part to the expansion and growth of technology and social media. When did something like politics suddenly become the mainstay in everyone’s life? Because of social media and the deluge of information, people are being so easily led and are allowing media to create beliefs for them.
We want to equip parents to deal with the issues that we are talking about today. But how do you start limiting screen time and smartphone access? What if they can access it on the device of others? In all of my lectures, no parent has ever raised their hand in one of my lectures to say they think that giving a child access to all the information they ever wanted was a good idea.
Integrity is the evidence that one’s selfish interests are subordinate to the greater and more transcendent good of the masses. It’s what God wants within us to properly represent and serve Him. Integrity is also what we want in our kids to properly represent us as parents, along with our name’s sake. For the Christian, our integrity may be our greatest means of proving God’s authority in our lives—it’s worship in the truest sense.
Karen Budzinski is a teacher who shares her passion to live victoriously, and leads groups of all ages from birth to seniors both in the United States and abroad. Her signature class, Building Better Relationships, is taught in her home several times a year. Karen and her husband, Gary, reside in Michigan. Beginning in 1984, they were blessed with 5 children in a 5-1/2 year time span. Their family has grown to their five adult children, their spouses, ten granddaughters and four grandsons. Together, Gary and Karen became Certified Presenters of the National Center for Biblical Parenting curriculum, Cooperation, Consequences and Keeping Your Sanity. Karen began teaching marriage classes in December 1981. She has worked in many areas of ministry in the Church and the community since then.
Taking Time to Instill Integrity in Our Kids
The word “integrity”—like so many terms today—is another word that’s slowing being redefined from its original meaning and intent. I’m finding that the more our society strays from its biblical foundation and morals, the word integrity itself is becoming redefined to mean something different than you and I have always understood it to mean. More and more, integrity is about taking care of number one. It’s about being true to yourself—whatever that actually means. There used to be a self-sacrificial component to the term “integrity,” that seems to be ebbing away in recent times. Integrity also used to involve people adhering to a moral principle or principles that transcended their own individual interests or desires. It could cost someone time, money, reputation—maybe even their life—to remain steadfast and do the right thing. “The right thing” was always assumed, understood, and accepted by the masses and was always something that was good for the masses—and not just the individual.
Just one small example of what I’m talking about—as it relates to parenting—is the fact that people used to stay married for the sake of their kids, the greater society, and for God. That required sacrifice and commitment that put others’ interests ahead of self.
Another example is when school teachers would call parents and report that little Johnny was disruptive in school. Parents would most often side with the school teacher for the sake of objective truth, and what’s best for—not just little Johnny—but the entire class. Today, if little Johnny reports an entirely different perspective on the situation than the teacher, parents are too often quick to side with their kid. The teacher is then put on trial for unfairly singling out little Johnny for whatever reason. Building children of integrity—as God defines integrity—should be the goal of any parent who claims to be a child of God.
Integrity cannot exist without a common moral standard, nor is it a line that is moveable. As we’re raising our children, a lot of times we can see that we’re disciplining them using the same negative traits that we’re attempting to correct. It’s important that parents use integrity when attempting to instill integrity in their kids. In addition to this, it’s important for parents to be watchful for teachable moments. We get very caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle, and can sometimes forget to look for those moments. The devil likes to use our busyness as a way of distraction, and we can’t allow that to take away opportunities to instill integrity into our children’s lives.
Episode Highlights:
How is society changing our view of integrity?
Of course, anything that one values to the point of occupying the lion’s share of his/her thoughts, time, talent, treasure, and energy can also be considered their idol. God will not compete with idols, nor can He bless a life that—for all intents and purposes—puts a greater value on the created than the Creator. Have our kids become the social animals that God never intended them to be?
A graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory, Jonathan Green’s documentary and scripted films have screened at various domestic and international festivals including Barcelona, Cyprus, SXSW, and Cannes. His short documentary The Birth of the Camera Phone premiered on the National Geographic short film showcase and was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick. He also received a Webby Award for his two interactive short films journaling the struggle of children victimized by the African AIDS pandemic. Currently, Jonathan helms Subconscious Films, the original content banner of Conscious Minds, developing both documentary and scripted projects across multiple genres. The Risks and Rewards of Instagram and How Parents Can Navigate Them Jonathan Green’s latest short film, Social Animals, explores the great influence of Instagram on the younger generation. Instagram is currently the juggernaut of the social media field, which prompted him to make it the focus of his new film. Most teenagers today were not introduced to social media and the idea of rapidly sharing pictures with each other; rather this was the world they were born into. The goal of the film is to view the ways in which Instagram can bring people together and create a community, while also exploring some of the dark areas and hidden risks of the social media giant.
Bullying is one of those hidden risks that teenagers experience via Instagram, or any digital communication for that matter. There seems to be this empathetic disconnect that comes into play once someone is writing from behind a screen. Digital bullies say things to people they would never feel comfortable saying directly to that person’s face. When people are cruel to each other in the real world, they have to see a person’s expression and recognize the cruelty they just inflicted upon them. The digital world removes that humanitarian aspect and empowers bullies to say the cruelest things possible, without having to process the pain they inflicted on another human being.
There are, of course, other dangers within Instagram, but it may not be so simple to discount the social platform as a whole. After all, direct messaging on Instagram is not all that different than texting. Instead of writing off Instagram, which is simply a tool, it may be more beneficial to instill certain virtues in teenagers that will carry through to the digital world. Even still, the innovations of Instagram and other social media are outpacing our ability as parents to decide how to manage it. It takes longer to evaluate the psychological and spiritual impact that social media is having on our kids than it does to develop and introduce new communication tools. It’s for this reason that parents need to decide if, and how quickly, they want to introduce their kids to these social media platforms.
Episode Highlights:
An introduction to the short film, Social Animals. Why does bullying seem to come so easily across digital media? How parents can combat some of the risks associated with Instagram usage.
Picture via: Pxhere
Media and entertainment are just two of these vehicles through which our kids interact and form ideas, while our government, the mental health industry, and education are just a few of the “institutions” that actually codify these interactions and ideas.
Tina Marie Griffin went from baling hay and milking cows on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to working as an actress in Hollywood. At the age of 20, she drove 2,000 miles west and enrolled at California State University – Los Angeles to pursue a film and TV broadcasting degree and start her acting career. When she isn’t traveling and speaking, you will find her busy writing radio spots, blogging, cooking, camping, traveling, homeschooling her 4 munchkins or having a romantic date night with her best friend – husband Luke.
Why Parents Need to Educate Themselves About Today’s Popular Teen Entertainment
I’m seeing more and more that parents don’t have a clue about what’s going on in pop culture these days. Take Netflix, for example. Just over the past six months, they’ve put out a slew of inappropriate tv shows geared toward teens. One of these, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, highlights the occult and demonic activities. This is currently one of the most popular shows on Netflix, and our kids are paying attention. Recently, there were a couple of girls in Florida, aged 11 and 12 years old, who were watching these types of programs, and planned to kill 15 people in their school before then killing themselves. What we’re seeing is that entertainment is brainwashing our children on how to carry out these heinous crimes.
A few other programs kids and teens are watching, that parents may not be aware of, include:
Lucifer: In this show, the devil is viewed as the good guy. The viewers feel sorry for him, because God kicked him out of Heaven, and it makes God out to be the bad guy for kicking him out.
Anne with an E: This is not your mom’s Anne of Green Gables. Recently, the show added five new characters, all of whom are lesbians.
Fuller House: Again, not the wholesome we remember. This reboot contains a lot of sex-saturated themes. All the girls have, of course, grown up and are in their 30’s. Most of them wear a lot of low cut tops and really short skirts. By episode 13 of the first season, two girls are kissing and two guys are as well.
13 Reasons Why: Cutting and suicide are promoted. Kids have committed suicide themselves after watching this show.
Entertainment is having a major influence on religion within the United States as well. I was recently made aware of the fact that witches outnumber Presbyterians in the US, and the religion of Wicca and paganism is growing astronomically. I’m hearing from friends about the number of people joining Wicca, as well as hearing from kids about what is going on within school walls.
Parents need to wake up to these issues, and the Counter Culture Mom app is one tool parents can use to fight them. In this app, parents receive weekly notifications about things that are coming out in about 48 hours, what these things entail, and some talking points to cover with their kids to help steer them clear of it. We, as parents, need to help our kids learn the importance of making wise media choices. Believe it or not, several celebrities have themselves admitted to sheltering their kids from the entertainment that Hollywood is putting out. They recognize that it’s not appropriate for their kids, so why is it appropriate for ours?
There are a lot of positive alternatives to these programs that are available. Counter Culture Mom has created a parent media guide that helps parents do a pop culture purge in their home. Parents can easily get their hands on this resource by texting the word “guide” to the number 444999. It will ask for your email, and once you enter that information, you will receive this four-page PDF guide.
Episode Highlights:
Examples of shows with inappropriate content ...
When these people of influence, whether they be doctors, lawyers, therapists, entertainers, athletes, educators, politicians, and even clergy, all accept and promote something as logically inconsistent as gender fluidity, who are we to say otherwise? Any prudent individual would conclude that we would be the wise parents that our kids need in a world of educated fools. Today, we’ll pick up where we left off last time with our guest, Dr. Michelle Cretella, as we attempt to bring some sanity back into a conversation—a conversation that too often doesn’t exist at all.
Dr. Michelle Cretella is Executive Director of the American College of Pediatricians, where she’s become one of the college’s chief researchers, writers, and spokespersons on issues in pediatric mental and sexual health. Her article, Gender Dysphoria in Children and Suppression of Debate, was published in the 2016 summer issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. She serves on numerous national medical committees, and is a parent herself. Dr. Cretella and her husband have three sons and a daughter.
How Transgender Ideologies Are Changing Our Culture
Transgender ideology claims that sex and gender are not synonymous with one another. This ideology claims that we have a biological sex as well as a separate gender identity, and this gender identity may or may not match our biological sex. I call this an “ideology,” simply because there is no scientific evidence to support this claim of a separate gender identity.
As with most cultural revolutions, the transgender movement began with the changing of the language. To some, this transgender movement came out of nowhere, but it’s actually been a long time coming, simply because of the changing and manipulation of the language. Back in the 1950’s, there were two pedophiles, Dr. Harry Benjamin and Dr. John Money who were heavily involved with men who wanted to be women. The doctors got the idea that they would tell the community that they were treating these men’s gender identities. This term had never been used prior to this. Afterward, feminists began using this same language saying that gender was merely a social expression of sex stereotypes. Then there were the queer theorists who said that gender also means various sexual attractions. Sexual revolutionists of the 1960’s, who then went into higher education on college campuses, helped to develop this entire language that was ultimately used by transsexual adults to argue that they were born this way.
In order for this ideology to be turned around, it’s going to take a mass civil disobedience. What I mean by this is that these families who think they are immune to these issues need to realize that it’s going to have an effect on them. For instance, there was a little five-year-old girl in Georgia who was sexually assaulted in the bathroom by a five-year-old boy who identified as non-binary. The schools aren’t allowed to tell parents when a child claims a different gender identity and is allowed to use the opposite gender’s bathroom. The reason schools can’t relay this information is because of how President Obama changed the wording of the Title IX law.
So what is the effect of these transgender ideologies on our kids? What we’re seeing is that the number of kids, from preschool through high school, claiming transgenderism is skyrocketing. This is happening all over the world. You may be wondering how kids as young as five have any sort of understanding of sex, but we are living in a culture where pornography is pervasive. We’re giving cellphones to two year olds. Children as young as age six are being exposed to pornography accidentally by way of this cell phone usage. There are studies now where 11-year-olds are addicted to pornography. There are also numerous children's books, including those geared toward preschoolers, about normalizing gender fluidity. Parents have to be very proactive in discussing the school c...
As if adolescence wasn’t confusing and traumatic enough, what does it say to a pubescent young man or young woman when they’re now given the option—by supposedly educated professionals and parents who love them —to become the sex of their choosing? This, despite empirical evidence to the contrary.
Dr. Michelle Cretella is the Executive Director of the American College of Pediatricians, as well as a general pediatrician with a special interest in behavioral pediatrics. She’s become one of the college’s chief researchers, writers, and spokespersons on issues in pediatric mental and sexual health. Dr. Cretella is commonly consulted by Breitbart News, Family Research Council, One News Now, and many others. Her article “Gender Dysphoria in Children and Suppression of Debate, was published back in 2016 in the summer issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Cretella serves on numerous national medical committees, and after 15 years of group practice in rural Connecticut and Rhode Island, where she now lives, she left clinical practice to devote more time to her family.
Why We Need to Uphold the Medical Definition of Sex
According to Dr. Michelle Cretella, the debate over gender dysphoria is more of a theological debate than a scientific one. There is currently no science, because the transgender activists say that people have two things. They say that people have a sex, which is determined by having either XY or XX chromosomes. The activists then continue by saying outside of having a biologically determined sex, humans have a gender identity. This, they say, is not determined by your DNA, but rather controlled by your brain, and your brain and body can be on different pages, so to speak. The issue with this theory is that the brain is a part of the same body and is affected by the same hormones generated by your biological sex. There is no way to study an infant or adolescent to determine transgenderism, because biologically-speaking, we don’t have genders. We, as humans, only have sex. There is no scientific evidence to the contrary.
If this can’t be a scientific debate, then it really comes down to ideology and semantics. We, as Christians, were meant to discover God’s creation here on Earth. We were intended to use the scientific method to study His creation and understand how it functions. If you have someone who does not believe in God, or at least a creative designer, they see man as the ultimate authority and use science as a way to overcome nature. Sex and gender, for the secularists, is their false premise, in the eyes of Christians. To the secularists, however, God is our false premise. Both worldviews are received on faith, based on what each believes to be true.
These theological debates over sex and gender have, of course, had an effect on the American government. When Barack Obama was in office, he changed the definition of ‘sex’ in law to include gender identity. What we have heard recently is that Trump is now trying to make his own changes in relation to the definition of sex, and this is not so. Obama changed the definition of sex in Title IX and Title VII from sex, alone, to sex and gender identity. Because of this move, we are now seeing men who claim to be women entering women’s shelters, prisons, etc. What the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services is doing is defining sex as it always has been defined. The Trump administration is not making a change to the definition of gender, as the media likes to report it, they are upholding the medical definition of sex in law, as it always was.
As American citizens, we need to stand up against the transgender movement, and their redefinition of sex in the law. One thing you can do is go to the American Family Association website, where you will find the most up-to-date petitions. The one that’s going around now is Thank President Trump for Defining Sex Correctly. Just to reiterate,
Though many of our kids appear to acclimate to what society throws at them, there are still many kids who haven't fared so well. They’re having a tougher time coping with things they were never designed to encounter at such a tender age. They have been called rebels, outcasts, troubled teenagers, latchkey kids, juvenile delinquents, and a whole host of other not-so-flattering monikers. Today we're going to be discussing ways to mitigate some of that pain.
Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known psychologist, and New York Times best-selling author of more than 60 books. His books include, “The Birth Order Book,” “Have a New Kid by Friday,” and, of course, the book we are discussing today, “When Your Kid is Hurting: Helping Your Child Through the Tough Days.” Dr. Leman and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson, Arizona and have five children and four grandchildren.
How to Help Your Hurting Kid in Today’s Cruel World
Today’s kids are experiencing a completely different way of life than previous generations. Though many kids have been bullied or picked on at some point in their lives, you can tell if your child has been traumatized by their withdrawal. They don’t want to go to school anymore, they start dressing differently, they show a lack of interest in things they once did regularly, or you may not see the friends that you’re used to seeing. An example of a traumatizing situation would be a girl who is a part of a close group of friends, a third pea in a pod if you will, who is ousted by this group for having said or done something they deem unkosher. Suddenly, she’s hearing that she’s no longer welcome to be a part of the group and that nobody likes her. “When Your Kid is Hurting,” is going to equip that kid with comebacks for situations like that.
This book not only gives examples of comebacks for kids that can be applied to various situations, it also teaches the difference between a good response and bad. A bad comeback would be saying to a kid, “You’re ugly,” in response to that kid calling them fat. This type of response only serves to up the ante. A better way of handling this situation is to say something like, “Wow, I didn’t realize you felt that bad about yourself.” When you say something like this to a kid, they will shrink, especially when surrounded by a peer group. As you equip your kids with information like this, they will begin to see you as a resource; someone with wisdom that can be turned to in difficult times.
Another issue that is discussed in Dr. Leman’s book, is that many parents rush to rescue their kids. While there are times to do this, you shouldn’t do for your kid what they can do for themselves. When a kid hurts yours, the knee-jerk response is to go confront that kid yourself. It’s far better that parents learn to think their way through these situations, and respond versus react. Responding, sometimes, is as simple as communicating to your kid that you see they are hurting and that things aren’t well. Once that door to communication is open, you’ve got to be able to discuss their issues without any judgement from you. Reacting in judgement to what they are telling you will only serve to drive them away.
Not only are today’s kids plagued with internal struggles, they’re also surrounded by confusing and scary situations occurring in the world around them. Things like mass shootings and natural disasters can be very impressionable to young children, and often times scare them. Screen time should be very limited for children, but when they do see things like this going on in the world, you need to help reinterpret these occurrences. Help them realize how far away these instances are, or point out the proximity of their support group, such as their church, school, grandparents, etc. They need to hear the message that they are safe where they are.
Parents need to understand that to one degree or another, your kid is hurting and that hurting process is there every singl...
Is it really that hard to find a church that glorifies God and makes genuine disciples? How do we really know what a healthy and well-balanced churches looks like? Further, of the myriad of churches to choose from in America today, how do we really determine which congregation is right for our family?
Jeff Appling is in his 29th year of pastorship over The Grove Church in Maysville, GA. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married 35 years, and have three children, one son in law, and two grandchildren. Jeff says that one of his greatest blessings is that all of his children are still on the team, and still love God.
How to Identify and Find a Healthy Church
When looking for a healthy and well-balanced church, you want to look for a few things. The most important thing you want to look for, however, is who the central personality is in that church. Often times, the church may make that into the pastor or a certain group of people, when the central person should be the Lord Jesus Christ. You’ll find Him as the preeminent figure within any healthy church. Other signs of a healthy church are that they are founded in sound doctrine, focus on biblical preaching, and preach on biblical theology.
Further, the focus of an individual church should not be on just the programs of that church. Programs are things that churches do. The church needs to be more concerned about who they are, rather than just what they do, and then do what they do out of who they are. We, as Christians, are Christ followers. We take up our cross and die daily, and have a mandate from God to follow and obey His Word. A church that is healthy will be a church that focuses its heart on the aforementioned biblical preaching and sound doctrine, and they should do what they do based on that, rather than just looking for things to do. The heart of the church should be on God’s Word and doing the work that He has called all of us to do.
When looking for a church, it’s common to wonder if you should choose based on the interest-level of your kids. As much as we may want our kids to be involved, the decision to attend or not attend needs to come from the parent. A child will actually be better off if a common-sensed, Holy Spirit-filled parent makes the decision of attendance.
Another common concern for parents is whether or not the youth group is entertaining to their kids. The thought, typically, is that if the kids enjoy the program, they will want to continue coming. Entertainment can be ok, but entertainment doesn’t keep the kids there. The reality is that children and teens have to be grounded in the truth of God’s Word in order to withstand what they face daily. Below the entertainment, should be a desire to put the Word of God into the hearts and lives of the youth group attendees. When kids see lives change, apart from the entertainment, that becomes so compelling that it encourages them to keep coming back.
Episode Highlights:
How to define a healthy and well-balanced church. How important are program offerings within a church? Should you choose a church based on more your kids than yourself? Some of the challenges Youth Pastors and Leaders face.
Picture provided by: Виталий Смолыгин, via Public Domain Files
If there is a silver lining, it might be that foreign missionaries have indeed come to evangelize, and right in our own backyard. What exactly is this evangelism “thing” anyway, and why is it so important that we not only learn to practice it, but also to teach our kids to do likewise?
Ray Comfort is the founder and CEO of Living Waters. He is also a best-selling author of over 80 books, including: God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life, How to Know God Exists, and The Evidence Bible. Ray co-hosts the award-winning television program, Way of the Master, that airs in nearly 200 countries. He is the executive producer of a number of films, including: 180, Evolution vs. God, Audacity, and many more. Ray is married to Sue, and has three grown children.
Why Christians Can’t Ignore the Call to Evangelism
We live in a culture that undermines biblical worldviews. If Christians were nervous to evangelize before, I would say they’re even more nervous to do-so today. The fact that the God of the universe is using us to do His bidding is a very big responsibility.
Evangelism, as defined by Ray Comfort, is, “...going somewhere you don’t want to go to tell people something they don’t want to hear.” Because Hell exists, we can’t live a life of self-indulgence. Many people have forgotten about the reality of Hell. Evangelism, however, can be a scary thing. The best way to get over this fear is not to pray for less fear, but rather to pray for more love. Let that love provoke you to move past the fear of evangelism, and reach out in those uncomfortable situations.
Approaching someone who may not believe in Heaven or Hell can seem like even more of a challenge. How do you convince someone of something that they don’t believe in? Everyone’s conscience will affirm the truth of the commandments. You can say to someone that it’s wrong to steal, or it’s wrong to commit adultery, and they will agree with you. This is because of the work of the conscience. Conscience literally means, “with knowledge.” By appealing to the truths of the commandments, you can bring people to fear the judgement of the Lord. As you can see in this case, fear is not always a bad thing.
There are cases, however, especially in today’s mixed-up society, that a person’s conscience seems so seared that they may not be able ascertain the truth. How then do we approach these folks? You have to believe that, as the Bible teaches, every living person has the light of the Truth within them. If you know that person’s sins, don’t approach them in a judgmental way. With a homosexual person, for example, don’t confirm to them that you are nothing more than a fundamentalist bigot by bringing up their homosexuality. Use the Law to bring the knowledge of sin. Ask this person if they’ve ever committed other sins, lying, cheating, etc. to show them that they have some work to do before Judgement Day. Trust that once they’re brought to Christ, that the sin of their homosexuality will fall away with the old, and new desires will emerge when they are born again. We’re not called to start fights, but rather approach people with gentleness.
Not every Christian is called to be an evangelist, and go door-to-door, but evangelism is a part of every Christian’s duty. There is a real Hell, and it’s our duty to warn people. Evangelism is simply love in action. Everlasting life is a gift from God, and we should be shouting it from the rooftops. We can’t allow fear to keep us from sharing this free gift. If we’re called to love our neighbor as ourselves, we have to be just as concerned with their salvation as our own.
Episode Highlights:
How to get over the fear of evangelism. How do you approach people who may not believe in God, or even Heaven and Hell? What do you do if a person seems too hardened against the truth of the Gospel? Evangelism is the duty of every Christian.
Picture provided by: Fennec via Wikimedia Commons
Are American teens and young adults really that mentally ill, compared to the rest of the world, or could it be that we’ve needlessly medicated our kids for problems and behaviors that are largely caused by growing up in today’s toxic American culture?
Tina Marie Griffin went from bailing hay and milking cows on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, to working as an actress in Hollywood. At the age of 20, she headed 200,000 miles west, and enrolled at California State University Los Angeles to pursue a film and tv broadcasting degree to start her acting career. She has, since that time, appeared in numerous Hollywood films and many television programs, including Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Young and the Restless, Beverly Hills 90210, Ally McBeal, Lizzie McGuire, Drake and Josh, and Malcolm in the Middle. For the past 12 years, the former actress and pop culture expert has traveled the globe to reveal how pop culture and media glamorizes harmful behaviors, without showing the consequences. Tina has a husband, Luke, and together they have four children.
Why the Entertainment Industry Facilitates a Culture of Mental Illness
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is not a Christian organization, but I was present when Dr. Foltz stated that simply providing a safe place for kids will positively affect the emotional health and behavior in children. These safe spaces are living environments that are free of danger and undue stress - moral, physical, or psychological. Shepherd’s Hill Academy is one on those safe spaces.
We’ve seen first hand what consistent guidance, love, and respect from responsible adults, who exemplify godly character, does for a teen. Healthy emotions begin to return to kids who’ve been previously rebellious, defiant, or diagnosed with psychological and/or emotional disorders. What we’ve noticed here at Shepherd’s Hill, however, is that this healing occurs much faster when you remove the technology abuse, media lies, distorted world view, violent video games, false premises, sexual perversions, etc. This is how 70% of students that come in to Shepherd’s Hill on boat loads of medication no longer need it when they leave. It would seem that growing up in America can be hazardous to your health!
So why do most parents fail to heed our warning cries for wiser and more biblical protocols when it comes to their kids entertainment habits? It’s typically because the parents’ entertainment habits are just as bad as their teenager’s. Often, we find that parents not only turn a blind eye to their teenager’s unhealthy habits, they’re partaking in them themselves. We’ve become a nation of idollators who are addicted to self, entertainment, and pleasure. Smartphones have become a catalyst for our human sin nature, and this is even more amplified when that technology is in the hands of our kids. There is an old saying, “More is caught than taught,” and this is particularly true when kids are observing our behavior and habits as parents.
Safe living environments positively affect the behavior in children. Why do parents ignore the warning cries for biblical protocols surrounding their kids’ habits? Do parents realize the link between entertainment choices and their child’s behavior? The role of lobbyist groups for the entertainment industry in pushing unhealthy behaviors.
Picture provided by: Thomas Wolf via Wikimedia Commons
Though our fathers, husbands, boyfriends, and sons are the largest market for exploited women, little is said about how these same fathers, husbands, boyfriends, and sons might also be the unapparent victims of the misogyny that’s so grossly promoted. Exactly what responsibilities do we have as parents to help stem the tides of these abhorrent double standards and gross hypocrisies?
Allison Wallace is the Director of Program Development at Shepherd’s Hill Academy, as well as the Daughter of Trace Embry. Allison grew up at Shepherd’s Hill, which gives her a unique perspective. She saw not only well-balanced families, but also her fair share of families who were out of balance, and teens who were on the brink of disaster. Allison studied counseling/psychology at Toccoa Falls College, and has been a part of residential care at Shepherd’s Hill for her entire adult life. She began as the girl’s Wilderness Program Supervisor from 2006-2013, when she then became the Director of Program Development. Allison is parent to a three-year-old, and is a repeat guest on License to Parent.
Understanding the Sexual Exploitation of Women, and How Parents Can Make a Difference
We hear so much today about men causing all the pain and suffering in the world, but especially as it applies to the exploitation of women. But what we rarely hear, if ever at all, is that women can also have a significant role to play in their own exploitation. Christian parents can have their own impact on mitigating the sexual exploitation of women—just by how they train and interact with their kids in the home. I think, however, it’s going to take a spiritual awakening to do it.
I see way too many Christian parents complicit with their Christian kids in contributing to a lot of this nonsense without even realizing it. In some cases it’s purely ignorance or naivety, while in other cases, it's simply blatant hypocrisy. I spoke with Tucker Carlson from Fox News on a previous program, and he was talking about how obvious things should be when it comes to parenting our kids, particularly as it pertains to Christian parents. I’m absolutely astonished as to just how obvious things are not, even to Christian parents these days. I don’t mean to be overly critical or judgmental about this, but I do want to bring a dose of reality into the equation. It’s harder to come down on the unbelievers of the world for their sin and the exploitation of anyone, because they’re just fulfilling their job description. Christians, on the other hand, are supposed to be the enlightened ones; the light of the world, and redeemed people of the light. In recent times, we’ve simply been world followers, imitators, lovers, and even worshipers of the world itself.
The majority of today's broadcast is what parents can do to give their kids a healthy perspective on godly womanhood and how to raise our kids. We want to make sure that they aren’t part of the exploitation problem, but rather part of the solution. I can’t help but believe that there’s more to this issue than what’s being talked about on most of the cable news programs these days. I think when women are being exploited, very often men are being exploited at the same time—albeit in different ways. This is particularly true in the case of pornography, but, for the sake of this program, I want to specifically talk about helping our daughters to become everything God meant for them to be. In the process, of course, I’ll be talking about our sons as well. All the hoopla in the media these days is about how men are exploiting women, and I happen to think that there’s more to the story than meets the eye—there usually is. So, I’m going to talk about that with today’s guest, a person with whom I happen to be very well acquainted - my daughter, Allison Wallace.
What should parents be aware of about the topic of sexual exploitation of women. Why the culture’s nonverbals are betraying their claims.
Why is it so important to have not only parents, but also other positive influences around our daughters? Those influences being other authorities who will not just accept them, but be willing to help rescue them when they aren’t able to accept or rescue themselves. Your daughter is even more precious in God's eyes than in your own. All the more reason to be willing and equipped to fight for her.
Throughout her decade-plus career as a songwriter, recording artist, and author, Plumb has found success in a myriad of genres, selling over half a million albums and millions of singles sold and streamed worldwide. Her music has been a favorite with music supervisors, having her songs included in dozens of ad campaigns, movies, and TV placements. Her career achieved an incredible milestone with her prophetic, bestselling 2012 album, Need You Now. This groundbreaking album was followed by its corresponding memoir, Need You Now: A Story of Hope, that chronicled the miraculous restoration of her marriage. These projects were followed by the 2015 breakout album, Exhale, and her 2017 EP, God Help Me.
Now, with her 8th studio album, Beautifully Broken, Plumb launches as an independent artist, releasing the album on her own label, as the first component of multiple creative projects. Produced by Jeremy Redmon (Big Daddy Weave), the 11-track album showcases a powerful theme of releasing shame and trusting God’s love, amidst our flaws and insecurities.
How to Fulfill Your Daughter’s Need to be Rescued
I mentioned earlier that girls want to be rescued. They really do want their moms, dads, and future husbands to be willing to fight for them—for the sake of their honor and well-being.
When our girls grow up and become wives and mothers of their own, they’ll want their husbands and kids to fight for their honor and well-being just like they want us, as parents, to fight for them right now. That’s just how most females are wired. You’ve heard the saying a million times, “Don’t you be talking about my momma!” You’ve also heard the multitude of jokes about what dads are capable of doing to any guy who tries to dishonor his daughter. Generally speaking, God has simply wired us this way, because girls are special. We all have value, but, that value is largely unique to each gender. Men are usually more the aggressor, provider, and protector types. Women can do all these things too, but I stand by the argument that, generally speaking, men are more wired-up and built for it. Women are usually the more compassionate, nurturing, and agreeable gender. As an aside, there is no real distinction between sex and gender—that’s a terribly misguided human construct that has done more damage to confused kids, and today’s society, than I can talk about right now.
There is a continuum of personality traits where some boys show more feminine traits than others, and vice versa with girls. But, they’re still boys and the girls are still girls. That doesn’t mean there’s a point where one end of this “gender continuum” should be allowed to betray what chromosomes and anatomy clearly identifies as sex and/or gender. My wife was a tomboy, and her records in high school track still stand to this day, but, she’s still the epitome of femininity at the same time. She’s agreeable, compassionate, and nurturing—almost to a fault. The consummate mother. Her priorities, however, are in league with a biblical world view. Her kids are not the most important thing in her life, and neither am I. I’m glad my wife has another man in her life, and his name is Jesus. Even still, you don’t dare mess with her kids. Though she’d die to defend, protect, and rescue her kids, she still wants a man to rescue her, if the circumstances merited it.
I’m not saying that circumstances can’t dictate when a man actually needs or wants to be rescued—just ask any guy who’s ever been lost at sea or pinned down in a foxhole on the battlefield.
Things can become absolutely cataclysmic for whole countries when fools, somehow, find their way into the ruling class—law enforcement, lawyers, law-makers, judges, presidents, governors, mayors—even school board members. Since fools have now sailed their ships into the influential waters of today’s American culture, as parents it’s time to identify, define, expose, and then help right the insanity that guides these ships, lest our kids fall prey to the fools who sail them.
Tucker Carlson currently serves as the host of FOX News Channel's (FNC) Tucker Carlson Tonight (weekdays 8PM/ET). He joined the network in 2009 as a contributor. On his program each night, Carlson features powerful analysis and spirited debates with guests from across the political and cultural spectrum. Bringing his signature style to tackle issues largely uncovered by the media, Carlson challenges political correctness and media bias with segments like "Campus Craziness" and "TwitterStorm." We are interviewing Tucker for his new book Ship of Fools
How to Define Wisdom in a Post-Modern Society
Wikipedia defines wisdom as “having good judgement,” but, in today’s postmodern world, even the term “good” is only as good as “good” is defined. Without an absolute moral component in the definitions of both “wisdom” and “good,” both are virtually meaningless. A “good time” to a fool might mean vandalizing a neighborhood or molesting a bunch of kids, while wisdom might simply mean devising a plan to get away with it all. Is the fool’s definition of “good” actually good in the absolute true sense of the word? Of course not. True wisdom always requires a moral component to it. As I see it, the redefinition of terms is the root of so many American problems today, and that includes the problems parents are having with their kids.
Redefining terms is how that ship of fools creeped into our ruling class to begin with. It’s also why they stay at least 5 squares behind the real problems they claim they want to solve. They fixate on predicates when subjects are the problem, and they argue subjects with false premises. Why? Because their postmodern and politically-correct worldviews allow their feelings to trump facts—all while using traditional terms with non-traditional definitions. Wisdom is just one of many terms they’ve redefined these days. They talk about love and it means lust. They talk about freedom—but, it’s not the freedom to do what you ought—ought implies a moral absolute. It’s now the freedom to do what you want. Unborn babies are called fetuses. Illegal-aliens are now undocumented immigrants. Self-discipline in now repression.
Common sense no longer exists. It can’t, because we no longer share a common idealogical or moral point of reference. Despite the smoke screen created by this ship of fools, our nation’s division isn’t about race—or even about politics.It’s really about ideology and the very fundamentals of life, such as what it means to be human, what it means to be male or female, does God exist, and can we know God.
If we can’t agree on the basics of reality, where are we going? The foolishness that’s permeated our ruling class and intelligentsia has now become systemic to our entire culture, because we don’t think critically anymore. Why should we when Google does it for us? If you want to know how the NATSAP defines “culture,” they define it as, “The ideas, institutions and interactions that tell a people group how to think feel and act.” We can’t keep allowing our kids to be deluged with the same cultural slime as the garden-variety heathen, and expect that they won't be groomed for mental illness too.
Sin, foolishness, and mental-illness are all related, and they all lead to destruction and death. We’ve got to park the smartphones and teach kids how to identify and properly define these terms. The book of Proverbs would be a great start. Then, we have to model true wisdom before them.
Join us as we continue this discussion, and also how one starts the ball rolling on getting into a residential program, what to expect, and what changes may be needed beyond fixing your teen. What Does a Residential Program Look Like, and How to Enroll Your Teen If you missed last week’s episode, part I of this conversation, I would encourage you to listen to it. You can find it on www.licensetoparent.org, or by clicking the link, above.
When you’re close to a situation, it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. This can make it difficult for parents to identify how bad things have escalated with their teen, and at what point that teen is needing residential care. In situations like this, it can help to get an outsider’s perspective. Talking to family, a pastor, or seeing a licensed therapist can help those parents gain more\
perspective.
Most residential care programs, like Shepherd’s Hill Academy, have a family’s best interest at heart. Some families may not be a good fit for what we can offer, and there have been times where we’ve told a family just that. Be aware, however, that there are therapeutic programs who might not have a family’s best interest at heart, and take in any child who come their way, even if they’re not a good fit. These places are running their therapeutic programs strictly as a business. There is always, of course, a component of business management in any non-profit organization, but at Shepherd’s Hill Academy, we choose not to sacrifice our integrity for the bottom dollar. When seeking out a residential program, it’s imperative for parents to interview the program administration, kids in the program - if the program allows it, and other parents whose children are currently enrolled.
The enrollment process can be an emotional time. Family members, friends, and maybe even fellow church members may make parents feel guilty for sending their son or daughter to a residential program. However, unless you live with a troubled teen, it can be difficult to fully understand the presenting issues. We at Shepherd’s Hill want family to be involved and to see what we’re doing. For this very reason, we have a parent conference twice a year so that families can come out and experience what we’re doing first-hand.
Another hurdle that families may encounter is finding negative online feedback about a program. Every program has some amount of negative feedback, because none of them can be 100% successful. Often times, troubled teens who were not successful in residential care will go online to write negative feedback about their given program. In reading these reviews, parents need to use caution and discretion. This, again, points back to the importance of interviewing the program and parents of current enrollees.
Something that is often overlooked when talking about residential programs is how the parents can be involved. At Shepherd’s Hill Academy, we have a policy that teens can not call home for the first couple of months. Most programs have a similar policy. After those two months have passed, we begin sending a weekly parent report. We also begin allowing Skype calls, family weekends, and even a monthly parent workshop. In these workshops, parents come to learn important information about raising teens in this modern world.
