This is a very special episode of Love Where You Are for a few reasons. One reason is because this audio is from when I spoke at the Shiloh Women's Christmas Conference just last month, "Making Spirits Brighter." I shared a message of leadership and delegation, coming from a story of Moses that deeply resonated with me and I feel like it's something many of us moms deal with... 

We get so busy juggling all the things and adding stuff to our plate, that we can often lose sight of what God is truly calling us to: the holy work of motherhood. And when we are juggling all the things, we are so suspectible to the temptations and distractions of the enemy, and that pulls us from that holy focus. 

It was not long after sharing this message, a message that I needed in my own life, that I realized what God was calling me to do. 

Right now, I am shifting my focus and energy to the Called to Love podcast here on Christian Parenting, where I specifically answer your questions about adoption and foster care. If you have enjoyed Love Where You Are, you will most likely enjoy Called to Love. It's still me, Somer, just with a new and specific purpose and mission to serve those walking the beautiful and broken journey of adoption or foster care. I would love it if you joined us for those deep conversations, friend. 

And thank you for suporting me with Love Where You Are. It has been a beautiful chapter that draws to a close, but I am excited for what God has in store.

I hope this message from the Shiloh conference impacts you just as it has impacted me. God bless! 

Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, “The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman.” 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Click here to learn more about the Called to Love podcast. 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Laura Smith. 

Laura is a Jesus Lover, best-selling author, speaker, wife & mom of four. She is passionate about equipping families with a better understanding of mental health and scripture, and has a new book titled "5 Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental Health"  In this conversation, Somer and Laura discuss practical ways for us busy moms to take care of our bodies, minds, and spirits so we can better glorify God in all that we do…  

You can also connect with Laura on Instagram.  

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Thanks for coming to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, “The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman.” 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Kelly Needham is a busy mom of five kiddos, wife to Jimmy Needham, and author to several books. Click here to buy Purposefooled and click here to follow her on Instagram. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let’s dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org

Scripture reference: 2nd Timothy 1:7

Notable moments: 

-God does not give us a spirit of fear. 

-God carries us through life's hardships and traumas. 

-Living in fear can be comfortable if it's all you've ever known.

Thanks for coming to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, “The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman.” 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Ann White is passionate about creating resources to help women build their relationship with God. It drives her to create such things as the first female-voiced audio Bible. The female voice is important to her mission, which has reached behind bars as well as in church pews. “One thing in working with at-risk women, it’s important to use gender-specific treatment. You don’t put a woman who may have been traumatized by a man with a male counselor or a male-voiced program.” "Courage for Life" is only the beginning as Ann works with Tyndale House Publishers on a “Women’s Study Bible.” “We should be sharing God and his word, teaching other people, and inspiring life change. Everyone needs a daily dose of God-given Courage For Life!” says Ann.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let’s dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org

Despite the fact that we KNOW cognitively that God KNOWS everything and we can't keep secrets from Him, there is something that prevents us from opening up that dialogue with Him and being vulnerable... And yet in that vulnerability, we can deepen our relationship and connection to Him, and it also impacts us as mothers. 

Notable moments the conversation: 

-"Holiness in the holy mess" 

-We can miss out on intimacy with God if we keep our distance. 

-If you don't process things properly with the Lord, you may end up taking out all the pent up emotion and internal conflict onto your kids or those close to you. 

Thanks for listening to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, “The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman.” 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Jennifer Dukes Lee is a prolific author and calls herself a "storyteller and grace-dweller." Her recent book, "Stuff I'd Only Tell God: A Guided Journal of Courageous Honesty, Obsessive Truth-Telling, and Beautifully Ruthless Self-Discovery" is the catalyst for today's conversation and available wherever you find your books. You can also connect with Jennifer on Instagram on her personal account or the account specific to this book, and Facebook.  

Thank you for being here today. Now, let’s dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org

Thanks for listening to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, “The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman.” 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Mike Donehey is a singer, songwriter and author. Mike was a part of the Christian Tenth Avenue North but has recently gone into a solo career, and wrote a book titled "Grace in the Gray: A More Loving Way to Disagree" which launches today's conversation. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Notable moments the conversation: 

"Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words." - Saint Francis of Assisi

"You can’t give what you can’t have” - Latin phrase 

Anthony points out that your dreams and desires are not the same as God’s plan for your life, but they are clues from God as to where He wants you to be and your purpose. God rarely gives us straight answers but glimpses of the road ahead, a divine GPS, so we can seek Him and draw nearer in unity with Him. 

Somer notes we are often building our own kingdoms instead of focusing on building God's kingdom. 

Thanks for coming to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, "The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman." 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Anthony DeStefano is the bestselling author of over twenty-five Christian books for adults and children. His books have been published in eighteen different countries and twelve different languages and have been endorsed by The National Day of Prayer committee as well as many prom-inent religious leaders and mainstream celebrities. "Greenlee is Growing" is his latest children's book and the catalyst for today's topic. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Welcome to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, "The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman." 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Douglas McKelvey. is an author, song lyricist, scriptwriter, and video director. He has penned more than 350 lyrics recorded by artists such as Switchfoot, Kenny Rogers, Sanctus Real, and Jason Gray.

Douglas has a third installment of his liturgy series titled "Every Moment Holy" which includes work from himself and a diverse range of writers, artists, poets, songwriters, pastors, and illustrators to bring you something for the everyday holy moments. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Brooke McGlothlin. 

Brooke is the Founder of Million Praying Moms, Host of the Million Praying Moms podcast, and author of six books, three of which hit the ECPA bestseller list. Brooke recently released Everyday Prayers for Peace, and Praying Mom: Making Prayer the First and Best Response to Motherhood which speak to the power of a life partnered with God in prayer and they sparked this conversation.  

Somer and Brooke discuss the need for patience and God’s grace in our parenting, how God uses our motherhood journeys to mature us, and how prayer shouldn’t be a last resort but our first response in moments of crisis… 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Bethany Kimsey.  

Bethany is a warrior mama to eight kiddos as well as a writer and speaker. She testifies that God radically changed her messy motherhood from weary, anxious, and frantic to peaceful, joyful, and triumphant. Her new devotional, "A Warrior Mama's Prayer Journal" sparked the topic for this open and honest conversation in this episode. 

Somer and Bethany talk about the battles we fight as moms, the use of prayer in our lives to help win those battles, and the many different seasons we go through as parents, and how we don’t need to fix things, most of the time we just need to bring it to God who cares about our everyday parenting…

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Sandra Byrd. 

For the next five episodes, as we are entering the holiday season, Somer is spotlighting authors who have excellent gifts for your loved one or for yourself! Sandra Byrd is the author of more than fifty books. Sandra’s work has received many awards, nominations, and accolades, including a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and multiple starred reviews and Best Book selections from Library Journal. Other awards include the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice award, two Christy Awards nominations, a Bookpage Top Pick for Romance, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list.

Sandra is an experienced devotionalist. Her newest devotional, Dwell, is the launching point for today's conversation. Dwell is about being at home with God, which feels fitting as we approach the holiday season and our homes are full of chaos. Somer and Sandra dive into exactly what that means to dwell… and the importance of the home and we build our home as a Mom. 

Sandra also shares this verse from Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."(ESV)

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Laura Smith. 

Laura Smith is a Jesus Lover, Best-selling Author, Speaker, Wife & Mom of 4. She is passionate about equipping families with a better understanding of mental health and scripture. Laura wrote a book titled, "5 Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental Health" which sparks today's conversation. Somer and Laura discuss the rising mental health crisis among our teenagers. Laura shares practical ways for us as moms to share Jesus with our teens and invite deeper conversations to build those relationships.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined by her favorite person, her husband Corey Colbert. 

Somer and Corey are celebrating National Adoption Month this November and invite you into a conversation about their ten year adoption journey that is ongoing as they parent their precious daughter.

They share honest and raw stories from the many experiences both beautiful and hard and offer insight into how God’s calling doesn't always turn out as we planned but it is always as He ordained. 

It isn’t easy to love where you are when God's calling isn't clear or results are far from what you expect, but this is what inspired this ministry and we hope it inspires and encourages you in your current season. 

If you'd like to learn more about adoption, check out Somer's new podcast on the Christian Parenting Network dedicated to Christian adoptive and foster familes: Called to Love! 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Travis Thompson. 

Travis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive experience in addiction therapy. Travis has worked with adults and adolescents diagnosed with severe substance abuse and mental illness. He's worked in both long-term care and shorter-term treatment facilities, including intensive outpatient programs for mental health and substance addiction, as well as outpatient clinics with a family-centered focus. He is also the author of: "To Those Left Behind: Helping Partners and Families Understand and Heal from Addiction."

Somer and Travis discuss the difference between disease and addiction, how mental health affects families, and how there is so much hope, healing, and power in learning about the battles our loved ones are experiencing. 

Connect with Travis at linktr.ee/travisthompsonmedia

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Courtney Moore. 

Courtney is the founder and president of the nonprofit organization, Women & Work, as well as co-host of the Women & Work Podcast. Courtney is passionate about seeing Jesus Christ honored by women as they steward their gifts and leverage their unique potential for His glory. Her recent book is available on Amazon and titled Women & Work, and you can follow her on Facebook or Instagram. 

In this episode, Somer and Courtney talk about the many ways that women are working, not just in careers or jobs but at home or wherever God has them… and there is joy and fulfillment in all kinds of work.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Keri Eichberger. 

Keri is an author, blogger and busy mom! Her recent book released this September and it's called, "Win over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar with the One Who Overcomes." Somer and Keri dive into a conversation about how so many of us are struggling with worry and anxiety, the unhealthy coping mechanisms we use, and ways to conquer it with God at our side. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Jason Jimenez. 

Jason Jimenez is the founder of Stand Strong Ministries. He is a pastor, apologist, and national speaker who has ministered to families for over twenty years. He is the author of several books, including Abandoned Faith, Stand Strong America, Stand Strong in Your Faith with Alex McFarland, and The Bible’s Answers to 100 of Life’s Biggest Questions with Dr. Norman L. Geisler. 

