as we press hillary stewart

I am chatting today with my friend Andrea and her friend Jessica about the topic of prodigals and how we can anchor to the Lord. 

How can we walk through tough seasons with our kids?  How can we remain anchored when it feels like the rug has been pulled out from under our feet?  What does this look like on a day-to-day basis?  How can we find people we can trust and confide in?

 

Parenting can be one of the most humbling adventures we walk in life, can’t it? Each family is different, as is each child. I am hopeful that this conversation will encourage each of us, no matter where we are in our relationships with our kids. I recognize there are listeners out there who are still praying over their prodigal children and have yet to see any signs of repentance…while Andrea and Jessica’s story may be a little different than the one you are currently walking, I am praying that the Lord would use their words and biblical counsel to bring encouragement in your heart to keep your eyes on him.

We are not going to go into great detail, but just want to let you know that some of today’s content may not be suitable for younger children. 

I am chatting with Caleb Bazyler and Cortlyn Holdren about “even our shorter seasons”. Sometimes it can be easy to reason away the importance of shorter seasons of life or just get so focused on the “what’s next” but as we read throughout scripture, God has purpose in all of our days. We are going to dive deeper into how we can view these from His perspective, love others well, and seek His agenda for today.

Today I am chatting with friends, Chris and Sabrina Miller on how we can live on mission in regards to our families. .We are talking candidly about family, trusting God in the unknown and His amazing work in the inconceivable and unexplainable

On today’s episode, I am chatting with Adam Griffin, lead pastor of Eastside Community Church in Dallas, Texas, about how we can effectively and practically disciple our children. Adam has recently co-authored the book, "Family Discipleship," with Matt Chandler.

Discipleship can be an intimidating. After all, we can be so aware of our own sin and struggles and feel inept and inadequate to lead our children. How beautifully the gospel reminds us the ability to disciple is not sourced in ourselves, but rather Christ! As we grow in our walk with Jesus, we are offered opportunities to invite our children to journey alongside.

What is discipleship and why is it so important? How do we, as parents, begin or even know how to do this? We are talking about practical ways we can disciple and walk into gospel conversation with our children by seizing opportunities in the normal rhythms of our day. Adam is also helping us de-mystify what discipleship is, and how, even unknowingly, we are already discipling our kids on a daily basis in how we treat our spouse, interact with our children and friends and just living life.

“Pastors Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin have made it their mission to help you develop a sustainable rhythm of gospel-centered discipleship focused in three key areas: time, moments, and milestones. Filled with suggestions, sample plans, and Scripture references, this book begins with the end in mind―equipping you to create a unique plan for your family as you raise your children in the love and fear of the Lord.” (Crossway)

How can we intentionally root ourselves upon the Lord in such a way that when the unexpected comes and rocks us, we are able to remain firm in our faith? How can we practically keep the gospel in front of us on the days where everything seems to weigh heavy and we feel overwhelmed? We are talking about how the Lord tenderly meets us and reminds us of his presence through his word, prayer and the lives of others. How can we partner with others in a way that allows them a safe place to open up and share while also gently offers the hope of the gospel?

On today's episode, I am chatting with Melanie Matthews, a wife and mother of three, as we continue on in our series on gospel-centered parenting. We’re talking about how we can apply the gospel when life looks different than we envisioned. I imagine many of us can relate to this for many different reasons.

Bill and Pam Mutz, parents of 12 and grandparents of 27, join me as we pick back up on our conversation on parenting and grandparenting in light of the gospel. They are sharing about how they are learning the balance of being engaged grandparents while also yielding to their children. They also are discussing the importance of family fun, our legacy and how can we live our days in light of this focus. They emphasize the importance of letting our children fail while they are in the home and extending grace to both ourselves and our children on our journey as parents. They encourage us to live “open handed” in regards to what the Lord would have for us in our days and the deep impact of modeling a life changed by the gospel to both our family and the watching world.

What is the Lord’s design and purpose in grandparenting? What should we strive for in terms of our lasting legacy - both in our family and community? Scripture advocates the importance of “dying to self”…how does this impact our marriages, parenting and grandparenting? What have you discovered over the years that keeps you connected and thriving in your marriage? These are some of the questions we will target in this episode along with their transparency of things they wish they did differently, what the Lord is currently teaching them and how they are choosing each day to come before the Lord and ask “What is it that you would have me to do today?”