As important as parental involvement at Shepherd’s Hill may be, there is still a component of making changes within the home in preparation for their child’s return. Each child is different, and so we prepare plans that are tailored for their individual families. These plans discuss changes that will best facilitate that teen’s successful homecoming. The degree of willingness for a family to implement such changes often determines how successful a teen will be after returning home.
This is part 2. If you missed the first episode, click here. What can I do if long term residential is not a fit for my family.
Some examples of these residual effects include: havoc in the home, the guilt that accompanies our feelings of inadequacy as parents, embarrassment and shame, friends, extended family, and our church community being made aware of our situation, the legal costs often incurred, property damage, time away from work to handle problems at home, marital problems, hospital stays, and more. These are all part of having a child with behavioral or emotional issues. When our kids are out of control, and we’re out of answers, what then?
When and Where Parents Can Seek Help for Their Troubled Teen
More and more kids are dealing with behavioral and mental issues today. Statistics show a rise in the number of kids being enrolled in short-term psychiatric hospitals and longer-term therapy programs, like Shepherd’s Hill Academy. The world has become more complicated over the past ten years, and healthcare professionals don’t know how to handle it; some even become complicit in the issues themselves.
Many of today’s problems stem from our morally declining American culture. These problems are Orwellian in nature, and find us seeking to redefine our reality. Majority of U.S. citizens seem to have already adjusted to this, but that adjustment doesn’t make us less sick. Much of this decivilization and rise in mental illness is a natural consequence of sin that today’s society has normalized. This proves that sin can, in fact, make you sick.
Romans 12:2 warned us against conforming to the patterns of this world, saying we should instead be transformed by the renewing of our mind. As Christians, we are called to conform to the mind of Christ, regardless of what our culture is doing, or what the law is saying. The issue is, we have conformed to this world, and now we’re paying the price for it.
If you find yourself dealing with the issues of raising a troubled teen, there are various avenues for seeking help. Of course there are residential programs, like Shepherd’s Hill Academy, but those programs aren’t necessary for all individuals. There are ways to get ahead of behavioral issues before residential care is sought out. The first step is seeking wisdom from the Lord and His Word. After that, options can include going to your extended family for advice and seeking counsel from your church congregants and pastor. Eventually, if issues persist, professional Christian counseling may also need to be sought out.
When all other options have been exhausted, and residential care is explored, it’s important to understand that a certain amount of financial costs will be incurred. Things such as teacher salaries, food, licensed therapists, state fees, etc. can add up. Shepherd’s Hill Academy, for example, has twice as many staff as we do kids, and that’s what it takes to get help to them. Residential programs offer a full-on 24/7, 365 day, immersion in therapeutic intervention. Kids are removed from the influence of things like secular music, tv shows, movies, and other distractions that are destroying their worldview and encouraging rebellion. Shepherd’s Hill Academy also has residential counselors who model what it’s like to live a Christ-centered life. They live and eat with these students and serve as a sort of mentor.
In the next part of this series, we’ll discuss what it looks like when you’ve come to the point of needing to seek residential care for your teen, and how to find the right program. You don’t want to send your kid just anywhere.
Understanding decivilization Roots of teenage behavioral issues The problem with conformity to this world Ways to find help for troubled teens
Photo by: Erik F. Brandsborg, via flickr
New technology has lead to a rise in digital bullying tactics. The human sin nature has, of course, taken full advantage of these new practices which allow them to bully those who were not-so-easy to be taken advantage of in the purely physical realm. Today we’ll examine the subject of bullying and how we can best keep our kids from being victims and/or perpetrators of this dark and abusive practice.
June Hunt is an author, speaker, and the founder of Hope for the Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry. She hosts the award-winning radio broadcast Hope for the Heart, which is syndicated all across America. In addition, June also hosts Hope in the Night, a live two-hour call-in counseling program. Hope in the Night helps people to untangle their problems using both biblical hope and practical help.
June’s work has her teaching on topics such as crisis counseling, marriage & parenting, child abuse, domestic violence, depression, alcohol & drug abuse, forgiveness, singleness, and self-worth. Not only taught in the U.S., June’s teachings can also be heard in more than 60 countries, with her work being translated into 29 languages. June’s books have sold over a million copies, and include: Bonding with Your Teen Through Boundaries, The Answer to Anger, Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes, How to Forgive When You Don’t Feel Like It, and the book we will be discussing today, Bullying: Bully No More. Understanding Digital Bullying Tactics Can Help Parents Prevent These Practices I think about everyone has been bullied, or knows of someone who’s been bullied, at one time or another in their lives. And it might even be true to say that an equal amount of those people have actually done a little bullying themselves.
If you’ve ever had younger siblings, it’s probably—in the lion’s share of cases—nothing more than playful banter, and just part of growing up. I don’t think there’s any real malice involved in this equation. I think the kind of bullying we’re going to be talking about today, however, is quite a bit more dangerous, and more serious, than what might be better-defined as sibling rivalry. And that’s not to say there’s never been some genuine hardcore bullying among family members—because, we know that happens too.
I was bullied as a kid, and it can be downright traumatic. I remember having to find alternative routes home from school, when I was in the 4th grade, on account of two 6th graders who made it their daily ambition and goal to rearrange my facial structure before I got home. Most days I managed to elude them, but you’d be surprised how many blocks out of the way I’d walk or run just to get home without needing plastic surgery. The crazy thing was, my house was only four doors down from the schoolyard! One of those 6th graders was my next-door neighbor—so he wasn’t going away!
I was actually more afraid of telling my parents about the bullying than I was of the bullies themselves. My mom would have just made things worse for me—at least that was my thinking. My stepdad would’ve probably enjoyed watching me get beat up. My dad—who, because of divorce, didn’t live in that house—would probably have been jailed. He was the kind of guy who would’ve made me fight both boys, and expected me to win. Then, if I didn’t win, he’d wear me out—after he wore out the two boys. After that, if the parents of the boys had a problem with their kids being worn out by my dad, he would have thought nothing of wearing out their parents too. That’s just the kind of guy he was, and I wasn’t up for making a bad thing worse. My dad wasn’t your stereotypical bully, however, he definitely had some vigilante in him. So, I didn’t tell anybody—just to keep the peace. Whether or not any of those things would have actually happened, I knew it wouldn’t have been out of the question. So that’s how I processed it all as a petrified 4th grader. Today, bullying can take on a totally new look,
Yet the Bible contains things that are problematic for our increasingly secularized society such as a six-day creation, talking animals, a global flood, and an ark bigger than a football field built by folks without modern equipment. These are all tall tales or myths in the minds of a growing consensus of Americans today. So if we expect our kids to flourish and become spiritually mature by knowing the truth all while heeding the divine wisdom found in the Bible, helping our kids understand the problematic and controversial aspects of Scripture is a must. After all, every parent desires a pleasant child-rearing experience—both for their children and for themselves.
Since moving to America in 1987, Australian Ken Ham—CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis and the highly acclaimed Creation Museum—has become one of the most in-demand Christian conference speakers and talk show guests. Ken has made television appearances on Fox’s Fox and Friends, CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, ABC’s Good Morning America, and other media outlets. He became internationally known for his 2014 creation/evolution debate with Bill Nye, the Science Guy, which has been watched by an estimated 25 million people.
Ken is also the visionary behind a popular, full-size Noah’s Ark replica. The Ark Encounter opened in Williamstown, Kentucky, in July 2016, and in its first 10 weeks, drew over 300,000 awestruck visitors and 200 media. The life-size Ark is the centerpiece of this evangelistic attraction, and it is located about 40 miles south of the Creation Museum.
Why Parents and Kids Should Seek Wisdom and Truth in the Bible Since the beginning of time, many kids from different places around the world have honored their parents and been well-behaved without instruction from the Bible. So why is knowing Scripture and understanding it cover to cover the big deal we make it out to be?
Well, most of us don’t have to read the owner’s manual to actually drive our cars—the owner’s manual is that little book gathering dust in your glove box, by the way. Many of us don’t need it to tell us how to use the different accessories on our dashboard, either. We tend to have the adequate observational skills and cursory knowledge of cars necessary to figure out most things—but not everything. We can even do maintenance on our car without the owner’s manual—to a point. That’s why we have owner’s manuals. But the human experience is a lot more complicated than our cars. And, just like our car’s owner’s manual, you can pursue God and how to raise kids without a Bible—and people have done it all through history.
But why would you want to do that? Our Owner/Creator has designed and built us. Why wouldn’t we use His manual, the Bible, to find out the right way to do things? Like our car’s owner’s manual, the Bible is the guide to set us straight on a lot of things—like raising kids. As spiritual as we might think we already are, without an objective source like God’s Word, it is easy to hear from the wrong spirit. Remember who the devil is—he is an entity disguised as the angel of light! The Bible is a tremendous tool for keeping all of us on the straight and narrow. And when it comes to raising our kids, Scripture helps parents with wise insights and tools for bringing up children; it also helps kids better understand what it means to be a good and wise son or daughter.
Will our kids stray from what they know to be right now and then? Perhaps. But don’t we all? At least we always have that objective and perfect source—our Divine owner’s manual—to refer back to for strength, encouragement, knowledge, wisdom, peace, guidance, precedent, and clarity.
When we read anything, we have to know how to properly interpret it and then disseminate the information. This is especially true for the Bible if our kids are going to get an accurate picture of who God is, how He interacts and operates in our lives, and what He expects with respect to a healthy parent/...
But the outrage is that so many of these media outlets are vying for ratings as hard or harder than they are vying for the truth, making the truth much more tempting to twist, tweak, sensationalize, or lampoon for the sake of political gain and the bottom line. Consequently, it’s hard to really know what to believe anymore. When we don’t know what to believe, it makes it virtually impossible to pass the truth on to our kids.
Derek Hunter is the author of Outrage, Inc.: How the Liberal Mob Ruined Science, Journalism, and Hollywood. He is also a columnist, radio host, and political consultant. Derek has worked at the Heritage Foundation as a health policy analyst, has worked on Capitol Hill as a press secretary in the U.S. Senate, was federal affairs manager at Americans for Tax Reform, and was a co-founder of The Daily Caller. He is a contributing editor at The Daily Caller and host of The Daily Daily Caller Podcast. He previously hosted a nighttime and midday radio show on WBAL Radio in Baltimore for seven years and continues to guest host on various radio stations, including WMAL Radio in Washington and WCBM in Baltimore. He lives with his wife and children in Maryland, just outside Washington D.C.
How American Media Is Often More Focused on Opinion Than on Truth We often talk about the frustration and hopelessness so many kids and parents feel today as they sort through a never-ending assault of information via any number of venues—digital and otherwise. So how do we teach our kids to discern the truth about all the information they take in every day?
Well, in terms of media content, there is a difference in knowing whether the information you are hearing is true and discerning what you should actually believe about the information. For example, I might believe that President Trump really did call a person a nasty name and that some news anchor called him a racist for doing it. That is the content, true or otherwise. But even if he really did call a person a nasty name, I don’t necessarily have to interpret or believe that he is a racist for doing it. And it doesn’t make me or my kids racists because we disagree with a news anchor who calls him a racist.
Too often, in today’s postmodern and relativistic society, whatever media source offers an opinion that aligns with a person’s presuppositions becomes the media source that person accepts as truth. That is the great liability of delivering news stories and offering opinion out of the same mouth. Often, our kids are now developing more of their presuppositions about life and morality from the 24/7 media and entertainment barrage than they are from their churches or their parents. By the way, one hour of church a week—or a token amount of time with parents—is no match for the other 166 or so hours of cultural indoctrination via public schools, entertainment, the largely liberal news media, and 300 social media friends.
All this gets warped and convoluted all the more when so many people in these information venues have agendas. It’s just hard to know who or what to trust anymore. That brings a tremendous amount of insecurity to the table, not just for our kids, but for adults as well. I think we do a terrible disservice to our kids, to ourselves, and to society at large, when we blindly accept everything that comes across the media screen these days.
Proverbs 18:17 says, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” We need to teach our kids to start challenging more of those “facts” and “opinions” in the media by asking all the right questions. The truth is too often sacrificed on the altar of political gain, ratings, and the bottom line, and we have also allowed feelings to trump facts. We should all be outraged about that. Sadly, though, I think it’s all turning more and more of us into a people who are just fine living in a mentally ill society—and that is never a good thing. Today,
As parents raise kids in our culture today, they should think about how spiritual problems can impede success. Maybe it’s time to consider how vices like greed or dishonestly can actually hurt our ability to truly succeed in many areas of life.
Dani Johnson is a successful entrepreneur and an international speaker, a coach, and a media host. She is also a bestselling author and has written several books, including Grooming the Next Generation for Success. Dani has not always been so successful, but she feels her her rags to riches story is one that can be duplicated if you know what to do.
How Spiritual Problems Impede Success in the Lives of Many People Today We are in a spiritual crisis in America today, but we don't know it. I believe my experience at Shepherds Hill Academy has shown me that the intellectual, social, psychological, emotional, and behavior problems plaguing American kids today are coming as a direct result of simply growing up in a society rife with systemic moral problems and questionable moral values. The preeminent problem is a spiritual one, and part of the problem is we are no longer wise people.
I am often hesitant to link our systemic cultural problems with the word “spiritual” because that word is now seen as a fairy-tale word in the eyes of many people today, and remarkably, even in the eyes of many self-proclaimed Christians. “Spirituality” is viewed as a metaphysical construct by today’s secularized citizenry and, therefore, it is no longer deemed to be as credible as those empirical truths that can be observed with the five senses. But you can’t prove love, dreams, ideas, and other non-empirical realities either, yet nobody would argue against the reality of any of those things. Regardless of having no empirical evidence for those things, we all know that they are realities.
So how can the spiritual issues facing our nation today affect the success of our kids? Is it possible that things like greed, idolatry, dishonesty, and unforgiveness are actually hindering our kids from succeeding in some areas of life? Today, Dani Johnson and I continue our discussion about preparing children to succeed as we cover the following subjects:
An overview of Dani’s Story. How trials can teach kids how to handle certain issues in life. How the “perfect family” might not exist. How putting up a “perfect family” facade can teach kids to lie about who they are. What changes can parents make in order to guide the next generation? How forgiveness is tied to success. How idolatry infects American culture. Why parents need to equip kids to carry their family values into every environment.
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While too many of us are unwittingly allowing our culture to be our kids’ “other parent,” largely via digital technology, that “other parent” has been doing a whale of a job sabotaging any success we may have otherwise hoped our kids would find. So instead of dooming the next generation for failure, today, we will focus on grooming the next generation for success.
Dani Johnson has taught hundreds of thousands of people around the world about business, money, and relationships. She leads and coaches with a passionate desire to see people not only succeed, but also thrive in the marketplace. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Dani has moved from rags to riches, becoming a multimillionaire in the process. She is a bestselling author, an international speaker, and a host for both radio and television programs. Dani is regularly called upon by major media outlets for her expertise in business, finance, relationships, and spirituality. Dani is also a devoted wife, and she has five children and seven grandchildren. She seeks to serve God both personally and professionally.
How Our Culture Can Make It Harder for Parents to Help Kids Find Success On License to Parent, we often speak about how parents and their kids are now living in a culture that is nothing less than toxic—at least for anyone trying to live a pure, obedient, and fulfilled life before God. Today, we really do have to be a lot more intentional about preparing our kids to be the Daniels, Josephs, Ruths, and Esthers that they need to be to find the kind of success that Scripture calls the abundant life. The days of solely relying on church attendance to help build our kids’ character and spiritual well-being are over. This is especially true now that the internet is proliferating our culture’s “new-morality!”
Today’s Christian parents need to become serious and intentional about their faith and the spiritual well-being and success of their families—however one defines success. Otherwise, our kids are going to fall prey to the same vain philosophies, grand delusions, and appetites that have now permeated our entire society. After all, smoking weed, watching porn, and constantly playing video games rarely produces any lasting satisfaction or success—and they darn-sure rarely produce a paycheck either. Sadly, these things are becoming the new normal for kids and adults. In our postmodern and relativistic world, we now pick and choose our realities, not by logic or where the objective evidence takes us, but by how something makes us feel. Consequently, today, everyone does what is right in their own eyes, including our kids.
Even if you don’t take into account all the biblical and spiritual principles, priorities, and values that America has abandoned in recent times, what ever happened to our logic and common sense? Anybody ought to be able to conclude that when one pro athlete's annual paycheck could bankroll a small city’s entire police force, fire department, and public school system, our values and priorities make no sense! But that’s the new American success story. And we have bought it all hook, line, and sinker. I’m looking forward to our guest helping us sort through this success thing for the sake of our kids, our families, our country, and the good name of our Lord. Today, Dani Johnson and I discuss finding true success as we cover the following topics:
How do we define success in the lives of our teens? What does it mean to groom teens to succeed? Was Dani’s transformation supernatural? How has the cultural attack on fathers hindered fatherhood? How is your child’s environment grooming him or her to fail? Are we raising our kids for failure? Are Christians succeeding in setting their kids up for success. What is the number one thing Christians can do to succeed in our culture.
Arguably, Scripture’s greatest sticking point for the secular mind—and even for an ever-increasing contingent of Christians—has been the veracity of miracles. Many scientists fail to include miracles as even a possibility for things they can’t explain. But when one’s presuppositions about reality refuse to allow for the possibility of miracles, well, what becomes of one’s take on the veracity of Scripture as a whole? The Bible, of course, is chock full of miraculous accounts. If these accounts are merely figurative or, worse yet, mere fabrications of imaginative or deluded minds, how does that affect what Bible-believing parents have always believed about raising kids?
Lee Strobel is the former award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and the best-selling author of over 20 books. His book, The Case for Christ, and its film adaptation are favorites that detail his conversion from atheism to Christianity. His book, The Case for Grace, won the 2016 nonfiction book of the year from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and earlier this year, he released his latest book, The Case for Miracles.
For the last 25 years, his life’s work has been to share evidence that supports the truth and claims of Christianity and to equip believers to share their faith with people they know and love. He is currently a teaching pastor at Woodlands Church in Texas where he speaks multiple times each year. He also recently joined the faculty at Houston Baptist University as the professor of Christian thought. Lee and his wife Leslie have been married for over 40 years; they have two grown children and live in Texas.
How Doubts About the Veracity of Miracles Are Growing Today When I was growing up, my family never went to church. But I still knew—by virtue of the predominantly Christian culture I grew up in—that God certainly did miracles and that He created the earth in six days. In my public school, of course, I was taught the earth was billions of years old. Miracles were viewed as something reserved for bible-times and fairy tales. Back then, this biblical-vs-secular contradiction was never discussed by anyone. We just seemed blind to any apparent contradiction.
These days, I actually think some of these contradictions are being discussed more openly than they were when I was a kid, but I’m not sure how effectively they are being discussed by the average Christian family. We live in the information age and in the day of the “New Atheists” who now use the internet as an effective platform to indoctrinate our kids with their sacrilege. I’m talking about guys like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Matt Dillahunty, and the like. My point is that while difficult objections to the Christian faith were largely reserved for seasoned theologians in the past, these difficult challenges are now being presented on the internet to anyone and everyone, by anyone and everyone. Our kids are seeing some strong arguments against the veracity of miracles and Scripture while not seeing or caring to see the strong cases for the veracity of miracles and Scripture. If they can be persuaded that miracles don’t exist, then what does that say for the credibility of the Bible as a whole? Consequently, parents and their kids now have to field questions that most of us are grossly ill-equipped to answer.
When I was going toe to toe with a prominent atheist named David Silverman, he told me that if I could name just one genuine miracle, maybe he would consider Christianity. Of course, he wanted to set his own parameters for what a miracle actually was, and he wanted to re-define terms and revise history. On and on it went. It was comical actually. But there’s an old saying that goes something like, “The mind can’t receive what the heart has already accepted.” I challenged Mr. Silverman that, unless he had a viable third answer for how life and matter came into being, he would probably have to concede his position on miracles by virtue of ...
For Christian parents in American culture today, it can almost seem like we have found ourselves in a place where either we have gone stark-raving mad, or the entire world has. Because if our kids begin to rebel against all we have taught them at home, it now seems they have a rebellious and powerful ally in our entire culture. For today’s parents, this can be a lonely and helpless feeling. Does the problem really lie in our archaic biblical worldview? Or could the problem stem from something much larger and more dangerous such as the snapping of the American mind?
David Kupelian is an award-winning American journalist, vice president and managing editor of online news giant WorldNetDaily (WND.com), editor of Whistleblower magazine, and a widely read columnist. He is also the bestselling author of three influential book: The Marketing of Evil, its sequel, How Evil Works, and most recently, The Snapping of the American Mind: Healing a Nation Broken by a Lawless Government and Godless Culture. Kupelian has been interviewed by Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Neil Cavuto, and many other TV and radio hosts.
Why Parents Need to Consider Systemic Issues in American Culture Today Today’s topic is another one near and dear to my heart. We talk a lot about it here on License to Parent, but I’m still not sure we talk about it enough. I think maybe it’s because it seems so Orwellian or Twilight-Zone-esk that we are afraid people might just tune us out.
But, I truly believe that so many of the attitudinal and behavioral issues and failures that we are seeing with so many of our kids and families today have way more to do with the insanity that is now systemic to today’s American culture than with any one particular issue like sex, drugs, or rock and roll. Though all of these things, and more, certainly play into the grander scheme of things, and they are certainly interrelated throughout that grander scheme.
This is a much thornier issue than most people realize. And I think even fewer people are really equipped and ready to properly deal with it. I think this is largely because it is going to come at a whale of a cost to our own personal comfort and routine. Christians have been complicit in all this. It’s like the whole country has “drank the Kool-aid” that Satan, himself, has served up to a very vulnerable and naive people.
So on License to Parent, we are going to keep beating this drum; because, our kids’, our family’s, and our nation’s futures are all at stake here. In fact, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the future of the whole world is at stake. We’ve messed with God’s ecosystem, and without repentance, that never ends well. Today, David Kupelian and I discuss American families and culture as we cover the following topics:
What does David Kupelian discuss in his book, The Snapping of the American Mind? How the secular mental health industry contributes to issues in America today. How are parents complicit as things go haywire in American culture? Why we need to seek God and recognize the gift of life. Why parents need to share the simple truth of the Gospel with their kids. Why parents may want to consider alternate options for their kids’ schooling. How our kids need and want boundaries.
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This is the way things have been since the beginning of time because these things really are self-evident. But like many other things in our world today, these same self-evident realities have been challenged in recent years by those whose postmodern thinking has helped create a very difficult world for the traditional parents who are still trying to employ common sense.
Michael Ramey is the Deputy Director for ParentalRights.org as well as the Director of Communications & Research. He holds a B.A. in Foreign Language (Spanish) from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ramey honed his communication skills through 13 years of church ministry before joining the staff of ParentalRights.org. Michael lives in Winchester, Virginia, with his wife Rachel and five beautiful children.
How the Rights of Parents Can Be Challenged by a Misguided Sense of Compassion A lot of parents are beginning to feel like their parental rights are diminishing every day. I think the problem stems from virtually everything we discussed on a previous broadcast with David Kupelian. David wrote a book called The Snapping of the American Mind. He is exactly right; we have lost our minds in this country. It seems that our critical thinking skills have been so reduced that we have now become completely tribal in our thinking. We just don’t realize it.
I think the abuse of digital technology has only proliferated all this craziness and, therefore, expedited the exchange of the Godhood of God for the Godhood of man. Humanism is now the measure of all things—not just God. We humans have our own sense and definition of justice and compassion that falls so short of God’s justice and compassion. We have bought the lie that ours is actually superior, though it’s really more in line with the justice and compassion of the devil. It is carnal justice and carnal compassion: short-term and short-sighted.
The legitimate concept of equal rights has been drilled into our heads for so long in this country that we have now lost our ability to prudently sort through the reality that equal rights can sometimes be anything but equal. When so-called equal rights are given to animals, entities, or even humans that are incapable of avoiding self-destruction, they can actually be a very dangerous liability.
This is why you don’t give guns to 3-year-old kids. Kids still can’t legally gamble, drink, or smoke. Why? Because it is the compassionate thing to do! Their brains, minds, and emotions have not qualified them to handle such things. Parents still have the legal responsibility and moral obligation to make sure their kids refrain from certain things they are not ready for and to do the things they should be ready for. But out a false sense of compassion, some parents actually supply their kids with these vices, while others are out campaigning for a perverted sense of equal rights for kids. More and more, our government is being pressured by an elite group of secularly-educated fools to take away the authority and power parents actually need to raise kids that have what it takes to properly discern and do right instead of wrong and good instead of evil. Why? Because Junior has his “human rights!” This is a very misguided view of compassion.
I’m looking forward to speaking with today’s guest about some of this. Hopefully, he can help parents understand their rights as the preeminent governing entity over their own kids because things are really starting to get scary for good parents trying to raise emotionally stable kids in America these days. Today, Michael Ramey and I discuss the rights of parents as we cover the following subjects:
What are the parental rights laws. How do we define the terms that are so vaguely mentioned in laws? What can parents do practically to help the schools and courts improve a parent’s rights in America.
Building a godly family involves many things, and one of them is a commitment to intentional parenting. Bringing the family together to complete meaningful activities is one example of how parents can be intentional.
How Building a Godly Family Can Involve Intentional Activities Last week on License to Parent, we shared a list of nine activities that can help strengthen relationships between parents and teens. This week we are adding to that list and suggesting more actions for parents to take in the process of raising their kids in a wise and godly way. The suggestions on this list are not simply tasks to cross off; they are clear and hands-on suggestions that may help parents in the journey of child-rearing.
Let's take a look at 11 more suggestions for building a godly and loving family:
- Find service opportunities to complete as a family.
- Try learning a new skill and creating as a family.
- Push yourselves with a tough project or something that will involve a leap of faith. Finish your basement. Advocate for a cause. Go big!
- Commit to reading the Bible, fasting, and praying together. This can strengthen your ability to keep each other accountable and can help you develop discipline together.
- Evaluate the best options for education for your kids. In particular, think about the benefits of homeschooling. When parents take the reins on education, they are able to guide the schooling of their kids through a Christian worldview. This can help kids see a close-up view of what it means to be a Christian.
- Restrain yourself from giving in to all of the demands and desires of your children.
- Keep each other accountable. Teach your kids godly principles through the things you do and say so they will be prepared to keep you accountable as they grow older.
- Remain steady for God.
- Resist the urge to elevate your children to the number one spot in your life.
- Have no limits to your love.
- Get up and go! Decide to begin, and go for it!
Picture provided by: Bill Branson (Photographer) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Parents must be intentional about the time they spend with their children and make the most of these opportunities. Let’s consider some meaningful activities parents and kids can complete as a family.
How Spending Time Together Can Build Relationships Between Parents and Kids When it comes to raising healthy kids, we often hear parenting “experts” quoting generalities. Today on License to Parent, we are going to get specific. Let’s begin by considering the following list of activities that can help jump-start healthy relationships between parents and kids:
Use discernment when it comes to entertainment. Let that discernment open the door to conversations about the good, the bad, and the ugly in the entertainment we bring into our lives. Consider turning off traditional entertainment sources for a period of time. Try to replace them with some good teaching from time to time. Don’t be legalistic about it, but use it as a springboard to further conversation. Find a good church and a good youth group. Nurturing a good family works best in the environment of a good church family that can help keep you accountable. Have regular, meaningful discussions with your kids. Eat together! Conversation around the dinner table, and even around dinner preparation, is a great way to spend time with your kids and prompt them to look at life through the lens of a biblical worldview. Take vacations together. Road trips are even better. These are great times for bonding, games, conversation, and fun. Laugh together! Put limits on technology. Less tech-time allows more talk-time. Look for teachable moments in current events and push the antithesis. In other words, follow the logical outcome of what’s happening in the world and ask your kids, “What will be the likely outcome of this? What if another option had been chosen?” Help them learn to evaluate their own choices.
This is the first part of a 2-part series. We will continue our list of activities to jump-start your relationship with your teen next week on License to Parent.
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Could the Bible really affirm that our sweet little offspring are basically evil? Are Junior’s occasional “unsavory behaviors” most often the result of his intrinsic sin nature, or the effects of a clinical disorder? Or both? Can our presuppositions about Genesis being a history book ultimately shape the behavior, character, and value system of our kids and perhaps our entire family?
Dr. Del Tackett is the former president of the Focus on the Family Institute and a former senior vice president of Focus on the Family. He created Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide project to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ. Tackett served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as the director of technical planning for the National Security Council. A popular conference speaker, Tackett speaks on topics such as American Christian heritage, Christian worldview, and management. He has also created and published many written works that discuss worldview and cultural issues.
Can the Way Parents Interpret Genesis Affect How They Raise Their Kids Our presuppositions really do have a lot of sway on what we believe about any particular subject, and how we raise our kids is no exception. As Christians, of course, we are supposed to take our cues for raising our kids from God and His Word. But what we believe about Scripture as a whole is often rooted in what we believe about the very first book in the Bible, Genesis, and whether it is a literal and historical account of man’s beginnings or a mere figurative account.
So what are the implications for raising our kids if Genesis is merely a figurative book? Well, that’s a question I’d like to reserve for today’s guest. But why wouldn’t we take Genesis at face value, like we would any other book, unless the content or context tells us otherwise? I don’t read that it even implies that it is anything other than a historical account of how things began. So why not take it as historical? The only reason I can think of for interpreting Genesis any other way is because it can appear to defy what a lot of scientists have concluded. The key word is “appear.” But we have to delve deeper than mere appearances. If we do buy into the premise that Genesis is figurative, or something other than historical, and that science is always final and exhaustive in all it’s conclusions, then maybe we are going to have a problem.
But scientists have very often had to reevaluate their conclusions down through history when more knowledge or evidence gets discovered on any particular subject. And I think it’s important for our listeners to know that there are still a lot of scientists who believe the earth is young. Their beliefs are just as evidence-based as those who campaign for an old earth. As I see it, if you don’t understand and accept Genesis at face value as a history book, then why would you take any part of Scripture as literal or historic, including the resurrection? Why not also take the 5th commandment, “Honor your mother and father,” figuratively or as a mere suggestion?
If we can show our kids—with good scientific evidence—that perhaps Genesis is on the right side of history and truth here, then maybe more parents can help bring their kids to a place of accepting the truth of Scripture as a whole. This means accepting Christ’s atoning work on the cross and the validity of the 5th commandment as well as other Scriptural truths such as mandates about marriage, family, and raising kids. Of course, the ideal result of belief in these things are first, salvation for our kids, and second, raising kids that will honor and obey God and us as parents. If Junior can accept the miracle of creation, then the resurrection ought to be a snap! And that, by itself, should help make raising our kids a whole lot easier—if, in fact, they are truly inhabited by the Spirit of the Lord. Today, Dr.
Perhaps if we knew more about how some of the rest of the world actually lived, it would open our own entitled and gluttonous eyes enough to be genuinely grateful to God for all we have been blessed with here in America. Today, we will attempt to do just that.
Elijah Sebuchu is the Senior Pastor of Kampala International Christian Centre and Presiding Bishop over Global Discipleship Ministries, a network of over 285 churches. He is also the Founder and Director of Hands of Love, an outreach to children that provides home, hope, love, and education to 2,016 children in Uganda.
How American Affluence Can Lead to Entitlement, Greed, and Sinful Excess When talking to young people who have gone on mission trips to Third World countries, you often hear the same thing: “It changed my life.” Yet, very few adults who have gone abroad, much less kids, seem to connect the dots when it comes to seeing how their American affluence could possibly be as hazardous to their health as third-world poverty. By “health,” I mean just about every aspect of health—with the possible exception of physical health.
But when you consider obesity and addictions to drugs, alcohol, technology, food, and sex, I think there is a case to be made that, even physically, Americans might not be in much better health than some in the Third World. I haven’t even mentioned suicide, self-harm, pornography, sex trafficking, and all the fallout that comes from all of the seven deadly sins in which many Americans today freely and regularly indulge. I’m talking pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. I think all of these can ultimately lead to insanity to one degree or another. How else do you explain all the mass shootings or all the mood-altering prescription drugs being consumed here in America for alleged “mental health” issues.
The Mayo Clinic claims that 70% of Americans are on prescription drugs! In the very process of trying to feel normal, we are too often feeling miserable! That is largely because we are now hesitant to define what normal actually is thanks to postmodern thought. Nobody seems to be able put their finger on why all this insanity is going on in this country, because to do so, they actually might have to admit that pure evil and the spiritual world really do exist. They might have to admit that sin is a real thing—-something the contemporary mental health field doesn’t even acknowledge. They might have to admit that those seven deadly sins really are deadly and that greed disguised as affluence did not turn out to be the Savior we thought it would be.
There is nothing wrong with affluence when it is acquired biblically and without selling your soul to the devil. But no sane person would say that any of the seven deadly sins are becoming to anyone.This is especially true when it comes to our kids. When we routinely suffer self-inflicted wounds and wound our kids by providing them with their every desire, allowing them too many choices, bailing them out of the natural consequences of their sins, and inflating their egos by flattering them for mediocrity, we ruin them. All the while, we think we are protecting them and making a good and comfortable life for them.
We have invited back our pastor friend from Uganda to give us another wake up call on just how satisfied and grateful kids can actually be—despite overwhelming adversity and lack of affluence. Today, Pastor Elijah Sebuchu joins us to discuss to following topics:
How the Lord is working to equip leaders and empower women and children in Uganda. How Pastor Sebuchu’s new FM radio broadcast can reach rural areas of Uganda. Pastor Sebuchu’s advice for American parents and kids. Why kids should be taught to treasure more than material things. How thanksgiving affects mental health. Why parents need to give their children a broader view of the world. Why parents must invest in quality time with their kids.
But, as Christian parents, shouldn’t we be doing more than just helping our kids navigate and survive this dark world? Shouldn’t the light of Christ—illuminated within us—be the inspiration our kids need to help transform it? If not us, then who? Should our kids really have to go outside our homes to see the light of Christ shining in an adult? Let’s ask ourselves: Is the light within me bright enough to help illuminate a bright future for my kids? Or will this dark world continue to be my child’s ‘other parent’?
Ainsley Earhardt is currently a journalist and co-host of Fox News Channel’s (FNC) Fox & Friends. Previously, she served as co-host of FNC’s Fox & Friends First and regularly contributed to Hannity with her own segment called “Ainsley Across America.” Additionally, she has co-hosted Outnumbered, Fox & Friends Weekend, Fox’s All-American New Year’s Eve, and America’s News Headquarters. She has also been a panelist on The Live Desk and appeared on Greg Gutfeld’s Red Eye. Earhardt is the author of the new book, The Light Within Me, as well as the picture book, Take Heart, My Child.
Why Parents Need to Show Their Kids the Light of Christ I can think of no better source or sense of security that parents could bring their children than getting them acquainted with the Author of the Universe. In a day when kids just aren’t being shown any absolute point of reference for moral right and wrong, introducing our kids to the truth of God and His Word is now more important than ever. I see the issues that kids bring with them to Shepherds Hill Academy, and I am just blown away because a lot of this stuff is preventable!
Everyday, American kids are having pure poison crammed down their throats, and it is destroying them spiritually, morally, psychologically, emotionally, socially, and even physically. When I say poison, I mean the junk they are exposed to regularly by way of digital technology—porn sites, social media, video games, and the like. They are also getting this stuff via Hollywood, Madison Ave, sitcoms, late-night talk shows, fake news, and public education. And we wonder why we have a youth crisis today?
Too many Christian parents are complicit in all of this because even our appetites have now been conditioned for darkness rather than light. But this is not the first time God’s people have caved to cultural influences. Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness...” That describes America today.
Today, Ainsley Earhardt and I discuss the role of Christian parents in our culture as we cover the following subjects:
How is negative rhetoric contributing to division in our nation? What led Ansley to Fox News. The role Ansley’s grandmother played in her life. Understanding the important role of a mother. Parenting challenges that have been brought about by today’s culture. The power of prayer in the life of a Christian in today’s culture.
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So if Christians are being discredited in America now, after centuries of being so respected, what changed? What are the implications for the spiritual integrity and future of our kids? And what can we, as parents, do about it?
An internationally known filmmaker, writer, and media consultant, Phil Cooke has produced media programming in more than 60 countries around the world. He has created and produced many of the most influential and successful Christian and inspirational TV programs in history, and his book, Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of Brands and Social Media, is changing the way church and ministry leaders engage today’s culture with the gospel. In addition to writing his popular blog at philcooke.com, he also blogs for The Huffington Post and has been a contributor to Fast Company, Forbes.com, Wired.com, and FoxNews.com. His most recent book is The Way Back–How Christians Blew Our Credibility and How We Get It Back. Co-authored with Jonathan Bock, this book offers a solution to the crisis-level decline in Christianity in today’s culture. How Christians Are Being Discredited by False Teaching and Corruption Certain things that happen or are preached within Christian circles can cause the church to be discredited for some Americans today. The evil one can be at his most devious when working within the church. This is something we like to tell the students at Shepherds Hill Academy early on in their time in the program. We believe it is important for the students to know that false teaching and corruption exist within the church sometimes and that Jesus predicted they would. These things were happening while He completed His ministry on earth, and as He mentioned all those years ago, these things will always be around.