Jason's latest book is titled "Parenting Gen Z" and it is the topic of today's conversation! 

Somer and Jason dive into what makes Gen Z unique, the challenges and hope for parents, some practical tools, and a reminder that we need each other because there is a ton of spiritual warfare. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

I am joined with Chris McKenna.

Chris is the founder of Protect Young Eyes. Protect Young Eyes is a nonprofit that goes around the country educating schools, churches, and other nonprofits on the dangers of the digital age’s impact on children. They are also a movement, aiming to empower parents that “delay is the way” and schools should be phone free zones. 

Growing up was already difficult but adding social media on top of it, and it is no surprise our teens are battling insecurity, anxiety, depression, confusion, and addictions. As parents, we have to approach these delicate situations with empathy and curiosity, not criticism. It is not us versus them, it is us helping build and lift them up. Chris and I talk about ways we can do that and its never too late to get started. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Chris and Protect Your Eyes through Instagram and their website.  

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 *We want to train our kids to be thinkers, not followers. On social media, it's a lot of following and keeping up with the trends. 

*We can try to censor the world as much as possible for our kids but it won't make a difference if they can't become filters themselves. Once they are out of our protective care, how will they protect themselves? We have to teach them why it is so important and give them the tools to do it. 

*Best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second best time is this afternoon. If you feel like you're too late, you aren't. There is still hope and you can still take charge of your household and protect your child. 

REMEMBER:

*There is a difference between reacting and responding. As parents, we need to respond not react.

*The teenage years of development have high levels of social sensitivity. These are also critical years for brain development that leads into their adulthood. 

*We should be building bridges of trust with our kids and not shy away from the awkward conversations. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

This week I am joined by Instagram sensation and DIY expert, Anh Lin.

Anh's career in both ministry and interior design began with her desire to turn her own home into a sanctuary. Anh is the author of “Forever Home: Moving Beyond Brokenness to Build a Strong and Beautiful Life".  She incorporates interior design and a lifestyle blog with her testimony and the gospel to bring hope and the love of home to women. 

In this episode, we unpack the difficult conversation of trauma. Unfortunately for many, the home is less like a cozy environment and more like the place where trauma began. In this conversation, we discuss the realities of pain, but how God can transform us, and how we can help those in our life who are walking in pain, and how can parent better because our kids are undoubtedly going to face their own battles.

Thank you for being here today.

Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Anh through Instagram, her website, or the Hooga Shop!

You can also order her new book on Amazon. 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-Pain is pain. We each have our own experiences and one's story is not better or worse than the other. Each one is the unique path God has us on. We each have our own testimony. 

-Adam and Eve did something wrong and hid in shame. God knew exactly where they were, yet He called out to Him. He invited them out of hiding. He is a gentle parent. 

-Parents genuinely love their children and desire to help, but there might be a barrier like lack of trust or communication. Those are the key pieces to a strong relationship. 

REMEMBER:

-We can relate to those who experienced trauma by being compassionate, patient and being a good listener. We aren't called to be their therapist, we don't need to have all the answers. We are called to show the love of Christ.

-God is restoring us. He wants us to thrive not just survive! 

-If you have experienced trauma and are seeking self transformation, remember to take it slow and let God walk with you one step at a time. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

I am joined by special guests Willie and Korie Robertson! 

Willie and Korie are known worldwide for their reality tv show Duck Dynasty and their family’s business Duck Commander. They have partnered with Tread Lively, GND Media Group, and Fathom Events to announce the release of The Blind, premiering in theaters nationwide beginning September 28th. Based on the life of Phil and Kay Robertson, The Blind is a powerful true story of love, hardship, and redemption. The Blind shows that no one is beyond the grace of God, and no one is so far gone that they cannot turn their life around. 

In this episode, Willie, Korie and I discuss their new movie release, The Blind, the true story behind it, the impact Jesus had on the Robertson family, and the impact media has on us. It seems like now more than ever that are messages telling us masculinity is toxic and women should stay out of the home. The way God designed marriage and the family are being attacked, especially in the media. Supporting films like The Blind sends a clear message to Hollywood and the world of what we care about. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can buy tickets for The Blind or check out The Blind's website to view the movie trailer! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-After the show Duck Dynasty, Willie and Korie saw a need for positive entertainment which is when they sat down to talk about what story they should tell. The story of Kay and Phil was the most important story to tell because if it didn't happen, their family would have fallen apart and there wouldn't have been Duck Commander or Duck Dynasty. Jesus truly changed everything. 

-Sometimes in Christianity, there is this idea that we don't have to talk about the hard stuff or our rough pasts. But the truth is sharing our stories helps us become more vulnerable and connected. We can all relate to Phil and Kay's story on some level. 

-Building a dynasty of faith starts in the Word. We all know we should be in the Word, but actually living it out is a whole different thing and is so much harder to do. 

REMEMBER:

-There are so many messages telling women they can do it all, and that's only partially true. You can do it all, but you can't do it all at once--it's impossible. You can be empowered to do that you're called to in the season of life you're in right now! 

-The family, home, and marriage are the foundations of society and are being attacked. Standing strong as men and women is crucial. 

-We want to blame the world for all the problems we see, but the truth is we're also to blame because we also seccum to the world's pressures. We have to break free of the rat race. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

I am joined with Rachelle Starr.

Rachelle Starr is the author of Outrageous Obedience: Answering God’s Call to Shine in the Darkest Places  which is about how she answered God’s calling in her life to reach out to women in the adult entertainment industry and eventually how she started the Scarlet Hope ministry.

In this episode, Rachelle shares a little bit of her story and together we explore the ways moms can help raise their children to love like how Jesus loves. There can be a tendency in the church to avoid the uncomfortable or dark places, like the adult entertainment industry, but as Rachelle points out those are the places that need God's light the most. Rachelle also shares some practical ways to make a difference, and how important it is to obey God's call to move from prayer to action. Also, it's never too late! 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Rachelle through Instagram, and check out the Scarlet Hope website.

Be sure to order her book so you can read her full story! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Part of Rachelle's story is her parents and how they began a legacy in her by being faithful teachers of the Gospel. The work you are doing right now as a Christian mom can make a huge impact! Not just for your child, but for the work your child could do in the future. 

*Jesus asked did you feed me, did you clothe me? That is the question every Christian needs to ask themselves. It isn't what saves them but it is what shows the reflection of Christ. 

*Often when we are afraid, we run to what is comfortable. Being a Christian, however, means we don't have to live in fear! And, we are often called into the uncomfortable places. 

REMEMBER:

-We need to foster a heart of empathy in our children and get them involved early on with helping others. Rachelle shares examples of how she does this with her kids but every family is different. 

-You are never too old to follow God's calling! Some people go decades without obeying the call and live to regret it, but even after years you can still answer His calling. It is never too late! 

-Even Jesus had twelve disciples! We can't do it alone. We need each other, teamwork, communities, and to disciple one another. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

I am joined with Amanda Florczykowski.

Amanda Florczykowski is as unique as her last name. When a complete stranger pulled her daughter from her arms, Amanda penned an online caution read by an estimated 60 million, connecting Amanda with a victim of the very predator in the store that day.. 

 Amanda has authored the #1 Amazon book, Unraveled: Mothering Fiercely in A World Full of Fears, is working on her second manuscript, and speaks on topics pertaining to the importance of family strength, memorable motherhood, child sex trafficking in America, the pornography epidemic, and faith-forward ideas all set to the backdrop of her salacious personal story. 

Lastly, Amanda is the creator of Able Moms International; local communities fostering capable, unshakeable, and memorable moms which will host its first collective gathering of 3,000 this coming Spring. She has also built Vigilant Families, a collaborative platform of experts and organizations who educate using age-appropriate material designated for audiences of 'children', 'youth', and 'adults'..

In this episode, Amanda shares the harrowing story of how she encountered the human trafficker in her grocery store, and together we discuss the balancing act of facing fear and pain in our world with the peace and joy which comes from God. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Amanda through Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Twitter. 

You can also order her amazing book!

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-On this side of heaven, we live on the intersection of harsh reality and God's peace. 

-There are so many things which could take our child away in the blink of an eye--but God is still good. 

-Eve was told she would experience pain in childbirth; she was cursed. But her curse was not just for the pain of birthing, but the pain of losing a child or watching them suffer. This curse, however, came with redemption: Christ. 

REMEMBER:

-There is a very real threat of human trafficking, it's not something we can pretend doesn't exist in our own communities. 

-We each have our own threshhold for pain, whether its physical, emotional or spiritual. God is the one who knows our limits. We can't compare each other's pains to feel one is more or less than the other. We walk our own journeys. 

-Sometimes seeing the absolutely darkness and depravity of the Enemy helps us fully realize the goodness and brightness of God. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

This week I sat down with Ashlee Gadd.

Ashlee Gadd is the author of Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood and she is the founder of Coffee + Crumbs - a beautiful online space where motherhood and storytelling intersect. Ashlee has spent her entire motherhood creating in the margins, that means using whatever free time she has to become creative and connect with God through that creativity. 

Do you love to write? Draw? Paint? Garden?

Each of these are creative expressions and are a result of the beautiful and unique way God has designed you and me. Creativity is great for our brains but also our spirits and can give us new energy and bring us closer to the God who gave us that creativity in the first place. But when we become moms, finding time and margin for those creative outlets can be difficult. Depending on our season of life those margins may be smaller than others, but as my guest on this week's episode, Ashlee Gadd says, start somewhere even if its small.

In this episode we discussed:

• How to steward the creative gifts God has given us
• Paying attention to the gifts others see in you
• And how creating every day can actually make you a better mom

Thank you for being here today.

Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Ashlee through Pinterest, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Creating every day can make you a better mother. 

*We should be stewarding the creative gifts God has given us; it is an act of worship, honoring and glorifying Him!

*Experiment and find your niche! Maybe try painting, and if you realize it isn't for you, try something else! 

