Explore every episode of the podcast Let's Parent on Purpose: Christian Marriage, Parenting, and Discipleship
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Ep. 373: Guided by Faith: Through the Lens of the Gospel | 06 Oct 2024 | 00:28:19 | |
Jay shares a sneak peak of upcoming episodes of his new podcast Guided By Faith: Devotions and Advice for Teens and Young Adults. He also shares with his listeners an exciting opportunity to help spread solid Biblical Teaching throughout the nation of India. On this week’s episode, you’ll hear three short devotionals from the Guided by Faith Podcast.
Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Resources mentioned: Get Your Identity Simplified Digital Resource at cpgive.org Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive though the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support | |||
| Ep. 372: A Journey of Faith and Family with Matt Gille | 22 Sep 2024 | 00:37:36 | |
In this conversation, Jay Holland and Matthew Gille discuss Matthew's unique journey to becoming a missionary, the challenges he faced with his family, particularly with his daughter who has special needs, and how God has provided for them throughout their journey. They explore themes of faith, identity, and community, emphasizing the importance of trusting God in difficult circumstances and recognizing the blessings that come from challenges. Keywords: missionary, faith, family, special needs, church, community, identity, God's provision, China, parenting Let’s Parent on Purpose is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org Resources mentioned:
Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive though the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/
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| Ep. 363: Parent Differently with Dr. Kathy Koch | 14 Jan 2024 | 00:41:56 | |
**Be sure to check out our new discussion guide to help you make the most out of this episode. >> https://bit.ly/3Hilh2R Character changes destiny, and character changes culture. Dr. Kathy Koch helps define the core character qualities we want to instill in our children to help them honor Christ, even when no one is looking. As we learn to parent for character instead of outward obedience, we begin to raise children who will change their culture. Listen today as Jay and Dr. Kathy discuss: • The definition of character, and the vital importance of training for gratitude, joy, and self-efficacy. • How to cast vision in your children to be culture changers instead of just rule followers. • The definition of joy and the dangers of comparison and unrealistic expectations. • The way technology teaches us to live entitled and the wisdom of limiting choices. • Why “choice” is one of the most powerful words a parent can use. Powered by Christian Parenting
Bio Dr. Kathy Koch is the founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc., and a child development specialist. She is also the author of seven bestselling parent-child enrichment books including her latest book, Parent Differently: Raise Kids with Biblical Character that Changes Culture.
Resources mentioned: Parent Differently: Raise Kids with Biblical Character that Changes Culture
Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive though the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/
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| Ep. 273: What if I Fail As a Parent | 17 Apr 2022 | 00:26:42 | |
Fear of failure as a parent can paralyze a mom or dad. In my new “What if…?” series I look at the reality of our parental failure through the lens of the gospel. We talk about:
1. Why many of our failures don’t matter 2. The reality that there will be many times when you really blow it 3. How to view your failure in the light of the gospel.
Failure is not the last word, and God can use our worst moments to shape some of the best character qualities in our children.
Resources Mentioned: Sign up for my Things for Thursday Email: https://tinyurl.com/292kv68y | |||
| Ep. 272: The Spiritual Journey to Physical Health with Amber Lia | 10 Apr 2022 | 00:36:26 | |
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 74 percent of adults in the United States are overweight. After 10 years of marriage and five pregnancies, Amber Lia, a former college athlete and recreational bodybuilder, found herself to be one of them. Feeling ashamed of her physical state and knowing that she could and should do better—for herself, her husband, and her children—she embarked on a journey to reclaim her health, one unhealthy pattern at a time. We discuss her journey to spiritual and physical health, understanding the importance of your “why”, identifying food triggers, and learning to replace unhealthy habits with healthy ones.
Amber Lia is an independent certified health coach who has been on her own transformative health journey. She has written and coauthored several books, including Marriage Triggers and the bestselling parenting book, Triggers. A former high-school English teacher, Amber is a sought-after mentor for women and a regular contributing writer for The Better Mom. Amber and her husband co- run the faith-friendly production company Storehouse Media Group, and they live in Southern California with their four boys. To learn more, visit AmberLia.com.
Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep. 271: Learning and Growing Together in a Newly Blended Family with Jonathan Pitts | 04 Apr 2022 | 00:35:06 | |
Pastor and author Jonathan Pitts joins me once again, this time to talk about the growth and adjustments from his newly blended family. We discuss setting-but also adapting-expectations, the mix of grief and joy in a blended family, and giving one another grace with feelings and emotions.
Jonathan Pitts is an author, speaker and the executive pastor at Church of the City in Franklin, Tennessee. He previously served as the executive director at the Urban Alternative, the national ministry of Dr. Tony Evans. Jonathan has co-authored two books alongside his late wife, Wynter Pitts. He is also President and co-founder of For Girls Like You Ministries, an equipping and resourcing ministry for tween girls and their parents. Jonathan is the father of four daughters and is blessed to be newly married to his wife Pita Pitts.
Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep. 270: Parenting Adult Children with Willow Sanders | 27 Mar 2022 | 00:40:44 | |
Parenting doesn’t stop just because your children turn 18. But it sure can be confusing! Willow Sanders joins me to talk about the transitions from boss to coach to advisor that a parent must make over the years. We share our struggles and encouragements as we seek to navigate the challenges of parenting adult children in a healthy way.
Willow Sanders is the director of Student Services and Protect the Heart Ministries for CareNet of the Treasure Coast. Willow has served the Treasure Coast for over 2 decades and has two adult sons.
Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep. 269: Simplifying Family Worship with Rob Rienow | 20 Mar 2022 | 00:36:33 | |
Family worship is one of the most transformative habits a family can have. It’s also very intimidating to most moms and dads. Dr. Rob Rienow, founder of Visionary Families, helps simplify the process of starting and continuing family worship. With a simple toolbox of prayer, Bible reading, and other elements, you can implement a healthy habit of family worship in your home no matter the age of your children.
Dr. Rob Rienow’s most important ministry is loving his wife Amy and partnering with her to lead their seven children to love God. He is the founder of Visionary Family Ministries (www.visionaryfam.com), a pastor, international conference speaker, and the author of several books including Visionary Parenting and Visionary Marriage. When Rob is not fishing for men, he enjoys fishing for fish. The Rienow family lives in West Chicago, IL.
Resources Mentioned: www.YouTube.com/visionaryfamilyministries PODCAST www.VisionaryFam.com/podcast Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y | |||
| Ep. 268: The Transforming Power of Prayer with Stacy Callender | 13 Mar 2022 | 00:34:18 | |
When Stacy Callender was a young mom she felt burdened as her children entered public school. This burden led her to join a Moms in Prayer group that changed the trajectory of her life, family, and mission. Stacy and I talk about the work of God through prayer, and how we grow in courage and faith by consistency praying with others. You can’t help but be encouraged as you listen to Stacy’s story and her infectious joy!
Stacy Callender is the host of the Moms in Prayer podcast. She has been involved in a Moms in Prayer group since her oldest child started kindergarten in 1999. She has served as the Southern California State Coordinator, and also in Women’s Ministry at her local church. She and her husband, Scott, live in Southern California where they have raised their four children, Megan, Bryce, Madison and Brendan. During her free time, Stacy can be found eating Mexican food, hiking, reading or bargain hunting. Resources Mentioned: • Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y • Moms in Prayer https://momsinprayer.org • Moms in Prayer Podcast https://momsinprayer.org/resources/ podcast/
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| Ep 267: Building Character in Our Boys with Monica Swanson | 06 Mar 2022 | 00:35:19 | |
It’s a challenge to balance boundaries and freedom, adventure and responsibility when raising a boy. My guest Monica Swanson shares here experience of raising boys who are sensitive to the things of Jesus while still being strong and capable in the face of the world’s trials. She gives examples of success and failures in her process as well as her insight into creating a “character training course” for her son when he needed extra focus.
Monica Swanson is the author of the Boy Mom book and a blogger at monicaswanson.com. She shares encouragement and inspiration for raising boys in today's world. Monica shares practical advice and biblical wisdom through honest conversations, interviews with other boy moms, and light-hearted humor.
Resources Mentioned: The Boy Mom Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boy-mom-podcast-withmonica-swanson-and-friends/id1468061855 Boy Mom- What Your Son Needs Most From You - https://amzn.to/3H3d7t2 Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y
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| Ep. 266: Sorrow and Suffering in Parenting with Daniel and Kelly Crawford | 27 Feb 2022 | 00:46:06 | |
Sometimes our worst fears in parenting do come true. When Daniel and Kelly Crawford were pregnant with their first son Abel, they learned that he had a life limiting diagnosis. Directed to find services to terminate the pregnancy, they instead chose to carry their little boy to birth. They were gifted fifteen days with their little Abel. Their experience led them to reach out and minister to other families facing similar scenarios. It also gave them perspective as they raise their other special needs children. This is an honest yet hope filled conversation about the sadness and sweetness of dying dreams and and an enduring gospel hope.
Daniel and Kelly Crawford have been married since December 2013 and reside in Dallas, Texas. They have three children (Abel, Mayfield, and Deacon) who were all born on the exact same day in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Yes, January 22 is a big day at the Crawford house! They co- founded Abel Speaks in 2018 to support families who have chosen to carry a child with a life-limiting diagnosis. After walking that road with their firstborn son, Abel, they realized the significant need that existed for parents in their position. The vision of Abel Speaks is that every family they serve will cherish their child’s life and have hope in the midst of sorrow. This ministry is but one example of the redemptive truth that God never wastes an ounce of our pain, and the Crawfords love to write and speak on the ways that God can and does use our suffering for his glory and our good. Go to AbelSpeaks.org to find out more.
Resources Mentioned: Instagram -@abelspeaks Website - www.abelspeaks.org The vision of Abel Speaks https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=qLJrbTZpQB8 | |||
| Ep. 265: Hope and Help in the Adoption Journey with Mary Beth Chapman | 20 Feb 2022 | 00:43:12 | |
When Steven and Mary Beth Chapman took their 11 year old daughter Emily on a mission trip to Haiti, it changed the trajectory of their family. A burden to adopt started with Emily and spread to each family member. As the Chapmans adopted three children from China, God connected them with other families that needed support in their own adoption journeys. 8,000 children later, Show Hope is still resourcing moms and dads to enlarge their forever families. Mary Beth joins me to share their story as well as her incredible wisdom for others who are at every step of the adoption process. This is a conversation for more than just adoptive families. It takes a practical and spiritual village to adopt a child!
Steven and Mary Beth were married in October of 1984 and have six children – three biological children, Emily Chapman Richards (married to Tanner and mom to three daughters Eiley, Della, and Verity), Caleb Chapman (married to Julia and dad to son Noble and daughter Olive "Ollie"), and Will Franklin Chapman (married to indie artist Jillian Edwards and dad to daughter Willow Faye), and three daughters adopted from China, Shaohannah Hope, Stevey Joy and Maria Sue, who is now with Jesus. The Chapmans live in Franklin, Tennessee.