As we discuss this topic, we also explain how God does great work through the church as well. We have to be diligent in the church, because we know that whatever God is using to accomplish great things, the devil will want to disrupt and discredit. We share this to inform our students about how devious the devil can be. And it isn’t just specific churches that the devil attempts to disrupt; things like the media, a tool that can be used to advance the Gospel, can also be targets. For example, when TV preachers focus on collecting money more than sharing the Gospel, Christianity is discredited and seen as a scam in the eyes of many Americans. I’m not saying that all preachers on TV are doing this, but those who are, misrepresent Christianity to a wide audience—something the devil would welcome, I’m sure. Today Phil Cooke and I discuss how entertainment and media are shaping our culture as we cover the following topics:
What is the research showing for Christians in America? What are our “other gods” in America? What is the greatest threat to today’s church and culture? Why what you and your family are entertained by can be hindering your relationship with the Lord. Why educating your teens in their media habits is a key to their success. How to set appropriate media boundaries. The role the church used to play in Hollywood.
Picture provided by: The original uploader was ToBeDaniel at Italian Wikipedia. (Transferred from it.wikipedia to Commons.) [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
If, as the late John Lennon suggested, we were to imagine no Heaven above us, no Hell below us, and no religion too, what effect would the opposite attitude—actually believing in these things—have on our parenting experience? Whatever you may think about religion itself, if what Scripture and other sacred writings claim about the afterlife is true, then avoiding Hell and getting to Heaven ought to be of preeminent importance in the course of raising our kids, don’t you think?
John Rosemond is a writer and speaker, and he is syndicated in approximately 225 newspapers nationwide. John has written 11 best-selling books on parenting. His most recent book is Getting to Heaven. John is one of America’s busiest and most popular speakers, and he is most certainly the busiest and most popular speaker in his field. He is known for his sound advice, humor, and easy, relaxed, and engaging style. In the past few years, John has appeared on numerous national television programs including 20/20, Good Morning America, The View, The Today Show, CNN, and CBS Later Today.
How the Concept of Heaven and Hell Is Often Disregarded In American Culture Today There seems to be less concern about Heaven and Hell today than in previous generations. I’m not so sure that John Lennon’s song Imagine can be blamed for today’s apathetic view of Christianity or the afterlife, but I’m also not so sure Imagine can be completely exonerated either. That song affected a lot of people. With that said, I think postmodernism and relativistic thought have been far greater culprits. In fact, it's quite likely that this philosophy or worldview was what paved the way for a song like Imagine.
Fastforward 40 years to today’s postmodern- and relativistic-saturated society, and many people have found it very easy to take Hell right off the table simply because it is unpleasant. People may say that they don’t want to believe in a God or religion that includes these things. And with a postmodern worldview, truth is what is true for you. On the flip side, it is often easy to believe in Heaven because it is pleasant. That is exactly one of the dangers of buying into the postmodern and relativistic patterns of this world today. We only come to accept truth when it is easy to accept or when it is politically correct.
When parents, knowingly or unknowingly, first filter their biblical worldview through the world’s postmodern and relativistic premise, then the rest of that toxic philosophy can sneak in and taint their theology and worldview. This can affect how they interpret Scripture and, in a roundabout why, how they raise their children and shape their view of Heaven and Hell.
Today, many parents are raising their kids without any real substantive discussion or understanding of the afterlife. Why? Because this life has become heaven enough. And don’t you dare mess up my heaven on earth by bringing up the unpleasant subject of Hell. Today, John Rosemond and I discuss the afterlife and raising healthy kids as we cover the following subjects:
How is John’s new book relevant to my family? Why truth has become based on feelings. 2 criteria to determine sound mental health. Help your kids develop a healthy view of themselves; then, they can confidently acknowledge a biblical worldview. How do you reconcile our culture’s take on Hell? How do I talk with my child about Heaven or Hell?
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Some statistics indicate that as many as 8 million kids growing up in America today will be prescribed some kind of psychotropic drug by the time they reach adulthood. Right now, Americans are spending $1,100 per second on mood altering medication, and we consume 80% of the world’s Ritalin supply. But here’s the challenge: Some believe these medications may cause more mental and physical problems than the behaviors they are designed to treat. What choices to we have? Are there safer, more effective alternatives?
Dr. Charles Hodges is a family physician practicing in Indianapolis, IN. He is the Executive Director of Vision of Hope, a residential treatment facility for young women with emotional struggles. Dr. Hodges is a Fellow with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, an instructor and counselor with Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry in Lafayette, IN, and the author of Good Mood Bad Mood: Help and Hope for Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Dr Hodges has been married to his wife Helen Kay for 46 years and has four children and 13 grandchildren.
How There Are Spiritual and Environmental Elements to Mental Health As I’ve mentioned before, many of the students that come to Shepherds Hill Academy have been diagnosed with a mental disorder of some sort, and we often serve students who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression. So how does SHA deal with these types of conditions? Well, I will save the clinical jargon for today’s guest, but I can say that most of the kids who come to SHA enter our program on boat loads of meds. Seventy percent of those kids are leaving medication-free. There’s a reason for that.
I think it is important to note that there is a moral and spiritual component in the mix at SHA and in the real world that, I think, a lot of secular mental health professionals tend to overlook. We believe that outside stimuli and our general environments have a lot more to do with our mental and spiritual well-being than people realize. Though we get the science behind this, mental health is not always an exact science. In fact, many mental health professionals themselves would tell you that it is not science at all, but more of an ideology.
Whatever side of the debate you are on, I think we have to conclude that there is still a lot more that we have yet to know about mental health. We just don’t know everything, and not all truth can be empirically proved. It doesn’t make it less true, it just means that it can’t be proved in the way we’re familiar with in science. I don’t think we can paint with a broad brush, nor do I think that we can look at one independently of the other. What I do know is that kids and families are being healed here at SHA, and the common denominator is Jesus Christ. Today, Dr. Charles Hodges and I discuss mental health and wise parenting as we cover the following topics:
Why does it seem that depression is more frequently diagnosed today? If my child is diagnosed, should I get a second opinion? How can you develop an appropriate daily routine for your child? What role does a mother at home play in the success of teens? How is television and social media hindering relational development? Is it possible to choose your moods? The role of consequences. The role of worship.
Picture provided by: Amanda Mills
Who or what should parents turn to for help and hope if their child is diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder or another similar disorder? Do our children really need even a fraction of the medications being prescribed to them today? Could it be that postmodern stimuli and the “new morality” that are systemic to today’s American culture are actually affecting our kids moods and behaviors far more than we realize?
Dr. Charles Hodges is a family physician practicing in Indianapolis, IN. He is the Executive Director of Vision of Hope, a residential treatment facility for young women with emotional struggles. Dr. Hodges is a Fellow in the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, an instructor and counselor with Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry in Lafayette, IN, and the author of Good Mood Bad Mood: Help and Hope for Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Dr Hodges has been married to his wife Helen Kay for 46 years and has four children and 13 grandchildren.
How Shepherds Hill Academy Equips Teens Who Are Diagnosed With Depression or Bipolar Disorder Teens come to Shepherds Hill Academy (SHA) with various diagnoses. Of these, two disorders that we see consistently are bipolar disorder and depression. Why do these various struggles and disorders, particularly depression and bipolar disorder, seem to be diagnosed so often in young people today?
Shepherds Hill Academy is known for providing help for teens who come to us with a wide range of diagnoses. We work with teens who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression all the time. However, in some cases, I am a little skeptical of the diagnoses that our students bring with them when they come to SHA—specifically when it comes to bipolar disorder and depression. Why? Because 70% of the teens who enter our program diagnosed with a disorder and taking prescription medication complete our year-long program without the need for a prescription. These results do not come about because we are anti-medication or because we want to boost our stats with impressive results. These results come about because our students begin to realize that they are able to regulate their mental and emotional health by controlling what they expose themselves to, interact with, and obsess about. They learn that they can have some control over their responses to difficulty in their lives.
At SHA, it is our conviction that there is a paramount spiritual component to emotional and mental health. The sad truth is that many teens today are not being raised in a cultural climate that nurtures spiritual growth and maturity, particularly growth facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
Today, Dr. Charles Hodges and I discuss young people, parenting, and mental health as we cover the following topics:
Why did Dr. Hodges write this particular book? What is the DSM? What is the difference between bipolar and depression? Does sleep deprivation contribute to a possible misdiagnosis? Why would teens be misdiagnosed with depression if they are not depressed?
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How much of the “mass youth exodus” we’re seeing in churches today is the result of adults simply not understanding the culture of teens today? Like many failed missionary endeavors, have adults failed to adequately communicate our kids’ language? Have we failed to understand and the worldview and issues that concern today’s American youth?
Ron Hutchcraft is a passionate, contemporary evangelist, speaker, author, and radio host. As president of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Ron and his team specialize in developing authentic, relevant, and creative tools to, as Ron says, “Bring the lost to the Cross.” Ron is committed to communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost in their language and to motivating and equipping believers to communicate Christ to the lost in their world.
Ron has hosted two international youth radio broadcasts and has authored seven books. His latest book, A Life That Matters: Making the Greatest Possible Difference with the Rest of Your Life (Moody Press), is designed to equip everyday believers to become spiritual rescuers.
For over 25 years, Ron has been a part of people’s daily lives through his popular radio program, A Word With You, heard across the country and broadcast internationally in the four most-spoken languages in the world.
How the Culture of Teens Today Is Shaped by Digital Technology It seems that every new generation has to deal with a different mindset from that of the previous generation. We called this the “generation gap” back in the day. Because this seems to be such a common occurance, do we really need to be all that concerned about our kids processing thought differently than we do?
I would say in some ways, “no,” and in other ways, “absolutely!” In fact, I would say, in many ways, today’s “generation gap” is arguably much more serious than in any time in history. When you look back, it seems that these “generation gaps” occur with whatever new technology comes along the pike. The telegraph, the phonograph, the flannelgraph (in church circles), movies, the automobile, radio, TV, and, now, the internet.
But today’s digital technology, generally speaking, has had a much bigger influence on how our kids process thought and prioritize their lives than anyone realizes. Nothing in the past rewired our kids’ brains like today’s digital technology. I think this has created an atmosphere that makes it difficult for parents and their kids to understand one another because, according to a lot of today’s new science, this new 24/7 “inform-me and entertain-me into imbecility” world we’re living in is changing the way our kids’ brains are being wired from early on in their lives.
I think this is often a largely self-inflicted wound. Though kids still actually want their parents to be their major influencers, it appears that Siri, Alexa, YouTube and hundreds of social media friends—among myriad other things—might be training and influencing our kids in ways that have yet to understand—but we certainly need to start. Today Ron Hutchcraft joins me to discuss teen culture today. Our conversations covers the following topics:
Why understanding your teen’s culture is vital in saving your teen. Why the changes in the 60s were not more radical than today’s changes. How to help your teen buy into the fact that he/she can make a difference. How can you help your teen become more passionate about Jesus? A crucial prayer you should be praying. Can we truly disciple our kids?
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Today’s overly-indulged kids live in a smorgasbord of entertainment, amusement, pleasure, and information that makes focussing on eternal things—to be quite blunt—a bit of a bore in their eyes. But are any of these explanations somehow greater reasons than the myriad other reasons people have given for shunning the church in times past? Whatever the reason, or reasons, it is become a concern for parents and for the future of our faith here in America.
Alex McFarland has spoken in hundreds of locations throughout the US and abroad as a speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics. He has preached in over 1,500 different churches throughout North America and internationally. Beginning in 1991, Alex pioneered apologetics conference formats designed to equip teens and adults to defend their faith. Attendees of all ages began to attend Alex’s Truth for a New Generation events, eagerly learning from speakers such as Ravi Zacharias, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Chuck Colson, and others.
Alex has participated in interviews for Fox and Friends, NPR’s All Things Considered, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CBS news, NBC News, BBC News, Christianity Today, and other media outlets. In a 2009 story, CNN referred to Alex as, “an expert on world religions and cults.”
How Leaving the Church Is Becoming a Cultural Norm In America I think we have all noticed that kids just don’t seem to be motivated to go to church anymore. This is particularly true for the young people who leave their homes to live on their own—even when they have gone to church for their entire lives. On the other hand, some young people are leaving the church, but they still aren’t leaving their parents’ homes. In some cases, they aren’t claiming to be leaving the faith either. Sadly, it is not uncommon for 30-year-olds to still be playing video games, entertaining themselves, or pleasuring themselves into imbecility in any number of other ways. Regrettably, a lot of parents are complicit in this by allowing their kids to do it.
Kicking our kids out of the nest just seems counter-intuitive. Yet when mom and dad go to church on Sunday morning, 23-year-old Junior is still hungover from Saturday night—not necessarily from drugs or alcohol, but from any number of other kinds of over-indulgence. This could be in the form of entertainment, pleasure, information overload, or any number of things. Consequently, he or she—usually “he”—just can’t seem to answer the bell for church, nor is he or she inclined to do so.
But this isn’t the only problem. This thing is so systemic to our culture these days that it has almost become the “new normal.” But in God’s eyes—and the grand scheme of common sense and all that is healthy and good—it really is a human tragedy. I’m anxious to hear our guest’s take on getting this generation back on track for Christ’s sake. Today, Alex McFarland and I discuss the church, our culture, and young people as we cover the following topics:
How has the American church been complicit in the youth’s uninterest in church? How can kids understand the complete Gospel. Why youth groups need to be more than pizza, paintball, and soda. The challenges youth pastors face in the American churches. Why these challenges may be cheapening our youth’s experience with church. Youth groups need to return to the substance and foundational principles of the Bible. Why Gen Z may not care about the historical facts of the scriptures. Why are our teens so stressed?
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Discovering meaningful responses for popular objections to Scripture and the Christian faith can build our faith and the faith of our families. In addition, it is possible that this process will help build God’s Kingdom as we interact with people on a daily basis. And remember, when young people build a closer and stronger relationship with God, parents will benefit as their kids’ behaviors are renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Before having a profound experience with God, Dave Glander was a committed atheist. Since his encounter with Christ, Dave has become a devout believer in God and the Scriptures. Dave founded the ministries, Tied2Christ and Truth Ministries. Both of these ministries are centered on apologetics and are headquartered in Atlanta, GA. In addition, Dave is a co-founder of Equip Retreat, a summer camp for young people that is focused on apologetics, and he is a co-pastor for The Way, a church located in Hoschton, GA. Dave and his wife Stephanie live in the metro Atlanta area with their son, Marc.
How Clarifying Popular Misconceptions Can Help Defend the Truth of Christianity On License to Parent, I often discuss the importance of being able to defend one’s faith. Today, I have invited Dave Glander back to follow up on a program about this topic that we posted a couple of months ago. I wanted to continue our conversation with him because apologetics is something that I believe is important for a few reasons. Not only can it potentially help limit the amount of young people that are fleeing the church these days, it can also help mend broken families and keep them together.
In many ways, Shepherds Hill Academy helps prove my stance on apologetics. Quite often, I watch troubled teens come to realizations about God, Jesus’s work, and the Bible. They don’t figure this stuff out because the staff members at SHA force them to accept it—that isn’t something we would do. In fact, sometimes the initial distrust toward Christianity comes because these young people were forced into it at some point. But sometimes, when they are guided back toward the truth in a way they can swallow, they realize they actually can accept it.
Sometimes, an initial resistance to Christianity begins when young people see the whole world acting by a different set of moral values than their Christian parents, and they begin to think, “How do my mom and dad know the truth when the rest of the world seems to offer a free life full of pleasure and entertainment?” And I can definitely understand how some teenagers could think this way. Today Dave Glander and I continue to discuss how apologetics can set the record straight for misconceptions about Christianity. Our conversation covers the following topics:
Who is Dave Glander? How do I address my child’s desire to protest, which seems to be a popular fad for teens today. The problem of participation trophies, and what parents should do. The importance of talking to your child. Why apologetics are vital. The cultural myth that your kids do not like the Bible. How to establish the validity of the Bible. How do I answer my child’s questions about why there is suffering on this earth.
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Many of the issues that we talked about last time are rooted in a lack of modesty, humility, a biblical worldview, and traditional values. Today, we will be talking about the importance of modesty and what parents need to know about this topic.
Allison Wallace is the Director of Program Development at Shepherds Hill Academy. Prior to holding this position, she was the Girls Wilderness Program Supervisor. She says working in residential care is not just a job, it is a passion for her. Allison studied Counseling Psychology and Developmental Psychology at Toccoa Falls College. She and her husband Joshua are both on staff here at Shepherds Hill Academy. In fact, they live on the SHA campus along with their beautiful little girl, Lilliana.
How the Importance of Modesty Can Go Beyond How We Dress When people go to job interviews, they pay close attention to what they are wearing. Why? Because first impressions are really important. The clothes you wear to an interview will help with that first impression. If you wear sweatpants to an interview, chances are, you are going to make the impression that you did not take the interview very seriously. When you get dressed everyday, you are putting an impression of yourself out there. The question is, how do you want that to be interpreted by those around you?
Let me be clear, this does not mean that if a woman wears something immodest, then it is OK for men to disrespect her. It certainly is not OK. But there is some level of self-responsibility that we need to take. As we get dressed, what do we want our clothes to say about us? How do we expect to be treated? And remember, just because we are talking about the importance of modesty for women does mean that men shouldn’t conduct themselves with modestly as well. Scripture certainly alludes to the importance of modesty for men and women.
People can get off track with modest dressing, and many think modesty is only about how we dress. It so much more than that. Dress is a small part of it, but modesty is a heart issue and a character issue. It is how we handle ourselves, how we communicate, and how we hold ourselves. We really need to evaluate our hearts and ask why we are doing certain things. Bottom line: Where does your value come from? If you are looking for your value in other men or other women, then, chances are, this subject is really hard for you. If your value is coming from the Lord and you are confident in who you are, then, chances are, you are probably doing a little bit better in this area. Today we tackle the topic of modesty as we discuss the following subjects:
Why is modesty important for women. How should mothers appropriately dress to be role models for their daughters? What role should husbands play in the conversation of modesty. How to avoid workplace sexual harassment? Unpacking the now trending war on men. Is makeup appropriate for teens? What does the term “submission” mean in today’s culture?
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Proverbs 18:17 says, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” As parents are raising daughters and sons today, perhaps their kids should hear the “rest of the story,” lest our daughters acquire victim mentalities and our sons acquire unnecessary guilt complexes that follow them into adulthood. Perhaps it is time they hear from godly women with honest and objective perspectives on the issue. But from where will such women be procured? Today we discuss raising our daughters to be objective, God-honoring woman for today’s world.
Allison Wallace is the Director of Program Development at Shepherds Hill Academy. Prior to holding this position, she was the Girls Wilderness Program Supervisor. She says working in residential care is not just a job, it is a passion for her. Allison studied Counseling Psychology and Developmental Psychology at Toccoa Falls College. She and her husband Joshua are both on staff here at Shepherds Hill Academy. In fact, they live on the SHA campus along with their beautiful little girl, Lilliana.
How Raising Daughters Can Be Affected by Political Correctness Why is chivalry now considered sexist? I’ll bet if some of these liberated “gender-hustlers” were on the Titanic, they would have actually wanted the same unique privileges that women have always enjoyed and still often enjoy even to this day! “So, don’t protect the women and children first?” Really? Had Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” been taken to heart that fateful night in 1912, there would be a lot more women and children at the bottom of the Atlantic than there are right now! A lot more men would have sailed home on the Carpathia too.
If you ask me, women have lost a whole lot more than they have gained in recent years because they have given up diamonds for dirt—and largely through self-inflicted wounds. I just think we need to raise our daughters to understand their unique gifts and value to the world as God has ordained—and without all the politically correct nonsense we see and hear about so often today. I know I’m a little biased, but I’m hoping today’s guest will help give us a perspective that will be refreshing and sensical to the mothers and daughters listening to this broadcast today. This is not a discussion you are going hear very often today, but I think it is a discussion that needs to be had. Today, Allison Wallace and I discuss raising daughters today as we cover the following topics:
Why the feminist movement may be headed in the wrong direction. How you should train your daughters to view the role of a man and the role of a woman. The truth behind how teenage girls view today’s culture. Why we need to embrace chivalry. How should you help your child understand the #metoo movement. Why the culture seems to be missing the point in addressing modesty. Why it is important to teach your teens to critically think through what their peers say.
While parents complain about these things, do they consider how they can help teens transform our culture? Let’s say a large number of public schools truly are as unhealthy as I’ve already mentioned. Let’s say that public schools truly are Junior’s only educational option. And let’s say that taking God and prayer out of schools really was the beginning of the end for America’s once stellar public education system. If this is the case, then let’s ask ourselves what, if anything, we can be doing—and equipping our kids to be doing—to transform it.
Jordan Whitmer is the Founder and CEO of the #HowToLife movement. Jordan was raised in a passionate Christian family and chose to own his faith as a leader and to share Jesus with his generation. The movement Jordan started, #HowToLife, has now had 27 completely teen-led events in 10 states around the country, and the movement continues to expand rapidly. Jordan is a graduate of Liberty University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies.
Why Christian Parents Must Be Active and Willing to Help Teens Transform Our Culture I have to be frank with you all. Even though I definitely think there is a point to be made, I get a little weary of hearing Christians moaning the blues about our government taking God and prayer out of the public school system and then doing little to nothing about it themselves. I’m not saying that nobody has attempted to do anything, because today’s guest is a great example of someone who actually is doing something.
But with the infrastructure the church has had—and still has—here in America, I think, collectively, as the body of Christ, we could be doing a lot more. Beyond just being allowed to pray in school, I’m talking about bringing Christ more to the forefront of the hearts and minds of our citizenry as a whole. I think we got complacent, comfortable, and—as much as I hate to say it—lazy. We equated being an American with being a Christian. Today, we are seeing how that has been working out for us. But thank God for young people like today’s guest to help get things turned around. Today, Jordan Whitmer and I discuss young people, our culture, and the #HowtoLife movement as we cover the following topics:
Who is Jordan Whitmer, and what is the #HowtoLife movement? Is Generation Z lost? 1 example of how a teen-led event sparked a movement. How is social media being used by teens for good? How can parents get involved? Examples of hope for this up and coming generation.
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To the postmodern and relativistic thinker, the definition of what it means to be human could vary dramatically. Because the very foundation for how we treat and interact with other people first demands that we understand what a person actually is, we need to establish and maintain that foundation with our kids early and often. Confusing? Well, we will sort it all out for you as we discuss who we are in Jesus Christ.
Evangelist Alveda King is a former college professor and a former representative in the Georgia State House of Representatives. She currently serves as a Pastoral Associate and Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn. She is also a voice for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, sharing her testimony of two abortions, God’s forgiveness, and healing.
The daughter of the late civil rights activist Rev. A.D. King and his wife Naomi Barber King, Alveda grew up in the civil rights movement led by her uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Her family home in Birmingham, Alabama, was bombed, as was her father’s church office in Louisville, Kentucky. Alveda was jailed during the open housing movement. She sees the pro-life movement as a continuation of the civil rights struggle.
The Founder of Alveda King Ministries, Alveda has served on several boards, including Heartbeat International, Georgia Right to Life, MLK Center, Bible Curriculum in Public Schools, and Abortion Recovery International (ARIN). She is also a member of the National Black Pro-life Coalition (NBPC) and is a Senior Fellow with the Howard Center for Family, Religion & Society.
Alveda King is a bestselling author; among her books are King Rules: Ten Truths for You, Your Family, and Our Nation to Prosper, How Can the Dream Survive if We Murder the Children?, and I Don’t Want Your Man, I Want My Own. She is also a regular columnist for the “Newsmax Insiders” section on Newsmax.com and a Fox News contributor.
How Building Biblical Foundations Provides Moral Points of Reference The redefinition of terms is not only often the root of much of the conflict and confusion we see in America today, but it is also largely responsible for the communication break-down in the parent/child relationship.
It is hard to agree on anything when common terms are commonly misunderstood, misrepresented, and misapplied to virtually everything these days—particularly when it comes to common terms like God, man, love, hate, truth, good, evil, marriage, family, faith, grace, peace, freedom, or even what it means to be human. I could go on and on with good and godly terms that are too often defined with the devil’s dictionary. Think about this: The distortion of what it actually means to be “human”—for example—was one way that Americans actually justified and legalized slavery in the 19th century! Isn’t this how we have justified and legalized abortion in the 20th century and even up to this very day? In the 19th century our Supreme Court defined African Americans as only three-fifths of a human.
Today, unborn babies are called fetuses. Murder is euthanasia. Disagreement is on par with hate, bigotry, or racism. Our kids have to be made aware of this postmodern insanity or we are going to continue to implode our families and implode our nation. So where should our point of reference be for all moral truth? Where do we go for child-rearing principles and to find out what it actually means to be human? Well, hopefully that is what today’s guest is going to help us get sorted out. Evangelist Alveda King and I discuss faith, biblical foundations, and pro-life perspectives as we cover the following topics:
Who is Alveda King? Who shaped Martin Luther King Jr.’s worldview? Does there really need to be an absolute point of reference? What shapes Alveda King’s perspective on abortion? What is Alveda’s experience with modeling her faith to her family?
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This is in motion picture and in living color, totaling to 14 thousand images by the end of the year. Much of it will be branded in their brains for for the duration of their lives—and that’s if they shut off the line of visual sewage immediately. But because of the addictive nature of pornography, it’s likely going to require some help.
Kevin Kurtz has worked in counseling-related fields for 30 years. He spent 10 years working in a hospital for the mentally challenged and served as chaplain and pastoral counselor for 20 years in the corporate arena. Kevin has a private practice caring for clients who are dealing with mood disorders, addiction, anger, and other mental health issues.
Kevin earned a bachelor’s degree in counseling and a minor in pastoral ministries at Toccoa Falls College. He earned his master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. Kevin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Christian Counselor, and a Certified Anger Management Specialist. He has also received special training in the areas of trauma and sexual addiction. Presently, Kevin is a counselor and the clinical director at Shepherds Hill Academy. He has been married 39 years, and he and his wife have two children and seven grandchildren.
How Easy Access to Pornography Affects Teens In American Culture Arguably, there may be no greater scourge on our teen population than pornography. It seems to be so entrenched in every area of life that—even for our younger kids—there just seems to be no escaping it these days.
The proliferation of this stuff only fuels the addictive nature of it. Being a teenager growing up in America today is like being an alcoholic and having every drinking fountain, soda machine, river, pond, and lake stocked with Budweiser or Jack Daniels instead of water. Madison Avenue uses skin to sell everything from clothing to hamburgers and from cologne to cars. It’s in the music, movies, TV, and social media that our kids consume. If all that isn’t enough, our kids have been desensitized to it to the point that they produce their own amateur pornography on their smartphones—addictive devices that teens shouldn’t have in the first place, by the way.
As most of us know, this descent into lasciviousness has now become a way of life for so many of our young people today. What many of us may not know is that it’s destroying our kids’ ability to truly enjoy a genuine and intimate relationship with a future spouse that is based on the love, truth, and the commitment required for a legitimate and lasting marriage as God has ordained it. Pornography has got a whole lot to do with why so many marriages aren’t making it today. And, of course, when marriage is attacked, so goes the downfall of any civil society. We’re “sure as shooting” seeing that happening here in America as we speak. Today, Kevin Kurtz and I discuss the how pornography negatively affects teens as we cover the following topics:
Why is pornography such a big deal? Hasn’t it been around since the dawn of time? How does pornography affect the brain of my teen? The root of your child’s pornography habits may begin with tolerance. Why you must be approachable in communicating on the topic of pornography. How desensitisation can affect marriage. The difference between your brain and your teen’s brain. How to be aware of signs that indicate your teen is accessing pornography. Should I discipline my child if they are accessing pornography?
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This means that 8 million American kids will be on some kind of prescription medication by the time they reach adulthood. In America, $1,100 per second is spent on medication. At the same time, America uses 80% of the world’s Ritalin supply! So what is really going on here? Could it be that we are needlessly medicating our kids for problems and behaviors that are largely caused simply by virtue of growing up in today’s toxic American culture?
Tina Marie Griffin has worked as a news reporter, runway model, writer, film director, missionary, and public speaker. Through her show Hollywood Exposed, she has built a reputation as a leading media expert on how popular culture affects children. Besides acting in many Hollywood movies, Tina has worked on TV shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, Young and the Restless, 90210, Ally McBeal, Lizzie Mcguire, Drake and Josh, and Malcolm in the Middle. Tina has been featured on ABC’s Dr. Keith Ablow Show, and she has been a guest on The Alan Colmes Show. Tina holds a Film and Television Broadcasting Degree from California State University, Los Angeles, and she currently has a monthly pop culture update segment on Stand Up for the Truth Radio. Her highest priorities are her husband Luke and her energetic children Jacob, Levi, Eden, and Stella. Tina loves to homeschool her kids, and she teaches classes at a homeschool co-op in her community.
How Some Aspects of American Culture Can Help Create Dysfunction At Shepherds Hill Academy, we recognize that regular exposure to love, truth, wisdom, and righteous living by godly and morally upright people can help bring health and restoration to young people who have acted rebellious or have struggled emotionally or mentally. Beyond this, we observe that this path toward health is more easily traveled when the negative parts of our culture—the parts that help create and exacerbate various dysfunctions and disorders—are condemned and revealed for what they are. What kind of negative things am I talking about? Allow me to list a few. I mean questionable medical conclusions that are based on bad science and the practice of over-prescribing unnecessary medication. I mean how our culture misuses digital technology and how the media spreads false information. I mean sexual immorality, video game violence, social pressures, and the influence of music, television, and films. Parents must keep in mind that all of these things have the potential to distort the truth and pervert what is right and good. Today, Tina Marie Griffin and I discuss the influence of our culture as we cover the following topics:
Tina’s experience with parents. What is the role of videogames and violence? How the culture is influencing your teen. Why Jay-Z and Beyonce’s iconic symbols displayed during tour are intentional. How your kid can help transform the culture.
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If there is a silver lining here, it might be that the foreign mission field has now effectively come right to our own backyard. What exactly is evangelism anyway, and why is it so important that we not only practice it ourselves, but also instruct our kids to practice it?
Ray Comfort is the Founder and CEO of Living Waters and the bestselling author of more than 80 books, including God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life, How to Know God Exists, and The Evidence Bible. He co-hosts the award-winning television program Way of the Master, airing in almost 200 countries, and is the Executive Producer of 180, Evolution vs. God, Audacity, and other films. He is married to his wife, Sue, has three children, and has not left the house without gospel tracts for decades.
How Our Culture Can Affect Our View of Evangelism Many of the troubled teenagers that attend Shepherds Hill Academy are being raised by parents who claim to be Christian. While I can’t read the minds and hearts of every member of every family with which we work, this reality brings light to the fact that many parents are having a hard time trying to live lives that honor God in the situations that they are in. Even if parents have a lot of things figured out and raise their kids in an ideal situation, there is no guarantee that their children will choose to accept the spiritual truths that their parents have taught them.
On top of this, our culture often undercuts parents who hold and teach Christian values. It is a hard time for anyone to be a parent, let alone a Christian. Increased negativity toward Christianity can make Christians more uncomfortable with sharing the gospel than they were before—and many Christians were already intimidated by evangelism. Today, Ray Comfort and I discuss parenting, cultural issues, and evangelism as we cover the following topics:
Understanding the current state of evangelism. How to help your child understand complex biblical principles. One quick insight on how to navigate the topic of homosexuality. The importance of conversations.
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And, in addition to the obvious anatomical differences, boys and girls communicate differently because their brains are structured differently. So, as good parents, we need to acknowledge these things in order to effectively communicate with our kids.
Karen Whiting, a freelance writer and award-winning author of 25 nonfiction books, loves to let creativity splash onto the pages as she writes. Karen’s books include Raising a Young Modern-Day Princess for parents and the popular tween series God’s Girls (inspirational craft books). Her 2017 releases are 52 Weekly Devotions for Busy Families, The Gift of Bread: Recipes for the Heart and the Table, and Girl Talk Guy Talk.
Karen served as a contributing writer for the parenting magazine of Focus on the Family for two years, writes a time management column for Leading Hearts Magazine, and is a regular contributor to Molly Green Magazine and The Kid’s Ark. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including Focus on the Family magazine, The Lookout, and Today’s Christian Woman.
Why Knowing How Boys and Girls Communicate Can Be Helpful for Parents
I was told New York city now recognizes 31 different gender distinctions. Of course, this is insanity, but there is definitely a difference in how the different sexes/genders communicate with us as parents—and how we should communicate with them. By the way, I just don’t buy the premise that there is any significant difference between the sex and gender of an individual. But that is an entirely different program. For the sake of today’s program, we are going to accept the premise—and the general historical precedent—that, generally speaking, males and females (boys and girls) actually do communicate differently, and therefore, it would be wise to teach our kids how to effectively deal with the opposite sex.
Before we can do that, we parents need to get a handle on understanding the differences in just how boys and girls actually communicate. It’s very easy for one gender to infer something that the other gender isn’t implying. I think understanding this will help make our parenting experience a more pleasurable and profitable one. You may be wondering what I’ve observed about the way the two genders communicate. Well, I am going to allow today’s guest to elaborate on that subject. On today’s podcast, Karen Whiting and I discuss communication as we cover the following topics:
What is the purpose of Girl Talk Guy Talk? The important role your questions will play in your child’s life. What are the communication differences between boys and girls? How to move beyond “just lecturing” and begin listening. Is sarcasm appropriate in a parent to child relationship? How has the digital age complicated communication among peers.
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Because digital devices have now become ingrained in our culture to the point of almost being considered a kind of “sustenance” by many people, we will need to prepare our kids to navigate today’s digital age in ways that are safe and God-honoring. Of all the digital devices that bring liability to their users, social media and mobile devices are arguably considered to be the most concerning. Today, we will discuss these concerns as we talk to the author of the new book, The Teen’s Guide to Social Media and Mobile Devices.
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices, 52 Ways to Connect with Your Smartphone Obsessed Kid, More Than Just the Talk, Sex Matters, and The Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket. Jonathan has over 20 years of experience in youth ministry and speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for parents on his website TheSource4Parents.com. On this website, parents can follow Jonathan’s blog and get a regular dose of youth culture and parenting help.
How Digital Technology and Social Media Presents Kids with Risks and Complications
Evidence that parents need to start rethinking the way they allow their children to interact with digital technology can be found in statistics, science, current events, and everyday life. Digital technology like the smartphone brings much unnecessary complication and risk into the lives of parents and kids. I’m all for simple cell phones for safety and communication purposes, but I think smartphones are addictive adult toys that can bring more liability and burden to our family dynamics than we need in our hustle/bustle age.
I don’t know that the risk of the smartphone is worth the reward. I also think there is a good case to be made that we inadvertently exasperate our kids, provoke them to anger, and cause them to stumble by giving these devices to them. We know what Jesus said about “causing one of these little ones to stumble.” Is it really worth putting our kids at risk just to be culturally relevant or accepted?
In my line of work, I deal with otherwise good and godly kids whose lives and families have been wrecked. Virtually every case can be linked back to a smartphone. Let me ask you this: What would be the worst thing that could happen if we made smartphones “no-kid-zones” at home? Jonathan McKee and I discuss social media and smartphones as we cover the following topics:
Why you should read The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices. The difference between tech-enabled and not tech-dependant. Could smartphones be contributing to teen depression? A crucial question you need to ask as your child begins to enter adulthood. How you can empower your child to know the truth about the intentions of the creators of social media sites. How to help your child understand that nothing transferred over the internet is truly deleted. How to educate your child about privacy settings. The importance of understanding Snapchat and the new feature, “Snap Maps.”
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If parents and children knew the answers to the myriad objections to the Christian position on God, the Gospel, and the Bible, the reality of God would prompt parents to be more diligent in raising their kids according to the mandates of Scripture, and our young people might not be so eager to exit the church in droves. Additionally, parents probably would not be dealing with some of the struggles with their kids that that they are currently facing either. That, in and of itself, makes it worth heeding the Scriptural imperative to be prepared to defend our faith. Raising godly kids with the knowledge and the courage to defend their convictions is a recipe for emotionally healthy offspring.