*Other people can see things in you that you might not see, like your talents--listen to those voices who see your gifts!  

REMEMBER:

*Kids pick up more what's caught than taught. If we don't want our kids to become phone zombies, then we also can't be phone zombies! 

*Assess what creativity does to your mind, spirit, and the physical energy it can provide. 

*Assess what is possible in your current season of life. Have reasonable expectations and find your margins. For Ashlee, it means getting up at 5am in the morning so she can spend a couple hours writing. And remember, we are never stuck in one season forever, it will change. 

*Start somewhere even if its small. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Today I am excited to welcome my friend Caris Snider back to the show!

Caris Snider is a Christian Communicator who shares the hope of God through speaking, and leading worship. She is the author of multiple books including her latest release, Carline Mom Devotional. Her desire is to help women of all ages with their faith and mental health journey.

It's back-to-school time and you know what that means...lots of time in the carline!

In this episode, Caris and I talk about life as a "carline mom." 

Back to school season can be quite the marathon. Life is so busy with meet-the-teacher, last minute supply runs and getting back into a routine as we get our kids to school and extracurricular activities. 

In all the busyness, how can we as Christian moms lean into the Lord to keep us going and serving our families with joy?

In this conversation Caris give tools to find the sacred moments in the busy and the mundane, practical ways to pause throughout the day and keep God's voice loudest in your heart and mind.

Download my FREE resource: The Carline Mom's Guide to Safe Guarding What is Sacred 

Thank you for being here today.

Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Caris through Instagram, and her website. 

You can also pre-order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-God meets you wherever you are, in any minute or moment you have, in the coming and going.

-Sacred moments are limitless because God is limitless. 

-We should focus on where we are right NOW instead of thinking about where we wish we were, whether that's thinking about the future or other wishful circumstances. Often we long for the next phase of life and miss the joys of where God has us presently. 

REMEMBER:

-Reject thoughts that destroy your worth. We constantly play the comparison game and that is not what God wants for us! We are created in His image and doing the work He calls us to do, we don't need to be anyone else. 

-Rest is NOT laziness! We, especially as moms, need to learn how rest is a form of worship and honoring to God! He gave us the Sabbath for a reason! 

-Who's voice is the loudest in your life? We need to slow down and listen for God's voice, and we can learn to hear what He sounds like by spending time with Him in prayer and in His word. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Today I am joined by Andrea Herzer.

Andrea is the author of Incurable Faith: 120 Devotions of Lasting Hope for Lingering Health Issues. She is intimately acquainted with the hardships that accompany debilitating health issues. She has spent the last 20 years with multiple illnesses, including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Navigating life while undergoing infusions, chemotherapy, more than 100 medical procedures, and all the complications in between has given her deep compassion for those who also suffer.

In this episode, Andrea and I navigate the grueling challenge of how to love where you are when you enter a season of physical pain and suffering.

We dive deep to face the questions that rise about our faith, knowing God’s love for us despite health struggles and how to maintain and even grow in your faith through it all.

We also talk about what we can do when someone we love is suffering, how to best serve them and how it can actually change us in the process. Andrea also gives practical advice to those who are walking in pain right now and how to live an abundant life in Jesus…

Thank you for being here today.

Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Andrea through Instagram and you can buy her book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-What exactly is an "abundant life"? Is it the work we do, the activities we enjoy, our bucket lists? Or is it the spiritual abundance we receieve from Christ, meaning in our bodily brokenness we can enjoy an abundant life? 

-Some people think health challenges are a barometer of God's love for us and if we only had more faith then we would be cured; in other words, they might think not being healed shows a lack of faith. These ideas of health and faith are not Biblical. 

-Job's friends were not helpful or comforting but they did try to do the right thing. It is easy to have good intentions and still do the wrong thing. When we see someone hurting, the best thing to do is ask that friend what they need from us. 

REMEMBER:

-Jesus was wounded, hurt, and had horrible things said and done to Him. He knows our suffering. 

-When people are being hurtful towards us, we can release those things to Jesus through forgiveness. 

-When we are suffering, we need to not make it difficult for others to help. We can feel ashamed to receive help but we need to accept it and sometimes the people who want to help us benefit from being our caregiver more than we realize. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

I am joined with Shaunti Feldhahn. 

Shaunti is a ground-breaking social researcher, best-selling author, and popular speaker – but a wife and mom first. After receiving a graduate degree from Harvard, and working on Capitol Hill and Wall Street, Shaunti now uses her analytical skill to uncover those little things that can make big differences in lives and relationships.

In this episode,  Shaunti and I dive deep into all things sex and marriage. The timing couldn't be more perfect as I am celebrating my 19th wedding anniversary and Shaunti has released a new book titled "Secrets of Sex & Marriage: 8 Surprises That Make All the Difference." 

Stay with me, friend, because this topic is SO important. Even though it feels awkward to talk about, intimacy issues are often the reason for marital discord and even divorce. As Christians, we need to understand God’s design for sex, the importance of physical intimacy and yes, how to teach our kids a healthy and biblical view of this part of the marriage relationship.

Now before the conversation starts, I want to point out that much of this conversation centers around a healthy expression of the intimate relationship between husband and wife. Shaunti and I will address sexual trauma and honor that conversation with care. There is so much to unpack!

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Shaunt on Instagram

Or check out her website

And you find her new book on Amazon or whereever you buy your books!

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 -Statistics show that intimacy matters a lot even if we think it doesn't. Two humans can have issues but when they are engaging in each other, sending all the happy hormones, it can improve communication and marriage satisfaction. 

-Many people feel like there's something wrong with their intimacy because it doesn't look like what's portrayed in the movies. It turns out there are two different primary types of intimacy: initiative and receptive, and both are normal and healthy! It does not mean something is wrong with you. 

-Approximately 80% of women are insecure about their bodies, while almost 100% of men LOVE their wife's body! Men want their wife, even with all the "flaws" a woman might think she has. She is adored and her husband wants to love her, but many women don't let themselves believe it. 

REMEMBER:

-Expectations need to be healthy. 

-You need a problem solving mentality in order to intentionally bring intimacy into your marriage, for the sake of your marriage and for the sake of displaying a healthy role model for your kids. 

-When a kid asks a question about sex, as parents we need to answer calmly so that the child knows it is always okay to ask questions, and there is no fear, fight or flight, brought into that topic. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

In today’s episode I am joined by Jodie Berndt.

Jodie is the bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures series. A speaker and Bible teacher, Jodie has been featured on programs like Focus on the Family, The 700 Club and a host of popular podcasts, and she has written articles for many news and faith outlets. She is also the mom of four grown children with grandbabies on the way! 

In today's episode Jodie and I dive deep into the challenges faced in marriage and the importance of prayer in every season.

The enemy is hard at work seeking to destroy the family which means we need to be on our knees, fighting to safeguard what is sacred - our marriages.  

Jodie offers encouragement through personal stories and shares practical ways we can love our spouses better and pray together to make our marriages stronger. 

Thank you for being here today.

Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Jodie through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order your copy of new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-Common issues couples face are communication, conflict resolution or in-laws but the overarching deeper issue has to do with emotional and spiritual intimacy. Prayer helps in both those areas to deepen the intimacy, bringing partners together closer to God. 

-When parents prioritize their children above their marriage, it can destroy the marriage. Research has shown kids with parents who prioritize the marriage are kids with more security and stability because they see that in their parents. 

-It can be hard to pray when your spouse doesn't like praying or isn't a Christian, but that doesn't mean there isn't hope or no solutions! It just means you have to take a different approach. An approach that works for you and your spouse. 

REMEMBER:

-When you don't know what to do, turn to God who can do it. Remember, you don't have to fix it. Sometimes we have to give it to God. 

-You are NEVER praying alone. The Holy Spirit is always there beside you; and no prayer is too big or too small for God. Give Him everything that's on your heart! 

-Look for ways to serve your spouse. Sometimes it is kindness and selflessness which makes waves in a relationship. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Malachi 3:16 

Connect with Somer! 

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Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In today’s episode I am joined with JJ Campbell.

JJ Campbell is the host of the Along for the Ride Podcast, a weekly interactive show that helps you have more good times with your family while riding in the car together. These fun activities get everybody talking and laughing and before you know it, strengthening family bonds and making special memories. 

She's always loved games and gets her best ideas for the show from childhood experiences and playing with her own baby boy, Evan. She says you can make any family experience enjoyable with some creativity and a fun mindset!

In this episode, JJ and I dive into what it means to have fun as a parent. We can easily get trapped in the busyness of life, have a mindset of defeat, exhaustion, and maybe we tell ourselves as moms that we aren’t the “fun” parent. But JJ reminds us it's all about our mindset and exactly how important it is we spend that quality time with our kids. She gives us some great examples with how to make household chores fun and ways to get your kids using their imagination and building childhood memories. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with JJ on Instagram, and listen to her podcast! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*We're always going somewhere in the car to do all the things! From school to soccer practice or whatever after-school activities your child enjoys, we spend a lot of time in the car and little time together as a family. So, how can we use that car time as family time?

*We have to be intentional about making time for our family and we need to intentionally make it fun so we keep doing it! 

*The fun parent enjoys what they're doing and enjoys spending time with their kids. 

REMEMBER:

*There is immense value in the simple moments. 

*Let your kids be bored! They do not need an ipad but they do need to use their imagination. 

*Approach things with curiosity. You just need to change your mindset, whether it's chores or other boring mundane things, you can make it fun. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In today’s episode I am joined with Shellie Rushing Tomlinson.

Shellie is a farmer's wife and loving grandmother of six. She fell in love with storytelling as a child when her grandmother told stories of what it was like to come to Louisiana from the hills of Appalachia and set up house in a tent with a dirt floor. And, she had a grandfather who used humor to bring people to Jesus. These grandparents on both paternal and maternal sides, made a big impression on Shellie. 

Whether in her books, speaking before audiences, or dropping a segment on her podcast, she loves nothing more than helping bring people to Jesus through humor and storytelling. 

