Family First Podcast

Family First
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  • KIDS & FAMILY

The Family First Podcast with Mark Merrill

  1. 01/15/2019

    #143: How to Overcome Obstacles in Life with Faith

    Scars. We all have them, whether they are the time we fell off our bike when we were young or the emotional ones we carry with us as an adult. Every scar has a story! On today’s show, we will hear from former NFL player Devon Still, and how his life has been a journey from one scar to the next. We will discuss his story of pushing through pain and overcoming obstacles of all shapes and sizes – of choosing to fight for the sake of his family, his community and his faith. Devon is a professional athlete, entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate for childhood cancer awareness. Perhaps most importantly, Devon is Leah’s dad, helping her publicly “beat up cancer” and embarking on a pediatric cancer-fighting journey. We will be discussing it all, including his new book – Still in The Game. Discussion Recap Still in the Game is Devon’s declaration that our challenges reveal our purpose, that our scars make us stronger, and that no loss is too great to stop our comeback! Episode Resources Book Website: Stillinthegamebook.com Follow Devon on Twitter: @Dev_Still71 Follow Devon on Instagram—@stillinthegame About Devon Still Devon Still is a professional athlete, life coach, motivational speaker, and childhood cancer advocate. Now known as “the Comeback Coach,” Devon launched his company, Still in the Game, to teach people all over the globe his winning playbook to come back from life’s biggest challenges.

    13 min

  2. 10/26/2018

    #142: What I Learned about Perseverance and Trust from Case Keenum

    How many of us struggle with trust? I know I do. Sometimes you just have to persevere. But it can still be hard to believe what you cannot see. Trust is something I have to work on daily. I am always up for a conversation that is going to inspire me to trust and persevere even when I don’t know the outcome. That is why I was excited to have this discussion with NFL quarterback Case Keenum. On today’s show, we will hear from Case about what it means to trust and how important it is to know who to put our trust in. We will be discussing it all, including his new book – Playing for More: Trust Beyond What You Can See. Discussion Recap “Playing football is my passion, but it’s not who I am. I’m playing for my King. I’m playing for more.” – Case Keenum Throughout his story, Case will explain how being a Christian helped him navigate the windy path to success. No matter what obstacle has been placed in front of him, Case believes God has a plan for him. That’s why he plays football and that’s why he’s writing this book: To glorify God and to help others who face adversity in their everyday life. “Am I a football player who happens to be a Christian?” Case writes, “No, I’m a Christian who happens to be a football player. That’s my calling. That’s my defining characteristic. Once I realized that everything else fell into place. I became a better football player and, more importantly, a better person.” Episode Resources Book Website: Playingformore.com  Follow Case on Twitter: @casekeenum7 Follow Case on Instagram—@casekeenum7 About Case Keenum NFL quarterback Case Keenum shares stories from every stage of his life, starting out as a ball boy for his father’s college team in West Texas, going on to win a state title in high school, and rewriting the NCAA record book at the University of Houston and what makes him part of NFL history.

    12 min

  3. 02/27/2018

    #141: 4 Things to Do When You’ve Failed

    What is your lifelong dream? Is it to be the parent of a star athlete or have your own business? Whatever it is, having a dream energizes you (even on Monday mornings) as you passionately drive closer and closer to reaching it. Unfortunately, not all dreams happen. When a dream dies, it can be devastating. What can you do to get over the slump when you fail and find a new goal to pursue? Twin brothers David and Jason Benham had a dream of playing major league baseball together. It was a dream they shared with their father and grandfather. After many years of working, praying and hoping, they got into the minor leagues, but realized their biggest dream-playing in the major leagues -was never going to happen. In today’s podcast, I discuss with them what they did to get over that disappointment. Their new book, Miracle in Shreveport, describes their journey of pushing toward their dream. In today’s podcast, they discuss how they got over the feelings of failure and how they found new dreams to pursue. Discussion Recap The events that led the Benham Brothers to play professional baseball together at Fair Grounds Field in Shreveport can be described only as a miracle—a reminder of God’s presence in our lives and His faithfulness to work behind the scenes for us, even when we can’t see Him. “We aren’t human doings, we are human beings—who we are in Christ is what matters most.” 4 Things to Do When You’ve Failed: Remember God is sovereignKeep an eternal perspectiveKnow God is working behind the scenes and will use your weaknessesBeing faithful in the little things is important as you discover God’s dream. Do one-step after the next until it becomes clearer.“There is power in prayer.” Episode Resources You can follow David and Jason on Twitter: @DavidDBenham and @JasonBBenham Visit their website Like them on Facebook—BenhamBrothers Follow them on Instagram—BenhamBrothers

    18 min

  4. 02/09/2018

    #140: There’s More to the Song, “I Can Only Imagine”