Dave Glander was a devout atheist prior to a radical encounter with Jesus Christ. He is now a deeply committed believer in Christ and the Bible. Dave is the founder of the apologetics-based ministry Truth Ministries which is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also a co-pastor at The Way in Hoschton, Georgia and co-founder of an apologetics-based youth summer camp called EQUIP retreat. Dave is the author of the Faith Survival Guide apologetics curriculum. He owns and currates the Museum of Truth, an 1800-square-foot traveling biblical museum, and he has hosted his own radio program called What Is Truth. Dave currently lives in the Atlanta area with his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Marc.
How Studying Christian Apologetics Can Help Answer Questions About the Faith
Shepherds Hill Academy is proof that studying Christian apologetics is important. Quite often, I watch students make their own determinations about God, Scripture, and Christianity as they learn more about the faith. We do not force Shepherds Hill Academy students to trust in the Gospel or profess trust in Jesus, and we never would. Actually, sometimes the very thing that is motivating our students to rebel in the first place is the feeling that they have been forced into Christianity by their parents.
At Shepherds Hill Academy, we simply try to respond to our students’ uncertainty about the faith. We answer questions and explain why we believe what we believe. Many of the students at Shepherds Hill Academy come from families that, to some extent, accept Christianity and follow its principles. This doesn’t apply to every student, but it does apply to the majority. A disconnect can occur in teens when they look at our culture and start to believe that the rest of the country has a different worldview and belief system, and, at least at that moment, they like what they see in our culture more than what they see in the faith of their parents. A worldly belief system that values the pursuit of whatever makes you feel happy seems pretty appealing to them. They may begin to think that there is no way their parents are right and this worldly belief system is wrong, and unfortunately, this is exactly what the devil wants them to think. Trace Embry and Dave Glander discuss how to keep kids strong in the faith as they discuss the following topics:
Who is Dave Glander? How were Dave’s atheistic beliefs changed? Why facts are not enough. Do you need a degree to pursue apologetics? Do other religions really have the amount of evidence as Christianity? How can parents get their teens involved in apologetics? Who are the upcoming thought leaders of apologetics?
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The digital technology that is so common today is allowing kids—and adults—to practice some healthy and productive habits and some destructive and unhealthy habits. Because of this, parents would be wise to regulate digital technology for their kids and develop guidelines for using it at home and away from home.
Dr. Kathy Koch is the founder and president of Celebrate Kids Inc., a ministry based in Fort Worth, Texas. She has reached many educators, parents, kids, and others through numerous speaking engagements and appearances on radio programs. Dr. Koch has written six books. Her bestselling books include 8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child’s Intelligences and Screens and Teens: Connecting With Our Teens in a Wireless World. Before founding Celebrate Kids and becoming an active speaker, Dr. Koch was active in the field of education. At various times, she worked as an elementary school teacher, a coach, a tenured associate professor, and a school board member.
How Dangerous Technologies of the Past Should Teach Us to Regulate Digital Technology
Consider what it was like at the beginning of the 1900s. Industry and technology were developing quickly, and cars were quickly becoming a normal part of everyday life in America. How long do you think it took for people to realize that rules and regulations were needed to keep people safe on the road? As time went by, people noticed that things like signs, traffic lights, blinkers, seat belts, and many others were necessary to keep people safe. Next, they agreed that young people had to reach a certain age before being allowed to drive a car. Our society even dictated that adults had to take an exam and carry a license in order to get behind the wheel. All of this for a technology that doesn’t create addicts!
Now we must consider the world we live in today. Technology is advancing faster than ever before in many areas. But unlike the early 1900s, when the dangers of new industrial technology were physical in nature, new digital technology effects minds, emotions, and attitudes more than physical bodies. Because these risks are harder to quantify, we seem to be taking our time in enacting a system of safety for digital technology. Today Dr. Kathy Koch and I discuss the influence of digital technology as we cover the following topics:
Do Christians seem to be overlooking the point of christianity? How do our children’s behaviors connect to their media habits? The importance of relationships. Why your child’s opinions fluctuate so frequently. How do we train our kids not to compartmentalize? Why are parents struggling with improving their homes? How parents can rise above their peers and raise godly kids.
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While music videos, TV sitcoms, and Hollywood movies too often portray kids as having equal rights, authority, and wit as their adult counterparts, we are seeing similar behaviors playing out in real life as well. We see it in our school systems, internet videos, government, sporting events, grocery stores, and, sadly, even in our churches. Even younger kids do not seem to respect or mind their parents like they used to. Has our culture, itself, been a greater contributor to this than most of us realize? As God-fearing parents, how do we pass on our values to our kids, while maintaining our sanity in a society that’s gone insane?
Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 books, including The Birth Order Book and Have a New Kid by Friday. His new book, Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours, is completely updated and expanded for a new generation of parents. The previous edition of this book sold more than 1 million copies. Dr. Leman lives with his wife, Sande, in Arizona; they have five children and four grandchildren.
How Bad Behavior Is Becoming the New Normal For Kids
It seems that just about everyone you talk to these days has a Walmart story. By that I mean a story about kids behaving badly while their parents do their best to maintain their sanity and dignity.
I have a few of these Walmart stories myself. And it's not like Walmart is the only place that this happens, there are many other public venues where kids have been seen acting out and not minding their parents or other authority figures for that matter. In fact, it seems that the news regularly reports incidents of kids cussing-out, flipping-off, and even physically assaulting their teachers in the public school system with little-to-no consequences afterwards.
The thing that I just can’t understand is that when kids get in trouble at school today, too many parents are quick to put the teachers on the hot seat instead of Junior. In the past, when you got in trouble at school, round two was coming even hotter and heavier from your parents when you got home. I was in a doctor’s office recently, and I overheard a conversation between two retired public school teachers. Both of them were talking about the incredible changes in today’s kids compared to just 10 years ago. They went on to talk about how happy they were to have gotten out at a time where they still had their sanity— and their lives!
I’m not kidding! Things are a mess today. I know our parents’ generation gets accused of being too “authoritarian”—and maybe they were. But most kids did what their parents told them to do back then. Kids minded their parents—in their presence, anyway. Hopefully, today’s guest will help us figure out how we can get our kids to mind us, not only in our presence, but in our absence as well. Dr. Kevin Leman and I discuss effective parenting styles as we cover the following topics:
What are the different parenting styles? Is there a parenting style that is harmful? Why your child might say that he or she “hates” you. Why encouragement is better than praising your child. Examples of an authoritative parent. How do I address violence in the home? The importance of not raising all of your kids in the exact same way.
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Challenging our kids to ponder the reality of the afterlife is too often an overlooked component in raising emotionally healthy kids today. But what if you could tell your kids about someone who claims to have been there and then returned to earth to tell about it? Well, after today’s program, you will have plenty to talk about with your kids concerning the afterlife. Today, we will be talking to someone who claims to have been there.
Mary C. Neal, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, former director of spine surgery at the University of Southern California, a founding partner of the Orthopedic Associates of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the author of 7 Lessons from Heaven and To Heaven and Back.
Dr. Neal received her medical degree from the School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she also trained in general surgery before completing an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Southern California. She has served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, is a member of the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations, and created the Willie Neal Environmental Awareness Fund. More information about Dr. Neal and her books can be found at her website, drmarynealbooks.com.
How Letting Kids Know About the Afterlife May Shape Their Faith
When someone claims to have visited the afterlife, I think it is fair to teach our kids to sort through the claim and not automatically reject it. After all, we’re expecting our kids to believe a lot of similar things from the Bible—not the least of which is the ultimate afterlife experience upon which our entire faith rests. That, of course, being the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Himself. If we’re expected to believe—and expect our kids to believe—the account of Christ’s death and resurrection from 2,000 years ago, then I think it’s only fair to at least hear out someone who claims to have had a first-hand supernatural experience in contemporary times.
I think that refusing to keep an open mind about it might prove us guilty of denying the very power that we claim our God possesses even today. It also puts us in a similar position as those people in Scripture who were forced to believe or refute the testimonies of those who claimed supernatural experiences back in the day. For me, the bottom line is this: Anything that could help build my faith or the faith of my children, I want to know about it. By the same token, anything that could clarify what I believe or even challenge it, I want to know about that too. Truth is a lifelong pursuit. Today, Dr. Mary C. Neal and I discuss her experience with the afterlife as we cover the following topics:
Mary C. Neal’s traumatic kayaking accident. What Mary learned during her life review. What Mary experienced while she was underwater. Is it true that she saw Jesus? Why she believes this experience happened to her. Why this miraculous story is relevant to you and your family. How does Mary answer the skeptics?
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On top of all this, the Bible is a resource for parents as well. Even though roughly 70,000 books have been written on the topic of raising kids, the Bible has always been a preeminent go-to source for parents worldwide. This has certainly been true for American parents—at least for the first 200 years of our nation’s history, anyway. In more recent times, the Bible has become more of a “dust collector” than a “just director” for American families. To steal a phrase from one popular self-proclaimed parenting expert, “How’s that working for us?” Now that America has become a much more dangerous place to raise our children, perhaps we need to return to parenting by the book—this dangerous book, as some call it.
Steve Green is the President of Hobby Lobby, the largest privately owned arts and crafts retailer in the world. His wife Jackie actively supports him in his position at Hobby Lobby and is an adoptive mom who has served on the advisory board of a local crisis pregnancy center. She has also worked with her family in orphanages worldwide.
Together, Steve and Jackie have written a book about the Bible called This Dangerous Book. They are also a part of the founding family of the Museum of the Bible. The Museum of the Bible is the largest international museum in the world devoted solely to the presentation and preservation of the Bible. This facility opened its doors in November of 2017, but since 2009, the Greens have been collecting biblical artifacts from all around the world. Today, they possess one of the largest collections in the world. Steve and Jackie provide unique insight and commentary into the Bible’s role in our public and our personal lives. They have been blessed six children and four grandchildren.
How the Bible Is a Resource That Reveals a Path Toward Healing
When pop-psychologists and traditional approaches to helping troubled teenagers fall short, Shepherds Hill Academy remains a proving ground for the truth and power of God’s written Word to heal not only kids who have one foot in jail or one foot in the grave, but their entire families as well. Incredibly, this is happening for families from all across the country and around the world. While it’s easy to think that the healing is coming largely from Shepherds Hill Academy’s clinical approaches alone, we really attribute the lion’s share of the healing to the truth and power of God’s Word. The clinical team here at Shepherds Hill Academy is just doing what is congruent with what the Scriptures have already been trying to teach folks for thousands of years. One of those things is leading people to healthy and right thinking.
Without the Bible, how would we know what healthy and right thinking actually is? The Bible really is the ultimate psychology book. But it is much more than that. It reveals God and His redemptive purposes. It leads us to right “being.” Mental health professionals have their own “bible” of sorts; It’s called the DSM (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). They would say that this is where “right thinking” is discovered. But if things keep going as they have been going in mental health circles in recent times, “Christianity” itself might eventually be found as an actual disorder in their DSM. Today, Steve and Jackie Green and I discuss the Bible as we cover the following topics:
Why is the Bible considered dangerous? Who are Steve and Jackie Green? Why is the Bible different from the Quran? What is the Bible Museum? How did the Bible Museum begin? How can the Bible Museum benefit my family?
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As a result of this, we have to use the term “traditional” in front of term “family” in order to convey its same historic meaning. But is the traditional family really any healthier or legitimate than other combination of human beings living under the same roof? Others in our society today would say that the traditional family is not any healthier—nor more legitimate—than any other definition of family. If this is true, why should preserving the traditional family be a priority for the citizenry of the United States—or for any other nation for that matter?
Tim Wildmon is president of American Family Association (AFA) and American Family Radio (AFR). Tim is the co-host of Today’s Issues, a daily radio program that offers a Christian response to issues of the day. He is also co-host of Christian Worldview This Week, a weekly program that examines social and political issues for Christians and considers how they can become involved. Both programs air on American Family Radio stations across the country.
Tim has appeared on Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN. He has been quoted in national newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and numerous other media outlets. He is also frequently quoted by Family News in Focus, WorldNetDaily, SRN News, and USA Radio News. Tim is a frequent guest on local and national radio programs.
How Postmodernism Has Impacted the Traditional Family Concept
As we have discussed many times before on License to Parent, common sense can’t be common when a society has no common set of standards on which the vast majority of its citizenry can agree. If everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes, which is basically the mantra of the postmodern thought that pervades American thinking today, then, logically speaking, how can you have common sense?
Within the greater American culture, common sense can’t exist—unless, of course, we consider the common terms and values among the enclaves or subcultures within the greater American culture. Our own Christian subculture is one example. Some Native Americans or Muslims would have their own common sense values as well. And there are many others. But what is common sense to them may not always be common sense to you and me. So, for the most part, “common sense” for our greater American culture is virtually gone. That has been true in this country ever since the lens of a predominantly Biblical worldview slowly began being exchanged for a lens of a postmodern worldview 50 years ago. We can see what this has done for the definition of family in recent years.
I’m looking forward to hearing what our guest has to say about all this. Today, Tim Wildmon and I discuss the definition of “family” as we cover the following subjects:
What is the AFA? What is the culture’s definition of a family? How should parents define family? How should parents address their teen’s argument against marriage? The importance of taking “sin” seriously. How do we return to a traditional home?
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It’s argued that all of God’s children have intelligences to offer the world. Knowing how to nurture the God-given gifts, strengths, and intelligences of children can help parents raise them in, what Scripture calls,“the way they should go.” This is the way that will bring them contentment, significance, identity, belonging, joy and the emotional and spiritual well-being to glorify God and benefit everyone they encounter. Now, that’s a recipe for a successful life.
Dr. Kathy Koch, the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids, has influenced thousands of parents, teachers, and children in 30 countries through keynote messages, seminars, assemblies, and other events.
Dr. Kathy is a popular guest on Focus on the Family radio and other radio talk-shows. She is also an author of six books, including four published by Moody Publishers and two published by Celebrate Kids. Her best sellers are Teens and Screens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World and 8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child’s Intelligences.
Dr. Kathy earned a doctorate in reading and educational psychology from Purdue University in 1984. She was a tenured associate professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a teacher of second graders, a middle school coach, and a school board member before founding Celebrate Kids and becoming a full-time conference and keynote speaker in 1991.
How Understanding the Various Intelligences of Children Can Help Them Find Their Calling
I was in my mid-thirties when Beth and I first felt called to ministry. At the time, the thought of Bible college made Hell feel like a vacation in the Caribbean. The only reason that I was even close to being an average student back in high school was because I had taken classes like drafting, power mechanics, machine shop, and typing. Other than those kinds of classes and sports, I hated every minute of school. So, when, at the age of 34, I had to take an aptitude test to get into Bible college, I scored far, far below sea level. In other words, I had no altitude to my aptitude. In fact, I was so far below sea level that I had to look up to find the ocean floor—and that was covered with whale dung.
That’s how bad I scored. It was not only disappointing, it was beyond humiliating. Here I was, telling people that God Himself had called me to ministry, yet according to the way my aptitude was measured, I should actually be in a therapeutic school and program right now, certainly not running one. If it weren’t for a God who measures qualification for His work by a totally different standard and my pastor who saw something in me that I didn’t even see in me, I might be bagging your groceries right now or preparing your hamburgers—not that there’s anything wrong with either of those things. I’ve done both—and pretty well, I might add.
Despite my humiliating college aptitude scores and the fact that Beth and I were both working to support our three kids and pay our own way through college, by God’s grace, I managed to be on the dean's list every semester I was in school! I don’t say that to brag. I say that to demonstrate to our listeners and our guest, Dr. Kathy Koch, that what we’ll be discussing today is evidenced in the very guy who will be asking the lion’s share of the questions. Her book is spot on! I just wish my parents and I had access to it about 40 or 50 years earlier. Dr. Kathy Koch and I discuss the various intelligences of children as we cover the following topics:
What is Celebrate Kids? What do I do if my child is not making A’s in his classes? How can I cultivate my child’s strengths? How do I train my child to be wise? Why application of truth is so crucial. What are the “8 smarts?”
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Cannibalism isn’t one of the systemic problems in American culture. A penchant for the seven deadly sins and a subjective spin on truth and reality, however, are. Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—having been around forever—arguably stem from the even greater problem of that idolatrous and delusional pursuit of self-worship that is systemic to American culture today. When sin actually becomes the end-game and delusion becomes the norm for the adults of any culture, how can the children of that culture really be expected to stem the insanity on their own? Is there a systemic “Snapping of the American Mind” that has led our kids to appear troubled when they are actually reacting normally to a society in crisis?
David Kupelian is an award-winning American journalist, vice president and managing editor of online news giant WorldNetDaily (WND.com), editor of Whistleblower Magazine, and a widely read columnist. He is also the bestselling author of three influential books: The Marketing of Evil, How Evil Works, and, most recently, The Snapping of the American Mind: Healing a Nation Broken by a Lawless Government and Godless Culture. Kupelian has been interviewed by Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Neil Cavuto, and many other TV and radio hosts.
How Some Systemic Problems in American Culture Have Developed Since the 1960s
I frequently discuss systemic problems in American culture. Some of the cultural problems that arose in the 1960s have gotten a stronger and stronger grip on children through the years. Despite the fact that some aspects of the cultural rebellion that took place in the 1960s were legitimate in theory, it can be argued that, in practice, some of these things also contributed to new problems.
If we consider the mental health of people these days, it appears that emotional, psychological, and spiritual conditions are worse now for families than they were in the 1960s. In some areas, we have switched one bunch of grievous problems in our culture with a batch of fresh ones.
Unfortunately, many people today are tricked, intoxicated, and mislead by a set of untrue premises and flat out falsehoods. They do not understand what you are saying when you put forth a line of reasoning that involves logic, data, factual statements, scientific thought, historical analysis, and real-world experience. David Kupelian and I discuss dangerous systemic problems in American culture and their consequences as we cover the following topics:
What is The Snapping of the American Mind? The difference between today’s America and the America in the 50s. Why parents must be honest and transparent to their kids. One dangerous aspect of social media. The addictive nature of smartphones and social media. Why are teens so anxious today? One problem with colleges.
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Deadlines, quotas, meetings, emails, text messages, and myriad other things can make it so easy to confuse the urgent with the important. We may even neglect spending time with our children. As the saying goes, if the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy—a fact that we can all be blind to. Looking at life through the eyes of our children can be their gift of insight to us, as parents.
Ainsley Earhardt is currently a journalist and co-host of Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends. Previously, she served as co-host of Fox & Friends First and regularly contributed to Hannity with her own segment called “Ainsley Across America.” Additionally, she has co-hosted Outnumbered, Fox & Friends Weekend, Fox’s All-American New Year’s Eve, and America’s News Headquarters. She has also been a panelist on The Live Desk and appeared on Greg Gutfeld’s Red Eye. Earhardt is the author of Take Heart, My Child: A Mother’s Dream. She donated a portion of the proceeds from this book to Folds of Honor, an organization that provides scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of soldiers who have fallen in service to America. Earhardt’s latest book is called Through Your Eyes: My Child’s Gift to Me.
How Spending Time With Our Children Benefits Their Spiritual Development
It is hard for our children to learn from us and for us to learn from them if we don’t spend enough time together. And I don’t mean only spending quality time with your kids when it is convenient or expected. If we don’t actually slow down and intentionally invest extended periods of time with our kids, it is pretty hard to share much real quality time. Parents, there will always be more money for you to make, but you can’t make new time to spend with your kids.
One of the greatest benefits of spending time with our children is being able to view things through their perspective. Parents will learn things about the way their children see the world. This will help parents gain understanding into the motivations, thoughts, and actions of their children. Kids will benefit from this meeting of perspectives too! This type of communication will build the relationship between parent and child. Additionally, it gives children a feeling of safety and connection that will benefit their emotional and spiritual health.
The connection between children and their parents is deeply spiritual. And, although many people would prefer to ignore this concept or refuse to believe it, professionals in the mental health field from schools such as Harvard, Yale, Emory, Chapel Hill, UCLA, and others would agree with me. Ainsley Earhardt and I discuss the relationship between parents and children as we cover the following topics:
Ainsley’s new book Through Your Eyes: My Child’s Gift to Me. What age should I begin introducing TV to my newborn? What lessons have Ainsley’s learned in raising her child? The importance of paying attention to the details. How your reactions to emergencies will help develop character in your child. How parenting provides us with glimpses of God’s love for us. The catch to Proverbs’ wisdom in raising kids.
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In the midst of this, therapeutic residential programs are popping up across the country to give teens in crisis the help they need. Parents may be skeptical about whether or not residential care is a legitimate option and if individual programs are trustworthy; some parents may even cast doubt on the legitimacy of the entire idea of therapeutic residential programs. So let’s explore why these programs can actually be a huge help to teenagers and families today.
Megan Stokes serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Therapeutic School and Programs (NATSAP). This organization serves as a national resource for programs and professionals that assist young people who are beleaguered by emotional and behavioral difficulties. Megan has over six years of state legislative experience ranging from interning in the Maryland General Assembly to monitoring legislation across all 50 states. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Salisbury University.
Why Our Culture Helps Create the Need For Therapeutic Residential Programs
I believe that the systemic problems within American culture today have increased the need for therapeutic residential programs. Postmodernism and relativistic beliefs about morality have created a worldview that produces natural consequences that parents are having a hard time handling all by themselves.
Our culture’s movies and music glorify sex and drugs, but most people aren’t prepared to deal with the real-life consequences of being irresponsible with these things. At this point, the problems produced by these consequences are cemented into our culture.
The hippies who were seeking freedom in the 1960s seem to have found it. Unfortunately, these people—who went on to become our current parents, grandparents, government officials, teachers, professionals, and doctors—didn’t take into account the fact that freedom without morality can come at a price. The freedom to fulfill selfish desires without moral guidance is a recipe for disaster and addiction.
Today, it seems we have exchanged loving our neighbors as ourselves for loving ourselves more than anyone. We live in a narcissistic and selfish society that drives people toward indulgence, addiction, and all kinds of sin. This is not an ideal environment for raising spiritually, emotionally, and mentally mature children.
Our culture has never been perfect. We make slow advancements in certain areas, and we fall behind in others. But the state of our culture today puts all of our families and children at risk. This is why therapeutic residential programs like Shepherds Hill Academy are so useful today. Many families are trying to restore sanity and are looking for answers, and sometimes, residential care is the answer they need. Megan Stokes and I discuss the need for quality residential care as we cover the following topics:
How Megan Stokes is making an impact in the lives of families in crisis. The role NATSAP plays in helping our nation's therapeutic boarding schools. What is the Miller bill (a.k.a. The Shift Bill) and how it can affect boarding schools. The truth about residential programs. Resources for financial help for your teen.
We also want to ask you to consider the ministry of Shepherds Hill Academy, and the role you may be able to play in the lives of troubled young people in the upcoming year. Why Teens Need the Ministry of Shepherds Hill Academy The holiday season encompasses days like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. These holidays are typically spent with family and are times to forget the problems of the past year, be thankful, and look forward to things to come.
Unfortunately, this kind of celebration is much harder for some families than it is for others. Many teens who are buried in addictions, experimenting with sexual promiscuity, facing digital addition, or struggling with thoughts of suicide may feel they have very little to be thankful for or to look forward to.
The holidays are all about bringing hope to the hopeless and giving to those in need. Today, we want the License to Parent audience to know that by partnering with Shepherds Hill Academy, you can be a part of the solution to the problems that many teens are dealing with today.
As you probably already know, many of the insights found on License to Parent are tested everyday at Shepherds Hill Academy. This year long, residential, therapeutic academy helps restore troubled teens and broken families for the glory of God. With our culture’s retreat from a biblical worldview and all the behavioral, emotional, and social problems that are consuming kids today, our society needs ministries like Shepherds Hill Academy. Shepherds Hill Academy helps kids get away from mainstream cultural influences, realize the negative effects of these things, and reconnect to deeper pursuits. Our program lasts a year because we want to fully equip our students for when they go back into influences of the world. We also work with families to help them change and create a better environment for their teen.
We are thankful that God is faithful and provides the right people to invest in life-changing ministries. We ask you to ask God if He would have you support our ministry. If you feel led to ease this financial burden on a family in crisis, you can donate to Shepherds Hill Academy and choose to give to the student scholarship fund. The more scholarships we can offer to families in need, the more families and teens we can reach. Shepherds Hill Academy doesn’t need the support, these families do. Every little bit helps, even if you can only afford to cover the cost of one day at Shepherds Hill Academy. After all, if 365 people are willing to cover the expenses of one day, one teen could experience a whole year at Shepherds Hill Academy.
As I mentioned, many hurting teens do not have the typical holiday experience. They will not have a typical holiday experience at Shepherds Hill Academy either. But when our culture is so full of consumerism at Christmas, an atypical Christmas can be exactly what these teens need. At Shepherds Hill Academy we create a holiday environment focused on community, spiritual meaning, and fellowship. The distractions of our culture are gone, and I have heard some of our students say that they were having the best Christmas of their lives at Shepherds Hill Academy.
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Unfortunately, the thinking of the world has influenced the minds of too many Christians today—even those within Bible-believing, evangelical churches. In fact, rarely realizing it, many Christian parents are raising their kids to actually acquire appetites, habits, and even addictions for the things of our toxic culture. Consequently, our kids are processing thought, truth, and reality no differently than the rest of today’s secular, politically correct, and postmodern-thinking world, and they are yielding the same disastrous results as the rest of our fallen world.
Our guest, Anthony Selvaggio is an author, lecturer, lawyer, and the new senior pastor of Rochester Christian Reformed Church in Rochester, New York. In addition to serving in ministry, he has also previously served as a visiting professor at the Ottawa Theological Hall in Ottawa, Canada, and as an adjunct professor at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has written nine books, including the one we discuss today, 7 Toxic Ideas Polluting Your Mind. Anthony Selvaggio lives in Rochester, New York with his wife Michelle, and they have two children, Katherine and James. Why Many Christians try to Justify the Sinful Thinking of the World Our culture greatly affects how we raise our kids. Once kids are made aware of this, it’s been my experience, they often seem to understand it and accept it even more readily than their parents. Might just be my experience, since I regularly see kids grow by leaps and bounds by virtue of the fact they are at Shepherds Hill Academy for a year and learning what they are learning there.
Either way, too many parents are totally unaware of just how much our culture has affected them as parents. They seem to be able to justify exposing themselves to too much of the same garbage that they know is harmful to their kids. They too often think that God’s admonitions in Scripture do not apply to them as adults. Unfortunately, parents often pay the price for it, and later they wonder, “What the heck happened to my life?”
You wouldn’t believe the number of Christian parents who buy their kids booze; many buy into all kinds of worldly thinking and ideologies, including giving their kids porn “to make men out of them” or condoms to go out on dates. And, sadly, many parents regularly watch programs like Game of Thrones with their kids—and think nothing of it!
Of course, I haven’t yet mentioned all the parents who just, carte blanche, give their kids smartphones with unlimited access to content that would make guys like Hugh Hefner, Larry Flint, and even Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy blush! Beyond all the violence, foolishness, sin, and vice out there on the Internet, there are also seemingly innocuous ideologies that fly in the face of biblical teachings that help tee-up our kids to believe things that lead them to believe other things that lead them to believe still other things. Before you know it, you, your kids, and your entire family are exposed to things and engaging in things that pollute your own hearts and grieve the very heart of God.
Over time, we’ve been so conditioned and indoctrinated by it all that we just don’t see the problem with a lot of it anymore. Too many of our kids have never seen the problem with it. Sometimes we allow things into our lives because we don’t want to be considered legalistic by the church nor intolerant by the world. In essence, we’re covering our own backsides and satisfying our own carnal desires for the sake of being amused and entertained. We seem to know nothing about “dying to self.” Then we moan because God doesn’t answer our prayers! God is not going to endorse sin or foolishness. We have this unconscious or naive notion that we can live like hell—and allow our kids to live like hell—and then expect heaven for a reward. God’s ecosystem doesn’t work that way.
Let’s let today’s guest get us up to speed on some of the more specific ways that we’...
The Christmas holiday has gone from being a mere “12 days of Christmas” to virtually a 365 day commercial enterprise. We see stores open all year-round, merchandising the Christmas theme with items that play on the sentiments that resurrect the fondest times of our lives—particularly our childhoods. In light of all this, keeping our kids grounded toward the true meaning of Christmas has always been a challenge for godly parents. Since our Lord is most glorified by us when we are most satisfied in Him, keeping our kids satisfied in Him by keeping “Christ” in Christmas is certainly a win/win proposition for everyone.
Our guest, Josh Helms and his wife Lindsey are the creators of a resource for families called the Shepherd on the Search. This resource is a fun way to keep the family conversation focused on the real meaning of Christmas through the character of a young shepherd who spends the weeks leading up to Christmas looking for God’s greatest gift. They created Shepherd on the Search by looking for ways to keep kids excited about the Christmas season while focusing on the birth of our Lord and Savior. Josh, Lindsey, and their children live in Nashville, Tennessee. Why Families Should Contemplate the True Meaning of the Christmas Holiday If your family is like many other Christian families across the country, Christmas is a time for producing life-long memories. Food, fun, and family comes together to celebrate the Christmas holiday, and the celebration of the birth of Christ is special time for many. But sometimes we focus so much on the food, fun, and family that we forget the first and foremost fact for which the aforementioned food, fun, and family are being enjoyed—the incarnation or advent of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My family is just like the family I described above. And, except for keeping Christ in Christmas, I think even most garden variety heathens enjoy Christmas in a similar way. It might be more about the winter solstice or Santa Clause or snow or gifts or jingle bells or whatever, but the Christmas season for most Americans is a time for getting together with family and enjoying one another over a meal and the exchanging of gifts.
Unfortunately, the commercialization of Christmas can easily cloud the true meaning of Christmas for even the most devout among us. That is why it is important to pause and contemplate what is really at the root of this holiday. I don’t think Christians do that nearly enough—especially with our kids. That’s why we have invited today’s guest to be with us today. This week, Josh Helms and I discuss the true Christmas story as we share the following subjects:
How you can use Shepherd on the Search to help your kids learn the story of Christmas. What does God think about how our nation celebrates Christmas. How to debunk the myths about Christmas. Was Christmas a pagan holiday? How to tell your child about Santa Claus. What is the truth about St. Nicholas. How to legitimize the story of Christ vs. the story of Santa Claus.
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This week, I continue my conversation with Dr. Cretella. In a time where there are many questions about gender and sexuality, it is wise for parents to have some answers.
Dr. Michelle Cretella serves in the role of President for the American College of Pediatricians. She is a pediatrician who is specifically interested in the behavior of children. Dr. Cretella is a regular consultant for organizations such as the Family Research Council, Breitbart News, and One News Now, among others. She speaks on issues of pediatric mental and sexual health. Dr. Cretella has gained personal parenting experience from raising her four children with her husband. They have three teen boys and one preteen girl. How False Premises Lead to Many Questions About Gender Today In last week’s conversation with Dr. Cretella, we focused on the fact that the term “gender” has now been modified to get around the scientific fact that a person’s sex can only be male or female and that “transgender” is not a scientific description, but more of a matter of what people believe about themselves.
You have probably heard of the term “junk science.” The LGBT community has been guilty of this. Wars have been started with simple semantics, and you can make a case for anything when you redefine terms and buy into false premises. One of the false premises the LGBT community has forced upon the American public is that there is a definite line of demarcation between gender and sex. However, when you go back and look at the dictionaries before Wikipedia and some of the other digital agencies who got involved in the equation—politically correct as they are—you’ll see there really was none.
Basically, the LGBT community found a way to legitimize perversion—sexual perversion, sin, and narcissism. I call much of the LGBT issues that have been proliferated in our culture sexual narcissism. It is basically the idea that this gender over here can’t do anything for me, so I need a better experience over here; it's a selfish thing. Love is a give and take thing, but this is all—for the most part—take.
I’m not saying people of the same sex or gender can’t fall in love; they can. I love a lot of men. David loved Jonathan, and as matter of fact, Scripture says David loved Jonathan above the love of women. That does not mean they were homosexual. To say that gender and sex are two different things is buying into a false premise. If we accept that premise, then we take the rest of the LGBT junk science, and it makes for a semi-compelling story—if you don’t know the rest of the story. Dr. Cretella and I attempt to shed more light on the rest of the story as we discuss the following topics:
1 flaw of the LGBT argument. Why many people aren’t questioning the LGBT agenda. Where do parents turn to find solutions and answers to their child’s questions. How to identify if your child needs counseling. How to find therapists that can help. The first step is to get educated. What do I do if my child demands that I refer to them as the opposite gender.
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Things have gone so far off the rails that young children are now given the right to choose whether they want to be boys or girls, regardless of their biological make up. What would have been considered child abuse and or mental illness by mental health professionals just a few years ago is now being accepted to the point that young kids are being physically modified—dare I say, mutilated—to fit what the remnant of rational mental health professionals are still calling delusional. The issues surrounding transgender kids and the parents who love them require sound and sober discussion.
Dr. Michelle Cretella is President of the American College of Pediatricians and a general pediatrician with a special interest in behavioral pediatrics. Prior to being elected President in 2015, Dr. Cretella chaired the Adolescent Sexuality Committee, Pediatric Psychosocial Development Committee, and Scientific Policy Committee. In these roles she became one of the college's chief researchers, writers, and spokespersons on issues of pediatric mental and sexual health. Dr. Cretella serves on the Medical Committee of the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity, a national organization of health professionals who advocate for psychotherapy for ego-dystonic homosexuality and gender dysphoria. Dr. Cretella also served on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Research and Therapy for Homosexuality (NARTH) from 2010-2015.
Dr. Cretella received her medical degree in 1994 from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in pediatrics in 1997 at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and she completed a fellowship in College Health through the University of Virginia in 1999. After 15 years of group practice in rural Connecticut and Rhode Island, Dr. Cretella left clinical practice to devote more time to family and the college. She is regularly consulted by Breitbart News, FRC, One News Now, Relevant Radio, and many others. Her article, Gender Dysphoria in Children and Suppression of Debate was published in the 2016 summer issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Cretella and her husband have three teenage sons and a 12-year-old daughter. How Postmodernism has Influenced Cultural Beliefs about Sex and Gender Issues I don’t think you have to be a Bible-believing Christian to discern through the illogical, delusional, and incredibly nonsensical idea that an otherwise normal little boy should be able to choose to be a girl if he wants to, or vice versa. It is a bizarre enough choice when one is an independent adult with fully developed brain matter and responsible for one’s own actions. But if you ask me, in and of itself, it is an act of insanity to give a little kid the power to choose something of this magnitude with the kind of long-term consequences that are attached to it.
Today, this is an issue that almost no one is willing to risk their reputations, careers, social status, or even legal standing to argue against. While we Christians were asleep at the wheel, the LGBT movement has, with all the brains of the devil, gotten the cultural momentum on their side. This is because the people holding the microphones, who have the largest platforms—I am mainly talking about the mainstream media, entertainment industry, arts, public education, higher education, and the current mental health industry—are all shaping the worldview and the moral values of the rest of the lemming-like masses here in America today. Most of them will not address the obvious because of all the things I have just mentioned. It would be career suicide to do so.
I really don't think any of this would have gotten the traction it has if it wasn’t for the initial cultural delusion that snuck in and blindsided us in the 1960s. I’m talking, of course, about postmodern thought, the worldview that made truth and reality a relative and subjective ...
As we mature in both wisdom and tenure, our role as grandparents requires us to properly shift gears accordingly as well. Shifting from the role of a parent to the role of a grandparent may not be as simple as it appears. After all, now two generations are looking to us for answers and the hope they will need to flourish in life.
Our guest, Mark Gregston is the founder and executive director of Heartlight Ministries, a residential counseling facility for teens in crisis. Mark is the author of several books including Leaving a Legacy of Hope: Offering Your Grandchildren What No One Else Can. He is also a popular radio host and speaker, and he leads parenting seminars all across the country. Mark and his wife, Jan, have served families and counseled youth for more than 40 years. They have two grown children and four grandchildren. Why it is Important to Learn About the Role of a Grandparent Having good grandparents can be the best thing to ever happen to a family, but not every family is blessed with a good mix of parents and grandparents. Grandparents can even be viewed as a nemeses by some parents. That’s why I’ve asked our guest, Mark Gregston, to talk with us today; he’s written an entire book on grandparenting! I think he and I both have the same number of grandkids, but his are older than mine. I’m still getting this whole grandparenting thing sorted out.
You know, folks say: “Just remember how your grandparents did it.” Well, my grandparents on my mom’s side were the polar opposite to my dad’s side, so even the middle was too far from each end of the grandparenting continuum for me to know what a good grandparent should actually look like. My parents and my wife Beth’s parents were polar opposites as grandparents too. This is why I’m looking to Mark for some answers.