Just like how Shellie’s grandparents made an imprint on her life, Shellie and I talk about the importance of intentionally passing on your faith to your kids and grandkids. We also talk about her new book, how to seize the good life, and looking at John’s gospel in new ways.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Shellie through Facebook, Instagram, and her website.  

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-There is encouragement in knowing God is a personal God. We can see this in how Jesus talked to the disciples. 

-You don't have to have it all together. The disciples didn't! 

-Run home to Jesus and you'll have everything you need for your kids. 

REMEMBER:

-Passing our faith to our kids or grandchildren must be done intentionally, it doesn't happen magically! 

-John's gospel message shows we struggle but Jesus strengthens those around him. The disciples often didn't understand Jesus, and he would say it again or in a different way. 

-We are chosen for this time period in history in our small piece of the earth. You are here for a reason and you matter. You are the right person for this job called parenthood! 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In today’s episode I am joined with Julie Parido.

Julie Parido is a Christ-follower, wife, and homeschooling mom to four wonderful, rambunctious children in a northern suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. With a Communications degree and Bible minor from Cedarville University and training in biblical counseling, she is passionate about helping children and their parents know and apply God's Word. She is also the author of the new book Draw the Verse.  

In this episode, Julie and I talk about Deuteronomy 6, living out that commandment to teach our kids in the way of the Lord. We talk about the importance of consistency, daily engagement with God’s word, trusting God with the seeds we’re planting in our kids, and knowing we are called by God for this job.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Julie through Instagram   and check out her website. 

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 *If you're feeling unqualified to disciple your children, remember Moses and Gideon! Paul may have been considered qualified on the outside but he did not have what it takes till Christ came along. If you have Christ, that's all you need. 

*God will water the seeds you plant in your children. 

*There is a weariness we can experience as moms but stay patient and filled with the Fruit of the Spirit. 

REMEMBER:

-Lean into your resources, like the Bible and the Body of Christ.

-Do what is sustainable for YOUR family, but we encourage you to be in the Word daily, whatever that may look like for you. 

-Every person has their own relationship with God, and that includes your child. Give your child the space and tools they need to develop that relationship with Him. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV
"“Hear, O Israel: ^dThe LORD our God, the LORD is one.^{Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone}" href= "https://www.esv.org/Deuteronomy+6/#f2-">2 5 You ^eshall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And ^fthese words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 ^gYou shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 ^hYou shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 ⁱYou shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

1 Corinthians 2:3-5 ESV

And ^aI was with you ^bin weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of ^cthe Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men^{The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women}" href= "https://www.esv.org/1+Corinthians+2/#f3-">3 but ^din the power of God.

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In today’s episode I am joined with Elizabeth Laing Thompson.

Elizabeth is a pastor’s wife, mother of four and author of the new book  When a Friendship Falls Apart. She has also written other amazing books like All the Feels, When God Says No, and When God Says Go. 

In this episode, Elizabeth and I dive deep into friendships and when they fall apart. God has designed us for community and relationships but thanks to sin, those relationships sometimes end in “break-up” and it can be hard to navigate. It can be hard to even maintain healthy relationships, period!  

Elizabeth and I talk about the importance of communication skills, spiritual skills, and self-control so that we can be prepared for not if something goes wrong but when it goes wrong in our relationships. We also talk about examples in scripture of broken relationships, forgiveness, and mismatched expectations. 

There is a lot to unpack, so let’s dive in!

You can connect with Elizabeth through Facebook, Instagram, and her website.

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-There is a need here, to discuss broken relationships. 

-We need to learn how to exercise our spiritual muscles, self control, and communication skills. 

-Another person's response is not in our control but it is our responsibility to address problems when they arise. 

REMEMBER:

-It's okay and actually important to grieve the loss of a friendship. 

-It is hard to let people go but sometimes we have to. 

-There are examples in the Bible of people in broken relationships (they weren't perfect either!) 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In today’s episode I am joined with Alejandro Monteverde.

Alejandro Monteverde is a Mexican filmmaker, best known for his work as a director, writer, and producer on award winning films. Alejandro’s work is known for its focus on family and faith, and he has been vocal about his Catholic beliefs. In addition to his film work, he has also been involved in philanthropic efforts, including the founding of the nonprofit organization Esperanza para los Niños (Hope for Children) in 2010, which provides education and support to underprivileged children in Mexico.

Coming to theatres this Fourth of July is Alejandro’s film The Sound of Freedom which tells the incredible true story of a former government agent turned freedom fighter who embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue dozens of children from human trafficking.

In this episode, Alejandro and I discuss the importance of this topic, bringing it more into the conversation, spreading awareness and shining light on this massive underground slavery that is robbing children in plain sight. It is not an easy thing to talk about but as Alejandro says, "the problem is when good people do nothing." 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Alejandro and the film through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and their website. 

You can watch the film's trailer! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 -Alejandro had a shift in his life. He likes to call it "turning 10 degrees." It was a small shift but led to a huge change in his life. It was the way he saw making films--making them for God instead of himself. 

-Alejandro loves telling stories but more than that he is telling stories that are important. We need to be sharing these stories that are important too. 

-The film covers a dark, serious and real issue in our world but it also beautiful and inspiring. Alejandro wants viewers to get a meaningful but entertaining experience. 

REMEMBER:

-Parents want to protect their kids but they don't realize that the greatest danger to a child is in the palm of their hand--it's the iPhone, the iPad, the laptop, whatever device it is. There are far more damanging things on those devices than outside the child's house. 

-The real problem is when good people do nothing. 

-Age appropriate conversations are important. The film is rated PG-13, that is Alejandro's personal recommendation as well, but every family is different. Make sure to have meaningful conversations with your children about what is happening in our world. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In today’s episode I am joined with Sam Black. 

Sam Black is a renowned author and expert in the field of pornography recovery. As the Director of Recovery Education at Covenant Eyes, he brings a wealth of experience to his work, having joined the organization in 2007 after a distinguished 18-year career as an award-winning journalist. 

Sam is the author of two groundbreaking books: "The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography and How to Fix It" and "The Porn Circuit: Understand Your Brain and Break Porn Habits." Sam's deep knowledge and compassionate approach have helped countless individuals and families find healing and hope.

In today’s conversation, Somer and Sam dive into the serious abyss that is pornography in our modern era. Thanks to smart phones and iPads, kids as young as seven and eight years old are being exposed to pornography and pornography today has changed too, becoming more violent and extreme. This is not an easy conversation but a critical one. As Sam explains, it’s not a matter of if your child is exposed, it’s a matter of when. 

Sam and Somer help equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to prepare your child to protect themselves and even be a light to others, and there is still hope if you feel it’s too late.  

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Here is the book "The Healing Church" online resource. 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Four Myths Parents Say to Themselves according to Sam: (Sam debunks each of these) 

-My kid is a good kid. They would never be curious. They're innocent. 

-My kid would look away! They're respectful. 

-The measures I have in place are enough. (such as occassionally looking over a child's shoulder) 

-Only boys struggle with this, not girls. 

*Turn, Run, Tell. Teach your child to turn away when they see something inappropriate, run away from the situation, and tell an adult or the parent immediately. 

*Pornography affects the heart, body, and spirit; and healing should address all of those areas. 

REMEMBER:

*Pornography is a real threat in all ministries: mens, womens, and childrens. Sobering statistics show that two thirds of men and one third of women in the church secretly struggle with pornography; fifty-two percent of teens are exposed to violent pornography; and the ages for exposure reach as young as eight years old. 

*This exposure and repeated pornographic viewing is happening in living rooms, at kitchen counters, and during car rides. 

*There is a ton of brain chemistry that goes into why pornography becomes so addictive, how the cycles of shame make it worse, and how trauma or family drama can influence the behavior. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In today's episode, I am joined with Eric Swithin. 

Eric Swithin is the Executive Director and Founder of The Alliance for Ending the Fatherless Epidemic. THE FATHERLESS EPIDEMIC strives to encourage viewers that the epidemic can be solved and we can present the love of God to youth in desperate need of a Godly father figure. 

In today’s conversation, Somer and Eric discuss the harsh statistics of broken homes and how it leads boys and girls into brokenness and a pursuit to fill a hole in their heart that they can never fill.

Eric shares how one of the most important and best things the Church can do is care for the widow and the orphan, and in today’s modern world, that means the single moms and fatherless kids. 

He also provides practical ways for us to be involved, blend missionary work with daily life, and reflect God as the true loving Father.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Eric by watching his film and checking out his website! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-Fatherlessness causes wounds that a person is constantly trying to fill, usually with a pursuit of sexual desires, money, finding a sense of belonging by joining gangs or the military. But these pursuits are empty, and the cycle continues. 

-Fatherlessness and broken homes lead to some staggering statistics. 

*85% of youth and adult me in prison come from fatherless homes

*Fatherless girls are 900% more likely to be sexually abused or assaulted 

*Fatherless boys are 14 times more likely to commit sexual abuse or sexual crimes

Other issues are rampant, such as poverty. 

-The Church is at its best when it mobilizes to fight against the enemy who works to destroy The Home. 

REMEMBER:

-Meditate on John 16 & 17

-Learn to be aware of the fatherless youth and single moms in your church. See how you can fill a need in their life. 

-You can incorporate ministry and mission work into your daily life. These people only add value, not take away time. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

In today’s episode I am joined with Brent Dusing. 

Brent Dusing created TruPlay to bring beautiful and biblically authentic entertainment to audiences worldwide. Brent is a pioneering, Harvard graduate, entrepreneur with a heart for creating games with God at the center, giving kids and parents an experience that is safe and fun! He has led an exceptional career and God continues to bless his team’s efforts to bring TruPlay as an alternative on kid’s devices. 