Resources Mentioned: • Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y • https://www.marybethchapman.com/ • www.showhope.org • howtoadopt.org | |||
| Ep. 264: Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids with Eliza Huie | 13 Feb 2022 | 00:41:54 | |
Kids and teens are more stressed than ever. As our world bombards them with social media, bad news, and inescapable connectedness, researchers are finding depression and anxiety rates are higher than ever. Author and counselor Eliza Huie joins me once again with great practical advice for moms and dads on fostering emotional health in every stage of their children’s lives. We talk about the importance of nurture, understanding your child’s capacity, regarding their feelings, cultivating hope, and knowing when and how to get help.
Eliza is a counselor, author, speaker, and trainer committed to providing care and resources for the whole person. Trained both biblically and clinically, she understands the complexities people face in their spiritual, emotional, and physical lives.
She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and has advanced certificates in biblical counseling from The Christian Counseling Educational Foundation (CCEF) and The Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC). She is also a licensed clinical professional counselor.
Eliza is the director of counseling at McLean Bible Church located in the Washington D.C. metro area. She is the Dean of Biblical Counseling for Metro Baltimore Seminary in Maryland. She and her husband Ken have been married for almost 30 years and they have 3 grown children and a lovely daughter-in-law.
Resources Mentioned: Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids - https://us.10ofthose.com/raising- emotionally-healthy-kids-help-for-parents-paperback/ Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y | |||
| Ep. 362: The Best Interviews from 2023 | 31 Dec 2023 | 00:26:45 | |
Today Jay revisits his very favorite interviews from 2023. He also celebrates the fruitful year for The 127 Project, including production of Let’s Parent on Purpose and Stories of Hope with Dr. Samuel Thomas, the building and remodeling of three Hope Homes in India, and supporting a pioneering church planter in Nepal.
Be sure to check out the full interviews from Jay’s favorite episodes:
Powered by Christian Parenting
Resources mentioned: Support Let’s Parent on Purpose and The 127 Project: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/ | |||
| Ep. 263: Closing the Integrity Gap in the Home with Jeff and Terra Mattson | 06 Feb 2022 | 00:39:35 | |
Our culture is obsessed with influencers and leadership, but parents often forget that their primary opportunity for leadership and influence is in their own household. My guests Jeff and Terra Mattson talk with me about the distance between what we say and what we do in our families, and how that damages our credibility. We discuss the necessity to recognize the influence of our own childhood families, the importance of grieving trauma and loss, and empathizing even when we don’t agree with the other side.
Jeff and Terra are a husband and wife team who co-founder of Living Wholehearted, LLC, a professional counseling and organizational consulting firm outside of Portland, Oregon and a global movement for moms and daughters called Courageous Girls. Terra is a licensed marriage & family therapist and executive coach with over twenty years of clinical and ministry experience. She is the author of Courageous: Being Daughters Rooted in Grace and the visionary and curriculum developer for Courageous Girls. Jeff serves as president of their organizations and leads the executive coaching and organizational development arm of the practice. Together they are the co-hosts of the weekly Living Wholehearted Podcast and Dear Mattsons YouTube series produced by Christian Parenting and the co-authors of Shrinking the Integrity Gap: Between What Leaders Preach and Live. Married just over twenty years and raising their two teen daughters, they integrate biblical, clinical, and relational wisdom to help leaders live and lead with integrity in the home, work and community.
Resources Mentioned: www.livingwholehearted.com
FB: wearelivingwholehearted mycourageousgirls jeffterramattson
IG: @terramattson @living_wholehearted @mycourageousgirls
Shrinking the Integrity Gap: Between What Leaders Preach and Live - https://amzn.to/3CA5qsF | |||
| Ep 262: Advice from the Oldest Mom on the Playground with Cynthia Yanof | 30 Jan 2022 | 00:40:42 | |
What if you could go back in a time machine and give your young parenting self some advice? My guest Cynthia Yanof and I talk about this very idea on today’s episode. As Cynthia watched her little one play on the playground, she thought about the lessons she could teach her younger self based on how the children were playing. We talk through her excellent advice and how we are still in the process of growing, learning, and fumbling forward on our parenting journey.
Cynthia Yanof is a wife, mom, blogger, and the host of the Pardon the Mess podcast. She has a relaxed style of interviewing, combining her quick wit and sense of humor with a firm commitment to never taking herself too seriously.
She loves Jesus, her family, foster care, and having lots of friends around her as often as possible. Cynthia is relatable, real, and a friend to all of us just trying to walk the parenting road in a meaningful way that’s pleasing to the Lord.
Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 261: Sinners Raising Sinners with Lisa Clark | 23 Jan 2022 | 00:42:06 | |
Sometimes our expectations for our families are just way beyond reality. My guest Lisa Clark reminds us that we are all just sinners raising sinners, still in the process of transformation by the gospel of Jesus. We talk about expectations, personality differences among children, settings habits for a thriving family, and what to do if a child is rejecting the faith.
Lisa is married to Brad, her husband of 35 years. She and Brad co-teach a young married life group at their home church in Plano, TX. They have two daughters, Caroline and Camryn. Grounded in God’s Word, Lisa has a passion for encouraging moms in the day-to-day struggles of parenting preteens and teens. This passion and mission led her to write her very First book in 2016, Raising Sinners. Raising Sinners is a biblical parenting, short story written for moms and dads in all stages of parenting. Lisa also hosts two podcasts - Wonder and Raising Sinners, both with her cohost Chrissie Dunham.