Now, my dad didn’t comment on grandparenting per se, but he did comment on grandkids. He said that grandkids were God’s reward for not killing your own! Of course, he was talking about me because he didn’t live long enough to see grandkids from any of my siblings. I think he would have been a good grandfather. Though he never really mellowed with age, he had a great sense of humor that was infectious to everyone around him—including his grandkids. I think humor is one important part of being a grandparent, but this is just one small detail.
Today, Mark Gregston and I take an in-depth look at the role of the grandparent as we cover the following topics:
Why grandparents should not be parents. How to be intentional in your role as a grandparent. You may be the only person speaking wisdom into in your grandchildren's lives. Why grandparents should not be the disciplinarian. How can busy grandparents give intentional time. Why your time is your most valuable resource. How to set boundaries with grandparents.
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With the prevalence of explicit content online, parents must take active steps to protect children from pornography. Parents must create safe boundaries, foster honest conversation, and work to develop good character in their kids.
Kristen A. Jenson is an author and speaker who is committed to informing parents about how pornographic content threatens children today. She is the author of Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids, a bestseller designed to help parents explain the dangers of pornography to their kids. Kristen also founded ProtectYoungMinds.org, an online resource designed to equip parents with tools and strategies to protect their children from pornography. Kristen frequently speaks about these issues as a guest at various events and on radio programs and podcasts. Kristen is also a parent, and she lives in Washington State with her husband. How to Begin to Protect Children from Pornography Though Honesty and Good Character Last week, Kristen A. Jenson and I started a conversation about the dangers of pornography. This week, we continue discussing this topic. As Kristen mentioned in part-one, the availability of pornographic content online is one of the major factors that leads to exposure or addiction to pornography. Parents must not be ignorant about this fact or naively believe their that children are going to be the exceptions when it comes to discovering pornography online.
There are plenty of steps parents can take to protect their kids online, but even after preventative measures have been taken, kids can still be exposed to overly sexual content. Young people are not only barraged by the temptation of instant pornographic content online, but also the sexual themes and images on television and advertisements. As with any other addictions, accessibility often triggers cravings for addicts.
So, on top of making wise decisions about Internet accessibility in the home, parents must also be honest about sex, love, lust, and pornography with their children, and guide their young sons and daughters away from lust and objectification and toward love and empathy. Kristen A. Jenson and I continue to discuss how to protect children from pornography as we cover the following topics:
One reason teens are struggling in today’s digital age. The need to protect your child, and teach them self-discipline. How to address the topic of how pornography objectifies women. The problem with younger children exposed to pornography. Learn to be proactive not reactive to inform your child about the dangers of pornography. Informing your children early on helps them to trust and talk honestly with you about pornography.
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Even if your favorite private school allows smartphones on campus—whether it’s a Christian school or not—again, the chance of your child viewing pornography dramatically increases. Is there any way to assure that our kids won’t be tainted by today’s Sodom and Gomorrah world?
Kristen A. Jenson is the author of the Good Pictures Bad Pictures series of read-aloud books, including the best-selling Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids. She is the founder of ProtectYoungMinds.org, a website dedicated to helping parents empower their kids to reject pornography. Recently, she was invited to testify before the Washington State Senate Law and Justice Committee on the public health crisis of pornography. Kristen is a frequent speaker and guest on podcasts, webinars, and radio broadcasts, and she is a leader in the Prevention Task Force of the National Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation. Kristen is the mother of two daughters and a son who is waiting for her in heaven. She lives with her husband in the beautiful state of Washington. Kristen earned a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in Organizational Communication. How Kids are Being Exposed to the Dangers of Pornography Pornography is definitely not new. It has been around ever since man could draw pictures, form clay, or carve wood and stone. What is new are all the different ways that man can create it and all the different vehicles that can proliferate it. Add to this all the different audiences that can be exposed to it 24/7 and all the private places they can watch it. Unfortunately, many of those audiences are now our kids—and I’m talking our young kids. We are getting calls at Shepherds Hill Academy about 6-year-olds with porn addictions!
The private places in which kids are viewing pornography are too often right under our noses. If we are naive enough to allow it, our kid's own bedrooms can not only be portals for pornography, but also dens for all kinds of pimps, perverts, predators, and prostitutes to prey on our kids anytime day or night—all while we are feeling relieved that Junior isn’t out running the streets.
We have to realize that if we are going to give our kids access to the Internet in the privacy of their own bedrooms, then we have virtually invited every seedy activity of those same mean streets into the comfort of our own homes with virtually no accountability.
For those who aren’t naive enough to allow Junior to have Internet access in his/her own bedroom, just know that if your home isn’t properly filtered or equipped with other accountability measures, he/she could be viewing or engaging something or someone while you are in the very same room and you might never know it. Kristen A. Jenson and I discuss how to protect children from pornography as we cover the following topics:
What led Kristen to begin her resources. What is the difference between art and pornography? How can parents begin talking about pornography in age appropriate conversations. Why it may be important to discuss pornography before having your first sex talk with your kids. What happens to the brain when watching porn. Why pornography contributes to narcissism.
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Unfortunately—even as well-meaning God-fearing parents—our daily lives can often betray what our mouths have claimed concerning God and the biblical Christ. This can fuel the doubts and suspicions in our kids. For many kids today, God just doesn’t make sense.
Our guest, Timothy Keller is Pastor Emeritus of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. The “Influentials” issue of New York magazine featured Keller as “the most successful Christian evangelist in the city” for his engagement with the young professional and artist demographics. He is the author of such New York Times bestselling books as The Reason for God and The Meaning of Marriage. Keller is also chairman of Redeemer City to City, which has helped start over 380 churches in global cities worldwide. He lives in New York City with his wife Kathy. How Postmodern Thought can Make it Difficult for Teens to Make Sense of God I’m not so sure our kids are walking away from the concept of God as much as they are walking away from the church. I just want to say that I believe there is as much unjustification for our kids abandoning their faith as there is justification.
As culpable as the church might be for this, what better alternatives are our kids turning to really? Where is it written that kids have to be exhilarated by every aspect of life, truth, and reality? Not Scripture! I think today’s culture—largely through the media, the Internet, movies, TV, music, entertainment in general, public education, today’s mental health field and pharmaceutical industry, our government, and yes, even the church—has successfully marginalized God and His Word.
Our entire infrastructure today is loaded with hippie-era, postmodern thinkers. If it feels good, do it. Truth is relative. There are no absolutes. My truth is as good as yours. Your truth isn’t true for me. I should do whatever I want to do when I want to do it. That’s just your opinion mom/dad. Who are you to tell me what to do? Kids are saying these very things to their parents, and too many parents buy it. To postmodern-thinking kids, it all makes sense to them. Children are taking the postmodern thought of their parents and grandparents to it’s logical end, and parents are allowing it because they have bought into it.
The biblical God—the God who dares to tell exalted humans how to live life—does not make sense to kids. I’m anxious to hear how today’s guest can help us help our kids through the process of making sense of God. Timothy Keller and I discuss his book Making Sense of God, our kids and our culture. We cover the following subjects:
What are the dangers of postmodern thinking. Who is Timothy Keller? The importance of teaching vs. mere discipline. Where do teens get their moral basis from. Understanding the dichotomy of kids being moralistic and relativistic at the same time. How to address your teen’s cultural perspective on Christianity.
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But, in the real world, family dysfunction is no laughing matter. It is actually a highly toxic impediment to the heart and soul of any human being. Even more than that, it is a toxic impediment to the very heart and soul of any civilized society.
Our guest, June Hunt, is one of the world’s leading biblical counselors. She is an author, speaker, singer, and the founder of Hope For The Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry. June hosts an award-winning radio broadcast, also called Hope For The Heart, heard daily across America, and June’s live 2-hour call-in counseling program, Hope In The Night, helps people untangle their problems with biblical hope and practical help.
June has served as a guest professor at colleges and seminaries, both nationally and internationally, teaching on topics such as crisis counseling, marriage and parenting, child abuse, domestic violence, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, forgiveness, singleness, and self-worth.
June’s books have sold more than a million copies, and include: Bonding with Your Teen through Boundaries, Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook, The Answer to Anger, Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes, How to Forgive…When You Don’t Feel Like It, How to Handle Your Emotions, How to Rise Above Abuse, and How to Deal with Difficult Relationships. Her biblical Counseling Keys have also been adapted into a popular mini-book series featuring 42 titles. Is the Dysfunctional Family as Old as Adam and Eve I have heard it said, since the days of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel, that every family has at least a degree of dysfunction in it. I am not exactly sure how true that statement really is, but it does seem to be true, if you look hard enough, you can always find something that needs improvement in any family.
Whether the statement is true or not, I think, as parents, we would be wise to ask ourselves these questions:
Despite my family’s imperfections, can we function in a way that allows us to openly share our love for one another, for others, and for God? Can we function in a way that draws one another to one another and to God, rather than driving one another from one another and away from God?”
I’d say, if the answers to those questions are in the affirmative, you’re doing much better than most families these days. I think our guest is going to help us get all this sorted out in a way that will be a great encouragement to our listeners. This week, June Hunt and I discuss families, as we cover the following topics:
What is a dysfunctional family. Are single-parent homes considered dysfunctional? 4 types of dysfunctional roles. June’s childhood experience with dysfunction. What role should grace play in the parent-child relationship.
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It is becoming more and more evident that the same parenting principles that have been taught in Scripture for centuries are now being supported with modern science. Not only has the Bible always been a wonderful training manual for raising kids, it also has been around a whole lot longer than modern psychology; its veracity is time tested. When it comes to parenting, maybe it’s time we learn the science behind heeding the Word.
Our guest, Dr. Caroline Leaf is a cognitive neuroscientist with a PhD in Communication Pathology and a BSc in Logopedics and Audiology, specializing in metacognitive and cognitive neuropsychology. She is a bestselling author and TV show host who helps her audience discover their God-wired uniqueness.
There are a lot of personality and intelligence tests designed to label people and put them in a particular box, but Dr. Caroline Leaf says there is much more to a person than a personality profile can capture. In her new book, The Perfect You: A Blueprint for Identity, Dr. Leaf tackles this concept from theological, philosophical, and scientific angles, challenging readers to think deeply about their identity and enabling them to apply these insights to their daily lives. How Scientific Parenting Principles Often Confirm Biblical Ones Way back in the infancy of Shepherds Hill Academy, we actually did not know a lot about the science behind what we were doing. I’m not sure many people did. All we knew is that when we interacted with these kids, according to their own particular bent, using the principles of Scripture, free from the toxic influences of our de-civilizing culture in a safe, authoritative, community environment, incredible things happened. Though I hesitate to throw around the word “miracle” too cavalierly, the parents of most of these kids certainly would not. The results started making more sense when we started seeing scientific support for what God said we should simply take by faith in Scripture.
We know that even a lot of Christian parents these days seem to put more stock in science than they do in the Bible. Doctors, rather than grandparents or pastors, are the new “go to” sages for parenting advice and assistance—many of whom have never even had kids of their own! But really: “How’s it been working for us?” While doctors are too often too quick to medicate kids, kids who come to Shepherds Hill Academy on a pharmacy’s worth of medications are most often leaving medication-free—about 70% of the time to be exact.
Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight, but it is still valid evidence for much of what today’s guest is going to share with us today. I’m really looking forward to hearing more of the science behind God’s Word with her in the course of our discussion today. Dr. Caroline Leaf and I discuss science, Scripture, and parenting as we cover the following topics:
How do we correctly use science? Are false premises a root problem in parenting today’s kids? The power of our thought process. Understanding the truth about medications. How to appropriately challenge your doctor if he/she is quick to suggest medications. Why nondigital interaction with your teen is vital. Is negativity affecting the brain? Why you should avoid saying, “Because I said so. I’m the parent.”
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Poor learning environments, indifferent teachers, liberal and evolutionary thought, gang influence, easy access to drugs, lack of respect and discipline, bullying, the proliferation of unhealthy sexual propagandas, political correctness, and a marginalization of just about anything Christian are just some of the reasons why many parents are keeping their kids out of the public education system. With other educational options now becoming more viable, Christian parents are faced with in-house debates with other Christian parents as to which education option really is the best.
Our guest, Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known psychologist, radio and television personality, educator, and speaker who has taught and entertained audiences worldwide with his wit and common sense psychology. He has made house calls through hundreds of radio and television programs such as Fox & Friends, The View, Good Morning America, Today, CBS’s The Early Show, The 700 Club, and CNN. A New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Dr. Leman has written more than 50 books about marriage and family issues, including The Birth Order Book, Sex Begins in the Kitchen, and Have a New Kid by Friday. Dr. Leman and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson, Arizona. They have five children and four grandchildren. How Different Educational Options Provide for Different Needs You might be surprised to hear all the different educational options that some of the Shepherds Hill Academy (SHA) families are using for their kids. It’s not uncommon at all for a family with three or four kids to have each of those kids in different kinds of schools—with Shepherds Hill Academy being one of them, of course. These options include homeschooling as well—which, as you may know, is often my first suggestion for parents. I know that homeschooling may not be the best option for every family for any number of reasons, if it is an option at all.
Whatever else you want to say about homeschooling—pro or con—it certainly keeps parents abreast of their kids’ educational progress and “up to speed” on the process as well. I think the process is arguably more important than the progress in many cases. There is more to education than mere academics. I happen to believe that a well-rounded and quality education should have a moral and/or spiritual component to it. And discipline too. These are two things that academics, alone, do not always provide and are sorely missing today.
I’m not downing academics. I run a therapeutic school, but I’m the farthest thing from a pedagogue myself. I just make sure that the real teachers are doing what’s best for each of the kids we are serving. That’s what any good and responsible parent wants for their kids when determining how they want them to be educated. So, I’m looking forward to today’s guest helping us get some of this stuff sorted out. Dr. Kevin Leman and I discuss education as we cover the following topics:
What’s changed in society that makes public education not as trustworthy? One problem teachers face: they do not always have authority over kids in their classroom. Kids want to accomplish high standards. Adults just need to require it of them. Why it is ok for your kid to be unhappy. How a parent can determine their child's learning style. How SHA helps teens grow in their education.
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The antidote for healing America from the poison of hate, blame, and victimhood truly is an acceptance of, and a dependency on, the person of Jesus Christ.
Our guest, Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson, is the most courageous and outspoken critic of the modern day “civil rights” establishment in America today. Raised without his father on a plantation near Tuskegee, Alabama during the Jim Crow era, Peterson has lived a part of America’s history few have experienced. Jesse is the founder and president of BOND, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “Rebuilding the Family by Rebuilding the Man.” He is a talk show host, media commentator, and the author of several books including, SCAM: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America, From Rage to Responsibility, and his latest book, The Antidote: Healing America from the Poison of Hate, Blame, and Victimhood. Reverend Peterson also writes a weekly column for World Net Daily (WND) and appears as a media commentator on Fox News Channel, CNN, and other national TV and radio networks. How Good Character can Stop the Poison of Hate From Infecting Our Kids Any good parent knows that, by and large, the antidote against raising kids with poor character qualities is to help bring them out of a state of immaturity and dependence to a state of maturity and independence. Yet, as godly parents, it is understood that our kids should always be taught to have an overarching dependence on our Creator—particularly for the things that are out of our control.
Teaching them to rely on God for their worldview, moral character, and the ability to love and forgive our fellow man takes a heavy burden off our kids. In today’s diverse society, this is a guard against pride, bigotry, and racism also. Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson and I discuss these issues more as we cover the following topics:
Why are so many people making claims about racism? How the murder rate in Chicago ties into racism. 1 common denominator with people that seem to be victims of racism. How to solve the problem of hate in America.
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Since then, many other forms of this music have evolved—or devolved, depending on your point of view—from the broader genre of what we still call rock and roll. Today, hip-hop is arguably the most popular form of music with young people. And the dangers in this music culture make Elvis and the artists of the 1950s look like choir boys at a church picnic.
Our guest, G. Craige Lewis, has been ministering for over 25 years. He is Pastor of Adamant Believers Council in Grand Prairie, TX, and also travels the world spreading the message of deliverance through EX Ministries. He promotes the message of Jesus Christ and fights against the secularization of God’s church. Why Lecrae Leaving Christian Music Should Remind Parents to be Careful with Their Entertainment Habits Have you ever considered that the hang-ups, strongholds, addictions, or other destructive issues you are dealing with right now could be linked to the things that you allow to entertain you regularly? Have you considered that these things are opening up spiritual doors into your system so that the enemy’s imps can just march right in and have their way with you and your kids.
No, I have no empirical proof to support these ideas. That doesn’t mean I don’t have strong evidence. None of us has any empirical proof to support the fact that we actually love our spouses either—only evidence. Yet our spouses believed it enough to marry us. Besides, there is plenty of empirical evidence to show what this stuff is doing to our kids—even if we never had any spiritual concerns.
Sadly, many parents have no clue about all this—largely because this stuff is now so systemic to our American culture. G. Craige Lewis and I discuss the influence of music and entertainment as we consider the following topics:
Has the content in our music industry gotten better? Can music convert a soul? What do light frequencies have to do with music? How our physical actions literally affect the spiritual realm. The truth behind Lecrae and his transition to the secular. Can secular artists cause our kids to sin?
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As parents raising kids in today’s entertainment-saturated society, do we consider the possible power and influence of music in shaping our kids’ hearts and minds? Well, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle actually did. And that was way before the advent of the electric guitar.
Our guest, Lauren Green, currently serves as Fox News Channel's (FNC) chief religion correspondent based in the New York bureau. She is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, and she joined FNC in 1996. Green reported live from Rome in 2013 on the election of Pope Francis, as well as on the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI. She also provided live coverage of the beatification of Pope John Paul II from Rome in 2011 and Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States in 2008.
Outside of her career at FNC, Green is a reputable concert pianist with a degree in piano performance from The University of Minnesota. She has interviewed some of the most prominent people in the classical music world including Placido Domingo, Pierre Boulez, and Joshua Bell and has covered such events as the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and opening night of The Metropolitan Opera. In 2004, she released her debut album, "Classic Beauty." How the Influence of Music has a Positive Impact on Kids As it relates to bringing up healthy kids, I have a lot to say about the power of music. I often advocate for parents to introduce their kids to a musical instrument—at the earliest possible age. Why do I feel this is so important?
Well, if I could raise my kids all over again, I would actually make my kids learn an instrument—probably keyboard—and then I would do all I could to get them interested in any number of other instruments as they got older. Just by saying this, there are probably a million people thinking that I am the most tyrannical dad on the face of the earth.
I have my reasons for it. First, don’t we basically make our kids learn other things that they have absolutely no interest in—even things they think they are likely to never use, like algebra or chemistry? When I was in public school, music class was mandatory. Music is something our kids can always use. They don’t necessarily have to be gifted in music—or even like learning it at firs for music to bring benefits to their brain. So many kids who are actually made to play an instrument actually do learn to like it.
Studies show that kids who can read music and play an instrument have larger frontal lobes in their brains! I’m talking physically larger! These are the reasoning faculties—the action and consequence part of the brain. It happens because they are intensely working out those areas of their brains that wouldn’t ordinarily be worked out so intently. It’s like going to the “brain gym.” What parent wouldn’t want that for their kids? Yet, we allow our kids to sit in front of video games for hours on end. Most of that is like neural-junk food! By the way, those same studies show that reasoning skills are also advanced in kids who have been playing music. They are two to three grades ahead in math, and their SAT scores are considerably higher as well. There are many other benefits that I can’t recall at the moment.
It could also be argued that there is a flip side to all this. Maybe we’ll touch a little bit on that with our guest today too. If not, it’ll definitely be the core topic in next week’s broadcast; because, whatever good that can be brought about through music, there’s an equally powerful dark side that can manifest as well. I’ve had that confirmed over and over again right here at Shepherds Hill Academy. Lauren Green and I discuss music and kid’s brains as we cover the following topics:
What is the connection between music and our child’s brain? How entertainment uses music to provoke emotions in the movies. Can music bring families together? Is music truly spiritual?
Picture provided by: Nathaniel Ether
Ultimately, worldview has an incredible impact on our children’s behaviors, their attitudes, and how they interact with others—including you, their parents. In fact, as I often say at the end of License to Parent broadcasts, “If you don’t train your children, somebody else will.” And, now, particularly with the advent of the smartphone, somebody too often represents the toxic side of our American culture.
Sam Sorbo is a radio host, author, actress, model, activist, wife, mother, and homeschooling advocate. She is the host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Sam Sorbo Show, and she speaks publicly around the country. Sam's latest book is: They're YOUR Kids: An Inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate, and she also co-authored the book, The Answer: Proof of God in Heaven with Marius Forté.
She recently appeared in the movie Hope Bridge along with her husband, Kevin Sorbo, and Boo Boo Stewart. Sam also appeared in the movie Just Let Go with Ian Cusick, for which she won "Best Supporting Actress" at the Utah Film Festival. Their latest film, written by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo and directed by Kevin Sorbo, Let There Be Light, also stars Kevin and Sam with their two boys, Braeden and Shane. It is due for release on October 27, 2017. Why Christian Parents Should Share Their Biblical Worldview with Their Kids One wouldn’t think that we would need to be reminded that our kids are actually our kids. Parents ought to train their kids not just what to think, but also how to think. However, a lot of parents, albeit with all good intentions, have too often allowed perfect strangers—through media, our school systems, advertising agencies, the entertainment industry, and our culture at large—to influence the worldview, and consequently, the actual attitudes and behaviors of our kids. Today, Sam Sorbo brings us insight into how parents can help their teens learn how to think, and we discuss the following subjects:
Why you should stop saying “OK” to your child. Is the state supposed to be responsible to raise your child? Examples of how our culture is teaching our teens what to think. Why kids, particularly young men, will succeed by learning self-control at a young age. Discern if you are angry or impatient with your kids. Should our kids be dating in today’s culture?
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Are there specific roles in a family that God has specifically designed people to play? How can parents better listen to God to form, or reform, our family into the intended family dynamic? Last week Dr. Meg Meeker and I talked about the father’s role as hero; this is part two of that conversation.
Dr. Meg Meeker is a top authority on parents, teenagers, and children’s health. Not only is Dr. Meeker a pediatrician, a speaker, the host of her podcast Parenting Great Kids, and the author of a bestselling book, but also she is a mother and grandmother. Her experience as a mother and in 30 years of adolescent and pediatric medicine allows her to write with a blend of medical authority and motherly love. Her most recent book is Hero: Being the Strong Father Your Children Need. Dr. Meeker makes speaking appearances nationwide and has been a guest on shows and networks such as: The Dave Ramsey Show, NPR, The Today Show, Fox and Friends, and others. She resides in Michigan and works with her husband at their shared medical practice. More about Dr. Meeker can be found on her website, megmeekermd.com. How Fathers and Mothers can Play Specific Roles in a Family Dynamic God tells us in Isaiah 1:18, “Come, let’s reason together.” The funny part of all this is that men have to tap into both their logic and their feelings to allow the Spirit of God to work through them and enable them to be the complete father-hero their kids actually need and want. Ideally, it takes moms to help bring these fathers to completion. We need those emotional doorways to better access the spiritual realm.
This doesn’t mean that things of the Holy Spirit are not logical and reasonable; they are! Despite this, I have kids try to tell me all the time that the Trinity isn’t logical; we say we serve one God in three persons, and of course, 1+1+1 equals three, not one. That’s when I have to remind them that they have calculated wrong. They are doing addition when they should be doing multiplication; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all fully God, 1x1x1 equals One.
No kid needs a Bible, a church, or a religion to identify with that need or want—it’s born into them. So, generally speaking—because there are exceptions to every rule—it’s mom’s feelings and emotions that help keep dad’s logic and reason in check and helps keep him from being the tyrannical dictator that most men are capable of being. Of course, it’s the Holy Spirit that orchestrates all this—ideally working through both a mother and a father.
Can a single parent get it done? Sure, just like a one-armed man can make adjustments to get through life pretty well, but it isn’t an ideal situation. The one-armed man will always have a disadvantage, and there will be certain things that he will never be able to do as efficiently as a person with two arms—if he can do them at all.
So, can women and moms be heroes? Absolutely! We will be interviewing one today. There is just something about the heroics that only men and fathers can bring to God’s ecosystem that their kids and their wives not only need, but also desire. I think it is a security and significance thing. Every time I ask our girls if they would be willing to follow and submit to a guy who loves them, cherishes them, protects them, commits to them, and sacrifices for them, every hand goes up. I’ve been doing this for years! History, research, statistics, experience, Scripture, and what used to be common sense all back me up. And, I think today’s guest might too! Dr. Meg Meeker and I continue our conversation about dads, moms, and families as we cover the following topics:
Meg Meeker, M.D. continues her conversation on understanding feminism. Is transgenderism something we need to truly be concerned with? Why is it wrong to use gender neutral pronouns? Why a young girl needs a father despite acting like she does not. How can fathers recover if they have sexually abused their children?
Chances are, you see more of the second type. Despite this common negative portrayal of fathers, we must not forget that children still actually need their fathers to be their heroes.
Dr. Meg Meeker is the country’s leading authority on parenting, teens, and children’s health. She is a pediatrician, mother, grandmother, speaker, best-selling author, and host of the podcast Parenting Great Kids. Her latest book is: Hero - Being the Strong Father Your Children Need. Dr. Meeker writes with the know-how of a pediatrician and the big heart of a mother because she has spent the last 30 years practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, certified by The American Board of Pediatrics, and serves on the Advisory Board of The Medical Institute. Dr. Meeker has spoken nationally on parenting issues, including personal appearances on The Today Show, Fox and Friends, The Dave Ramsey Show, NPR, Oprah Radio, and more. She lives and works in northern Michigan where she shares a medical practice with her husband, Walter. You can find Dr. Meeker online at megmeekermd.com. Why Looking Up to a Heroic Father is Still Important for Kids Today A “hero” is defined as a person admired for his courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. It often connotes one who, in the face of danger, combats adversity with ingenuity, bravery, or strength—often sacrificing his own personal concerns for a greater good. Interestingly, this pretty much sums up the biblical model for fatherhood—or possibly “MacGyver,” if you followed the 1980's TV series.
Now, poking fun at a TV hero is one thing. Today, we seem to make fun of—and even ridicule—the classic and historic father figures around us, often making dad look like a buffoon. Equating fatherhood with heroism may no longer be politically or socially correct, but it is still correct in the eyes of our kids and our spouses whether they verbalize it or not. How can dads be fathers/heroes our families want and need? Dr. Meg Meeker and I discuss this as we cover the following topics:
What is a hero? Trace's take on "Cultural Lemming-Aid." The paradigm shift of manhood and fatherhood. Dr. Meg Meeker explains how children really perceive their fathers. One simple tip to being a successful dad. How spouses can help each other be the best parents they can be. The boomerang effect of mom criticizing dad.
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For the Christian parent pursuing a Christian worldview, it has traditionally been either the church, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, or a combination of all the above. And for centuries, at least in the western hemisphere, the Judeo-Christian ethic has proven to be the cornerstone of our personal freedoms, how our government determines justice, and how we raise our kids. But, in case you haven’t noticed, these fundamental ideals are now being challenged at their root. The Christian faith you are teaching your kids is now becoming a stumbling block to their everyday affairs. So, we need to be preparing our kids how to live, love, and flourish in a post-Christian America.
Gabe Lyons is the co-author of Good Faith (2016) and unChristian (2007). He is also the author of The Next Christians (2010), a manifesto for how Christians can faithfully lead in a changing culture. He is the founder of Q Ideas, a learning community where Christian leaders are equipped to engage our cultural moment. Their Q Conference annually convenes thousands of leaders from all industries, and Q Commons, their global event, simultaneously unites 140 cities and over 10,000 people on an October evening. Called "sophisticated and orthodox" by The New York Times, Q Ideas equips Christians to apply their faith to daily life by addressing some of the most difficult and controversial issues of our time. Gabe speaks to over 100,000 people each year on topics like equipping the next generation, cultural issues, and research related to the intersection of faith and public life. He lives in Nashville with his wife, Rebekah, and their three children. How the Christian Worldview is Being Devalued in America The turn of perspective away from traditional Judeo-Christian values has happened in a relatively short period of time. Though it’s just my perspective, I happen to believe that Christians—certainly guilty of shooting ourselves in the foot in many ways—have largely been the scapegoat of a culture that has come so far off the rails that it almost needs a whipping boy, so-to-speak, on whom to cast judgement and blame. A culture that wants someone or something that takes the heat off the more legitimate reasons for our world being so screwed up.
Because, though we can be a problem, we are far from being THE problem. We certainly have room—like any people group—to improve. But, let me ask you this, what other people group—religious or otherwise—is condemned, stereotyped, and bigoted-against so vehemently with virtually no public outrage?
This is just one of the obstacles we need to keep in mind as we bring up our kids with a biblical worldview today. Gabe Lyons and I discuss how Christians should approach American culture as we cover the following topics:
Why we should live according to a biblical worldview. The importance of saturating our culture with the Truth. What is “Q” and how it can help me address cultural issues. How to make an age old truth be relevant to a new time. What is missing from our families. The role church leaders should play. The role digital technology plays.
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But whether our kids heed or disregard what we teach them, something they will all use—whether foolishly or wisely— is money. This is why it’s so important to teach and model wise money management to our kids. Like so many other things having to do with childrearing, the earlier we start this training, the better.
Our guest this week is Rachel Cruze. She is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and personal finance expert. She works to help Americans learn the proper ways to handle money and stay out of debt. Rachel is the author of Love Your Life, Not Theirs, and she co-authored the best-selling book Smart Money Smart Kids with her father, Dave Ramsey. She joined Ramsey Solutions in 2010 and uses the knowledge and experiences from growing up in the Ramsey household to educate others. You can find Cruze’s work on her website, rachelcruze.com. You can also find her on Youtube at youtube.com/rachelcruze, Facebook at Facebook.com/rachelramseycruze, or on Twitter and Instagram at @RachelCruze. Why it is Important for Kids to Learn Wise Money Management Skills I have to confess, though I feel God has given me some pretty good insights into bringing up kids, if there is a subject that I’m least confident in, it would be the subject of money. We can teach a million different subjects to our kids, some they will use and some they won’t, but all of our kids are going to deal with money. So, parents, we’d be wise to teach and model good money management to our kids.
Someday it might be us who has to depend on our children’s money management skills to get us through those twilight years. If you don’t think you have much wisdom and insight to teach your kids about money, then listen closely to this podcast. Today’s program is going to give you some practical insights that will help you and your kids deal with those dead presidents in a way that will keep everyone smiling while also bringing glory to God.
Today, Rachel Cruze and I discuss parenting and money management as we cover the following topics:
How Smart Money Smart Kids can help your teen be confident in managing their finances. The important role the parents play in helping their kids learn about finances. Why managing money should be common sense. Chores could set your child up for success. The role personalities play in money management. Three principles you should train your child. Why you need to teach your child to spend money. When a child should get a checking account.
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But do we have the power, in and of ourselves, to raise our kids into successful God-fearing adults? Does shaping their behaviors necessarily mean we’ve shaped their hearts? And what kind of room are we willing to give God in the course of being His ambassadors of grace to our foolish offspring?
Paul David Tripp is a pastor, author, and conference speaker. He is the President of Paul Tripp Ministries where he works to connect the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. Paul is the author of 17 books on Christian living, he has produced 14 teaching series, planted a church, founded a Christian school, and travels around the world for speaking at events. Today, Paul shares his book: Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that can Radically Change Your Family.
With a heart for pastors, Paul is also the Executive Director of The Center for Pastoral Life and Care. Paul lives in Philadelphia, PA with his wife, Luella. They have four grown children. Paul's driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of Jesus Christ speaks with practical hope into all the things people experience in this broken world. What is the Key to Being Successful as a Parent Well, if we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times here on the License to Parent broadcast: "The only perfect parent that ever existed was God the Father—and look what His first two kids did!" It even went downhill from there!
That doesn’t mean we can disregard the teachings of Scripture when it comes to raising our kids. As godly parents, our first priority is still to heed God’s Word, will, and way. If we do that, not only will we keep from making idols out of our own kids—or ourselves for that matter—we’ll be walking in obedience to God. And that’s always a good thing, even though it can sometimes look and feel incredibly different from what we may have actually envisioned for ourselves as good parents.
This is just like the approach we take with the kids here at Shepherds Hill Academy—all we can do is obey God by creating an authoritative community environment where we can cultivate the soil of our student’s hearts. In this environment, the seed of God’s Spirit and grace has a place to take root and bear fruit. God will give the increase as we partner with Him in the things He has called us to do as parents, so that He can do the things that only He can do as God.
Trace Embry and Paul David Tripp discuss godly parenting as they cover the following topics:
What lead Paul to develop his parenting resource? Paul's book: Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that can Radically Change Your Family. Why parents need to provide loving boundaries and rules. The true calling a parent has in the lives of their children. Is there really a need for grace? How to extinguish your parenting bad habits. What does grace look like when your child is physically abusive to a parent.
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Like winning the lottery, even if it were possible, what are the odds that it would actually happen? When it comes to our child’s emotional future, could it be argued that time, biology, nature, and what used to be called common sense all betray the notion that moms can actually do it all and have it all—all at the same time?
Erica Komisar, LCSW is a psychoanalyst, parenting coach, and author. She works to ease the burden of those suffering from depression, anxiety, eating disorders, as well as other manifestations of anxiety and compulsion. She recognizes that many of these disorders begin in individuals at a young age, and has put her focus on the mental and emotional well-being of children. She promotes intentional parental interaction early in a child’s development and offers workshops to aid parents in becoming more present and better at understanding their child’s development. Erica recently released her book Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters. She also recently appeared as a guest on Good Morning America and Fox and Friends to discuss the topics in her book. Why Being an Effective Mother Must Involve Caring for the Mental Health of Your Children Every parent is concerned about their children’s physical health. And for believers, of course, there’s an even greater concern about their spiritual health. But with the exception of parents raising kids who have experienced some sort of brain trauma or brain malady from birth, “brain care” isn’t all that often on the radar, is it?
You don’t hear a lot of parents talking to one another about how to protect or build their kids’ brains; at least I haven’t—not in the way I am thinking about it right now. Certainly, kids wearing helmets while they ride their bikes is a big deal today. There’s also the recent controversy about if kids should play football six years out of the womb, and things like that. And of course every parent wants their kids to go to school and get good grades. But that is not all we are talking about here.
I think there are a lot of things—and we talk about this all the time—that are systemic to today’s American culture that are absolutely devastating to, not just our kids’ brains, but ours as well. I’m talking about things that the good parents of helmet-wearing, straight “A” students are too often oblivious to.
Erica Komisar, LCSW and I discuss caring for the brains of young children as we consider the following topics:
What does it mean to be a stay-at-home mom? Why is it important to understand neuroscience with my kids? How to understand a mother’s true role. Why you can’t have it all as a woman. How outside stimuli impacts us at the cellular level. What does it mean to be a nurturer. Is a career truly more important that being a mother? What role should the father be playing?
Picture provided by: Myles Grant (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
If we can adequately explain and defend the evidence of the resurrection of Christ and the veracity of Scripture, while exposing the flaws in arguments to the contrary, the chances our kids will accept and obey our Savior—and obey us as well—are greatly increased.
J. Warner "Jim" Wallace is a cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker, and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Mr. Wallace is also an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. His writings, podcasts, videos, and other resources can be found at his websites www.coldcasechristianity.com and www.coldcasechristianityforkids.com. How Postmodern Thought can Ignore Evidence of the Resurrection Scandal and bad news, whether it’s true or not, travels much faster than good news. I think that’s just the carnal nature in all of us. We like to dig up dirt. Just look at all the fake news going on as we speak. It’s one of the biggest issues in the media right now—and Jesus isn’t even in the equation!
What bothers me is that, as a people, we’ve become so “postmodern” in our thinking that we basically believe what we want to believe. We believe whatever makes us feel good and justified, regardless of how harmful or unjustified it might be. The mind can always justify what the heart has pre-determined.
I don’t think many people today, including our kids, really want to believe the Bible is reliable or that Christ was actually raised from the dead. Because if Scripture is true and the resurrection really happened, then Christ would likely be who He claimed to be. And if He really is who He claimed to be, then not only would we have to heed His Word, but there would also be some real consequences to deal with for denying Him.
As I discuss with J. Warner Wallace today, objectively, there’s a pretty good case for the fact that this miraculous resurrection thing actually happened. But if your postmodern worldview and presuppositions about life and reality tell you that God or a literal resurrection is totally off the table, then your emotions and subjective reasons—not logic or the objective evidence—is a whole lot more likely to dictate your reality. Even though, if you ask me, there’s still something to be said for all the lives that get transformed every day by this historical figure we know as Jesus Christ. We see it happen here at Sheperds Hill Academy all the time!