In today’s conversation, Brent and Somer talk about why a safe, Christian gaming alternative is so critical right now. Kids will spend on average fifty-two and a half hours per week on a device, while kids may only go to church with their parents once a week that lasts about an hour. Our culture is quickly crumbling, and parents should be equipped with the best tools and alternatives to build a stable and strong foundation for their families, so they want to learn more about God and be closer to Him.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Check out TruPlay! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Kids are on devices on average fifty-two and a half hours per week. What are they doing on those devices? Playing videogames, watching Netflix and YouTube. What kind of content is on Netflix and YouTube, is it godly content, is it instilling healthy values and lessons? Usually not. 

*We are in a culture crisis right now as the family is being stripped apart. Roughly 50% of Americans do not attend church, which is at a shocking low. There is still hope, however. God is the God of transformation and redemption. 

*If your child has been exposed to inappropriate content online (which is happening at younger ages than ever before) there is still hope for your child. 

REMEMBER:

*Videogames are not the problem. Videogames are a tool which we as Christians can use to help instill these lessons and values to our kids. It's a matter of what the content is and how much. 

*We are not a Christian nation anymore. Our kids need Christian support and resources just as much as other nations who receive missionaries. 

*This resource isn't just for Christians. ALL people right now are looking for hope and light in this dark time. We have the ability to share that hope. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Jennifer Pepito.

Jennifer is the proud mom of seven children and she has been homeschooling for over twenty-five years and it’s something she’s passionate about. When Jennifer discovered that her second daughter had learning disabilities, Jennifer became an avid student of child development.

After learning from innovators and researchers in the field, Jennifer created her own resource for parents called The Peaceful Press, to help parents enjoy homeschooling, feel equipped for the task, and to develop healthy meaningful relationships with their children. 

In today’s conversation, Somer and Jennifer talk about the fears of parenthood.

Fear, grief, bitterness, control, manipulation - all of it is broken by the power of Jesus when we trust in Him and learn to forgive. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Jennifer through Instagram, her website, and you can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-When you mess up as a parent, ask for forgiveness from your kids. 

-The dream we have for our kid's childhood is not always what God has in store for them, and that's okay. 

-There is frustrating when a need in our life is not met. The frustration can quickly turn to resentment, bitterness, and anger, and we can lash out at our kids or husband. We have to get unstuck. 

REMEMBER:

-Seek help when you need it, like your pastor, a friend, or trusted family member. Do not unload all of your burdens onto your child. 

-Think about your own childhood. Is there something in your childhood that could be impacting how you parent? 

-Forgiveness is not the same as justice. Forgiveness is when we let go of the poison in our hearts, and God alone can fully serve justice. We have to trust Him that it will be served. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Mary DeMuth

She’s been writing for 30+ years with over 45 published books, translated into five languages. She has mentored writers all this time and continues through the Rockwall Christian Writers group. Mary also pioneered a literacy agency in 2022 called Mary DeMuth Literary, where she shepherds writers towards traditional publishing. Mary has lived a full life, loves Jesus, and wants to share that power of redemption with others.

In today’s conversation, Somer and Mary get real about the heartbreak parents face as their children enter adulthood and make decisions which can cause division. Things like children leaving the faith, choosing opposite political views, or even “coming out” with a sexual or gender identity. As Christian parents, it is easy to feel shame and guilt when our kids choose these paths, wondering where we went wrong, how it makes us look, and how to "fix" our kids. This is a very important topic, as more division increases in our culture and raising our kids in the faith isn’t easy. Mary encourages us to love, pray, and listen, and to know God the Father deals with this too… his children have also turned astray, and He can help us get through these challenges.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Mary through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! And listen to her podcast. 

Special resource! 52 special prayers for your child from Mary DeMuth. 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 *It can be really scary watching our kids start to make choices--especially if they are bad choices! We have to let them, especially if they are a full grown adult. 

*Our relationship with our child, if its healthy, changes over the years. We go from parent to coach to friend, but yes, we'll always be their parent too. It's just a change in role shift.

*When you find division and conflict with your grown child, here are some steps to help:

-Ask why, don't assume bad intentions 

-Find common ground 

-Seek reconciliation 

REMEMBER:

*As parents, it is our job to train up our kids for success as adults. That means easing them into this new phase of life, not dropping them into it. Gradually granting freedom over time as they grow. 

*Love, Pray, and Listen! Your children need to know you love them, not judge them. Your children need your prayers. Your children need you to listen. Even if you don't understand why they're making choices, listening is crucial to keeping the door open to conversations. 

*Your identity is not in your children. Yes, you are a parent and have a responsibility to raise them, but their choices do not make up who you are. And, it is okay to grieve a child who's gone astray. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Julie Thomas.

Julie Thomas is a wife, mother of two, life coach and author. After the birth of her second son, Julie battled a severe case of postpartum depression. For years, emotions of anxiety, confusion and shame consumed her life, leading to isolation and suicidal thoughts. In her darkest hour, she felt God’s undeniable call to share her story with others. With the release of her novel, HOPE Inside Out, and her willingness to be open and transparent, Julie was able to find healing for herself and help others do the same.

In this episode, Somer and Julie get real about postpartum depression, the symptoms, the daily live experiences with it, and how to get help. Maybe you’re experiencing postpartum depression right now or know someone who is, this is an important conversation to have so we are equipped to handle this mental health issues which impacts so many women.

This episode is about loving where you are even in the midst of postpartum depression, facing those realities with the strength of Christ, and equipping us with the information to love new mommas better as they face this. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Julie through Facebook, Instagram, and her website.  

You can also order her new book! And watch her short film. 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 - 1 in 8 women will experience postpartum depression, and 9% will have PTSD from their birth experience. More information is known about it today and resources to help mothers. 

-Postpartum depression can look like you're lost in reality, not connected to time, feeling the loss of the child even if there was no loss. Julie couldn't recognize her own children at times. Confusion, fear, and anxiety levels are high, it is very disorienting. 

-The church tells us to rejoice in suffering and choose joy, be a happy perfect Christian. This message comes in complete conflict with the reality of postpartum depression and the daily struggles. It is easy to feel forsaken and abandoned by God. 

REMEMBER:

-Symptoms of Postpartum depression include loss of appetite, disinterest in usual things, self-isolation. 

-Find help. Counseling and community may lead to faster healing. There is no shame in needing help. You are not alone. 

-God is always present even if we don't come to Him. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Abbie Halberstadt.

Abbie is a busy full time homeschooling mom with ten kiddos and one amazing husband. Blogger and author of the book M is for Mama, Abbie is passionate about helping mamas claim their identities and find simple, doable rhythms for their days that allow them to create an environment of realistic joy and peace. 

In today’s conversation, Somer and Abbie dive into the battle we face as mothers in our culture, how there is a disdain towards taking care of your kids and building a home, how being a mother somehow robs us from our life or that doing the job of a mom like changing diapers and cleaning up cheerios, is somehow less than. Abbie also covers the motherhood martyrdom and mom guilt, as well as the angry mom, ways to avoid these common pitfalls and how to realize both the joy and weight of being a mom. There is a lot to unpack!

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Abbie through Facebook, Instagram, and her website.

 You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 -There is a false narrative in our culture is that motherhood is something which gets in our way, takes us away from living our life. 

-We are battling a culture of busyness and motherhood martyrdom. 

-Lie: Just existing as a mom is enough. You know there are plenty of moms who weren't good moms. It takes work and effort to be a good mom but you are capable.  

-There is a big difference between "mom guilt", lies from the enemy, and the Holy Spirit convicting you. 

REMEMBER:

-Satan has come to destroy families, the heart of spirituality. He is divorcing the concept of marriage and sex away from family, motherhood, and raising children as God designed.  

-There is a huge lack of Biblical literacy in America right now, despite the fact there is constant bombardment of information around us. Getting in the word is the best way to know how God wants us to live our lives! 

-There are a lot of things labeled as "self care" that are not fulfilling. Yes, take care of yourself, but don't constantly pursue that self-care like an idol above caring for your home. Instead build an infrastructure for your family to keep everyone happy and functioning. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Galatians 6:9

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Tori Hope Petersen.

Tori Hope Petersen is a former foster youth letting her Abba be known. She is passionate about foster care reform, adoption advocacy, vulnerable populations, and seeing the love of God change people's lives! Tori speaks across the nation sharing her powerful story, but her favorite form of art and communication is writing. 

After a faith-filled track coach invested and mentored Tori in high school, she went on to not only become a Track and Field All-American, but also to join the 3% of foster youth who graduate from college and be crowned Mrs. Universe. Today, Tori is a foster mom, adoptive mom, and biological mom, and works with nonprofits, ministries, and beyond advocating for foster care reform, adoption awareness, and help for vulnerable populations.

In this episode, Somer and Tori dive deep into the experiences of foster kids. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Tori through Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 -Foster kids feel so lonely, unwanted, and hopeless. The odds are stacked against them and they need us. 

-The Bible tells us to love the orphans, and there are different types of orphans, not just the ones whose parents have died. We should love all the children who need stability and hope in their life. 

-There is backlash against adopted parents and people who foster but don't let it stop you from fulfilling God's calling in your life. 

REMEMBER:

-Foster kids are not stereotypes or statistics, they are real people who need love and support.

-Hurt people hurt people. We need love to break the cycle and begin the healing. 

-You don't have to dive into the deep end with fostercare. You can start by supporting a ministry, bringing a meal, being restbit, and finding out more. There are plenty of ways to help. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

In today’s episode I am joined with Brittany Ann. 

Brittany Ann is an author, speaker, and founder of EquippingGodlyWomen.com, a popular Christian-living website dedicated to helping women be “all in” in faith and family. Brittany is married to an incredible godly husband, and together they have three adorably energetic little ones.

In today’s conversation, Somer and Brittany talk about how to follow God’s Will when life is out of our control and it feels like we keep making mistakes. The world is so loud and that is a problem when we can’t hear God’s voice through the chaos.  Brittany dives into the three common myths behind God’s will for us, encourages us to spend time in God’s word and in prayer, and a reminder that doing life with people can be the most impactful spiritual care you can provide. As parents we are the first and best example to our kids, so we need to show them the peace that comes from trusting God with our lives.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Brittany  through Facebook, YouTube, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 -When the world is loud, maybe we need to take a step back and look at how much time we're spending on social media, letting the world's loudness enter our life. How much time do we spend in prayer and in the Word verses scrolling on instagram?

