Lies we believe about friendships with Jennie Allen
You had me at hello, Jennie Allen!
Too much?
Probably so, but let’s just stop right now and say that our conversation today on friendship (and the lies surrounding it) is amazing. Coming from a place of starting over in her own world, Jennie shares what she now knows about friendships and what they are, what they aren’t, and what impedes us from the God-given deep connection we so desperately need.
Here are some of the great topics we discuss when it comes to finding your people:
- The different roles our friendships play
- What to look for in friends
- Putting yourself out there
- Choosing a fire pit over Netflix
- Noticing who is already around you
- Decisions in our careers, neighborhoods, and family that impacts friendships
Jennie’s book is out this week and you need a copy!
Don’t miss this much-needed conversation on the importance of our friendships and reminders that finding community is not impossible with a little bit of intentionality.
Resources from today's show:
FIND YOUR PEOPLE: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World
Praying for our kids: Character
They say that character is how you act when nobody’s watching. And as believers, we know that there’s never a moment where no one is watching because the Lord is with us at all times.
This week we’re praying for our kids’ character, using Stephen’s life in Acts 6 and 7 as our reference point. Every time Stephen is mentioned in Scripture he’s described as being “full of faith” or “full of the Holy Spirit” or “full of God’s grace and power.” He had a reputation of knowing and living for God. Reputations matter, and a reputation marked by character has enormous impact.
When we pray for character this week we’re praying not only for our kids' reputation, but for the actions that form their reputation, and for significant character-building opportunities in their lives. We’re also discussing practical marks of good character, like serving others, speaking truth in love, and reigning in on our words.
Billy Graham once said that “[w]hen wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”
Let’s pray for character together!
Christians are intolerant, dangerous, and other cultural lies with Dr. Jim Denison
Jim Denison is with us today, and I believe there’s no one more in tune with our culture and the narratives we’re facing as believers. Jim and I discuss why it’s important to identify the preeminent lies of the day so that we can have answers and bring light to those who so desperately need the Lord.
My hope is that today’s show gives you a new framework by which to consider our faith and encourages you to find your specific calling for the Lord. Although we cover a lot of ground, here’s some nuggets you don’t want to miss:
- How our culture has rejected Biblical morality
- The problem with living in a society that believes there is no absolute truth
- The smaller earthquakes forming a greater tsunami for Christians in America
- Ways to counter the incorrect narratives and bring light to a dark world
We can be assured that if we aren’t willing to inform our kids about cultural issues of our day, the world will gladly do it for us. I believe today’s show is critical for raising kids who are eyes wide open in today’s culture, but also confident in God’s sovereignty and hope.
Praying for our kids: Respect
What is that one thing that totally gets under your skin as a parent? Messy rooms, bad grammar, laziness? For me it’s disrespect.
It takes all I have not to lose my ever loving mind when my kids are disrespectful in our home or towards others. I think it’s because I know how detrimental it can be later in life if you don’t learn respect early on.
Respect is significant, so I’m thankful we’re talking about it this week. We’re praying that our kids learn to show respect not just towards the authorities in their lives but also respecting those around them because all people are made in the image of Christ. But taking it even further—let’s pray they have an extra dose of respect towards God’s Word, his church, and the people he has put in spiritual leadership in their lives.
Respect is one of the most important things we can teach our children as they learn to interact well with others. Let’s pray together over it this week!
Lies we believe about faith vs. science with Louie Giglio
Louie Giglio is back with us today, and you need to drop everything and listen now!
Okay, maybe it’s not that urgent but what a gift to have Louie join us in continuing our series on lies we believe as Christians. Today we’re discussing the common misconception that science and God do not line up, making christians have to turn a blind eye to certain science premises because of our faith.
Louie encourages us to actually do the opposite and stay diligent in exploring science to see how all things lead us back to God. We also discuss how important it is to have these discussions with our kids so they aren’t blown out of the water having never considered this “science vs. God narrative” after they leave our homes.
Louie has a new devotional out for our younger kids (ages 8-12) called The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science. Grab a copy for the little ones in your life as a great way to start science related discussions.
Lastly, if you aren’t familiar with his Passion Conferences for college kids, today is your perfect chance for an insider’s look as Louie shares some of the most meaningful moments in Atlanta last month.
Praying for our kids: Interruptibility
It’s borderline comical when you stop and think about all the people in the Bible who were simply going about their business only to have God completely “interrupt” their plans and completely change their course.
I think of Noah stopping life to build an ark, or Abraham leaving it all to go to a foriegn country, or even Mary switching her wedding plans to baby preparations.
Only God can take our ordinary days and make them extraordinary for his purposes—if we’re willing. It takes some real intentionality to hold our plans loosely and allow the Lord to interrupt what we have planned in order to accomplish what he has uniquely designed. And the same goes for our kids.
This week we’re praying that our kids live interruptible lives in which they (1) live with enough margin to have time for the things God has for them, (2) learn to hear God’s voice in the still small moments, and (3) live with a willingness to go wherever he leads.
Oh, and I have my own story of interruptibility that I share in today’s podcast—I hope it encourages you as we pray interruptibility over our kids this week.
Lies our culture tell our kids with Molly Stillman
There are certain lies we frequently hear in our culture that, if not addressed, we just might start to believe as truth. It’s interesting the lies I’ve bought into throughout my life that I now look back on and regret. Lies I’ve accepted in friendships, in marriage, in my identity—I could go on and on.
I’m guessing you’ve got a little of this going on too, so let’s take a little time to hone in on these lies the next few weeks. Today I have Molly Stillman with us talking about a prevalent lie our kids are hearing about “following their heart.” When you really dig into scripture and consider what God says about our heart, the problem becomes very clear (see Jeremiah 5:7–13) with letting it become our guide.
Molly is a podcaster, author, speaker, wife, and mom. Extra bonus: she’s super funny.
Take a few minutes with me this week (and the rest of this month) to consider the truths of Jesus that overcome all the lies we’re tempted to believe.
Praying for our kids: Protection
Praying protection over our kids is probably one of the easiest things we pray for them from the day they are born. But this week in praying protection we’re doubling down on asking the Lord to watch over them physically, spiritually, and emotionally. One key point I try to pray over my kids relates to the messaging they receive about their identity and also the messaging they believe about God and their faith.
But anytime I get hyper focused on praying over the safety and protection of my family, I’m reminded of Francis Chan’s caution in his book Crazy Love. He suggests that as believers we sometimes become obsessed with our safety and protection at the expense of asking God for whatever brings him the most glory and allows him to accomplish his purposes in our lives. Ouch.
I truly believe there’s nothing wrong with praying for protection over our families—and it’s important we do so. However, I wonder this week if we can also pray that God’s divine purposes are accomplished through our families, and he is glorified even when that’s at the expense of our earthly protection.
Lots to think about and pray over!
The Never-Ending Dinner Dilema with Dina Deleasa-Gonsar
These people in my house want something to eat every single night and, well, it’s all together exhausting. Anyone out there with me?
Thank goodness we have creator, writer, TV personality, and mom Dina Deleasa-Gonsar joining us today to address this age-old dinner dilemma. Dina created a popular food blog called DishItGirl.com.
What I love about Dina is her commitment to her faith, her family, and making food meaningful without all the mom guilt attached. I also loved these things we discussed on today’s show:
- The ministry behind a meal and serving our family well
- What to do when you fall into a cooking rut
- Favorite “cheats” from Costco and Trader Joes
- Reminders that connection and intimacy happen around our kitchen tables
If you are tired of the every night dinner dilemma like I am, today’s episode is for you!