There is not only the objective evidence of the historical Christ we have to deal with—and give our kids an opportunity to deal with—we also have to deal with all the individual subjective evidences and actual life transformations that people are experiencing everyday! But since so many of our kids are being taught that the only reliable evidence for truth and reality is in the realm of empirical evidence—and by empirical, I basically mean our five senses—I thought we’d investigate the veracity of Scripture and the resurrection using the same tools that any good police detective uses to arrest criminals and put them in jail.
J. Warner Wallace and I empirically search for truth as we discuss the following:
What is a cold case consultant and why is it relevant to me. Who is J. Warner Wallace? The idea of freedom of religion and how our subjective opinions are not helping. Today’s teens want evidence supporting faith. Four ways the eyewitness account of the disciples is key to Christianity.
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This very public discussion about sex doesn't even include the gross variety of Internet pornography that returns multiplied billions of dollars to those who sell it, produce it, and star in it. And it is all easily accessible to any child with the developmental skills to push a few buttons on a computer or smartphone. This is the world we have to compete with when trying to teach our kids about the beauty and God-ordained gift of sex.
Dr. Juli Slattery is the president and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy, a unique teaching ministry called to teach on sexuality. She is a clinical psychologist, author, and host of the weekly podcast, Java with Juli. Dr. Slattery writes and speaks on the topic of sex, healing from sexual abuse, and intimacy with Jesus. Juli and her husband Mike have been married for 20 years and are raising their three boys in Colorado Springs. There, Juli can be found playing in the mountains and trying to manage her addiction to soy lattes. How Leading a Godly Discussion About Sex Can Benefit Your Children When we talk with our kids about sex, we really do have to find a way to have a louder or more effective microphone and stage than this crazy world we live in today. I think the way to have that louder or more effective microphone for our kids is to be the very first to speak into it about this subject. Because, just like many things in life, when a person—in this case, our child—learns something for the first time the right way from someone they love and respect, I think there is a tremendous advantage to that.
If kids first learn about sex from mom and dad and discover that it is a beautiful, God-ordained act that is supposed to be reserved for the sanctity of marriage and has the possibility of producing an offspring that is not, as defined by any dictionary, a “bastard”—and I think I’m using that term judiciously—we gain a leg-up on those who are bastardizing what should be a legitimate act of love. This is, again, especially true if our kids learn this early on with regular allusions to the beauty and sanctity of sex. So, when a kid sees or hears about sex in a way that’s diminished or dirty—through a joke or porn for example—hopefully, they will be more likely to be turned-off by it than turned-on. Dr. Juli Slattery and I tackle this subject as we talk about the following topics:
Sex is a God ordained act, in the confines of marriage. What is Authentic Intimacy? Why is it so important for your children to learn about sex from you? What is the difference between covenant love and the love the world displays? How early is too early to talk to your kids about the birds and the bees? How much detail is too much detail to share with your kids about sex?
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So, if we’re truly going to model the love of Christ to our kids, we must find the balance between truth and grace—and that’s after we’ve properly defined and understood the terms. Are you confused yet? Well today, we’ll find the love in discipline and that balance between truth and grace—a formula that will increase your chances of a successful parent/child relationship.
Our guest, Dan Seaborn is the director of the marriage and family division of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and the founder of Winning At Home, an organization that produces media resources and hosts special events to develop marriages and families. He has authored 12 books with his latest work being Parenting with Grace and Truth.
Dan has been a featured speaker at various churches and large-scale events such as Promise Keepers weekends, AACC conferences, and university assemblies. He has earned recognition as a powerful and passionate communicator. He has established himself as a media personality on West Michigan television and on national radio. Prior to founding Winning At Home, Dan served as a Pastor of Student Ministries and then as Pastor of Family Life. He and his wife Jane have four children and live in West Michigan. Why Parents Must Find the Balance Between Truth and Grace Because of the parent/child relationship with our kids, at times, we may feel we can say and do things that don’t require us to think things through very deeply. Though what we may have to say to our children may be true, we can diminish the importance of our words by neglecting the grace needed to articulate this truth to our kids. It’s like we can almost take our kids for granted sometimes. Essentially, as a result, we may let a foolish method overshadow a wise principle. This is very easy to do. I explain some examples that I have experienced in my parenting with guest Dan Seaborn as we discuss the following:
The purpose behind Dan’s book Parenting with Grace and Truth. How do we find the balance between truth and grace. What are some common traps behind “grace based” parenting. The number one advice that Dan Seaborn can give you for parenting. What are “rules to die for.” How to regain lost ground.
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Today, however, homosexual behavior is not only legal, for many it’s actually considered chic and trendy. Our teenagers are attracted to things that are chic and trendy—even more so, when there’s no-longer a stigma attached to whatever the trend may be. And when the stigma is gone, so are inhibitions. When inhibitions are gone, appetites, habits, and even addictions can be acquired. Parents must prepare themselves and their kids to navigate a world that no longer knows how to blush.
Anne Paulk is the executive director of the Restored Hope Network, a coalition of ministries that offer hope and healing to those caught in a homosexual lifestyle. Anne is an author and speaker on homosexual issues having appeared on Oprah Winfrey, Good Morning America, The CBS Evening News, and The 700 Club. She was also featured in People Magazine. Anne is the author of the book Restoring Sexual Identity: Hope for Women who Struggle with Same-Sex Attraction. How Culture Can Affect Perspectives on Homosexual Behavior Today’s culture normalizes what God sees as sin. This skews reality for our teens and prevents them from knowing the other side to this conflict. Essentially there are many things in life I could do, but I choose not to do them. This is for the simple reason that these things could be harmful to me and those closest to me.
Our guest today, Anne Paulk, helps us sort it all out by discussing the following topics:
Who is Anne Paulk and what is Restored Hope? Was marriage really between a man and a woman? How marriage reflects the character of God. The new face of public displays of affection (PDA). Should we be concerned? As Christians, how are we supposed to approach homosexuality?
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Circumstances around the globe continue to draw stark parallels to the events leading up to the end times as recorded in the book of Revelation and other prophetic books in Scripture. We might be wise, as parents, to at least begin to understand our times and better prepare ourselves—and our kids— for what to do should we actually be living in the end times.
Our guest, Carl Gallups, is a pastor, author, and commentator. He has served in Milton, Florida as the senior pastor at Hickory Hammock Baptist Church for 30 years. He has authored multiple bestselling books, and his latest book, When The Lion Roars, was released in 2016. Gallups founded the web-based PNN News and Ministry Network, and he can be heard on the radio several times a week. His commentary can often be found on WND.com, as well as on various television and radio shows. Carl Gallups has appeared as a guest on Fox News Radio, TBN with Pat Boone, and Jewish Voice TV, and he was featured as an “influential Evangelical leader" on Fox Business Report. Are Parents Doing Enough to Understand Our Times You know, it’s not every day that we think about living our last day, but it is something we need to take a glance at occasionally—maybe even regularly—especially when we consider everything that’s been taking place in the world lately. This is even more true for those of us who still have kids at home. Because if we’re responsible before God for protecting our kids and preparing them for their future—and I think eternity might qualify as their “future”—then I’d also think that we would be held responsible to help them recognize and prepare for the return of Christ.
I have to confess that I have not been the best at helping my kids in this area. Eschatology is just a subject that I find confusing and speculative. I guess my philosophy has been that if I just stay ready, I’ve got nothing to be concerned about. I know that is no excuse, but maybe because it’s my weakest area of biblical knowledge, I just don’t have the confidence to intelligently and/or adequately pass it along to my kids like I probably should.
This much I DO know. This much I DO pass on to my kids. We are close to the end times! And I know Christians have been saying that forever, but a lot has developed just in the past few decades that should move all of us into having some very serious conversations with our kids about the imminent return of Jesus Christ. And that’s exactly what I’d like to draw out of our conversation today as Carl Gallups and I discuss the following topics:
Who is Carl Gallups? What the Sons of Issachar, eschatology, and the return of Christ have in common. Carl relates today's events and state of the world to the prophecy of the End Times. How the Bible clearly identifies the End Times. The purpose and use of technology in the destiny of humankind. Importance of living your life, understand our times, and teach our kids to be ready for eternity. Why pay attention to biblical prophecy and teach your kids about it.
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The realization of our need for help can be humbling—especially when, even after experiencing residential treatment for our kids, our best striving has fallen flat. Though never perfect, effective parenting is intentional parenting; it is not by chance.
Well, in many cases there are certain things that dad is better equipped to handle and others that mom is better equipped to handle. When we neglect the importance of fathers—or mothers—we may start seeing families out of balance.
Pediatrician, mother, grandmother, best-selling author of six books, and host of the podcast Parenting Great Kids, Dr. Meg Meeker is the country’s leading authority on parenting, teens, and children’s health. Her work with countless families over the years served as the inspiration behind her best-selling books: Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters; Strong Mothers, Strong Sons; The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers; and Boys Should be Boys. This week we share her new book: Hero: Being The Strong Father Your Children Need.
Dr. Meg’s popularity as a speaker on key issues confronting American families has created a strong following across the nation and around the world. She has also spoken nationally on parenting issues, including personal appearances on numerous nationally syndicated radio and television programs such as: The Today Show, Today with Kathie-Lee and Hoda, Dateline with Katie Couric, The O’Reilly Factor, Fox and Friends, The Dave Ramsey Show, The Laura Ingraham Show, NPR, Oprah Radio, The World Over with Raymond Arroyo, and more. Has Our Culture Forgotten that Families Need Fathers Parenting in a day when common and simple terms are so often getting redefined, divisions and communication breaches with our kids are rapidly becoming the norm rather than the exception. When terms like marriage and family are now being changed—and even sanctioned by our government—this can foster confusion and angst in the healthiest among us. And when the obvious lines of demarcation between what it means to be a male or female are now being disputed, it should be no wonder that the traditional roles of mothers and fathers are also being brought into question. The issues now involved in parenting kids are more complex than ever. Today, we’ll start with what used to be called—and still should be called—the institutional head of the family—or fatherhood.
Today’s families seem lost without the guidance of true fatherhood. In this program, we set out to provide evidence that the father still plays a crucial role in the life of a child. Dr. Meg Meeker and I discuss the following topics:
Is a father still relevant in today’s culture? The love of a father provides a specific role that a child needs. Why children need a father and a mother. How the role of a father reflects the love of God. Characteristic of a strong father. Why kids want to feel protected by their fathers. Proof that fathers are a part of God’s design.
Picture provided by: Gugatchitchinadze (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The realization of our need for help can be humbling—especially when, even after experiencing residential treatment for our kids, our best striving has fallen flat. Though never perfect, effective parenting is intentional parenting; it is not by chance.
Dr. Tim Thayne is the founder of Homeward Bound, an organization which helps families transition their teens and young adults back home after they have been away in treatment at wilderness programs, therapeutic boarding schools, and residential treatment facilities. Dr. Tim Thayne, author of the book Not by Chance: How Parents Boost Their Teens Success In and Out of Treatment, is also the leading national expert in transition services.
How Families Benefit From Intentional Parenting and a Biblical Worldview As our guest has written in his book, there’s a direct correlation between the buy-in parents have and the commitment they have to getting their own parenting ducks in a row while Junior is at a therapeutic boarding school like Shepherds Hill Academy. It’s an insurance policy of sorts for Junior’s success once he gets home. Because, once their child comes home, parents have to build on all that Shepherds Hill Academy has equipped them with while in our care. They have to take the baton and then continue an on-going culture of familial health—based on a biblical worldview.
The great thing about living out a biblical worldview, when it comes to mental health and parenting, is that it’s logically congruent, historically effective, and—despite common misconceptions—scientifically supported. It’s everything that’s right and good about today’s mental health field, and it applies to any society or culture on the planet—regardless of how ungodly that culture might be.
So, to the degree that families get on board with these timeless standards—especially “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—the “parent/child relationship lottery” has been won! But parents have to be intentional about it. Because it truly doesn’t happen by chance! Dr. Tim Thayne and I talk about parenting and boarding schools as we cover the following topics:
Why do teens some times return to Shepherds Hill Academy? Who is Dr. Tim Thayne? Three factors of long term success. How parents can appropriately prepare for their child’s return home. Debunking the myth that a teen is “fixed” simply because they attended a boarding school. How Tim’s team will prepare families for their transition home.
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Why do so many Christian parents put their children in public school where so much of what the kids are being taught is antithetical to the very foundations of truth, reality, and moral virtue that Christian parents are supposed to be teaching their kids at home? Unless, of course, Christian parents aren’t really teaching their kids anything about truth, reality, and moral virtue. As we weigh all the costs between homeschool and public school, remember: They’re your kids, so choose wisely.
Sam Sorbo is known for her quick wit, fun personality, voracious work ethic, and strong commitment to principle. She holds many titles including radio host, actress, international model, activist, author, wife, mother, and home schooling advocate. Sam's new book, They’re Your Kids: An Inspirational Journey from Self-Doubter to Home School Advocate, is recently released to rave reviews.
Why Putting Children in Public School Might Not Be the Best Option Jesus drank wine and was called a glutton and a wino for it. John the Baptist wouldn’t touch it to his lips and lived in the wilderness eating a very specific diet, and people thought he was nuttier than squirrel dung. There are exceptions to every rule. Scripture is full of them. The key is submitting to the perfect will of God—and that’s going to look different for different people.
I’d never say there couldn’t be a specific calling on some families to send their kids to public school—as bad as so many public schools are today. If your child is the next Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, Joseph, Esther, Daniel or Ruth, and you and Junior have heard from God that he/she is to be a world-changer via the public school system, then you better go. I just don’t think, generally speaking, it is the best option for the average Christian kid.
Our first obligation to our kids is to protect them. They’re kids after all. The Great Commission was given to adults—not kids. Childhood—again, generally speaking—is a training ground. Where our kids get that training—and what they’re trained in—I believe is our responsibility. I think Scripture bears that out. That’s a foreign concept to a citizenry that’s been indoctrinated with a public school mindset. And, by the way, I’m all for Christian teachers in the public school system.
Sam Sorbo and I talk about schooling our kids, and we discuss the following topics:
The myth about public school according to Sam Sorbo. Understanding how Christian schools compare to public schools. The role discipline should play in the classroom. Why it seems parents are intimidated by the school system. Should parents who homeschool their kids allow them to return to public school? What is the Oxford comma cartoon?
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Our kids see that a respected national voice believes similarly to mom and dad, and he can articulate his position convincingly and passionately. But what happens when this same person is alleged to betray, in his personal life, many of the very same virtues he so passionately promoted to you, your kids, and the world?
How High-Profile Lapses in Moral Virtue Can Cause Disillusionment in Our Kids Many of our listeners are conservative in their politics, just like they’re conservative in their faith. Bill O’Reilly may not have been conservative in his faith, but I have to believe his faith certainly influenced him to be conservative in his politics. Sometimes these lines between faith and politics get blurred—especially for young and impressionable minds like those of our kids.
Think about it. You’re watching Bill O’Reilly on Fox News every night, and your kids are seeing you agreeing with his positions on:
Abortion Absentee fathers being a problem for American families and American culture Drugs being a menace to our society Border issues The very real dangers of music and today’s entertainment industry Internet issues Smartphones Pornography Social media
And the list goes on. These are all legitimate concerns for the fabric of our nation, our families, and our kids as individuals.
So, kids have been watching their parents “Amen” Bill O’Reilly every night, and then they just saw their mom and dad’s “social hero” (for a lack of a better term) get annihilated on every news venue in America—from TV to radio and from newspapers to the Internet. The Goliath of the number one cable news network just got taken down with a crash. Therefore, in the eyes of our kids anyway, he totally got disgraced and discredited. Those two things are virtually the unpardonable sin to today’s generation of youth.
Here’s a guy who talks and writes about moral virtues, history, social justice, faith, and God virtually five nights a week. Many Christian parents thought the sun and moon rose and set on this guy. So, when a litany of immoral accusations and character flaws come out against the very guy our kids’ parents (that would be many of us) view as a "cultural icon" (again, for a lack of a better term)—how does that speak to our judgement and credibility in the eyes of our kids when we put our faith in and give our worship to another man who happened to live 2,000 years ago? And this Man we can’t even feel, see, or hear—not in person anyway; not even on TV.
We need to be prepared to help make sense of this mess in the eyes of our kids if we want to optimize our chances of retaining any healthy measure of credibility and influence toward shaping their worldview. If we don’t influence and help shape their worldview, in spite of this very confusing, disheartening, and maybe even distorted story, then the very folks who are getting a whole lot of mileage out of Bill O’Reilly’s demise are going to get even more mileage out of the fact that our kids are convinced that perhaps the liberal and postmodern worldview, that is currently infecting and dividing America, has been right all along.
And for many of our kids, that means God is now a myth. And the logical end of that conclusion isn’t pretty. Let’s consider disillusionment, how it affects our kids, and what we need to do about it all. I cover the following topics in this program:
Why is it important to be aware of Bill O’Reilly’s downfall How to take the time to gain a deeper perspective on the problems surrounding the scandal Why O’Reilly’s mistakes can contribute to the church’s hypocrisy Teach your kids the importance of discerning the dark side of humanity How your kids can regain respect for someone that has made a mistake How comedy is the way this generation digests the news
Modifications applied to picture provided by: By World Affairs Council of Philadelphia [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)],
To resolve conflict isn't just about trying to get along with others. It is about forgiveness too. Forgiveness isn't just about forgetting a conflict, but it means to "release" it from you. By releasing someone or something doesn't mean you are letting them off-the-hook. It means you are letting them off of your hook and putting them on God's hook.
Our friend, June Hunt, Founder of Hope for the Heart is back with us this week for part-two of conflict resolution. This week in part two, she shares how forgiveness plays a big part to resolve conflict. Click here to listen to part one.
After years of teaching and research, June Hunt developed Counseling Through The Bible, a scripturally-based counseling course addressing approximately 100 topics, such as marriage and parenting, depression and anger, stress and suicide. This 5-volume set was instrumental in the creation of the Biblical Counseling Institute (BCI) where June leads at least 20 conferences each year. The conferences provide training for laypeople, pastors, counselors and other caring Christians to help others in need.
Besides being an author, June is a speaker, singer and hosts an award-winning radio broadcast called Hope For The Heart, which is heard daily across America. In addition, Hope In The Night is the name of June’s live 2-hour call-in counseling program. June wrote the book on Conflict Resolution: Solving Your People Problems where she puts Scripture to practical use to help those struggling with conflict like she once did. Help Your Teen Resolve Conflict and Learn to Forgive It doesn't seem logical to forgive. It doesn't make sense. However, we are not strong enough to carry around the weight of unforgiveness. We were not designed to carry around that much weight around our necks for the rest of our life. Vengeance is Mine says the Lord! So release it to Him. He will be the one to re-pay.
June shares how we each have a part in conflict, some more than others. But we need to recognize our part in the conflict and take ownership of that. You look beyond the fault of the other person and see the need they have. Pray for your enemies and have compassion on them. Determine what you can do for the other person that is most loving; in the agape sense of love. Love them as God loves them.
On the flip side, forgiveness does not mean complete restoration. Proverbs 22:24 tells us "Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go." We have a biblical right to move out of harm's way. There are incidents that we need to steer clear of for the protection of our selves and loved ones when irreconcilable damage is done; such as in the case of sexual abuse, etc.
Battles of opposing issues, and different ways of living are bound to happen. Jesus said "In this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world." The Spirit Truth will guide us in all truth, so we really need God's wisdom on how to handle the areas of conflict that will come our way.
Today June and I discuss the following:
June shares personal forgiving experiences with her father. Why it is imperative we forgive others. Does forgiveness mean complete restoration? Is it biblical to move out of harm's way? How to get along with your opposer. How to define conflict resolution. How to earn credibility and respect with your kids.
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Conflict resolution is something that your family needs to learn to master. Together with our guest, June Hunt, we are here to help you learn how to resolve conflict. June wrote the book on Conflict Resolution: Solving Your People Problems.
Our guest and friend is one of the world’s leading biblical counselors. June Hunt is also an author, speaker, singer and the founder of Hope For The Heart, a worldwide biblical counseling ministry. June hosts an award-winning radio broadcast, Hope For The Heart, heard daily across America. In addition, Hope In The Night is June’s live 2-hour call-in counseling program that helps people untangle their problems with biblical hope and practical help. Hope For The Heart’s radio broadcasts air daily on over 350 stations nationwide. Help Your Teen Resolve Conflict Conflict is nothing new to anyone who’s ever been part of a team—especially when the team your playing for, or working for, is your very own family. Unfortunately, conflict resolution is something that’s not so common. And I think the more we—as a citizenry—get sucked into believing the postmodern and relativistic idea that truth really is relative, that more conflict will go un-resolved.
Because, until people can get back to being able to take themselves out of themselves and see the world and truth from an objective perspective, then conflict resolution is going to be a whole lot more difficult—if not impossible. Of course, at the very foundation of this is the belief that truth transcends what a person merely believes it to be, to being “what actually is.” And there’s no better way to know and accept “what actually is” than being acquainted with and submitted to “Truth” incarnate. That, of course, being the person of Jesus Christ.
Today June and I discuss the following:
Who is June Hunt and how can she help my family? Why it is important to teach your child about conflict resolution. How do you define conflict, and is it all bad? How to turn foes into friends. How to resolve conflict in your home. How to recognize the three attackers of conflict, i.e., the wolf, snake and the hornet. How to recognize the three avoiders of conflict, i.e., the turtle, chameleon, and the weasel.
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Not only is the emotional trauma—and sometimes even physical trauma—often overlooked in these cases, these very same parents are, unfortunately, sometimes even the target of blame. This of course adds insult to an already injurious situation.
Our guests are Dena and Tom Yohe. Tom is a former pastor. Dena is the author of the book You Are Not Alone. Both Tom and Dena are Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ International in the U.S.) staff members, and now affiliates. They are also the parents of a formerly troubled daughter.
Their daughter is Renee Yohe; the previously suicidal, addicted, depressed, self-harming girl whose situation led friends to start the well-known nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). Renee’s life was also portrayed in the 2015 Sony Pictures release by the same name. Dena and Tom live in Orlando, Florida. Their full-time work is Hope for Hurting Parents, where Tom and Dena help and minister to parents who are hurting from the pain of having a troubled child. Why a Ministry to Parents of Troubled Teens Is Important Before parents can properly help their kids, they have to be in a physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy place themselves. This is especially true when their kids are struggling. It’s not unlike the oxygen mask that comes down out of the ceiling on an airliner. You’re told—as parents—to put the oxygen mask on first, even before your kids.
Why? Well, obviously you can’t help your kids if you’re incapacitated.
I think it’s wise to take a closer look at what goes on in the life of the parents of a troubled teen so we can minister to them as well. It’s easy to overlook the trauma and struggles of the parents of troubled teenagers.
I’ve seen some terribly torn up and beaten down parents in my day. One of the things I hear more than anything else when they bring their kids to Shepherds Hill Academy is, “This is like a death.” To many parents, it’s almost as if they’re taking their kids off life-support. That’s how difficult it is.
But the trauma and grief leading up to a child’s enrollment in a therapeutic program is off the charts. That’s why it’s so important to minister to the parents as well. Hopefully, that’s what we’ll do today as Tom and Dena Yohe and I discuss the following topics:
Who are Tom and Dena Yohe? What is To Write Love on Her Arms? How can parents with struggling teens take courage in their situation? What is the wrong thing to do for a parent with a struggling teen? What is the most encouraging thing a person can do for parents with struggling teens? What is the connection to self-injurious behavior and spirituality? Signs that your child may be struggling.
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Are we willing to model Jesus as Scripture portrays Him? Or are we determined to model only the attributes of our Lord that we’re comfortable with in an attempt to keep the peace, avoid being politically incorrect (PC), or keep our kids smiling? Are we modeling a politically correct Jesus only?
Our guest, Joe Battaglia is the Founder and President of Renaissance Communications, a company specializing in providing media platforms for organizations and gifted communicators of the faith. Renaissance Communications partners to promote prominent ministry leaders, and faith-based movies and the marketplace. Joe is also the author of many books, and the Executive Producer and General Manager of Keep The Faith Radio, a nationally syndicated radio program heard in over 200 markets and 80 countries overseas. Today, Joe will share his book The Politically Incorrect Jesus: Living BOLDLY in a CULTURE of UNBELIEF. Does Being Politically Incorrect Mean Being Rebellious It has been said that Shepherds Hill Academy is a politically incorrect, Christ-centered, therapeutic program and school. And I think it’s safe to say that the License to Parent radio broadcast doesn't shy away from being politically incorrect either. You might be asking, what is it about incorrectness that’s so significant—because, to some, that might sound a bit rebellious.
Well, it’s also been said that one man’s rebel is another man’s loyalist. I happen to be loyal to God and His Word—to the person of Jesus Christ. If that makes me a rebel, then so be it. But I’m not rebelling against what’s right—or Holy. If anything, I’m rebelling against the rebellion against God—if that’s how you want to put it. Now, that certainly makes me politically incorrect.
PC is kinda like the Emperor’s New Clothes—nobody wants to state the obvious. Everyone’s protecting their own self-interests to keep from being marginalized, ostracized, or even black-balled altogether—whether it be the loss of social status, business opportunities, or whatever. I happen to fear God more than people. Some people will sell their souls to the devil to stay in good graces with the politically correct masses.
I think it all stems from a citizenry that no longer has any security or identity in who they are. They need to be affirmed by their neighbor because they no longer find their identity or security or significance in the God who created them. Shepherds Hill Academy and License to Parent exist to help fulfill Christ’s agenda—politically incorrect as that may be. Fulfilling Christ’s agenda is what’s healing our kids here at Shepherds Hill Academy. I’m also getting great feedback about our License to Parent broadcast as well. People’s eyes are being opened to the logical incongruity of a postmodern worldview.
The fact that other folks on the far left and in the LGBT community are going to such great lengths to twist the truth about Shepherds Hill Academy and License to Parent, and are fighting hard to discredit and condemn us, is even more evidence that we’re doing something right around here. I consider it a badge of honor.
So, I think parents also need to buck up and not fear the ridicule that’s sure to come their way for being politically incorrect parents. That’s what it’s going to take if we're going to be effective for the kingdom of God in 2017 America and not see our kids fall to the same perversions and devices as the garden variety heathen.
Joe Battaglia and I discuss this subject more as we cover the following topics:
Joe's notation of a "four-part harmony." Political correctness (PC) explains people's attitude of "self appointed" or being one's own god. PC causes division in our culture, not unity; and how it is affecting our parenting. Truth, things to stand for, moral absolutes and moral compass leads to common sense. Stand for the things Jesus stands for; the Gospel is counter intuitive and counter cultural.
More and more blended families are needing and seeking counsel for issues that pertain specifically to them. And there are a lot of issues to address that aren’t always at the forefront of the minds of those in ministry. Let’s change that and delve into what it takes to shape the smart stepfamily.
Our guest, Ron L. Deal is the Director of FamilyLife Blended, a ministry of FamilyLife, and is the author/coauthor of the books The Smart Stepfamily, The Smart Stepdad, The Smart Stepmom, Dating and the Single Parent, and The Smart Stepfamily Marriage. Ron voices the FamilyLife Blended short radio feature and is one of the most widely read authors on blended families living in the country. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist who frequently appears in the national media, including FamilyLife Today and Focus on the Family, and he conducts marriage and family seminars around the country. Ron and his wife, Nan, have been married since 1986 and have three boys. Why Blended Families Come With Unique Challenges Not only did I experience a broken home during my childhood, but I also see more and more blended families at Shepherds Hill Academy these days.
I bounced back and forth between my mom’s house and my dad’s house from the time I was almost six years old until I got out of high school. My mom and dad both remarried to my stepparents within about a year of being divorced from one another. I’d eventually have five half-brothers and sisters, but I never had to deal with step siblings living under either roof.
Therefore, I can’t really speak authoritatively on those dynamics. I can tell you this, the whole blended family thing can bring complications to family dynamics that most people would never dream of. Because of this, it’s a blessing to be able to talk to someone today who can offer some counsel in this area.
I have a feeling that there might just be a couple of folks out there who are smack-dab in the midst of some thorny blended family issues and are looking for some answers to some very tough questions. Ron Deal and I talk through some of these issues as we cover the following topics:
What is a blended family? Why simplistic answers are not typically helpful. What do I do if my stepchild says “You are not my parent, I don’t have to clean my room.” The key to success in raising a blended family. How to navigate attachment, loss, and loyalty. What do I do if my child is trying to divide my new marriage? What do I do if my child tries to use my past against me? What is co-parenting? What if my ex-spouse is pitting my child against me? Why a cohabiting stepfamily is the most dangerous situation to raise kids.
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In an attempt to be relative and trendy, have we forsaken time-tested child-rearing principles with principles and practices that would appall our own parents and grandparents? Or do the times we live in really require these changes? G. K. Chesterton once said: “Before we tear down a fence, we should find out why it was put up in the first place.”
Our guest, Dr. Robert Myers is the President of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. He has been involved in Christian higher education for 25 years. He is a regular blogger for the Huffington Post. He was a former police officer in the state of Maryland, and information systems manager in the state of Florida. Dr. Myers is also the author of the book: No Compromise: Thoughts from a Christian College President. Why Scripture is Vital For Navigating Today’s Cultural Shifts There are numerous aspects and avenues to explore when it comes to raising godly kids today. But, how do parents know how to prioritize these things when so many of them seemingly have equal urgency and importance? Well, as a mere human being, I couldn’t give you the first clue.
I do know that as Christian parents, we can never confuse the urgent with the important. So, I have to defer to Scripture for the answers—and then plug them into the culture I live in. In the light of Scripture, the Christian parent has no option—even in these times today—than to be willing to look like some cult-driven religious neanderthal in the eyes of the rest of the world. This is the point I have to keep driving home to today’s parents. If we aren’t willing to trust God and His Word for raising our kids, then we're going to have to get used to suffering the same consequences as the rest of world who do not know Christ.
This includes the things that many Christians have already capitulated to—just like the world. Some of these same things are now just common practice in the church today. One thing is divorce. Now divorce isn’t the topic of our discussion today, but it’s just one of the things that doesn’t seem to bother us as it used to. The same is true with shacking-up. And both have affected our kids negatively.
For the record, I’m not condemning divorced people. I come from (my parents) a divorced home myself. But, that doesn't mitigate the natural consequences. Of all the things we need to prioritize as parents, I’d say right here’s a good start.
Dr. Robert Myers and I discuss cultural shifts and their impact on our kids as we cover the following topics:
What was the purpose for writing the book: No Compromise: Thoughts from a Christian College President? Is there truth in “following your heart?” Can we really not control our own desires? What is Dr. Robert Myers' biggest concern of students entering college. Do your kids really know the Bible? Why it is OK to say "I don’t know to your kids." What is FOMO, and what do we do about it?
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Yet, when believers truly put God in His rightful place in their hearts and minds, then they, their families, their communities and even entire cultures have been known to thrive in virtually every way imaginable. History reveals the cultural transformations of Christ-centered revivals time and time again—movements that were initiated largely by young people. Could our divisive and morally-depraved culture actually be turned around by our kids?
Create an Environment for Your Teen to Ask Questions About God Our guest, Lauren Green currently serves as Fox News Channel's (FNC) Chief Religion Correspondent. She was also a headline anchor for Fox & Friends. Lauren has a released album titled Classical Beauty composed of classical piano music. She is the author of the book Lighthouse Faith, which we discuss in today’s broadcast.
Our interview with Lauren Green helps us understand how we can prepare our teens for adulthood by encouraging them to get on-fire for their Creator.
Who is Lauren Green and how can her book Lighthouse Faith help me? The role the 10 Commandments can play in your life. Why the First Commandment is so crucial for today’s culture. The connection between music and the Trinity. The need to create an environment where your kids can ask questions about God?
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Many parents are afraid to exercise biblical discipline or teach their kids the moral standards of Scripture for fear of having their children taken from their homes. Are these concerns legitimate? Do we have more parental rights than we think? And who can we call when we think our rights as parents are being violated?
Our guest, Brad Dacus served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas, School of Law. In 1997, Mr. Dacus founded Pacific Justice Institute, where he serves as president and works to defend religious liberties and parental rights. Brad Dacus can be heard weekly on his radio show, The Dacus Report, and he has been a guest speaker on CBS Evening News, CNN, NBC News, and the O'Reilly Factor.
Mr. Dacus has participated in respective debates against the presidents of the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Mr. Dacus has guest lectured at Stanford University School of Law and has testified numerous times before the California State Legislature. He was presented an honorary Doctorate of Religious Freedom and Family Rights degree from California Baptist University. Do You Know Your Parental Rights It’s time to give parents back their license to parent. So many kids today are getting amped up and told to do their own thing by friends, social media, and just about everyone and everywhere else they turn to in our culture.
Many kids believe their parents have no right to tell them what to do; they’ve bought the idea that their parents darn sure don’t have the right to brainwash them with all that archaic Christianity stuff. Believe it or not, unfortunately, a lot of this stuff is coming from their public schools.
I hope today we can help blow the lid off of some of the urban legends about the Department of Human Services (DHS) coming in to snatch kids away from parents just because they’re Christians trying to raise their kids according to the mandates of the faith. But, by the same token, there are still some very legitimate concerns that need to be addressed.
Today’s guest ought to be an encouragement as we discuss parental rights by addressing the following topics:
Who is Brad Dacus and why should I listen to him. What is the Ninth Circuit and why should parents be concerned. What is gender identity dysphoria. Is there empirical proof of gender dysphoria. Will family services become involved for disciplining one's own child.
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Is there any such thing as sexual perversion anymore? How do we teach our kids to value sexual purity when pop-culture and today’s mental health industry have seemingly colluded to legitimize virtually all sexual pursuits between adults? Will the age of consent actually be the next thing postmodern progressives will redefine?
Our guest, Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mohler received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Samford University and holds a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Philosophy in systematic and historical theology from Southern Seminary. In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview, and Thinking in Public, a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural, and theological issues.
Dr. Mohler has been recognized by Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, he was referred to as the "reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.” by Time, and as “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune. Dr. Mohler is sought as a columnist and commentator, and has been quoted in The New York Times, USA Today, and The Washington Post. He has also appeared on news programs such as Larry King Live, Today Show, Good Morning America, and The O’Reilly Factor. Why Parents Must Understand a Biblical View of Sexual Purity It seems that the church and so many parents have been silent on the LGBT lifestyle. Why is this?
LGBT issues aside; when I try to stress the importance of parents understanding and linking the tenets of postmodernism with their success in bringing up a child committed to a biblical worldview, very few understand it.
Parents need to defend Scripture’s position on homosexuality and teach their kids to defend it. This can be extremely challenging when there are now masters and doctoral-level “theologians” who are actually using your Bible, and mine, to excuse homosexual practices.
For example; Jesus talks about eunuchs being “born that way.” These same pseudo-theologians will say that eunuchs are homosexuals. How do parents counter this argument when Junior comes home from school using it to justify his same-sex attraction to the “Christian” classmate who shared this argument with him? Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. and I dive into this topic, as we discuss the following subjects:
How feelings seem to trump logic. Why are parents so silent about the obvious issues in our culture? Why are Christian leaders legitimizing the concepts of homosexuality? Reason parents need to understand postmodernism, in order to understand the acceptance of "normalizing" transgender. Is the church scared to address the truth about sexuality? How do parents teach their kids to defend their faith? Understanding the difference between genders and sexes. Why you should embrace your responsibility to teach your teens about sexual identity. How do parents explain the rare occasion when a child is born with ambiguous reproductive organs? Why are parents and lawmakers permitting kids to choose their identity at such young ages? Is there a “gay gene?” What should parents do when their child says “I’m gay?”
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Have we poisoned our own kids with the postmodern, politically-correct Kool-Aid that streams 24/7 through all the digital devices that we’ve provided them? These indoctrination tools are creating a much different child and a much different America.
Our guest today is Marybeth Hicks, she is a columnist, speaker and author of the book Don’t Let the Kids Drink the Kool Aid. She was a weekly columnist for the Washington Times and currently writes a monthly column titled Teachable Moments in the Catholic Digest Magazine. She is currently a Fox News contributor for shows like Fox and Friends. Marybeth Hicks addresses issues about popular culture, media, faith and values. Her insights and experience help families understand the trends that influence the next generation and are shaping our nation's future.
Speaking from the heart and from experience, sharing both the poignant and hilarious moments that punctuate family life, as well as the well-informed observer. Rapid Cultural Shifts and the Impact of Digital Devices During my lifetime, I remember tremendous cultural changes in the 1960s. I remember my parents squawking about it all the time. First it was the Beatles and their goofy haircuts and music. Then it was all about the hippies and their long hair and sex, drugs, and rock and roll. The world really was changing.