Resources Mentioned: Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y https://www.lisaclarkspeaks.com The Raising Sinners Podcast - https://www.christianparenting.org/ podcasts-post/a-story-of-hope-with-mary-beth-chapman/ The Wonder Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wonderpodcast/id1335112615 Raising Sinners - https://amzn.to/3HNAAQj | |||
| Ep 260: Centering Your Family in the Midst of Chaos with Virgil Tanner | 16 Jan 2022 | 00:43:49 | |
We want our home to be a place of peace and stability, but sometimes external and internal dynamics make this extremely challenging. Virgil Tanner and his wife Joy have parented their children on three continents in a variety of difficult circumstances. Today he shares how they learned to order their family stability around regular prayer and the family sabbath. Learn how he took a two thousand year old Christian tradition and adapted it to engage his little ones, teenagers, and the adults in their household. The practice has helped them thrive in the midst of shaky governments, cultural chaos, and personal tragedy.
Virgil Tanner has been married for 20 years and is a father of five. He has lived on three continents and currently oversees strategy and global operations for a non-profit with hundreds of staff scattered all over the world.
Resources Mentioned: Celtic Daily Prayer - https://amzn.to/30M74JZ Northumbria Online Prayer Community - https:// www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/how-to-use-daily-office/ The Book of the Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin Jr. - https://amzn.to/ 32lN55l LPOP 189 Teaching Children How to Think with Virgil Tanner - https:// letsparentonpurpose.com/2020/08/30/shepherding-a-childs-heartpart-2-teaching-children-how-to-think-with-virgil-tanner/ Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y | |||
| Ep 259: The Fight for Freedom from Pornography with Ted Shimer | 09 Jan 2022 | 00:56:20 | |
The pornography industry makes more money than the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL combined. Porn is hunting for every member of our family, and the effects on the body of Christ are devastating. There is no greater obstacle we face when it comes to discipleship, spiritual leadership, relational and spiritual health than the enslavement of porn addiction. Today Ted Shimer joins me to talk about the grim realities happening in our families. He then shares the hope that comes when combining spiritual principles with brain science to bring men, women, and our children lasting freedom from the grip of pornography.
Bio: Ted Shimer has mentored men since 1991 with the collegiate ministry Student Mobilization. He received his MABS from Dallas Seminary and has been trained as a Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional-Supervisor. Ted has helped people overcome the bondage of pornography in the context of making disciples. He is the Founder of The Freedom Fight, an online porn addiction recovery program. He is also the author of the book, The Freedom Fight, The New Drug and the Truths that Set Us Free. Ted and his wife Amber have four adult children and live in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Resources Mentioned: The Freedom Fight: The New Drug and the Truth that Sets us Free The Freedom Fight 30 Day Challenge to break free from Pornography Freedom From Porn Begins Here: YouVersion Bible 30 Day Devotional Plan Covenant Eyes: Accountability and Internet Filter Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email | |||
| Ep 258: Centering on Christ in the Midst of Chaos with Virgil Tanner | 02 Jan 2022 | 00:46:13 | |
More than any other period in our lifetime, the world seems to be swirling in chaos. On top of that, many of us have personal crisis or perpetual responsibilities that leave us traumatized. Today I talk with Virgil Tanner about two strategies for centering on Christ in the midst of a chaotic world. The first strategy is for long term soul health. The second strategy can be adapted to acute times of crisis to keep us from spiraling out of control.
Virgil’s Framework The Five Dimensions of the Human Soul, and the three areas to address with each: Spiritual: Alone, With Others, Working in the World Physical: Eat, Move, Recover Cognitive: Learn, Focus, Play Emotional: Notice, Interview, Manage Relational: Discern, Invest, Grow
Virgil Tanner has been married for 20 years and is a father of five. He has lived on three continents and currently oversees strategy and global operations for a non-profit with hundreds of staff scattered all over the world.
Resources Mentioned: Centering on Christ, Caring for Your Soul: a self-guided exercise - https://www.dropbox.com/s/fhqkdh8sfdpuwuv/ Centering%20on%20Christ%2C%20Caring%20for%20Your%20Soul%2 0Exercise.pdf?dl=0
Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y | |||
| Ep 257: Creating a New Family Habit for 2022 | 19 Dec 2021 | 00:14:29 | |
If we want to change our families, we can do so by concentrating on one habit at a time. Today I brainstorm several potential family habits to consider for 2022, and encourage you to pick ONE new one to ingrain in your lives.
Habits: Prayer
The Word
Dinner together
Make one night a week a special night of worship or blessing
Be a Blessing
Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 256: A Simple Illustration to Understand the Importance of the Church Body | 12 Dec 2021 | 00:08:45 | |
When charcoal is grouped together it burns hot and does its job. When you remove a briquette from the fire, it goes cold. In this short devotional I give a simple explanation for the importance of staying connected to the Body of Christ, in a manner that you can easily demonstrate with your family. Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y | |||
| Ep 255: A Surprising Truth About Discipleship | 05 Dec 2021 | 00:10:56 | |
People are different, and because of that, discipleship does not always look the same. It’s not a step by step process, and just because our children have “caught” one area of discipleship we cannot expect the “next” one will come naturally. In this short devotion, I share how we can give room for differences and encourage the good we see growing in each family member.
Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y | |||
| Ep 254: Revisiting: How to teach Contentment | 28 Nov 2021 | 00:21:26 | |
As we get near Christmastime, its a wonderful time of year to review a perpetual quandary of our modern age: How to we teach our children contentment when they are surrounded by unrelenting advertisements for more and more stuff. Today I revisit an early episode where we talk about a three part strategy for teaching contentment in the home.
1. Teach Perspective 2. Take Responsibility for Others 3. Live More By Having Less Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y
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| Ep 361: How I Set and Achieve Goals | 24 Dec 2023 | 00:21:02 | |
The beginning of a new year is a great time to think through resolutions, habits, and goals. Today Jay takes you far beyond setting resolutions that will likely fail by February. He walks through his process for starting with determining your specific goals for five aspects of your life: Spiritual, Family, Professional, Financial, and Physical. Once you have determined “who you want to be”, Jay walks you through how to set multi-year goals and then determine the steps for this coming year. Many of our plans will fall short. We will constantly encounter new opportunities, calamities, and circumstances that will change our ability to achieve specific goals. But if we have a solid vision for who we want to be over the course of our life, God tends to do far more in and through us than we would ever imagine! Powered by Christian Parenting
Resources mentioned:
Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive though the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/
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| Ep 253: Revisiting: Making a Plan for Family Holiday Gatherings | 21 Nov 2021 | 00:24:37 | |
We’re entering the season filled with awe, wonder, gratitude, and dread. It’s that time of year where we get to spend time with family we love. Sometimes, we get to spend time with family who are easier to love at a distance. Let’s be honest, just because we grew up together doesn’t mean we now have the same worldview, parenting styles, standards, goals, or aspirations. And sometimes we love every member of our family, and are mostly on the same page as them, but it’s just overwhelming when they all get together at once. Today I give you a handy guide to having less stress, more fun, and perhaps even eternally significant extended family gatherings this Thanksgiving and Christmas.
1. Release yourself from the guilt of thinking you’re going to please everybody. 2. Stop sabotaging the peace of all of the days leading up to your family gathering. 3. Make a plan. Aim to stick with your plan. Walk in grace when you cannot stick to your plan. • “How am I going to calendar these next few weeks with enough margin to not run ragged?” • “How am I going to coach my children for some of the unsavory experiences they might encounter with our extended family?” • “Knowing that I do not trust this particular person in my family, how am I going to make sure that my children are not left in vulnerable situations with them?” • “How am I going to redirect conversations with grace when they go down gossipy or destructive pathways?” • “How am I going to lovingly hold my boundaries when this particular family member tries to guilt or manipulate me?” • “How am I going to love and support my spouse as they navigate the different people in their family?” 4. Intentionally instill a time of personal worship and gratitude, for you and your immediate family. 5. Don’t miss the teaching and training opportunities in your own family. Have honest conversations (without gossip or disparaging) with some of the struggles you’ve had in your family before. Teach them how you’ve tried to love and also live in boundaries. Affirm their feelings if they don’t like some of their cousins. Coach them on how to show love to hard people. 6. Don’t go to your gatherings to “just get through them”, go seeking to be an instrument of grace. 7. Bring your other family members in as best as you can on the plan. If it’s dreadful for you, likely it’s dreadful for other family members. Since you have some time, start talking about how you might intentionally make the time more meaningful as you’re together. Maybe each family can put together a little photo video project of what happened over the last year. Maybe you can plan a service project together. Maybe as a family you can adopt a family in need and work together to provide for them. 8. Think of ways you can be “others first” without feeling resentful and manipulated. 9. Don’t add to your spouse’s stress by guilting them over their family. 10. Pray for your family! | |||
| Ep 252: Revisiting: How to win your family’s heart | 14 Nov 2021 | 00:21:30 | |
Revisiting one of my favorite early episodes, I lay out principles that will help you win the hearts of your family and influence the culture of your home. Based on principles form Dale Carnegie’s classic How to Win Friends and Influence People, I share three principles that can help lower defensiveness and increase the willingness of each member of your household to do their best for one another. When it’s all said and done, these principles are nothing more than an exposition of the golden rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. | |||
| Ep 251: Revisiting What if it’s a Category 5 | 07 Nov 2021 | 00:22:19 | |
At some point every single one of us is going to experience a Category 5 crisis in our life. When our worst fears are realized, we face the challenge of processing what we believe about God. We also need to figure out what to do next. Today I revisit one of my early LPOP topics, sparked by our preparation for a potential Category 5 hurricane pointed at our town. I now consider the words I wrote in light of our family’s current crisis, the relapse of my son’s leukemia.
Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 250: Celebrating 250! Answering Questions about Fun, Family, Faith, and Serving Through Suffering | 31 Oct 2021 | 00:40:48 | |
As we celebrate 250 episodes and nearly five years of the Let’s Parent on Purpose podcast, my friend Jenny Price interviews me about my favorite things, serving through suffering, and keeping our family on mission. You’ll learn how Emily and I set parameters to grow in trust in our young marriage. How do I refill and recharge from work and family? Also, what is the most ridiculous, petty thing I would do if money were no object?
• Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y • My Sermon on Psalm 127 - http://covenantfellowship.com/pages/ page.asp?page_id=374128&programId=277574 • My favorite novel - https://amzn.to/3Ce3hCV | |||
| Ep 249: Thank God for Your Messy Life | 25 Oct 2021 | 00:15:25 | |
We spend a great deal of time lamenting the messes in our lives: our homes are cluttered, our bank account stressed, and our commitments overwhelming. But the mess is often indicative of the abundant life God has given us. This devotion from Proverbs 14:4 reminds us to be thankful in the midst of the mess as we look forward to the day when Jesus ultimately makes all things new.
• Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y | |||
| Ep 248: Understanding and Responding to Teen Substance Abuse with Richard Capriola | 17 Oct 2021 | 00:37:23 | |
One of the greatest fears shared by moms and dads around the world is their child becoming addicted to drugs. While the motivations for using and abusing alcohol and drugs have largely stayed the same, the actual substances continue to evolve, and their availability keeps increasing. Richard Capriola is the author of The Addicted Child: A Parents Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse. He joins me to talk about the brain changes that happen with drug use, the most prevalent substances used by teens today, what to do if you find your teen using, and where to go for help if your child is addicted.
Richard Capriola has been a mental health and substance abuse counselor for over two decades. He recently retired from Menninger Clinic in Houston Texas where for over a decade he treated adolescents and adults diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses. He is the author of The Addicted Child: A Parent's Guide to Adolescent substance abuse which is available on Amazon and from the book's website http://www.helptheaddictedchild.com
Resources Mentioned: • Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y • www.helptheaddictedchild.com • Richard’s Book - The Addicted Child: A Parents Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse -https://amzn.to/3usGQ9U | |||
| Ep 247: What If My Child Hates Church? | 10 Oct 2021 | 00:28:56 | |
One of the most common conversations I have is helping parents determine what to do when their child doesn’t want to come to church. The reasons are as varied as the child, and we want to make sure we understand why they might hate church before we jump to our response. Today I go through many different reasons why our children might not like church, as well as several possible solutions for you to encourage their love of the church and enjoyment of the services.
Sign Up for My Things For Thursday Email - https://bit.ly/3EDH56y | |||
| Ep 246: How Do You Keep The Faith with Dr. Samuel Thomas | 03 Oct 2021 | 00:30:04 | |
As we pray and ask God to intervene in our lives, sometimes in our lives, sometimes we see miraculous breakthrough. But often either nothing happens or we experience the very opposite of what we were praying. In times like this, many people walk away from their faith. How are we to keep our faith in Jesus when things go so wrong? I posed this question to Dr. Samuel Thomas of Hopegivers. Dr. Thomas is no stranger to suffering, as his life of service to the orphan, widow, and unreached of India has lead to assassination attempts, jail, and sorrow upon sorrow. Hear Dr. Thomas’ inspiring answer, given from a perspective forged in the fire of trusting Jesus when you have nothing else to cling to.
Dr. Samuel Thomas is known throughout India as a leading humanitarian. As president and CEO of Hopegivers, Dr. Thomas helps connect those with a ministry heart in the western world with those in greatest need in India and South Asia. The ministry of Hopegivers, started by Dr. Thomas’ father M.A. Thomas, has planted over 90,000 churches and cared for more than 10,000 orphan in the last sixty years. Dr. Samuel, along with his wife Shelly, have two sons, Timothy and Stephen.
Resources Mentioned: • The Stories of Hope with Dr. Samuel Thomas Podcast - https:// podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-hope-with-dr-samuel-thomas/ id1545599796 • LPOP 206: The Child of a Murderer Becomes and Orphan Leader https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-parent-on-purpose-with-jayholland/id1190973394?i=1000503590306 | |||
| Ep 245: The Unique Challenges of Blended Families with Ron L. Deal | 27 Sep 2021 | 00:53:37 | |
Nontraditional families are the new traditional family. In the United States, most of Europe, and many other countries, blended families outnumber “traditional” ones. The challenges of a blended family are magnitudes higher than what most couples anticipate. My guest Ron L. Deal is one of the Christian world’s foremost experts on blended families. He shares many of the unexpected challenges a blended family will face, as well as practical tools to help your family thrive and honor God.
Ron L. Deal is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is president of Smart Stepfamilies, directs the blended family ministry at FamilyLife, and is the author of more than a dozen books and resources, including the bestselling The Smart Stepfamily and Building Love Together in Blended Families (with Dr. Gary Chapman). Ron is a licensed marriage and family therapist, popular conference speaker, and host of the podcast FamilyLife Blended with Ron Deal. He and his wife, Nan, have been married since 1986 and have three boys. Learn more at rondeal.org and familylife.com/blended.
Resources Mentioned: Website: https://www.rondeal.org and https://www.familylife.com/ blended Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familylifeblended/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonLDeal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familylifeblended/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyLifeBlended Ron’s New Book: Preparing to Blend: The Couple’s Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily - https://amzn.to/3yrA7NO | |||
| 244. Crisis: My Son Has Relapsed with Leukemia | 19 Sep 2021 | 00:33:18 | |
Seven years after his initial diagnosis for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia,my son Elijah has relapsed. In this episode I share the details of how we found out, an explanation of leukemia and treatment, as well as the potential road ahead for our family. I also share the very real emotions we are struggling through, how God had spiritually prepared me through scripture, and how our family is seeking to help Elijah see this crisis as an open door for the work of Jesus. In hearing our story, by God’s grace you will see how God also wants you to look for the open door for Jesus in the midst of your crisis.