-We are the first and best example for our kids when it comes to faith. What kind of an example are we leading? 

-When you are asked who was the greatest spiritual rolemodel and influence for you, how would you answer? Was it an influencer or celebrity, or was it someone in your life? 

REMEMBER:

-You can't ruin God's plan for your life. 

-You can ask for people's opinions when it comes to a big decision but the most important person to ask is God. 

-All callings, whether its staying at home or working a career, can glorify God. There is no one shoe fits all. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Romans 11:29 

Eph 2:10 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined by Leslie Means.

Leslie Means is founder and owner of the popular website Her View From Home, which features heartfelt contributor stories on motherhood, marriage, faith, and grief. She is a former news anchor, weekly columnist, and has published several short stories. She is married to a very patient man named Kyle, and together they have three fantastic kids: Ella, Grace, and Keithan. When she’s not sharing too much personal information online or in the newspaper, you’ll find her somewhere in Nebraska spending time with family and friends.

In this episode, Somer and Leslie talk about the importance for Christian moms to understand their value in the role they have been given, balancing the juggling act of motherhood, giving grace as we continue to grow and develop as women and as moms what the biggest message Christian moms need to hear right now.

Whether you are waiting to become a mom, right in the thick of motherhood or watching your babies grow and begin their own journeys, today’s conversation has something to encourage and challenge you. 

Thank you for being here today.

Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Leslie through Facebook, Instagram, and the Her View Website!

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*God is writing your story and you don't get a bird's eye view, but it is incredible when you look back and see how God worked over the years 

 *Why do we question our ability to be a mom? God invented the family before He invented the Church! He made you right for this job. 

*Be honest with your kids. Set healthy boundaries. Be involved. 

REMEMBER:

*Learn how to discern God's voice and trust Him to move in the unexpected directions He leads you

*We're trying to juggle it all but you don't have to. You can lean on one another. 

*Knowing how to balance: when to say no and when to say yes. 

*Don't wish away time. Embrace your season with your child, whether they're babies or teens! Soak in the moments. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Steph Thurl.

Steph Thurling is Executive Director of Christian Parenting and host of The Christian Parenting Podcast.

Steph has her master’s in youth, family, and culture from Fuller Theological Seminary and has a background in youth and children’s ministry. She is co-author of Raising Prayerful Kids, a book that shares easy, life-giving, and fun ways to teach kids to pray. She loves helping families grow closer to each other and to God through meaningful experiences and conversations. Steph is a frequent speaker at churches and mom groups and is known for her relatable stories, practical ideas, and gentle encouragement.

In this episode, Somer and Steph discussed: 

*The most common struggles Christian parents face today

*Ways to make prayer fun for your kids

*How to keep a relationship with Christ at the center of your daily rhythms of life

*And the key to slowing down and enjoying each moment with your children despite the busyness all around you

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can listen to her podcast, visit her website, or connect through Instagram 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*School and church are not responsible for your child's faith. It all begins at home. 

*"Never go to the hardware store alone" (the idea that you can bring your kids with you running errands, spending quality time and building memories even in the mundane tasks)

*The truth is we do not know what we're doing but you can still be confident because God knows you're right for this job. 

REMEMBER:

*Your kids are kids. Meet them where they're at! (If they're really little, they might not want to sit still longer than five minutes.)

*Make prayer or spirituality part of your everyday moments. (Like on the drive home from school or on a walk to the park)

*If you're not intentional with your kids, someone else will be. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Rebecca George.

Rebecca is passionate about helping you discover your giftings and talents to be used for the Kingdom in big ways.

Rebecca and I discuss the questions to ask as you seek to discover your calling, the value system we place on the things God calls us to do, what hinders us from doing the thing and the importance of understanding our identity so we can discover what God has for us in this season.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Rebecca through Instagram  and listen to her podcast! 

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

3 Questions to Ask to help you identify your “Thing” - 

*What matters to you - what  makes your heart come alive - what do you feel that God has naturally gifted you with and wired you to do?

*What matters to God - the spreading of the gospel 

*What matters to other people - what are some practical needs that I see in the world and how might that connect with the natural gifts and talents God has given me?

What hinders us from ‘doing the thing?’

*Comparison

*Doubt

*Insecurity

*Having a right perspective about the character of God

REMEMBER:

*There are seasons of enduring in our calling - taking one step after another in a God-ward direction

Nobody else this side of heaven was called to be my husband’s wife. 

Nobody else was called to be my children’s Mama.

*God is so faithful to give us spiritual eyes to see where we are and who we are and what He wants us to do.

*You do not have to be in vocational ministry to be in ministry

SCRIPTURE: 

Philippians 4:8 - what if we take this scripture and lay it up against our thought lives?

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

Do you feel like you're spinning your wheels, chasing your tail, putting out fires all day long, and going to bed feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? If you can relate, today’s episode is for you! 

Bestselling author, founder of a widely popular enterprise, top podcast host—and busy mom of six—Crystal Paine should be exhausted. Or at least overwhelmed. But she’s not. In fact, she’s thriving and today she is here to share her best advice to help you do the same! 

Somer and Crystal discussed her practical 4 step system to help you stay sane in the full seasons of motherhood, why hustling harder is not the answer and what questions to ask when  you are struggling with your season.

Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com, host of The Crystal Paine Show podcast, and a New York Times bestselling author. She has reached millions with practical advice that has changed families for the better. As a bestselling author, founder of a widely popular enterprise, top podcast host—and busy mom of six—Crystal Paine should be exhausted. Or at least overwhelmed. But she’s not. In fact, she’s thriving. Crystal is passionate about sharing the strategies and guiding principles she lives by to maximize her time and energy while balancing many responsibilities, staying sane, living meaningfully, and loving life - and today she is here to share these principles with you.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Crystal through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 -Crystal's practical 4 Steps:

*Pray

*Prioritize

*Plan 

*Prep

- "I try to never use the word ‘busy’ because I feel like it has a negative connotation of ‘I’m a victim of my life’"

-If my kids see me upset, they think its because of them and I never want that to happen. I want them to see me living and joyful and happy life, loving the job of being their mom. Burn-out is not good for us or our kids!

REMEMBER:

-I cannot do all of this in my own strength or I’m going to feel stressed and exhausted. I am not enough but HE is enough. I need Jesus each and every moment of each and every day.

-If we feel like our worth comes from our work, we are constantly not going to be measuring up.

But if our worth is coming from Jesus…we don’t have to do more, be more or try harder to attain His love. 

-Simplify the areas of your life where you can simplify: examples like choice fatigue in clothes and food. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined by Nicki Koziarz. Nicki Koziarz is a bestselling author of several books and Bible studies as well as a speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Nicki speaks nationally at conferences, retreats and meetings and is the host of the Lessons from the Farm podcast. A Bible teacher at heart, Nicki inspires others to become the best version of who God created them to be.

In this episode, Nicki and I discuss the seasons of life and how to navigate all the feelings behind it. There are transitions in life, ones we invite in and ones that just happen! That means it is important to know what is within our control and what's in God's. Nicki and I talk about how to find the words to describe what we're feeling, how to embrace it, and be present where God has us.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Nicki through Instagram and her website. 

You can also order her new book! Or take her quiz! 

Would you like to win a FREE copy of Nicki's new book?

Click HERE to enter!

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Our bodies give us signs and symptoms when something is wrong with our bodies - the soul also gives clues when something is wrong

*One of Nicki's favorite questions: "How’s your soul?" 

*God is developing our character in these places to match the calling He has given us as wives, moms and women of God

REMEMBER:

*Research tells us that we experience transitions in life every 12-18 months

*“God, help me to be the Mom they need, not the Mom they want.”

*The scriptures promise that when we go to God and ask Him for wisdom, He will give it to us

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Jenny Randle and Brayden Brookshier. 

Brayden and Jenny each married a sibling of the Randle family, making them brother in law and sister in law but they are also kindred spirits in the world of theology, nerding out over all things God. They geeked out over theology so much that they wrote a book together called Flash Theology: A Visual Guide to Knowing and Enjoying God

Brayden is on the Teaching Team at Newbreak Church, San Diego, is host of the "Adventures in Theology" podcast and is Professor of Biblical Greek at Horizon University.

Jenny is an author and award winning editor who has dedicated herself to ministry and is currently working on her master’s in theology at Asbury Theological Seminary. 

In today’s conversation, Jenny, Brayden and I talk about destigmatizing that big word: theology. Theology can sound like something just for pastors and professors. Theology, however, simply means the study of God and as Christians we should be studying God! Jenny and Brayden help break down the ideas of what theology is, making it more accessible and relatable, and how to incorporate it into our daily lives and with our kids.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Jenny through instagram and her website. 

You can connect with Brayden through instragram and his podcast. 

You can buy their new book on Amazon! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*There seems to be a vague age parents think their kids will reach when they become "ready" for theological stuff. Instead, we should be encouraging and empowering our kids through open questions and discussion about who God is and helping them form their understanding of Him for themselves. We have to trust God with our kids and trust our kids with God. 

*Bible illiteracy is a growing problem among Christians and non-Christians. Brayden sees this with a positive outlook, as an opportunity to help train people in the right mindset as opposed to re-training an old, flawed minset about who God is. 

*Where are we getting our theology? Church, friends, social media? We have to vet all these thoughts and opinions through Scripture. 

REMEMBER:

*Jesus looked at the heart of the matter. It is good to have head knowledge about God, but it is as equally important to have heart experiences with God. 

*Brayden says: Share as you grow, share as you go. Share and talk about God with your family, kids, friends, even though you're still learning. We are all still learning! We will never "arrive" at the finish line till we see God face to face, and that means we will always be growing and learning. 

*It is okay to admit you don't know the answer. It is okay to learn another person's beliefs and see where they're coming from. Search for the answers and love people where they're at. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

In today’s episode I am joined with Rhonda Stoppe.