In fact, I heard a former Vietnam POW put it in perspective. He said:
“When I got shot down in Vietnam, America was watching Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore sleeping in twin beds as a married couple on a black and white TV, while the most popular movie in Hollywood was The Sound of Music. When I returned to the States, I came home to Sergeant Pepper, a psychedelic drug and hippie culture, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In on a color TV, and Dustin Hoffman’s award-winning The Graduate.”
That’s an incredible amount of change in just a few short years! But, even those changes were nothing compared to what digital technology and the internet have done to our culture since then. Today, the world is changing at the speed of light. And now, we—and our kids—have acquired political and moral appetites for things that neither our founding fathers nor our God ever intended we should have appetites for.
Marybeth Hicks and I confront this assault on our families, our faith, and our freedom as we discuss the following topics:
What does Marybeth mean by not drinking the Kool-aid. There seems to be a unified message that is largely anti-Christian. What parents should do to address their kids getting misinformation. What can parents do to keep kids informed about public school's sex education. How school safety program is replacing sex education. The importance of context when determining media boundaries. How to train your child how to navigate media when you are not in the room. Why parents must know what is on their kid's devices. The contradiction of the feminist movement embracing Beyonce. Why parents need to know who is teaching their kids.
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Well, without the help of God—and perhaps even some new perspectives that could come from the changing of the guard in Washington, D.C.—parenting children in 2017 America could be tougher than ever. Do we, the supposed “deplorable” parents, actually have a chance of raising kids that can help make America great again?
Our guest today, Todd Starnes has been at Fox News Radio for more than a decade. His daily commentary is heard on hundreds of radio stations, and his syndicated column is read by millions. He is a frequent contributor on Fox News Channel programs. Mr. Starnes has covered some of the biggest stories of the past decade, from presidential campaigns to the culture wars, and has authored four books, including The Deplorables' Guide to Making America Great Again. He was the recipient of an Associated Press Mark Twain Award for Storytelling and has received many other awards, including the National Religious Broadcaster’s Board of Directors Award in 2014. Todd Starnes is a frequent speaker at churches, Christian conferences, and Christian universities and has delivered messages at the Ronald Reagan Ranch and the Billy Graham Training Center. Is Parenting in 2017 About to Get Better As always, our hope shouldn’t be in the one reining in Washington, D.C. Our hope should be in the one reining in the New Jerusalem—that of course being our Lord Jesus Christ. However, I really think this new administration could possibly be an example to everyone—certainly parents—that there is more to being a wise, compassionate, noble and loving human being than simply being politically correct and flattering all the time. These qualities are so often self-serving and just flat disingenuous, and deep down most people know it.
The Bible says we shouldn’t be easily offended. With the right motives, I think that telling it like it is can be the most compassionate thing you can do for someone. Jesus, Peter, Paul and certainly John the Baptist all did it. They didn’t always use soft language when they did it either. As much as we see the flaw of sinful humanity in this new president—as much as his words and leadership style seems to offend the lemmings and snowflakes created by postmodern thought and political correctness—let’s keep in mind that God only has a pool of flawed human beings to work with, and some are flawed in different ways than others.
The Prophet Isaiah confessed to being a man of unclean lips, yet God still used him in a mighty way. The Apostle Peter cursed and swore while denying his Lord and Savior! God even used guys like King Cyrus and others like him to cultivate the ground of revival for His people. So, maybe He could use a guy like Donald Trump.
I think this new administration—if they play their cards right—could help parents realize that higher expectations might actually lead to higher results; that reward should actually be attached to achievement; that trophies go to winners and people of character; that there’s a price to be paid for mediocrity; and that we can find hope in the character produced by persevering through the struggles that life is sure to bring our way.
If this new administration can model the good and the wisdom of what Scripture has plainly taught previous generations of Americans, then hopefully parents will be freed-up to bag some of this nonsensical political correctness and exercise the freedom to raise their kids in a way that’s a little more congruent with a biblical worldview. At least, that’s my hope.
So, my prayer is that this new administration will—in some way, shape, or form—help provide a climate where parents can feel as though they actually do have a "License to Parent" as God ordained it. Right now a lot of parents, even Christian parents, don’t know whether to spit or wind their watches, because of all the political correctness that has metastasized—particularly over the last eight years. I will cover these issues in more depth as Todd Starnes and I di...
And when discussing sexual crimes, to be sure, we need to be wise in the way we keep our little ones safe at all times and in all places. What many parents may be unaware of, some of the most unlikely among us can be the most dangerous.
Our guest today, is Investigative Police Sergeant Patrick Crough. He has over thirty years of law enforcement experience, including twenty years as a Major Crimes Investigator and Hostage Negotiator with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Rochester, New York.
He is also the author of Chronicles of a Rochester Major Crimes Detective: Confronting Evil and Pursuing Truth, and the book we discuss today, Seducers Among Our Children. He is married with three grown children and two grandchildren. Today, Patrick is in full-time ministry with Millstone Justice, a non-profit, child advocacy group. The purpose of Millstone Justice is to educate parents, family members, teachers, day care employees, and caregivers about the threats that are posed everyday by child predators.
His website is http://www.protectingthechildren.com/. Signs to Identify Sexual Abuse The proliferation of pornography has to be fueling the sick minds of the garden-variety child-molester—and spark an appetite in others who perhaps wouldn’t have given something that evil even a second thought. But, off the top of my head, I’m not recalling any scientific studies to affirm that notion—though I’d bet there are likely to be some. I’m sure our guest could clue us in on some of that. But, as a former policeman, myself—and I’ve been out of it now for over 30 years—I can tell you that if you knew everything about everyone who lived in your neighborhood, you might actually think more seriously about locking your doors and windows. We live in a crazy world, and I think we’ve been long over-due in putting together a program like the one we’re doing today. Child sexual abuse is a very real and important topic.
The truth about sexual crimes and if it is “on the rise.”
Why the Internet may be to blame for the proliferation of sexual crime.
Why voyeurism is not enough for predators.
The three groups of child sexual crimes. What are some signs you can be aware of potential sexual abuse. How to navigate potential sexual predators within your family.
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Millions of young kids, as well as adults, have been diagnosed and labeled with these disorders in recent decades. Attempts at treating attention problems in children and adults have resulted in many being put on medication. But how have we done at actually teaching our kids to pay attention?
Dr. Daniel Berger is an experienced pastor, counselor, and school administrator, who has authored several books on Christian counseling, practical theology, education, and the history and philosophy of the mental health construct. Currently, he oversees Alethia International Ministries (AIM) where he counsels, continues to write, and speaks around the country at various conferences and ministries. He and his wife, Oriana, have been married for 13 years, and together they have three children.
The Debate Continues: Treat Attention Problems in Our Children Sometimes I am concerned that medical professionals excuse a quick draw method towards medication by giving people, especially our kids, labels like “ADD and ADHD.” Today, many in the mental health field are taking a second look at these so-called disorders and challenging whether they even exist at all.
I have to be honest here, I’m still scratching my head over this issue. I know, by virtue of what I do at Shepherds Hill Academy, that there are irresponsible things going on in the mental health field. I am a staunch proponent of tightening the ship on how some of these psychotropic meds are being dispensed.
I am also still a bit perplexed—especially when I think of my own inability to mentally focus in recent years—as to why some professionals in the mental health community seem to be so at odds with one another about what constitutes an actual problem in this area. Still others challenge the very existence of a problem at all. Dr. Daniel Berger and I discuss getting our kids to pay attention as we talk through the following topics:
How the book of Proverbs teaches us the importance of focus.
Why appropriate focus is a spiritual discipline as well as biological.
How hard should I challenge my child when he says “I can’t.”
How your teen can appropriately develop their brain. The role faith plays into the development of your child.
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But, are these assessments fair and accurate? Should we not identify the obstacles parents face in today’s culture. My good friend, John Rosemond, and I discuss this today.
John is no stranger to "License to Parent." He has been a friend to myself and to the ministry of Shepherds Hill Academy for a number of years. In addition, he has been featured on our program numerous times. I’d encourage you to search our content to hear more from John Rosemond. John is a successful columnist, conference speaker, radio talk show host, and author. John is the host of "Because I Said So!" - a nationally syndicated radio program.
Common Stumbling Blocks for Parents Have parents of the digital age been dealt a bad hand? While there are certainly cases of dereliction on the parent’s part. Those exceptions aside, I want to identify the challenges that the average parent faces. I particularly want to focus on the parents that claim to be followers of Christ. What unique challenges do they face as the digital age begins to take root.
John and I Identify the following:
How the experts become a stumbling block.
The reason Christian parents face the same stumbling blocks as the culture.
The role the culture-pivot of the 1960’s played in developing stumbling blocks.
How psychology has harmed parenting practices today. How suicidal ideations have become a stumbling block for families. The relationship between order, discipline, and the public schools. The empowering of the kid’s right and minimizing the role of the parent. How the phrase “That is what teens do” has misled a generation.
How the LGBT ideology has confused parents and teens. The misleading problem of codependency. Minimizing the role of spiritual warfare.
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Did you know that by putting on this spiritual armor we’re actually affecting brain health by helping to protect, and perhaps even build, physical brain matter? Maybe you consider yourself a spiritual warrior for God and your kids, but are you also a “brain warrior?”
Daniel G. Amen, M.D. is the founder of Amen Clinics, he is a double board-certified psychiatrist, professor, and ten-time New York Times bestselling author. He is one of the world’s foremost experts on using brain-imaging tools to help optimize and treat his patients. Amen Clinics have one of the highest published success rates for patients. His research was listed as one of the Top 100 Stories in Science for 2015 by Discover magazine. In addition to being featured on The Dr. Oz Show and Dr. Phil, his work has also been featured in The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and Men’s Health. Do Parents Put Enough Thought Into Brain Health All parents are concerned about their children’s physical health. And for believers, there’s an even greater concern about their spiritual health as well. However, with the exception of parents raising kids who’ve experienced some sort of brain trauma or malady from birth, “brain care,” so to speak, isn’t very often on the radar.
You don’t hear a lot of parents talking to one another about how to protect or build their kids’ brains. Certainly, concern over kids wearing helmets while riding their bikes is a big deal today. There’s also the recent controversy asking, “should kids be playing football six years out of the womb.” And of course every parent wants their kids to go to school and get good grades.
But, those things are not all that I’m talking about here. I think there are a lot of things that are systemic to today’s American culture. These things are absolutely devastating, not just to our kids’ brains, but to ours as well. I’m talking about things that the good parents of helmet-wearing, straight “A” students are often oblivious to. Let's get into detail on how good or devastating influences can affect brain health as we discuss the following topics:
How well the average parent addresses brain health.
What does it mean to have a healthy brain?
The effects of eating the standard American diet.
The effects of not guarding your mind.
Areas you should focus on when improving your brain.
Why getting a healthy brain will give you a healthy spiritual life.
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So, if we claim to be children of God ourselves, how we conduct our affairs in the presence of our kids can either attract them toward our Creator and His love or turn them away.
Our special guest, Ainsley Earhardt is a journalist and co-host of FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Fox & Friends. She has also contributed to the Hannity show with her own segment called Ainsley Across America. Additionally, she has co-hosted Outnumbered, Fox & Friends Weekend, FOX’s All-American New Year’s Eve, and America’s News Headquarters. Today, we discuss her New York Times Best Seller Take Heart, My Child: A Mother’s Dream. She will be donating a portion of her proceeds of the book to Folds of Honor, an organization that provides scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of fallen soldiers in service to America. The Special Bond Between Parent and Child I remember trying to describe to my oldest son the incredible transformation that he was about to experience as a human being—right before his first child was born. He admitted to me later that he couldn’t quite grasp what I was actually saying until virtually the moment his daughter was born. But, at that moment, all his priorities changed and his outlook did too. Then a couple of years later, he came to me with concerns that he could never love his second child as much as he did his first. And I guaranteed him—whether it was a boy or a girl—all that would go away the moment his second child was born—and it did. And then he had a third child—and it was the same thing.
Fearing that I could not love unconditionally was my biggest concern and reservation when starting Shepherds Hill Academy (SHA). But, when I finally submitted to God’s will after losing my youngest son, Asa, Beth and I felt a peace about taking students here as residents. God confirmed to me then the very same thing I was trying to confirm to my oldest son about unconditional love when SHA took its first group of kids—and in walked a boy named Asa. Beth and I both knew that it was God confirming His will, calming my fears, and equipping us for this work. You can’t make this stuff up. And we also can’t manufacture, on our own, the intuitive love that we have for our kids the moment they come into the world.
Our Discussion with Ainsley Earhardt
Ainsley’s testimony and her special bond with her parents. What led Ainsley to write her New York Times Best Seller, Take Heart, My Child: A Mother's Dream.
The crucial role of a father to a teenage daughter.
How to have a positive outlook on life’s trials.
How Ainsley’s faith impacts her life on Fox News.
Important tips in cultivating our kid's strengths.
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Would you be willing to look foolishly old-fashioned, maybe even considered a religious freak, by the rest of your community to protect your kids from the physical, psychological and spiritual ramifications of such an epidemic? Today, our guest, Dr. Nicholas Kardaras helps us rethink our boundaries for the digital age as we discover the effects of screens on the still developing brains of our young children.
Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is an internationally renowned speaker, one of the country’s foremost addiction experts, the executive director of The Dunes rehab in East Hampton, NY, and the founder and executive director of Hamptons Discovery, a progressive adolescent treatment program. He is the former clinical professor at Stony Brook Medicine, he has also taught neuropsychology at the doctoral-level, and is the author of Glow Kids and How Plato and Pythagoras Can Save Your Life. He is a frequent contributor to Psychology Today and FOX News. He has appeared on the CBS Evening News, NPR, Good Day New York, and in Esquire, New York Magazine, and Vanity Fair. The Need for Boundaries for the Digital Age In today's program we learn from Dr. Kardaras:
Dr. Kardaras’ experience, research, books and credentials. At what age we should allow our kids to use technology, and how much each day.
Developing brains affected by video game psychosis, screens on the brain and digital drugs.
What addiction disorders do to the brain’s frontal cortex, myelination and dopamine levels.
Education and technology; scientific research and truths on health and academia.
In the digital age, parents have the right to opt-out of using a digital platform in their child’s learning.
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But, things have changed in the last six decades. Today, more and more, Christian parents are now turning to—and putting their faith in—the secular mental health paradigm. Our guest, Dr. Daniel Berger, helps us to determine if we are getting better results.
Dr. Daniel Berger is an experienced pastor, counselor, and school administrator, who has authored several books on Christian counseling, practical theology, education, and the history and philosophy of the mental health construct. Today, we discuss his book entitled Mental Illness: The Necessity for Faith and Authority. Currently, he oversees Alethia International Ministries (AIM) where he counsels, continues to write, and speaks around the country at various conferences and ministries. He and his wife, Oriana, have been married for 13 years, and together they have three children. Mental Illness and Our Kids If you are a believer, for you, my personal stance on the final authority for raising kids has got to be God and His Word. Without that premise, Christian parents are far more likely to suffer all the same things—in all the same ways—as the world suffers.
For example: if you think your kids should enjoy sex before marriage your counsel on prom night is more likely to be something like, “Don’t forget to use a condom Junior,” rather than “What time are you and I picking up your date?” And that is if you allow your kids to date or attend the prom at all.
Safe-sex or not, our kids’ chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or getting pregnant are absolutely zero if they remain true to God’s Word. Unfortunately, we all know Christian kids who’ve found themselves suffering all these same kind of things too, not because they were true to a biblical worldview, but because they were not.
Since the 1950s, the mental health field has become a major influence as to how we should raise our kids. Unfortunately, this influence has not only skewed how many—dare I say most—Christian families raise their kids today. However, it has also influenced how pastors and even so-called “Christian therapists” and child-psychologists view, teach and advocate parenting. We discuss this and more with our guest:
Who is Dr. Daniel Berger and what is his view on the mental health industry. What is a construct and why is it important to me.
Why a sound premise is crucial.
The line of demarcation for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). What are psychiatric drugs and why they could be dangerous. The relationship between morality, spirituality, and how it relates to mental health.
Is mental health simply morality.
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Yet, it would seem that just the opposite has been true, especially as it relates to medications. Today our guest, Dr. Paul Meier, helps us determine if American teens need medication.
Dr. Paul Meier is a nationally recognized psychiatrist, founder, and medical director of Meier Clinics. Dr. Paul Meier has been a guest on numerous radio and television programs, including Oprah Winfrey. Dr. Meier continues to work at the Dallas area branch of Meier Clinics. He continues to write books and articles, and has authored or co-authored over 90 books that have sold more than eight million copies in more than 30 languages. In 2006, Dr. Meier was named as a Physician of the Year and honored at a reception by the President of the United States and Congress in Washington, D.C. Do American Teens Need Medication? Since the 1950s there’s been a tremendous increase in parenting research, in mental health research, research in the field of genetics, and even in the discovery and proliferation of mood-stabilizers and other medications. Yet, even with all these important discoveries and milestones, today’s parents are still dealing with an ever-increasing array of complex parenting issues and decisions—not the least of which is “when to medicate and when not to medicate” their kids.
Today, we will find out how "Blue Genes" aren’t so much the product of Junior’s fashion and dress code as they are the cause of his passion and the product of his genetic code. Do our kids really need to be “forever in blue genes?”
It may be easy for a lot of people to think that Shepherds Hill Academy (SHA), and/or myself, is against medications simply because we often speak-out against their abuse. But, nothing could be further from the truth. We are not against meds for those who truly need them. To say otherwise is like saying: "I’m a racist because I share my concerns about fatherless homes in the inner-city."
At SHA, we sometimes put kids on a certain medication when needed, even though 70% of kids who come to SHA on bushel-loads of meds will leave med-free. I don’t think it makes me weird or crazy to wean kids off of meds they no longer need—or perhaps never needed in the first place. Still, I may get people—even after this program—charging us with being "anti-medication." And listen, I’m going to be asking our guest some very inquisitive and thought-provoking questions—probably play devil’s advocate a little bit. But, I think these are the topics and questions that a lot of parents are really wanting answers to. So, I’m looking forward to speaking with him about some of these things. In our program, we discuss:
Why I need medication. About Dr. Meier's book "Blue Genes." Stories of how medication has helped families.
Symptoms that could merit medication. How Shepherds Hill Academy works with teens on medications. How do you know someone is in need of medications.
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In the wake of it all, more and more residential treatment centers and schools dealing with troubled teens are cropping up all over America. Many parents are perplexed as to which facilities are legitimate and which are not. Some folks even question the merits of the industry as a whole. Our guest today provides guidance for parents seeking therapeutic boarding schools like Shepherds Hill Academy.
Our guest is Megan Stokes. Megan is currently the Director of Government and Public Relations for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). In February, 2017, she will reside as the Executive Director of NATSAP.
In her role as Director of Government and Public Relations for NATSAP, Megan helped pave the way for some of the policies that govern our industry. Some of her family members have been through wilderness programs, giving her a personal connection with NATSAP. Select the Right Therapeutic Boarding School Our American citizenry has strayed so far off the rails morally that young people—and even many parents—have no solid place to land their feet when it comes to moral authority or what the parent/child relationship should actually look like. And, as Scripture alludes to, this is affecting the mental and spiritual health of everyone—not just our kids. I mean, look at who we had running for president. That’s more indicative of the moral and mental health of the citizenry that voted them in than it is the actual candidates themselves.
Concerning postmodern thought, I have been crying from the house-tops for over 30 years about what I’ve been seeing happening as the result of the cultural revolution of the 1960s. It became obvious to me how it was going to impact the parent-child relationship. But, to guys like James Dobson, and Francis Schaffer before him, they saw this coming over 50 years ago. This chaos and illogic bled over into the mental health field also. In fact, it bled over into every aspect of America’s infrastructure—including education, government, entertainment, advertising, media—even the church—and of course, it’s darn sure affected our families.
Just the divorce rate alone is enough to negatively affect our kids. But, the logical progression of a postmodern worldview leads to chaos because it proposes that everyone does what’s right in their own eyes (both parents and kids). So, from chaos the logical declension is insanity, destruction, and then death. And that’s pretty much what we’re seeing today. I think I heard that teen suicide has just become the second leading cause of death for kids ages 15-19, just behind accidental death.
Discover in today's program:
How parents should properly search for a therapeutic boarding school. What is NATSAP, and how can it help parents seeking placement. Why therapeutic boarding schools are necessary.
What is the Miller Bill and how could it affect therapeutic boarding schools. Why parents choose to send their teen to a therapeutic boarding school. How NATSAP can help raise funds for the tuition of therapeutic boarding schools.
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One of the more controversial values being trivialized by the culture is the stance on traditional marriage. Parents must provide their teens with the truth about homosexuality, and teach them why they shouldn’t be forced to forsake their traditional values.
Our guest today is Ciara Leilani. Her testimony is an incredible journey through homosexuality. At the age of fourteen she embraced a homosexual lifestyle. After twenty years she abandoned that style of living. Today she travels the country offering hope to people in need through the Kingdom Asylum Ministries. She is also the author of the upcoming book, You Shall Live and Not Die. The Truth about Homosexuality Same-sex attractions are popularized and blatantly flaunted in front of families through seemingly innocent television broadcasts, billboards, and in-store advertising. Currently, the premise that babies can actually be born hardwired for homosexually is unsustainable. What has proven sustainable is the way our culture has shaped our views on LGBT issues. Our conversation with Ciara will help you:
Get to know Ciara. How to know if someone is able to leave the homosexual lifestyle. Identify what is contributing to the over-sexualization of our kids. Establish steps to overcome challenges the lifestyle presents. What you should do if your teen says he/she is struggling with homosexuality. How to discuss the topic with your family without ignoring it. Why you should not separate yourself from your teen if he/she is struggling with homosexuality.
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What can parents do when they find themselves at the wrong end of a crisis with their troubled teen? We continue the discussion we began last week to help parents find hope for their family’s crisis situation.
This week, we continue the conversation in an effort to raise awareness of how you can support Shepherds Hill Academy (SHA). Through your support we are able to provide a reduction in tuition for families in crisis. How You can Help Families at Shepherds Hill Academy In our last program we laid the groundwork for the growing need of therapeutic residential care in today’s society. You can listen to part one of this discussion here.
We discussed some of the many things now competing with parents for our kids’ worldview and allegiance by way of entertainment, social media and all the other things that digital technology has brought to the parenting landscape. We talked about how all these things have helped undermine parental influence by ushering in a multitude of new and complex emotional, behavioral and spiritual issues that have increased the need for places like SHA and its unplugged environment.
We dive further into our discussion to explain the operation expenses of Shepherds Hill Academy. In addition, we provide stories of teens that have had life-changing experiences during their stay at SHA. You can help support a family to reduce their tuition costs by giving to the Shepherds Hill Academy Student Scholarship Fund.
This week we discuss this and more:
Why is SHA so costly when there are other programs so cheap? Why a single babysitter can be just as expensive as residential care. Why SHA remains gender specific. A father’s letter to his son. Specific needs of SHA. An example of a family crisis experienced by SHA.
HELP a Troubled Teen Today
Today, Rich and I take time to highlight the exceptional work that Shepherds Hill Academy (SHA) does to help families in need with a teen in crisis. Our focus is to raise awareness on how others can support a family with the high cost of residential care.
Today’s program is going to be noticeably different from most of the programs we produce on the License to Parent broadcast. It’s just Rich and me in the studio. We are going to be talking about some problems, some solutions and some needs today—particularly as they pertain to youth culture, the parent/child relationship, and what we do at Shepherds Hill Academy. How You Can Support a Student at Shepherds Hill Academy In today’s digital age we are seeing an upswing of behavioral problems in young people. But, not only that, we’re seeing an increase in the intensity and complexity of emotional, mental and spiritual problems among most of the American youth culture. Thus, the need for therapeutic residential care, such as what Shepherds Hill Academy provides, for troubled teens has never been greater.
I feel that because we’re actually in the trenches at Shepherds Hill Academy, and we see the trends and know what brings healing to these families, we can speak with authority on these issues here on the License to Parent broadcast. Because SHA is the proving-ground for everything we talk about on License to Parent; I want to dedicate today’s broadcast to provide our listeners with a better understanding of SHA and why it’s so important for the body of Christ.
In today’s program, we cover a variety of topics that help highlight the importance of therapeutic boarding schools and we establish how you can support a teen in crisis.
Highlights from today's broadcast include:
What it means to live in an unplugged environment. Why removing teens from the toxic youth culture provides new clarity in their thought. How to distinguish the spiritual and carnal nature of teens. Why the cost of therapeutic boarding school is so expensive. How you can actively help support the tuition for a teen in crisis.
HELP a Troubled Teen Today
This week we continue our interview with our wives, Beth Embry and Debbie Roszel. They provide practical advice on the details you need to consider if you are transitioning to become a stay-at-home parent.
If you missed last week’s episode you can start from the beginning here. My wife, Beth Embry, founded Shepherds Hill Academy with me. Rich’s wife, Debbie Roszel, is a tutor and author of the books: From Fortress to Freedom and The Mom’s Guide to Surviving West Point. Practical Benefits of Being a Stay-at-Home Parent We continue our conversation with Beth Embry and Debbie Roszel. This conversation provides practical guidance for wives and mothers questioning if they are to transition to the role as a stay-at-home parent. The truth is, in our culture, we have evaporated the margin in our lives to contemplate the deeper things of life. Staying focused on a career and remaining non-stop busy could be preventing your family from truly flourishing as God has intended. Some of the benefits of being a stay-at-home parent:
Positions your kids to be homeschooled. Abolishes possible guilt for “not being” there for your child. Establishes a value on family, as opposed to material possession. Exposes the truth behind the pressure to “have it all.” Prepares an example of how family is to sacrifice for one another. How a stay-at-home parent navigates the digital age.
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We have a special opportunity to discuss the importance of being a stay-at-home mom in our weekly interview.
Our guests today; surprisingly, are our wives. My wife, Beth Embry, who is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Shepherds Hill Academy. Also, Rich’s wife, Debbie Roszel, who is a Private Tutor and the Author of two books: From Fortress to Freedom and The Mom’s Guide to Surviving West Point. Both women are mothers of five children, and both chose to be stay-at-home moms for several years.
Overcoming the Financial Challenge of Being a Stay-at-Home Mom It seems that the pace of life today has brought us all to a place where we don’t feel like we can do without or be without everything or every opportunity that comes our way. Smartphones have now allowed us to bring our offices and our work home with us. It’s also made us available to everyone, everywhere, and all the time; yet, without the same kind of responsibility or accountability. When it comes to raising our kids, how’s that really been working out for us?
With an increasingly "Me" oriented society, the result is like adult kids in an adult candy shop. We have so many options today. But, with all those options comes a drastically reduced down time. We have a myriad of business, pleasure and information options that we naturally want to grab on to—for our own benefit.
What happens when a baby enters the scene? We still want and need the money, but now we are going to have to sacrifice some of it to adequately take care our children. Regardless of all the opportunities and options life offers us today, I think we may have to seriously consider the reality that parenting is going to require a greater sacrifice. If we are truly going to do parenting as God intended, initially and on the surface we need to own that sacrifice. I know this may not be a popular thing to talk about in our politically correct age. But, like a root canal, sometimes it’s necessary. Our wives, and guests, help us make sense of:
Does it really take two incomes to provide for a family? Why your job is not your provision. Just because your family is busy does not mean your family is succeeding. God can provide your financial needs. The truth about paying for your child’s college.
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Our guest, Julie Woodley provides parents with practical guidance on how to recognize, respond and overcome childhood sexual abuse.
Julie is the founder and director of Restoring the Heart Ministries. She is also a speaker, author, and a counselor. Julie holds an M.A. in counseling and a certificate in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary. Julie is a certified trauma counselor and was ordained in 2000. Julie is also the division chair of the American Association of Christian Counseling for Abortion, Sexual Trauma and Mental Health. She is the Ministry Outreach Representative of Timberline Knolls.
How to Recognize Sexual Abuse I just talked to an 80 year old lady who told me about an issue from her childhood; and, it was the first time she’d ever mentioned it to anyone. Why people seem to be sharing these experiences more often these days—even into their twilight years—I think, is because our entire society has become a whole lot more comfortable with discussing sexual issues as a whole. You can’t even watch a G-rated TV show without the commercials referring to topics that virtually nobody discussed publicly a generation ago.
I suppose it could be argued that it’s evidence that all things really do work for the good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Because, if the sexual revolution didn’t do anything else, it has allowed people—or should I say “forced” people in our society—and I’m thinking about Christians in particular—to have more open and regular discussions about sexual issues. It’s a subject that certainly the Bible doesn’t shy away from. But, I think it’s the kind of discussions we have about these issues that can either bring healing or hurt to individuals—particularly for young impressionable minds.
Sex can be beautiful or dirty—sacrificial or selfish; and, I think our society has acquired an appetite for dirty and selfish—unlike God intended it. So—considering the times we live in today—I think we need to have healthy discussions—and have them often—with our kids—and as early as possible too; so, that when perversion comes their way, they’ll sense it for what it really is.
Julie helps us to recognize the signs of sexual abuse by discussing:
Using her testimony and history with sexual abuse to help others. Has sexual abuse gotten worst since the digital age? What to do if the child claims to have been abused. Is there hope for healing? What do you do if your child is the abuser? What if your teen is sexually involved with someone older than 18 years old.
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Our guest, Dena Yohe, is the author of the book You Are Not Alone. She has personal experience with her own troubled teen, and will give us practical advice to help parents with their struggling teens.
Dena Yohe is the wife of a former pastor, and the mother of a formerly troubled daughter, Renee Yohe. Renee, was a once-suicidal, addicted, depressed, self-harming girl whose situation led friends to start the well-known nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms. Renee’s life was also portrayed in the 2015 Sony Pictures release by the same name. Dena and her husband, Tom, live in Orlando, Florida. Their full time work now is with their ministry, Hope for Hurting Parents.
How to Cope if you Have a Troubled Teen Well, by the time I see parents at Shepherds Hill Academy (SHA), they’re more than sideways. They’re upside down and inside out. They’re crushed. Today’s guest will do a much better job of sharing those feelings than I could ever begin to do. In fact, I might even come across a bit callous to a lot of parents at SHA, because:
I’m not nearly as emotionally involved as the parents are. I haven’t been the recipient of their child's abuse for months and years. I know how these things usually turn out after a year at SHA.
For the parents in the middle of their journey they can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Many feel they have nobody to lean on or to identify with.
Usually parents’ greatest concern is that they just want their teen to be happy; which, I think is a misguided and culturally-driven emotion. Usually, their greatest need is relief—to see light at the end of the tunnel and the hope of an emotionally, psychologically and spiritually healthy child. That’s been my experience. Our guest may see it vastly different. Either way, she’s here—not so much for the sake of giving advice about healing kids, but to help parents deal with the difficulties of dealing with their troubled teen. Because, not only are there a lot of hurting parents out there, but there are a lot of self-defeating thoughts that go along with that hurt. Topics Dena shares:
Dena’s story and how she walked through the journey of a troubled teen. Are there more families struggling with troubled teens than years past. Encouragements that will help you cope amidst the crisis of a troubled teen. How to address the spiritual component to your teen’s challenges. Signs that your teen may be troubled. How to develop a relationship with your struggling teen. What role sin plays into the internal struggle with troubled teens.
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Today’s teens have access to more knowledge than arguably any culture in history. This makes for cliche answers to life’s toughest questions remain credible in their eyes. Gone are the days where parents can hide behind the phrase “because the Bible says.” Our guest today, Dr. Alex McFarland gives us practical insight.
Alex is a speaker, writer and advocate for Christian apologetics. He serves as director of the Center for Christian Worldview and Apologetics at North Greenville University in South Carolina; a leading Christian college in the United States. Dr. Alex McFarland is the author of several books, including the best-selling 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity. He is a graduate of Liberty University and he and his wife live in North Carolina.
Why You Should Incorporate Apologetics into Your Home Our kids have access to information that no other generation of adults ever had as kids. Kids are seeing some of the greatest challenges to the Christian faith ever dealt with in the history of the church. In many ways this is a good thing. We shouldn’t be afraid of the tough questions. But, I think it’s dangerous when tough questions are presented to a generation of emotionally fragile and spiritually immature kids who aren’t equipped—emotionally, spiritually or otherwise to field what some 50 year-old ex-Christian with an axe to grind spews on the Internet.
You wouldn’t let your child defend himself in a court of law without proper counsel would you? But, our kids are being thrown before these “spiritual predators” on the Internet every day. These people have made it their life’s ambition to debunk the Christian faith in order to justify their own sins. This strategy is particularly effective against our impressionable young people who just aren’t equipped to defend their faith as they need to be in this day and age. And what makes it even more dangerous is the fact that these Internet spiritual predators are using a medium where they have a captive audience. The same kids that won’t step foot in a church, will spend all night on the Internet—and these people know it.
Unfortunately, most parents can’t answer the challenges that these people on the Internet bring to the table either. Think about it... Questions that were historically reserved for tenured theologians are now being fielded by garden-variety anemic-churched lay people who, by and large, have no clue how to answer this level of questioning. But, these questions are very legitimate; and, there are legitimate answers to them. Unfortunately, the answers too often given are as anemic to the atheistic mind as the theological acumen of the zealous, yet naive and inexperienced, person giving the answers.
Too often, good answers to Christian apologetics aren’t getting seen or heard. Dr. McFarland helps parents navigate through the following:
Why are apologetics important? The truth about the millennial generation’s church attendance. How the breakdown of the family has lead to atheism. Practical resources for addressing life’s toughest questions. Why parents need to dig deep and learn to articulate what they believe. Today’s top apologists that parents can listen to to improve their understanding.
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Yet, like anything else, the power of Jesus Christ can walk us through the traumatic experiences of our past and limit the collateral damage it might otherwise produce in, not only ourselves, but in those we know best and love most. Our guest today is Raymond W. Kahle, Ph.D, Th.M and he provides us steps to practically navigate life’s traumas.
Our guest, Raymond W. Kahle, Ph.D, Th.M, currently an instructor at the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) and teaches classes in crisis intervention. He is the Director of Kindred Spirits, where he works with law enforcement as a traumatologist. His passion is to assist those that serve our country in working through the trauma they may experience.
Navigate the Traumas of This Life Trauma affects everyone to some degree or another. That is what I’ve observed. But how we let trauma affect us, and how we let it affect how we raise our kids, will determine a lot of things for our family’s future. To be clear; however, by “allow” I don’t mean to insinuate that we have control over how trauma affects us.
They say the past always affects the future. I think there’s a lot of truth to that. I also think Scripture alludes to it. For example; in particular, when you think about our military veterans it is pretty obvious how physical trauma—like the loss of a limb might affect a person’s ability to parent a child 100% affectively. You have to wonder how the trauma of war in general—even without a physical injury—might affect how a dad or mom approaches their parenting experience in a way that may have been different otherwise. Ray shares his year's of experience dealing with trauma for our listeners with the following topics:
Learn how Ray’s service in Vietnam helped pave the way for his work with trauma. What is the truth about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD). Should you parent your kid if you have experienced PTSD? Is trauma a bad thing? Should we protect our kids from trauma? How can we get to the root problems our family faces instead of saying “it’s OK?” Signs to identify trauma in your child’s life. The importance of addressing the spiritual aspect of trauma. How to walk your kids through trauma.
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Abuse and other dangerous habits can be passed on from generation to generation. So how can your family change the shape of your family tree? How can you stop the cycle of abuse in your family? Our guest, Florence Calderone Blake, provides us with practical wisdom.
Florence Calderone Blake is the author of the award winning book The Sicilian Nobleman’s Daughter. It is her powerful memoir of her testimony of living through a life of abuse. In our discussion today, Florence reveals how the abuse she experienced positioned her to break the cycle of abuse in her own life.
You Can Stop the Cycle of Abuse in Your Family In my work with families at Shepherds Hill Academy, I’m more prone to see kids abusing their parents than the other way around. When we think of abuse, we often think of physical abuse. But there are a lot of ways that abuse can manifest. Abuse can take many ugly forms. Florence and I discuss this concept and more:
Who is Florence Calderone Blake and why should I listen to her? How Florence’s history of abuse provided her with the courage to seek Christ. How to change the family tree and avoid a generational curse. How do you explain families that are not able to overcome the cycle of abuse. The role the Holy Spirit and forgiveness plays in an abusive home. Is it possible to have sympathy for the abuser? Florence’s history in working with DFACS. The difference between restoration and reconciliation.
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In today’s culture, the topic of miracles seems to be a snare for many. Are miracles real? Is the miracle-working Jesus whom we read about in Scripture, the same miracle-working Jesus of today? Our guest Elijah Stephens provides us with practical guidance.
We had the privilege of discussing the topic of miracles with Elijah Stephens. Elijah is an International Speaker, Film Director and Author of the book Leading Ministry Time. He is currently working on a documentary titled: Simply Kingdom that uses medical evidence to establish proof of miracles.