    Have you ever had a song that stuck with you? A song that resonated with you so much that you wanted to listen to it over and over again? “I Can Only Imagine” is that kind of song for millions of people, including myself. Whenever I have trials in life, whenever Susan has another heart surgery, whenever work overwhelms me, whenever my back pain becomes unbearable, it gives me great peace to reflect on the lyrics: I can only imagine what my eyes will see When your face is before me… Surrounded by Your glory What will my heart feel? The song, written by Bart Millard, the lead singer of MercyMe, reminds me that the suffering in this life is temporary and one day my heart will be free of strife and filled with infinite joy in His presence. What I didn’t know was the real, not so beautiful, story behind the song, a story about something I have a great deal of passion for—fatherhood. Bart had a difficult childhood because his father was abusive. His mother loved him but could not continue in the relationship with his father and so she left when Bart was still a boy. Bart stayed only as long as he had to; he finished high school and set out on his own as a musician. He never wanted to see his father again. God had other plans. The story is one of redemption and the song is one of joy. Bart wrote the song pondering what his father saw as The Father welcomed him home. In this podcast, I have the opportunity to discuss Bart’s story, now a movie, with him. The I Can Only Imagine movie is a great inspiration to me of how it is never too late to love God and our children well. Discussion Recap I Can Only Imagine, coming out in theaters March 16th. I Can Only Imagine Trailer Growing up in Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father. His childhood and relationship with his dad inspired him to write the hit song “I Can Only Imagine” as a singer of the Christian band MercyMe. Episode Resources I Can Only Imagine Website Check out the I Can Only Imagine Facebook I Can Only Imagine Twitter

    19 min

  5. 10/24/2017

    #139: The Star with DeVon Franklin

    For centuries one story has touched the lives of people across the world. This holiday season you’re invited to discover the story of the first Christmas from an entirely new perspective, and today on our show we have DeVon Franklin, one of the executive producers of the new movie The Star in theaters November 17th. Discussion Recap The Star, coming out in theaters November 17th. The Star Trailer The Christmas story through the eyes of animals. Impressive list of voice talent: Oprah Winfrey, Christopher Plummer, Tyler Perry, Patricia Heaton, Kelly Clarkson, Zachary Levi, Kristin Chenoweth, Steven Yeun, Gina Rodriguez, Keegan-Michael Key, Anthony Anderson, Aidy Bryant, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias,  Tracy Morgan. Episode Resources The StarThe Hollywood Commandments by DeVon FranklinThe Star coloring pages

    19 min

  6. 09/28/2017

    #138: Every Man’s Bible with Tony Dungy

    “The great thing about integrity is that it is truly no respecter of position or wealth or race or gender. It is not determined by shifting circumstances, cultural dynamics, or what you’ve previously achieved. From the moment you are born, you –and you alone-determine whether you will be a person of integrity. Integrity does not come in degrees-low, medium, or high. You either have integrity or you don’t.” This was the commentary given in Every Man’s Bible by the co-founder of All Pro Dad and our dear friend Coach Tony Dungy.  Discussion Recap You either have integrity or you don’t. You have to make decisions before something difficult in your life happens. Look to the Bible.Control your emotions, or they will control you. Emotions are real. God has created us so we CAN control our emotions.Be a good example to your kids. Pray for them.Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and even slower to anger. Episode Resources Every Man’s BibleDo you control your emotions, or do your emotions control you?

    19 min

  7. 07/25/2017

    #137: 10 Questions to Ask Your Spouse Every Year

    Good conversations lead to connection and intimacy. The best way to facilitate a good conversation is to ask great questions. Whether you feel like you know your spouse well or not, there are questions that will be helpful. The spouse who becomes an expert in the art of asking questions is the spouse who will win their spouse’s heart. Susan and I will be going through ten questions to ask your spouse every year (or more often if you’d like). Discussion Recap Here are 10 Questions to Ask Your Spouse Every Year: 1. What are you enjoying most about our relationship right now? 2. What has been your biggest surprise in the last year? 3. Where would you like our relationship to be this time next year? 4. How are you feeling about life in general? 5. What are your dreams for the future? 6. If you could go anywhere, where would you go? 7. How do you think we’re doing financially? 8. What do you want to do this year to improve our health? 9. What is one thing you would change about how our family relates to one another? 10. What is the one thing I give my time to that you think would be better spent somewhere else? Episode Resources 5 Tips to Improve Conversations with Your SpouseWhy You Need a Relationship Bucket List

    18 min

  8. 07/18/2017

    #136: 5 Ways to Break Free from the Pornography Trap

    Pornography is a beast that kills – kills the soul and ravages relationships. No one is immune to pornography. Everywhere you turn, it’s becoming more and more available. At the same time, men are becoming less and less aware of its harmful nature and its lasting impacts. It’s an addiction that squelches intimacy. Intimacy takes an investment of time and energy, while pornography is a way to manufacture cheap, fleeting thrills instantaneously. Those manufactured feelings begin to replace actual intimacy with a spouse, even when a couple watches it together. Meanwhile it makes a wife feel insecure and betrayed. On today’s show, Susan and I will talk about a few ways to escape the pornography trap. Discussion Recap Here are 5 ways to escape the pornography trap: 1. Face it and own it 2. Take action 3. Break the cycle 4. Get support 5. Make the choice for more Episode Resources CovenantEyes4 Dangers of PornographyLists to Love By for Busy Husbands5 Things to Do if Your Husband Looks at Porn

    17 min
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4.7
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About

The Family First Podcast with Mark Merrill

Information

  • Creator
    Family First
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2019
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Family First Podcast
  • Show Website
    Family First Podcast