Rhonda Stoppe is an author and speaker dedicated to helping women live life with no regrets. She has over 30 years experience as a mom, mentor, and pastor’s wife, and her most recent book is Moms Raising Sons to be Men.                                       

In this episode, Rhonda and I talk about exactly that, how to raise our sons to become godly men. We live in a culture that is increasingly blurring the lines of what it means to be a man or woman and it’s more important than ever to raise our kids in God’s truth for their identity. It is especially important to raise young men who will become the future good husbands and fathers and hopefully model Christ.  

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Rhonda through Facebook, Instagram, and her website.

You can also listen to her podcast and you can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

 *As your son grows into a young man, they are going to want to be treated differently. Men desire respect, which can be hard to give a teen under your roof. It is a process to navigate to develop a healthy relationship between you and the young man in your home. 

*It's okay to talk about the women's side of the "birds and the bees" with your son! Or anything regarding sex. Make it less awkward and more comfortable, less taboo, so your son can come to you willingly with his questions and you can give the answers instead of friends or the internet. 

*"Boys will be boys" is not an excuse for your son to watch pornography. In the digital age, it is not only everywhere but it is increasingly more extreme in its depravity (homosexual, beastiality, etc). We must teach our sons (and daughters) the importance of healthy sexuality, what it is, what it means in our relationships, and why God designed it for us. 

REMEMBER:

*Be the home where your son brings his friends over! Host all of the kids! People are more important than possessions. They may destroy the carpet or break a vase but they are more valuable. 

*Even if your son has wandered, this does not make you a bad mom. Our kids will make mistakes but we must always have the door open for them. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

In today’s episode I am joined with Billie Jauss.

Billie Jauss is the wife of a professional baseball coach and mom of three young men, she is now an empty nester who is hard at work in writing and podcasting. Billie has a new book titled “Distraction Detox” which helps us recognize our own spiritual jetlag and create a plan for health and closeness with Jesus.                                                

In this episode, Billie and I talk about hitting the pause button on our busy mama lives, making a priority list, and how we can creatively bring Jesus into our lives, no matter what season of life we’re in.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Billie through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*My external distracts were not as powerful as my internal distractions. 

*I was my biggest bully. Telling myself: "I'm not good enough" "I don't belong" or "I'm not a good mom" I brought myself down and limited myself. 

*Guilty of right-hand syndrome: always raising my hand and saying "yes" to something 

*We can suffer from "spiritual jetlag" when we are too busy and distracted. 

 *There are creative ways to connect with Jesus no matter your season of life! 

REMEMBER:

*When we are physically, emotionally and spiritually drained, we can't hear the Lord. 

*We need to pause. You will never reach a point where you have time to pause. You just need to pause. 

*Make a priority list. Here's what Billie's looks like:

1. Jesus
2. Husband
3. Kids

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

Monica and her family live in Hawaii, where she has raised and homeschooled her four boys, three now in college and one twelve year old who loves to golf. Monica also has her own podcast, aptly named the Monica Swanson podcast, and recently published her book “Amazing Kids: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked”.                    

In today’s conversation, Monica and I look at the ways to raise amazing kids and what that means. As a parent, we may ask ourselves “are we doing this thing right?” as guilt and shame boil beneath the surface. Monica comments on the healthy balance we need to have, learning to hear from the Holy Spirit to know when we need to put in more work or to know when we are doing just fine. There’s a tendency to lean upon rules and the “do not”s of life, but Monica shares a fun and exciting perspective, leaning on a natural process, one with fewer formulas, and parenting towards instead of against. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Monica through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her new book! Or her other amazing book about raising boys. 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*When we want our kids to be "amazing" what are we expecting or hoping for? Amazing means a pleasant surprise and full of wonder. Our kids should be full of pleasant surprises and wonder! They should also be rich in character and love God, that is amazing. We should care less about their future career choices or doing well in sports, and more about being this kind of "amazing".
This takes less stress off us and them!

*If we want to be proud sending these kids into the world, then we must be intentional and focused in our parenting. Do we need to involve them in every after school club and activity, or spend more dinners at home as a family at the table? 

*It is much easier to depend on rules and parenting against the world, all of the "do not" do's. But it is far more rewarding though harder to lean on a natural process, trusting God with our hearts, and parent towards what we can do. (example: getting outside and doing activities instead of just saying no to screentime) 

REMEMBER:

*There is a healthy pressure which comes from the Holy Spirit, a healthy conviction. Differing the healthy conviction from an unhealthy insecurity takes discernment, a discernment which comes from knowing what God says. We can only know what God says when we spend time with Him both in prayer and in the Word. 

*Our kids will know if our hearts are not in it. They can see the differences between our words and our actions or if they align. 

*Be present in this season of parenthood. The time will go by so fast and you will miss the beautiful moments if you're too busy wishing for the next season. The moments you will look back on and miss are not the Instagram moments. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Galations 6:9

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Andy Dooley.

Andy Dooley is committed to empowering today's families as a passionate leader, pastor, fitness professional and father of four. He has been working with young people and families for over 18 years, through sports, fitness, and ministry. He’s also a social media influencer with a large established fan base of parents, teens, and kids who trust his message on faith and fitness.                                                         

In this episode, Andy and I dive into the importance of God being the foundation of your family and how to do exactly that. We all know the enemy is working hard on destroying the family unit, ranging from keeping us in a constant state of business so we don’t have time for our kids or to the kinds of content our kids see all around them with all kinds of agendas. Andy stresses the importance of building that strong foundation through consistent and fun family activities. In fact, he wrote a devotional titled Building a family of faith to help you not feel the weight, stress or pressure to be perfect while making the effort to build that foundation…

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Andy through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, his YouTube channel and his website where you can buy his new book! 

Andy also has a podcast! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Behavior is "caught more than its taught." Things like reading your bible, exercising, or playing videogames--if your kids see it, they'll replicate it. 

*"We are not the savior of our kids" which is why it is so important to expose Jesus to our kids as much as possible and as authentically as possible. 

*The Bible is God's book for us, why wouldn't we read it every day? 

REMEMBER:

*We can re-define "devotional time" to what it actually needs to be and works for your family.

It is: 

-not perfect

-maybe short

-a fun opportunity 

*Set the right expectations for your devotion time. Be patient with your kids. And be consistent. 

*Do not forget to REST!!! Burn out will not help you or your kids. 

KEYS TO BUILDING THIS FOUNDATION: 

-Praying before bed every night

-Time to just have fun as a family (movie night, board game, walk in the park/bike ride) 

-Don't force it. 

-Block it out in your calendar, dedicated time. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

In today’s episode I am joined with Emma Benoit.

Today’s conversation is not easy but it isn’t something we can ignore, it is all around us and our teens: suicide. Why is this happening to our kids? How do we stop it? What are the warning signs? Emma speaks on this topic as a teen suicide survivor with an incredible story of God healing her from the inside out.                                                                    

Emma shares the factors surrounding the suicide attempt, how she was saved, physically and spiritually, and encourages us to break down the stigma of mental health, what people think it is and how damaging this stigma was to her. We need to be equipped with these tools from Emma. Let's begin the conversations with our kids, to know what they’re going through, how we can help, and remind them they are loved and have a life worth living. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Emma Benoit through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

Watch the trailer for Emma's documentary, My Ascension! You can screen it in your local community, click here. 

Resources:

Call 988 the free, anonymus suicide hotline if you feel suicidal thoughts. 

Nomi, a support services in mental health

You can find support groups on Facebook specific to your healing journey! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Bullying can lead to negative thoughts. Cyberbulling is a big problem today. Social media plays a large role in these issues of self esteem and portraying perfection. 

*Insecurities, negative self-talk, lies from the Enemy flood our teen's minds (even our own!) causing a constant need for validation and a sense of acceptance. Advice: challenge those lies! Challenge the negative self depricating thoughts. "I am ugly" into "I am beautifully made by God" defeat those lies with truth! 

*There is a huge stigma on menthal health. It was the main reason Emma did not seek help. She did not want to be labeled as problematic or attention seeking. 

REMEMBER:

*Figure out and know your kid's "base line" to help determine odd behaviors, out of the ordinary. Examples: too little sleep, sleeping in too much, not eating, eating too much, losing interest in passions. 

*Notice tone and manner changes

*Maintain an attitude of genuine concern, instead of becoming accusatory. 

*Remind your child: "You have a voice." Creating an environment of no judgement, love, and safety. 

*"Everything feels so permenant when you're young" Emma reminds us and our teens that the low points of life are not forever, things will and do get better! 

*You are not alone. There is hope and healing in Jesus. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

In today’s episode I am joined with Dr. Jessica Peck.

Dr. Jessica Peck is also known as Dr. Nurse Mama. She is the mom to four teenagers and has been working as a pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care for over the last 20 years. Jessica is also a native Texan and clinical professor at Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing. 

Jessica is an accomplished author of dozens of clinical articles for peer-reviewed journals, is a regular contributor to parenting magazines, and is a frequent guest on radio and television shows to promote the health of children. She advocates for the vulnerable and underserved children, fights against humantrafficking through education, and wrote a book called Behind Closed Doors to help educate, equip and empower families…

This episode is not an easy one. Jessica and I talk about the reality of human trafficking, its many misconceptions, the real risks, and how it can happen to anyone. But Jessica also empowers us with the hope of the Gospel and practical steps you can take to protect your kids. We cannot overstate the importance of this topic, but Jessica and I will take care of your heart along the way.  

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Jessica through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also order her book, Behind Closed Doors! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Less than 5% of human-trafficking cases were from kidnappings. The majority of cases are from grooming tactics, meaning the child knew the person who recruited them and trusted them. 

*Recruitment typically happens online through social media. 

*The kids most at risk are: people of color, gender non-conforming, and with combined risk factors. 

*Risk factor examples: mental health struggles, eating disorders, difficult home life, poverty, history of sexual abuse, learning disability. Anything that makes the child vulnerable, a recruiter can use.