How to Determine if Miracles are Real When we see the multitude of circus acts on what we call Christian TV, it becomes nearly impossible to answer the question: Are miracles real?
I had the privilege of talking with David Silverman, the head of an organization called The American Atheists. He said that he’d look at Christianity more seriously if even one Christian could substantiate one real miracle. But, according to Mr. Silverman, nobody—as of yet—has been able to do it, at least to his standards.
In discussing the topic of miracles, I have to say that even I’ve used the term “miracle” loosely. When I talk about the transformations of the teens at Shepherds Hill Academy, I often call them miraculous because of what I’ve seen. I talk about the circumstantial miracles that God performed before and during the advent of Shepherds Hill Academy.
But, to say that I can produce anything that didn’t give one chance of any being an incredible coincidence or luck of the draw—like the miracles Jesus did—no, I can’t honestly say I can. I’ve seen enough incredible things to convince me God was in them; but, not with the kind of evidence a guy like David Silverman is asking for.
But, because even our salvation is all about faith, wouldn’t it be just like God—in all his omnipotent wisdom—to use miracles at just the right time, in just the right way, and before just the right people to accomplish His ends and keep miracles a mystery just enough to keep faith in the equation?
After all, once you know how something is done, it is no longer a miracle. It may be difficult—perhaps impossible with man—but not with God. Maybe we’ll get to heaven and find out just how Jesus did some of these things. Maybe a miracle is nothing more than science that’s yet to be discovered. I can’t wait to find out. Our guest discusses this and more:
What constitutes a miracle? Why is it difficult to find examples of miracles that can’t be debunked by today’s skeptics? Is it our culture’s indoctrination that is preventing us from identifying miracles? What role does your worldview play into seeing miracles? Actual miracles that have been identified by Elijah. How do we educate our kids on the truth of miracles? How do you help your teen solidify their faith in a miracle-working Jesus?
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So it would follow, now, even the definition of manhood could actually come into question also. Our guest today, Stephen Arterburn, provides us with a practical discussion on how to teach your sons the importance of manhood.
Stephen Arterburn is the Founder and Chairman of New Life Ministries and host of the #1 nationally syndicated Christian counseling talk show New Life Live! Stephen is also the host of New Life TV, a web-based channel dedicated to transforming lives through God’s truth. Stephen is the Founder of the Women of Faith conferences attended by over 5 million people. He also serves as a teaching pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana and the author of the popular book Every Man’s Battle.
Manhood in America Many are claiming there is a war on women. If you ask me, if there’s a war on any gender, it is a war on men and manhood. As just one small example: Other than “All in the Family,”and that being a TV show produced well over 40 years ago, can you imagine watching a sitcom today and not seeing a male belittled—or even physically strike a female? Not going to happen.
But, it’s common fare today for males—particularly for those portraying what should be the epitome of manhood, i.e., Dads to be belittled and mocked regularly. It’s not uncommon at all to see men slapped around and punched by women. That’s considered funny. And, when men try to be chivalrous, they’re criticized. When they’re not chivalrous enough, they’re criticized. Men don’t know whether to spit or wind their watches today. And I don’t think they even know what it means to be a man anymore. Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not discounting the abuse perpetrated against females by males, that’s alive and well today—but that isn’t manhood! Today’s guest helps us understand what it means to be a man, as well as:
How to respond to the culture’s current focus on gender fluidity. How can someone argue from the stance of the Bible? The underestimated role of faith. How do we advise our kids to respond to the challenge on their stance on manhood? The importance of solidifying your stance of biblical principle.
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These days, it’s just so hard for parents to compete against today’s addictive nature of being constantly connected to the world wide web. Our guest today, Jonathan McKee will provide practical steps you can take to connect with your smartphone obsessed kid.
Jonathan McKee is the author of 52 Ways to Connect with Your Smartphone Obsessed Kid. Jonathan has over 20 years of youth ministry experience and speaks to parents and leaders worldwide. He provides free resources for youth workers and parents. Also you can follow Jonathan on his blog, getting a regular dose of youth culture and parenting help. How to Connect with Your Smartphone Obsessed Kid Sometimes things arrive in our cultural scene so hard and fast; that, as a people, we get blindsided. Then our reaction becomes nothing more than a failure to respond. I believe that this is what has happened in the case of today’s smartphone situation with our kids. We’re such a hustle-bustle society that we never paused to think through the ramifications of putting this kind of access in the hands of kids. Before parents could blink; virtually every kid in America had a phone with information, ideas, entertainment, voice, power and smut at their fingertips 24/7. The technology moved faster than our wisdom could increase, as well as our ability to make and/or amend laws.
Think about it. We still have laws for where, how and what time and days smut and vice for adults can be found and displayed in certain neighborhoods or inside the four walls of certain retail outlets; yet, our kids too often have none of these same safety measures. This makes the privacy of their own bedrooms virtually as dangerous as the seedy side of town! They have access to some of the vilest sexual images that no previous generation of adults ever had. But, not only that, today’s kids can personally connect with others from anywhere around the world to share, embellish and even participate in this smut in a virtual Sodom and Gomorrah any time day or night.
I think if we had time to do it all over again, we might realize that smartphones are actually adult toys! And, so, I say that Christians ought to look at a complete paradigm shift when it comes to carte blanche giving some of these things to our kids—just for the sake of being culturally relevant. There are just some things we can’t trust kids to possess till they’ve reached a certain maturity level like voting and drinking. As I see it, this one slipped by us. We discuss this point and the following:
The truth behind the laws and the experts stance on social media. What is the "Children's Online Privacy Protection Act" (COPPA)? The role that the book of Deuteronomy plays in addressing the smartphone phenomenon. The two extremes of the parenting continuum; either too strict or not involved. Family engagement seems to be lacking due to our culture’s obsession with smartphones. How to filter the content on your kid’s phone. How to set your child up for success. The importance of giving your kid the keys.
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Sadly, this sentiment has actually been adopted by many of our teens. They believe themselves to be beyond the redemption of even the Lord Jesus Christ. The truth is, our youth are craving a second chance to feel alive in this world.
Nick Hall is the founder of the ministry PULSE and author of the book Reset: Jesus Changes Everything available on amazon. Hall has been featured on major media outlets including Fox News, US News & World Report, Christianity Today, Fox & Friends, Moody Radio, Baptist Press, The 700 Club, Decision Magazine and The Christian Post. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Minneapolis with their two children. Youth are Craving a Second Chance This generation has seen, heard and done things that many adults of previous generations have never seen or experienced during their entire lives. This exposure to depravity has returned nothing but emptiness. In my work at Shepherds Hill Academy, time and again I have seen that kids are wanting something real, and almost nobody is giving it to them. Many parents and youth leaders fail to understand that this generation is looking for some spiritual meat! They are truly hungry for God. I don’t know why more people don’t understand that.
There are reasons kids are leaving the church in droves and that the average new teen-convert to Christianity only stays in church 8-11 weeks. I have found that teens, and young people in general, are not looking for more entertainment, excitement or friends even. They’re actually seeking something genuine—the one true God—whether they actually articulate it that way or not. Our guest today understands that and shares with our listeners his passion to “awaken culture to the reality of Jesus" and his experience of working with nearly 3 million students. Our topics for this program include:
What is PULSE and why is it important. How to look past the glaring negative stats of the millennial generation. Why it is important to listen to your teen instead of preach to them. The incredible role patience plays in learning the truth about the youth. How to move forward with your teen if he/she is looking for a "Reset." How to prepare an environment where your teen can mature in his/her faith. How to get involved with the "Reset" movement.
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In a culture where all forms of sexual impurity are legitimized, it is easy to ask: is sexual purity relevant anymore? Our guest, Julie Hiramine, will help parents prepare their teen for sexual purity?
Julie Hiramine joins us to provide parents with guidance in how to address the subject of purity with their teen. Julie is the author of the book Guardians of Purity and the founder of Generations of Virtue; a ministry committed to teaching sexual wholeness and integrity. As an international speaker she has ministered in many nations to thousands of parents, teens and young people on the topic of purity. Is Sexual Purity Relevant Anymore? Unfortunately, I’m not sure sexual purity is something that many people are all that concerned with anymore. It’s kind of like the word “sin.” Both the terms—“purity” and “sin”—imply there is a moral absolute. And moral absolutes are something that our postmodern world just doesn’t seem to want to deal with. Julie and I discuss this problem and provide you with practical solutions.
How do we define purity in today’s culture? Positional purity -vs- practical purity. How to become a reliable source for your teen to discuss sexual purity. How to address the topic if you don’t have the answers. The daunting reality of what your teen can be exposed to. How to address this topic with other parents. How to equip your teen to have a healthy relationship with their peers.
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Consequently, what we and our children might believe about Scripture gets scrutinized, criticized and marginalized. So in a generation that is bombarded, our guest, Chris Danielson, brings us creative ways to implement apologetics in our homes.
Our guest today is Chris Danielson. Chris is a national syndicated radio show host, author and stand-up comic. Chris created the documentary, Bible Idiots which both entertains and educates.
The film follows Chris, Emilee, and Jacob Danielson around the country on their comedy tour. While on the road, they sit down with ministry leaders and Bible scholars such as Jim Daly of Focus on the Family, Al Robertson from Duck Commander, Joni Eareckson Tada, Dr. Alex McFarland, Dr. Frank Turek, Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Abdu Murray, and many, many more. How to Find Creative Ways to Implement Apologetics I don’t remember if I was ever specifically called an “idiot” for my belief in the Bible; but, I’ve been called similar things for my trust in Scripture. One example over the years is that I carry the banner of “Truth” on the cars I’ve raced at different speedways in the southeast. This has certainly generated some name-calling. I think, as parents, we’re going to have to prepare our kids to deal with the persecution that they’re bound to experience because of their belief in Scripture. Our conversation with Chris provides us with creative ways to implement apologetics, as well as:
What is Bible Idiots and how will it benefit my faith? What is the best way to get the most out of Bible Idiots? How Christians can stand firm. What is a Christian comedian. The danger about late night comedians. How teens can learn to stand in confidence in the Lord. How you guard your teen from the objections about the Bible found on the Internet.
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But, is conflict a bad thing? As we are all quite aware, even in the parent/child relationship, conflict is inevitable. How we deal with conflict will determine the quality of our character and the quality of our relationships. Our guest, Dr. Karl Benzio teaches us how to appropriately resolve conflict.
Karl Benzio, M.D. has been a guest on License to Parent a few times before. Dr. Benzio is a Christian psychiatrist. He is also a writer, and conference speaker. He is an expert in discussing Behavioral Health issues and the impact it has on individuals and families as well as their impact on society and social policy issues. He is the Founder and Director of the non-profit Lighthouse Network, a free Christian drug counseling helpline. How to Appropriately Resolve Conflict A wise parent knows that conflict doesn’t necessarily mean that bad things, or SIN, is part of the equation when it arises. The problem is when conflict isn’t properly dealt with. To use an analogy; gasoline can fuel your car and get you where you want to go when it’s properly contained and harnessed as a power source. But, it can also burn your car to the ground when not properly harnessed. Dr. Benzio and I discuss practical application in how to appropriately resolve conflict as well as:
What is the greatest cause of conflict? What does D.E.S.C. mean and how can it help me? Ownership and self examination is key to resolving conflict. The components to reconciliation. God’s role in conflict resolution between parent child relationship.
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But, there is no greater asset in the parenting tool box than prayer. Prayer is the gateway to infinite wisdom, love and power. Our guest, Mark Gregston, provides us with a practical conversation on how prayer can be an essential part of your life.
Mark Gregston is the founder and executive director of Heartlight Ministries and the host of the award winning radio program Parenting Today’s Teens. In addition, Mark is a conference speaker and author of several books including Prayers for My Teen.
When it comes to dealing with our teens and all their challenges; it is easier to first turn to our friends, our pastors, counselors and even books on parenting before turning to prayer. We so often think of ourselves as “fixers.” This tends to be a reflex in a lot of us.
Another reason we don’t often pray for our kids is the same reason we forget to pray—period. We just might not be in the place spiritually that we need to be, i.e., we just don’t see it solving our immediate problem. We’re a society of “gotta have it now.” We don’t stop to think that maybe God’s using our current situation with our kids to speak a message to us. Change for us isn’t any easier than change is for our kids. And, I’m sure there’re many more reasons—hopefully our guest can help us get it all sorted out. After all, he’s written a book with some pretty good prayers that parents can read and use in their own difficult situations.
Why Prayers for My Teen is geared toward fathers. How written prayers are effective. Can prayer really improve your relationship with your kids? Is prayer a waste of time? How to teach your kid to pray. How a parent should pray for the vices they may be involved in.
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The brain is the physical component that helps process moods and behaviors. Would you say food is affecting your brain?
If the brain is not functioning properly, then it can impede our moods and behaviors which means it affects us physically as well as emotionally. Our guest, Dr. Jean Lawrence will discuss how food is affecting your brain.
Dr. Jean Lawrence, and her husband operate the Lawrence Health and Wellness Center. Dr. Lawrence is a doctor of Naturopathy, a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, and a Certified Nutritionist. Dr. Lawrence has been a guest with us numerous times. How Food is Affecting Your Brain It is clear that scientists and medical professionals have noticed a profound effect that different chemicals working in the brain can have on one’s entire personality.
At Shepherds Hill Academy, we work with kids who arrive on a lot of different medications intended to help the parents deal with certain behavioral issues. Medications are a simple example of how chemicals can alter the brain.
However, our everyday diet is a largely overlooked culprit of how chemicals can affect the brain. The stuff that is going into the foods being produced and consumed in America is affecting your brain. Many of these things can alter our moods, attitudes and behaviors, and damage our physical health as well. And that’s what we talk about today with Dr. Jean Lawrence:
How a mother’s diet can contribute to a lack of brain development before the child is born. The foods you eat can contribute to lethargy. Ingredients that affect your brain you should avoid. Understanding “leaky gut” and what does it have to do with antibiotics. The difference between good or bad oils and how they can affect your brain. How sugars are affecting the brain. How digital media is affecting the brain.
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It’s easy to become a stressed-out parent who isn’t all that pleasant to be around, or know how to appropriately work through your anger.
This stress, typically a by-product from being “overcommitted” can leave us frustrated and angry. If we are not careful, anger can become a habit. Our guest, Israel Wayne, will provide you with the tools you need to overcome your anger.
Our guest authored the book, Pitchin’ a Fit: Overcoming Angry and Stressed-Out Parenting. Israel is also a popular conference speaker and a frequent guest on a variety of media outlets. His work has also been featured in TIME Magazine, WORLD Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. You Can Appropriately Work Through Your Anger It’s like you have this perfectly normal and well-behaved kid, and for a season, he or she just can’t seem to do anything right—at least in our eyes. It’s not like they’re being openly rebellious or anything—they’re just kids in the process of growing up.
Sometimes it’s just so easy to become angry.
I think we’ve all been there. But, kids are very resilient and forgiving when, as parents, we admit our mistakes and even ask their forgiveness. I’ve found that our mistakes, as parents, can actually be a great chance to model humility, repentance and our own human frailty to our kids. Israel, Rich and I discuss this as well as:
The inspiration behind Israel’s book Pitchin’ a Fit How are we supposed to be angry but not sin How to identify your inner conflict Does digital technology contribute to our lack of patience How to manage your anger when you feel betrayed by your teen’s decision How the answers to managing anger is found in the book of James
Picture provided by Lorianne DiSabato.
Over a hundred years ago the industrial age impacted our entire society in myriad of different ways—not the least of which was how we raised our kids.
But, however the industrial age may have changed the parenting landscape—with the proliferation of automobiles, radios, telephones and the like—the digital age has changed it a thousand-fold. The twenty-first century parent now has a new parenting landscape to navigate.
Ryan Anderson, PhD is the author of the book Navigating the Cyberscape: Evaluation and Improving our Relationship with Smartphones, Social Media, Video Games and the Internet. He provides a unique perspective on the digital age as he was a video game developer for over ten years. He has worked as a therapist in a variety of settings similar to Shepherds Hill Academy. Currently he serves as a therapist at TELOS. Navigating the Cyberscape and 5 Video Games You Should Not Have in Your Home If the digital age is moving at the speed of light it is going to require us to totally rethink and retool our parenting paradigm. My fear is that too few parents are paying serious enough attention. Technology was supposed to make our lives easier; but if you ask me it’s too often made our lives more complicated, busier and definitely more stressed. Ryan Anderson, PhD gives us an engaging conversation on this subject. We discuss:
Defining the Cyberscape. Why parents must understand their child’s relationship with digital technology. How healthy boundaries will position your child to succeed. Parents who use smartphones as glorified pacifiers may be preventing their child from appropriate growth. Why your child should look different from his/her peers. Navigating the Cyberscape should not be done alone. Begin talking with other parents about this concept. What does a healthy media diet look like? 5 video games you should not have in your home.
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Security locks, security fences, home security systems, and in some cases, even security guards!
Every year Americans spend millions of dollars keeping their homes and families safe and secure from physical harm. But, how much time, money and energy do Americans invest in their family’s emotional security? Joshua Straub, PhD joins us this week to help us understand the importance of emotional safety.
Today, Rich and I have the privilege of interviewing Joshua Straub, PhD. Joshua is a speaker, family advocate and author of the book Safe House: How Emotional Safety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love and Lead Well. He uses his knowledge and experience in trauma to help people around the world to manage crisis. This included the incredible opportunity to help families in Rwanda overcome the trauma from the 1994 genocide. He currently serves as an assistant professor at Liberty University Online in the Center for Counseling and Family Studies. Joshua Straub, PhD, also serves as a Marriage and Family Strategist for LifeWay Christian Resources. The Key to Success In our day of iSlavery (when everyone’s preoccupied with their digital gadgets) there seems to be more and more parents and kids disconnecting from one another emotionally. It breaks my heart to see, otherwise very conscientious and responsible parents, allowing themselves and their kids to be victims of our systemic cultural brainwashing by giving their kids carte blanche access to every digital gadget on the market. Joshua and I discuss how this relates to a lack of emotional safety including:
Why emotional safety is important for your teen. Why behavior management alone will not sustain your child’s success. How to prepare your child for emotional security. The importance of understanding the root issue behind your child’s emotional outbursts. The role grace and truth play in your home. How to find the balance between exploration and being over protective.
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As today’s culture rapidly trades it’s traditional moral values for what some have termed, “The New Normal,” many American parents have felt forced to adapt to “a new normal” as well. With a culture now normalizing homosexuality, how are parents supposed to practically navigate the truth about homosexuality within their own home? Our guest, Ciara Leilani, will give us some guidance.
About Ciara Leilani Ciara’s testimony is an incredible journey through transformation. Since the age of fourteen she lived openly as a lesbian. Twenty years later, she left her life of same sex attraction. Today she is a conference speaker and the Founder of Kingdom Asylum Ministries. She is also the author of the upcoming book, You Shall Live and Not Die. In addition to this, she provides a free weekly blog that offers her readers hope. How to Address Homosexuality within Your Home A quick glance into the titles of some of today’s most popular entertainment gives example to unblushing attitudes and false narratives about same sex attractions. While the premise that babies can actually be born hardwired for homosexually is unsustainable. What is sustainable; however, is the emotion pop-culture, propaganda and political correctness are all driving our perspectives on LGBT issues. Our conversation with Ciara is an engaging one that will help you practically address this hot topic within your home.
Who is Ciara Leilani and why should I listen to her? Is it possible for someone to come out of the homosexual lifestyle? What is contributing to the sexualization of our kids? Does a parent's absence contribute to their child’s same sex attractions? The key to overcoming the challenges the homosexual lifestyle presents. How a parent should respond when their child says he/she is a homosexual. Why it’s important to discuss the topic within your home and not ignore it. The importance of not separating yourself from your homosexual kid. Should my kid be allowed?
Picture provided by: Kendyl Young
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel welcome Dr. Karl Benzio, a Christian Psychiatrist, writer and conference speaker who specializes in Decision Making Sciences and its application to behavioral health and all of life. Dr. Benzio is the founder and director of Lighthouse Network which develops faith-based behavioral health resources and connects hurting people with faith-based addiction and mental health treatment options.
With the recent legalization of marijuana in many states, and the increase in it's mainstream recreational use, the question of the safety and validity of marijuana use continues to come up -- especially among our children who are now asking "what's the big deal?" Discover at least five reasons; psychological, spiritual, relational, health and legal ramifications and more of why you should not let your kids smoke pot.
Today’s topics include:
What constitutes "addiction?" From a scientific standpoint, is marijuana an addictive substance? Is addiction a form of idolatry? You can also be addicted to food or other things, but that doesn't make the substance "bad." How should parents respond to that argument? Does marijuana affect different people differently? What are signs that parents should be looking for that could indicate marijuana use or addiction? What help can parents offer teens who are smoking marijuana, and don't want to stop? The plight of parents who provide drugs and alcohol to their teens.
You can find out more about Dr. Karl Benzio, his daily devotional called Stepping Stones, and Lighthouse Network online at LighthouseNetwork.org. Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel welcome Dr. Leonard Sax, a Christian Medical Doctor and Psychologist, who spent 18 years in private practice and most recently has written a number of books including the one we're discussing today, The Collapse of Parenting, a New York Times Best-Seller.We have been saying for some time now that today's teens are becoming iSlaves. The lure of pop culture has taken them in that the many trappings of our day now control them, rather than the other way around. And parents are becoming enslaved as well. No longer do we look to Scripture for answers and guidance. Instead, we turn to Oprah, Dr. Phil, Google and Facebook for our cues. It's no wonder we're rapidly progressing backwards as a culture.Today’s topics include:The rights and privileges of kids vs. the rights and privileges of parents.What is the purpose of childhood?How do we change culture without being changed by culture?Why is it so important to teach "culture" to our kids?How much influence does music have on our kids' attitudes? The balance of family time vs. friend time.How do we educate desire in our kids? And what does that mean?A culture of disrespect.Is it too late to start making changes in the family dynamic?Using medicine to correct a disrespectful child.You can find out more about Dr. Leonard Sax and his books online at Amazon.com.Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel welcome Kim Trobee, who has spent the past 12 years working with Focus On the Family. She directed and hosted the long-running Family News In Focus broadcast for several years and now serves as Manager of Communications for Family Policy Alliance, formerly known as Focus On the Family Action and later Citizen Link.There's a saying: "We get the government we deserve." Unfortunately, Americans are becoming more and more ignorant of our nation's roots and of the way our government is intended to function. As such, we parents have our work cut out for us as we try to raise kids who can be change agents in our culture.Today’s topics include:A brief overview of Family Policy Alliance.What roles should Christians play in the political process?What's the background behind the so-called "separation of Church and State?"What is Biblical Citizenship?How should Christian parents approach prayer and praying for our government? And what more should we be doing?How do you speak to young people about getting involved in change when they have bought into all the promises of free stuff from our government?How can we teach patriotism when our country has strayed so far from its biblical heritage?Kim Trobee recommends these additional resources to understand our biblical rights: A document about Biblical Citizenship from the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (Go to erlc.com and use the search function to find several articles about Citizenship)WallBuilders is an organization founded by David Barton that holds the largest collection of original writings from our founding fathers. Access them at wallbuilders.com.You can find out more about Kim Trobee and the work of Family Policy Alliance at FamilyPolicyAlliance.com. Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel talk with G. Craige Lewis. He is a musician, pastor and author of the book, The Truth Behind Hip Hop. G. Craige Lewis is also the Founder of Ex Ministries, a ministry that exposes the effects of music on our youth. His book is about the hidden dark side of hip hop music and its culture. Is Rock 'n' Roll the devil's music? Bach said that all music should be for the glorification of God or for the refreshment of the human spirit. Is our music -- and the music we bring into our worship -- glorifying and refreshing? Or are we merely entertaining ourselves at the expense of our spiritual well-being. Today’s topics include:A brief overview of the book, The Truth Behind Hip Hop, and an introduction to Ex Ministries.What's the difference between Rap and Hip Hop and why do you refer to Hip Hop as a religion?What is the Hip Hop "bible" that was written by KRS-One?Why are fatherless homes so prevalent in the African-American culture? And how has Hip Hop filled that void?Can Hip Hop be used for good as well as evil?What about people who claim to have been saved at a Christian Hip Hop concert?You can find out more about G. Craige Lewis and his work at www.ExMinistries.com. His book, The Truth Behind Hip Hop is available here
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel talk with Dr. Heath Lambert about how to address cultural influences and what they're doing to our families. Dr. Lambert is the executive director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. He is a former Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and their undergraduate institution, Boyce College, where he taught on biblical counseling and Christian ministry. Dr. Lambert is an associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL. He is also a founding council board member of The Biblical Counseling Coalition and serves on the editorial boards of The Journal of Family Ministry, and The Journal of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. The types of challenges teens and their parents have to face these days may not be that new, but the way they get delivered certainly is. The things that influence our family's thinking no longer has to get past the gatekeepers of old (Mom and Dad) and that lack of accountability is taking its toll on every member of the family. Today’s topics to raising emotionally and spiritually healthy kids include:An overview of changes Dr. Lambert is seeing on college campuses that parents of teens need to address early.Setting the boundaries in the home to keep Sodom and Gomorrah at bay.How can we teach our sons and daughters to be discerning and modest?How appropriate physical affection within the family can help.Why is "sin" so marginalized these days? And in a world that emphasizes "grace" in parenting, can grace ever be abused by parents?What role does discipline play in keeping our kids pure?How can we best pray for our kids and ourselves?Dr. Lambert's books include The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams , Counseling the Hard Cases: True Stories Illustrating the Sufficiency of God’s Resources in Scripture, and Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace. You’ll find those through many booksellers, including Amazon.com. You can also find out more about Dr. Lambert on the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors website at www.biblicalcounseling.com. Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel invite guest Don Whitney, Ph.D. to join them on the program to teach us how to develop family worship.Don Whitney, Ph.D. obtained his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; his Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a Ph.D. in theology at the University of the Free State in South Africa. Don is the Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He is the founder and president of The Center for Biblical Spirituality, and he is an author of several books on Christian Spirituality. Today we discuss Don's book Family Worship by defining these terms:Worship - Focusing on and responding to God. Focus on God and He will reveal Himself to us.Family Worship - Couples, families with children in the home, and empty-nesters that worship by reading the Bible, praying and singing together.Individual Worship - Personal prayer, praise and singing, and reading God's Word. This can include keeping a journal by yourself.Music as Worship - How music plays a part of completing worship, which can be silently from our hearts and minds. God's commands from the Bible and in the Psalms encourage us to sing.Men as Spiritual Leaders - The responsibility of Spiritual Leadership according to the Bible has been assigned to husbands and fathers.How to Begin Family Worship - Appropriate starting place in Scripture - narrative passages like the Gospels that have stories for families with young children. Story Bibles are a great resource. Older children become encouraged when the Leader asks them to join in worship. Long term, short duration worshiping as a family works best.Sharing the Worship Leader Role - Share in Bible reading. Pass the Bible around to each member to read a passage. Or, each family member can take turns reading night by night. All family members can also take turns singing and praying. Consistency is the key.You can find his books and more about Don Whitney, Ph.D. at www.BiblicalSpirituality.org.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel talk with Dr. Sean McDowell about the book he co-wrote with his father, Josh McDowell, The Beauty of Intolerance. Sean McDowell, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Master of Arts Christian Apologetics program at Biola University. He's also a best-selling author of more than 15 books.Today’s topics include:The more dangerous cultural norms that our culture tolerates today, like the dangers of the lack of freedom.How the Bible views the issue of tolerance.How does tolerance impact our parenting, like generational communication, dignity and worldview?Is there any difference between tolerating and condoning something?Many terms are being redefined. What other changes in the meanings of terms should we be aware of?What is the danger in being truly tolerant? Agreeing to disagree, but allowing differing views to be discussed, and/or silencing others.What's the difference between cultural tolerance and traditional tolerance?How do we engage teachers and other influencers of our children in conversations about tolerance?How do we talk to, and what should we be teaching our kids?You can connect with Dr. Sean McDowell and find his books; including, The Beauty of Intolerance, at the website SeanMcDowell.org. He also referred listeners to SummitMinistries.org for more information about how to engage with your kids.Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Same-sex attractions may be becoming more acceptable in our culture as a healthy alternative form of sexual expression, but how does that line up with science and nature, and more importantly with Scripture. Furthermore, what difference does that make when we, as straight parents, are confronted with a child who is wrestling with same-sex attractions? We'll talk about how a straight parent deals with a gay child. Trace Embry and Rich Roszel talk with psychotherapist, educator and author, Richard Cohen. Mr. Cohen is also the executive director of PATH, which stands for Positive Approaches to Healthy Sexuality. He has written several books dealing with various issues pertaining to human sexuality including the book we'll be discussing today, Gay Children, Straight Parents.Today’s topics include:Richard's personal journey from living as a homosexual to coming out of that lifestyle, getting married and becoming a parent.What to do when the traditional church and traditional counselors don't know what to do to help with unwanted attractions.Learning to understand the real question to ask, and by extension, the real prayer to pray.Is it more difficult to come out of a homosexual lifestyle in a culture where it is now embraced?How much of the LGBT movement has found success due to political pressure as opposed to scientific accuracy?How can parents guide children who may have some confusion in this area and may not even know if he or she needs help?Considering a counter-intuitive approach to getting involved with your non-traditional child.You can connect with Richard Cohen and find his books including, Gay Children, Straight Parents, at the website PathInfo.org.Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Though Victoria may still have a few secrets, it's certainly no secret that American culture is obsessed with sex. Madison avenue has long known that sex sells, but what many fail to acknowledge are the dangers that go with sex. Yes, some promote a "safe sex" ideal, but even they overlook the fact that the dangers are far more than physical. This week Trace Embry and Rich Roszel talk with OB/GYN and author, Dr. Freda McKissic Bush about the book she co-wrote with Dr. Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr. titled: Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children.Dr. Bush is a medical doctor who has been involved in women’s health for more than forty years. Since 1987 she has been a practicing OB/GYN in Jackson, Mississippi and is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of OB/GYN and Department of Family Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She’s also a partner in private practice with East Lakeland OB/GYN Associates in Jackson, Mississippi.In February, 2012, she became President/CEO of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health. She and Dr. McIlhaney also co-authored the book, Girls Uncovered: New Research on What America’s Sexual Culture Does to Young Women. She is a member of the Physician’s Resource council for Focus on the Family. She also currently serves as a medical advisor for Heartbeat International and CareNet and serves as Medical Director to the Center for Pregnancy Choices, Metro Jackson, Mississippi.Today’s topics include:What does science say about human sexuality that confirms what scripture has taught?In light of conversations in recent years about the definition of sex, what constitutes "sex?"How does society define "safe sex?"What is the "third sexual danger" that may catch us by surprise?Sexual addiction.The brain as the primary sex organ.The influence of the parent/child relationship on the child's future sexual relationships.Using "Hooked" to launch discussions with our children.With a culture more open to public sexuality, and with the current transgender bathroom discussions, what can parents do to protect our children's eyes from things they shouldn't be exposed to?Is there a way to make virginity "cool" again?You can connect with Dr. Freda Bush and find her book, Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children, at the website MedInstitute.org. The book is also available on Amazon.com.Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel talk with child psychologist and author, Dr. Todd Cartmell about his book, "8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids." Dr. Cartmell earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. He then moved to Columbus, OH, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Wright State University at the Children’s Hospital. Since then, he has done clinical work at Summit Clinical Services in Wheaton, IL, where he continues to see children, teens, and families on a full-time basis. In addition to the book being discussed today, he has written four other faith-based parenting books.As with all projects, using the right tools can make all the difference in completing said project successfully. Today’s topics include:What are the eight tools? And might we be using them, but using them incorrectly?Controlling your own "volume knob" and discovering your communication style.Is there a listening style that our children have that will impact how well we're able to communicate.As long as our kids know we love them, is there a time when tough talk is necessary?How parents can model the behavior they want from their kids.How can humor help or hurt?How does physical touch fit in?What is "dirt watching?"You can connect with Todd Cartmell and find his book "8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids" at the website 8SimpleTools.com. Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel continue to aid our listening audience with cures for addiction with guest Hannah Stelzl. Hannah is with the ministry "1 Love for Christ." She is a biblical mentor whose heart is to help young women find healing and freedom in Jesus Christ. As a former “prodigal,” Hannah also has a passion for educating and equipping parents. Therefore, she wrote the book titled "Loving the Food Obsessed Girl." Hannah’s ministry reaches many girls who struggle with food-related issues, as well as self-harm, substance abuse, and a variety of other relational and personal problems. Currently, Hannah resides in North Carolina where she lives with her family of nine. In addition, she enjoys playing the piano and guitar, photography, and especially, galavanting through the countryside on a horse and other modes of travel.Today we discuss:Underlying issues cause addiction, i.e., outward manifestation of inward problemAddiction as a spiritual issue versus a diseaseUsing Scripture to experience the Abundant LifeAddiction as a relational issue, i.e., false perspective of God, self and othersDisplaying unconditional love as Jesus would to promote healing and freedomHow to recognize signs and know the differences of Anorexia and Bulimia Help for the parents who don't know what to do nextTypical things parents might say or do to a child who has an eating disorder:"You just need to be normal""You need to choose to eat"Distance them self from child and problemThink only they can "fix" the problem, i.e., without God's helpTo learn more about Hannah Steltzl, her blog, and the "1 Love for Christ" ministry, please visit 1loveforchrist.com. Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel share the entitlement cure for your teen today with guest Dr. John Townsend. Dr. John Townsend is a New York Times bestselling author, business consultant, leadership coach and psychologist. He has written or co-written 27 books, and his newest book is titled "The Entitlement Cure." He is a co-host of the nationally-syndicated talk show “New Life Live.” Dr. Townsend is founder of the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling, helping families and businesses. He is also active on the board of Mustard Seed Ranch, a residential program for abused children.Today's Topics Include:What is entitlement compared to narcissismHow the Bible speaks to entitlementCauses of entitlement brought on by parentsHow affluence and entitlement can be harmfulWhy there is so much media attention on entitlementHow it affects relationships, families, the work place and the impoverishedHow to approach someone in your life who is entitled, and how to help them changeBeware of statements and or attitudes in your kids like; "I deserve," "I am not responsible" or "I deserve special treatment" Learn more about Dr. John Townsend, his work and his books at his website drtownsend.comShop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel talk again with author Karen Whiting who joined us last week to discuss her devotional book for girls entitled "My Princess Devotions," and how we as parents can help our earthly princesses relate to their Heavenly Father. This week, we're discussing her book, "The One Year Devotions for Active Boys." Boys are not wired the same way girls are and tend to be doers more than readers. Karen's book is designed to engage boys to study God's Word and His world. We'll share how to get your son to read the Bible. Today’s topics include:Ways to start your son's journey into Bible study and spiritual self-assessment.Are boys typically more kinesthetic learners?Why do boys read as compared to why girls tend to read?How do we convince our children, particularly our sons, of the need to delve into scripture?The challenge of establishing proper role models in our sons' lives.The steps to getting started on a routine of daily devotions.How to weave humor into the reading of God's Word.How parents can be involved when they feel they don't have all the answers.How can children trust God when the world around them has gone mad?How do daily devotions shape the lives of our young men?What do you do if your kids DON'T want to get engaged in daily devotions.You can learn more about Karen Whiting, her books and her other writing at KarenWhiting.com.Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.
This week on License to Parent with Trace Embry... Trace Embry and Rich Roszel talk with author Karen Whiting about her devotional book for girls entitled "My Princess Devotions," and how we as parents can help our earthly princesses relate to their Heavenly Father. The ways in which our daughters view themselves differs from girl to girl. Today's conversation might just help you come up with a different strategy for reaching and equipping your daughter to be the kind of "princess" God wants her to be. Teach your princess to give devotions to her King.Today’s topics include:Why there is a need for a devotional book specifically for God.Does the average girl process scripture differently than the average boy?Why present spiritual matters within a "princess" theme?What role should a father play in cultivating the right attitudes in his daughter?How to discover the type of girl your daughter is, and how best to approach discipleship.The benefits beyond spiritual growth of developing a devotional habit with your children.How to teach old stories from the Bible in our modern day.When one parent has to be away from home for an extended period, how can the family still include that parent in the family devotional times?You can learn more about Karen Whiting, her books and her other writing at KarenWhiting.com.Shop SmileAmazon, and .5% of your purchases go to Shepherds Hill Academy. Share your thoughts on today's program at our Facebook Fan Page, on Twitter @licensetoparent, or by emailing us at radio@licensetoparent.org. Subscribe to our blog, Insight for Today's Culture. Also, if you'd like to give a gift of support to help families discover more about finding hope and healing through Christ-centered, practical parenting advice, please click on our "Donate" button.