Finding a Mission in the Midst of Chemotherapy with Elijah Holland: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/235-finding-a-mission-in-the-midst-of/id1190973394?i=1000529205324 Elijah’s No Longer Orphans Chemo Challenge: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTI0MTIzSponsor | |||
| Ep. 360: Your Family is Not the Enemy, They Are The Prize! | 17 Dec 2023 | 00:14:32 | |
Jay walks us through Ephesians 5 and 6 to point out a key truth: the greatest section of the Bible on family and interpersonal relationships is right next to the greatest section of the Bible on spiritual warfare. Today we look at the reality of spiritual warfare in our homes, and how we are called to remember that our family members are not the enemy, they are the prize. Jay discuses the armor of God in terms of being “in Christ”. Finally, he gives pointers for families who find themselves in a difficult time of anger or arguing with one another. Remember, you have an enemy, but it’s not your family member! Powered by Christian Parenting
Resources mentioned: Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive though the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/
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| 243. Expanding Your Behavior and Consequences Toolbox with Caroline Todd | 12 Sep 2021 | 00:35:04 | |
Behavior should make us curious. As we seek to discern the motive behind our children’s behavior, we can more effectively match the behavior to a consequence that will guide them towards healthy decisions. I’m joined by my church’s Children’s Ministry Director, Caroline Todd, as we discuss four different functions behind our kid’s behavior. Caroline discusses sensory seeking behavior, escape behavior, attention-seeking behavior, and tangible behavior. As we get better at identifying the motive behind our kids’ actions, we can make better plans for redirecting, correcting, or reinforcing negative and positive behavior. These skills will help you with your own children, in a classroom setting, and might even give you insight on how to better love your spouse!
Caroline Todd is the Director of Children’s Ministry at Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church. She is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Special Education. Before serving at Covenant, Caroline worked as an Applied Behavior Therapist for Special Needs Children. Caroline is married to her high school sweetheart, Nathan Todd.
Resources Mentioned: LPOP 46 Behavior Should Make Us Curious with Bradley McCallister - https://www.letsparentonpurpose.com/2017/11/27/lpop-46-behavior-shouldmake-us-curious/ | |||
| 242. Love, Submission, and Family Power Dynamics with Matt Price | 05 Sep 2021 | 00:54:14 | |
As I begin a new series called “Hard Conversations”, Pastor Matt Price and I discuss Paul’s instructions for husbands, wives, children, slaves, and masters. We compare the Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5 texts, and set the stage for the Roman family and slave culture that permitted the New Testament world. Matt and I talk about how these text call every believer to first view their world through the lease of the gospel and not their power dynamic. We also speak to recent and historical abuses of this text. Pauls words were not meant to be a weapon used against another individual, but a call to live with meaning and dignity, remembering that we will all give an account to God for the way we loved one another.
Matt Price is the senior pastor of Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church in Stuart, Florida, where he has served for 25 years. Matt and his wife Jenny have been married for 30 years and have five biological and adoptive children. They have fostered a local church environment centered on the gospel, service, and transparency.
Resources Mentioned: Love and Respect - https://amzn.to/3kbpsl5 | |||
| 241. Guard Your Heart | 29 Aug 2021 | 00:22:38 | |
In the final devotion in our Heart-Check Series, we look at the challenge of proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart, for out if flow the wellsprings of life”. Jay talks about why it is so important to guard our hearts. He encourages us to notice four areas that might derail our hearts: apathy, bitterness, community, doubt. Finally, Jay gives encouragement on how to go from the defensive to the offensive in protecting our hearts. This is a devotion that speaks to parents, children, spouses, and singles. | |||
| 240. Proverbs are Principles Not Promises | 22 Aug 2021 | 00:19:36 | |
The book of Proverbs gives amazing guidance for nearly every area of life. Each chapter is filled with incredible principles to guide us. Sometimes, though, things don’t work out exactly like the proverb states. In these situations, it’s important to remember that value of the other Biblical Wisdom Literature - Job and Ecclesiastes.
Resources Mentioned: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/job/ | |||
| 239. Shifting from “I Have To” to “I Get To” | 15 Aug 2021 | 00:12:25 | |
In Philippians 2, we are called to do all things without grumbling or complaining. This is a verse we often throw at our children, but first and foremost should apply to our own lives. In this episode of Jay’s “Heart Check” devotional series, he talks about the power of shifting our perspective from “I have to” to “I get to”. | |||
| 238. Family Wealth | 08 Aug 2021 | 00:16:46 | |
Inspired by watching the documentary The One Percent, Jay shares some paradigm shifting spiritual principles on how to think about true family wealth. Today we will unpack these three core principles: 1. The primary assets of each family are the individual members of that family. 2. The wealth of any family consists of its combined human, spiritual, and intellectual capital. 3. The financial capital of any family should be used to grow its human, spiritual, and intellectual capital.
Resources Mentioned: The One Percent Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=IK35cxb3rkA Family Wealth: Keeping it in the Family: https://amzn.to/3w953Bq Your Family As A Team by Jeremy Pryor: https:// www.letsparentonpurpose.com/2021/06/13/your-family-as-a-team-with-jeremypryor/ | |||
| 237. There’s always “That One Thing" | 01 Aug 2021 | 00:15:13 | |
In every point of our lives, there will always be at least One Thing that we think is standing in the way of true happiness or contentment. But if we are honest with ourselves, as soon as that One Thing is resolved, we find another One Thing standing in the way. In this installment of the Heart Check devotional series, Jay turns to 2 Corinthians 12 to find guidance for how to live with peace and joy in the midst of a never ending life of One Things. | |||
| 236. Feelings Follow Focus, Not Facts | 25 Jul 2021 | 00:17:26 | |
Far too often our lives are not ruled by what is true, but what we pay the most attention to. In the first of Jay’s new devotional series called Heart Check, he shares how God calls us to set our mind on the things of Christ, trusting our affections to follow. We have to let go of the things that bring death, and instead fan the flames of the truths that give life to our souls and families.
Donate to support Christian Parenting CPgive.org | |||
| 235. Finding a Mission in the Midst of Chemotherapy with Elijah Holland | 18 Jul 2021 | 00:24:33 | |
In 2014 my five year old son Elijah faced the fight of his life against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Donate to support Christian Parenting CPgive.org: www.christianparenting.org Stories of Hope with Dr. Samuel Thomas.
Sponsor Affiliate: www.cpgive.org | |||
| 234. Creating a Culture of Service and Hospitality with Brent Gibson | 11 Jul 2021 | 00:21:36 | |
Sometimes we overcomplicate what it means to be on mission for Jesus. Brent Gibson and his wife Lisa have worked to create a family environment where service and hospitality aren’t some great feats, they are normal rhythms of life. As you listen to how they’ve engaged their family of five to clean the church and host senior church members for dinner, you’ll find ways that your family might engage in mission. Brent Gibson is the husband to Lisa, the father of three (Charissa, Lewis, and Bobby), and an elder at Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church. He runs Robert Erneston Produce, a multi-generational family business in Stuart Florida. Brent is also a good friend and brother-in-law of Jay Holland. LPOP 232 The Ministry of Hospitality with Abby Turner | |||
| Ep. 359: Marriage as a Picture of Christ and the Church | 10 Dec 2023 | 00:15:08 | |
Why does Scripture compare the husband-wife relationship to that of Christ and the church? How does a marriage reflect Jesus and His bride? Today Jay walks through the commands of Ephesians 5:22-33 and then expands on the greater story of redemption in the gospel. He shares the larger story of the Bible from the viewpoint of creation, sabbath rest, sin/vandalism, redemption, and restoration. Jay then goes on to show how a husband and wife can mirror God’s restoration of the vandalism sin causes as they believe the gospel in their household.
Resources mentioned:
Support Let’s Parent on Purpose as we help families thrive though the gospel: https://letsparentonpurpose.com/support/
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| 233. Family Ministry Grew My Faith With Davis Price | 04 Jul 2021 | 00:37:35 | |
Growing up as a pastor’s kid, Davis Price never knew a time where he was not involved with family ministry. From joining his parents on mission trips to setting up chairs at church to housing homeless people, Davis’ faith was significantly formed by his mom and dad bringing him along as a part of their ministry team. Parents often worry that their kids will be resentful or feel like they missed out because of ministry commitments, but Davis shows that being on mission together can be incredibly formative in ones faith.
Davis Price is the son of Pastor Matt and Jenny Price and grew up with Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church. He is a recent graduate of Florida State University, a brand new husband to his bride Lindsey, and a Youth Ministry Assistant in Orlando, Florida.
Abby’s Website: https://atabletopaffair.com/ The Living Table: Recipes and Devotions for Everyday Get-Togethers - https://amzn.to/3yh1b3w Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATableTopAffair Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atabletopaffair/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/atabletopaffair/ The Prodigal Son Comes Home with Shane O’Neill: https:// www.letsparentonpurpose.com/2020/09/27/the-prodigal-son-comes-homewith-shane-oneill/
Become a Supporter of Let’s Parent on Purpose! www.letsparentonpurpose.com/support | |||
| 232. The Ministry of Hospitality with Abby Turner | 27 Jun 2021 | 00:36:18 | |
Jesus spent three years making disciples around the meal table. My guest Abby Turner, author of The Living Table: Recipes and Devotions for Everyday Get-togethers shares how to reclaim your table as a place of encouragement, ministry, and discipleship. We talk about how to lower the expectations of perfection, the difference between hosting and hospitality, and how to involve your children in practicing hospitality. Abby even shares an easy 30 minute recipe to make a special dinner for your family and guests.
Abby Turner, the food blogger and writer behind A Table Top Affair, has made it her mission to help women toss aside the pressures of a Pinterestperfect dinner party in exchange for meaningful and simple gatherings that feature easy and delicious dishes, allowing hostesses to shift their focus from the food and party preparations to communing with the people who are present.
Abby’s Website: https://atabletopaffair.com/ The Prodigal Son Comes Home with Shane O’Neill: www.letsparentonpurpose.com/2020/09/27/the-prodigal-son-comes-homewith-shane-oneill/ Become a Supporter of Let’s Parent on Purpose: www.letsparentonpurpose.com/support | |||
| 231. Serving Through Foster and Adoption with Ericah Brinson | 20 Jun 2021 | 00:42:46 | |
Scripture teaches us that pure and undefiled religion is caring for the orphan in their distress. Foster and adoptive parents are noble, but it often doesn’t FEEL noble! My guest Ericah Brinson shares the story of how God led her and her husband Richard to be foster and adoptive parents. She shares the struggles and challenges of the journey, as well as the ways she’s learned and grown. Ericah also gives insight for other parents in need of support or resources, and she encourages non fostering or adoptive families in how they can be a vital lifeline to those who are on this journey. Along with her husband Richard, Ericah Brinson is the adoptive mother of four. She is a member of Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church and one of the founders of the Treasure Coast Foster Closet. Ericah also created an online support group for foster and adoptive parents on the Treasure Coast of Florida.
Resources Mentioned: The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family - https://amzn.to/3uU1sqZ When Love Is Not Enough: A Guide to Parenting With RAD-Reactive Attachment Disorder - https://amzn.to/3hBxCUg https://tcfostercloset.com/ Become a Supporter of Let’s Parent on Purpose: www.letsparentonpurpose.com/support | |||