*Children in fostercare are at high risk and do not have healthy relationships modeled to them. And children in foster care can get lost in the cracks of the system. 

*Human traficking is a sophisticated machine and business. It has moved from the streets to the smart phone. 

*There is healing and there is hope in the Gospel. Parents, it's not your fault if this happened or happens. And for your child: God loves you, God knows you, and God weeps for you. 

*Maybe you notice these warning signs in your kid's friends. See something, say something. 

REMEMBER:

-Jessica's 5 Simple Safety Tips to protect your kids online

*NO kids under the age of 13 should have a social media account. The Federal Government has legislation to protect kids by making social media companies ask you're over the age of 13. If they click the box saying they are, when they aren't, you're disregarding that safety rule. 

*Social media profiles should be PRIVATE. The default on many platforms is public and most kids don't know how to change the setting or that it exists. A public account means anyone can find your child online and all of the child's information they're posting: where they go to school, their friends, hobbies, relationship status, etc. 

*Kids profile pictures should not look like a minor. Instead of a personal picture or selfie, think about using a cute animal or geometric graphic of symbol. A Human-Trafficking Recruiter will ignore those. 

*Disable geotagging! There is metadata in your photos which the recruiters can use to know exactly where your child is, depending on their pictures. 

*Do not "friend" someone you do not know! Even if they're a "friend of a friend" or someone you met online and seems trustworthy. Don't do it! 

-Model healthy relationships for your child and talk about what a healthy friendship looks like. For example: no friend will ask you to take off your clothes or make you feel uncomfortable! 

-Pray for your kids! Pray for them outloud so they can hear how much you love and care for them. Make your home a safe place, where your child can admit when something happened. 

RESOURCES: 

Unbound Now Houston Free Training 

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-3737-888 

We challenge YOU to share organizations in the comment section! Let's share hope! 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Nicole Jacobsmeyer.

Nicole is a busy mom of four kids under the age of eight with a husband in the medical field. She describes her life’s mantra as: embrace the chaos. Nicole has a passion for helping moms walk in victory and joy in this life, even with all its ups and downs. In 2016, she started her blog The Embracing Chaos blog and published her first book last year in October, titled Take Back Your Joy. 

In this episode, Somer and Nicole discuss how to do exactly that. Taking back joy in 2023 even when life throws the unexpected in your face and how to stay close to God and His promises even in the midst of pain and suffering. The true fact of life is that it is hard, bad things happen, and we have a lot of questions but we don’t have to do it alone.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Nicole through Facebook, Instagram, and her website.

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*To be like Jesus is to suffer

*We need to prepare our kids for this hard life. You need to be an example and meet them where they are. Nicole tells the story of how her son was upset his friend broke an arm. Why did God let that bad thing happen? Kids have big questions, we have to help them walk through it too. 
*Kids can help bring us through the pain. It did for Nicole. And her kids faith was an example and reminder for her too, to have child-like faith. 

*God is still parenting us! 

*Service > Words. If you see someone in pain or grief and you feel urged to do something... do it! Instead of saying some kind words, do some kind things. Actions speak louder and have a more tangible impact. 

REMEMBER:

*We have to prepare for the inevitable struggles of this sinful, broken world
*Be rooted in the Word!
*Be open to receiving support. We were not meant to do life on our own! 
*God will bring the people. Open up and let people in. They have gifts, let them use those God-given gifts. 
*It's okay to be there in the pain. Feel the feelings. This season won't last forever. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Romans 8:28

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined by Author Michelle Sanchez.

Michelle is passionate for disciples to be transformed as they transform the world. She serves as Executive Minister of Make and Deepen Disciples for the Evangelical Covenant Church. She has also served on the advisory board of the Institute for Bible reading, ministered to international students with Cru in New York City, and engaged in three global gatherings of the Lausanne Movement. Michelle earned a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, completed spiritual direction training at Boston College, and studied the life and times of Jesus at Jerusalem University College.  She has published four books and is a regular columnist with Outreach Magazine.

Hey friend,

It is difficult navigating the division of our world, and it can be especially confusing for our kids who see it everywhere.

As we raise the next generation of Christ followers, we as parents need tools to equip our kids to be a part of the solution to the division we see all around us.

In this week's episode I sat down with author, Michelle Sanchez to discuss the beauty of community, how God created community, and how we are all made in the image of God.

Michelle reminds us about the importance of communicating with our kids and how it is in fact at the core of scripture. Jesus reached out to the outcasts, so must we; and He gave us the great commission to seek out all people across the world.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, take time to listen to this encouraging conversation!

You can connect with Michelle through Facebook, Instagram, and her website where you can buy God's Beloved Community or her other resources such as, Color-Courageous Discipleship. 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*What was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s real dream? We remember his "I have a dream" speech but sometimes we forget he was a pastor and his real dream was a spiritual one, for all of us to love one another as a body of Christ. 

*Our kids are experiencing broken community, and Michelle offers the solution to communicate with them about it. It all begins in Genesis, even with God Himself as the Trinity, Three in One, there was community--likewise, humans were built for community. 

*Every culture has its strengths and weaknesses. One strength in the United States is our independence, but it also becomes a weakness because we lack a strong sense of community and understand its importance; other cultures may lack individual independence but succeed with community bonds. 

REMEMBER:

*Jesus reached out to the marginalized. "It's all about the heart." - Michelle. 

*Reconciliation as disciples hasn't been at the forefront of priorities.

*We are here to advance the Kingdom of God, all nations like a colorful tapestry. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Revelations 7

Matthew 28

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

In today’s episode I am joined with Johanna Cannelongo.

Johanna Cannelongo is a writer, speaker and homeschooling mom of eight: four biological and four adopted. Her life has been forever changed by radical surrender to the Lord as she has walked through the beauty of adoption as well as deep loss and grief. Through the ashes, the Lord has birthed a ministry and relationship to Jesus she and her husband could have never imagined.

In this episode, Somer and Johanna discuss saying "yes" to the Lord even when it's undoubtedly hard and painful. The truth is we love our comfort zone, and we don't want to willingly enter a painful or difficult situation. Yet through this pain, grief and loss, God made something beautiful and performed miracles. Would you be willing to say "yes" and completely surrender to His will?

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Johanna through Instagram, and her website!

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-It can be easier to recognize an idea or thought from God when you know it definitely didn't come from you. That's what happened with Johanna and her husband. After baby #4, they weren't planning on having anymore kids. God laughs when we make plans! And Johanna and her husband eventually came to the realization (in their different ways) that they needed to adopt. 

-One of the biggest things Johanna had to fully surrender to God. She desperately wanted her husband to be on board with adoption, but she had to trust God was going to work on his heart. God works on people's hearts in different ways, in His timing, we just have to trust Him to do His job. 

-"You can't have resurrection without walking death with Jesus. You cannot have redeptiom without cruxifiction." -Johanna

REMEMBER:

-It's okay to love big and hurt deep. Sometimes that is what God asks of us. 

-Johanna says there is no death because of Christ, there is only life. Her daughter, in her eyes, isn't dead. She is still alive, just somewhere else. This may be a powerful reminder for us all to see physical death as no limitation, because of Christ. There is hope! 

SCRIPTURE: 

Isaiah 41:10

Psalm 27:13

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Risa Haasbroek.

Risa is a life-coach who helps entrepreneurs sort through the clutter to focus on the right things in their business and find the route to success. Her teachings empower business transformation and empower individuals to achieve their dreams, just like she did. It all began with her dream to give her teenagers a better life in the United States. But the money exchange rate from South Africa to the U.S. was crippling. Motivated to stay close to her children, Risa started her business and through trial and error, finally became who she is today and now she passes on her lessons to hopeful entrepreneurs. 

In today’s conversation, Somer and Risa talk about the connection between brain science and scripture, negative self-talk, healthy habits, and why New Year's resolutions typically fail. 

Statistics show that 1 in 4 people will quite their resolution within the first week and as little as 9% of people will succeed in their resolution. Those numbers are not very encouraging but Risa explains why this happens and how our brains follow exactly what God tells us in Scripture.

It turns out, we have more control over our thinking than we realize!

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Risa Haasbroek through Facebook, Instagram, and her website! 

She also has a YouTube channel. 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Our brains were designed for surviving the wilderness, they don't like new things like trying to implement changes to our life: going to the gym, eating healthier, more sleep (some New Year resolutions).

The top New Year resolution for Christian women was reading the Bible more.

It is perfectly normal to struggle in adapting to new changes. 

*Our brains have set neuropathways, meaning our old habits are easiest to fall back on and developing new habits, new brain pathways, is not easy. But you CAN do it! 

*The Bible, God's word, is full of things we also find in science! Like the power we have over our own thinking. 

REMEMBER:

*You need to be prepared for the resistance and the challenge. You also have to give yourself patience and grace. 

*Remember the WHY behind your resolution. Example: "I want to read my Bible more" but you're struggling... then remember why you want to do that, reading your Bible more. "Because I want to be closer to God" and lean into that why. Let this WHY motivate you! 

*Don't quit just because you make a mistake!

Keep going, even when you mess up. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.

Today's episode is very special because YOU are the special guest. This is my gift to you this holiday season. A few months ago, I had the priviledge of speaking at a women's conference at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas. Now, not only did those women and mothers receive my message but you do as well.

As we wrap up Season 2 of this podcast, and the year 2022, and venture forward into the new year and new season, my hope this message will conclude things with a fitting note and start us off on the right page and prepare you for this season as well. May these words encourage and strengthen you with God’s truth. You will hear me shed light on the lies of the enemy, the history of Eve and what it means for us, and how to love where you are… 

Thank you for listening to the Love Where You Are podcast, for an amazing Season 2 of 50 episodes! I cannot wait to see where God takes us next... 

Now, let's dive in! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*"We are human beings, not human doings" 

*Eve's original Hebrew name is "Havah" which means Life. Eve was created from life -- Adam, and Eve was created for life -- to be a mother. 

*God took care and had purpose when He made women. 

*When Adam and Eve walked in perfection with God, they were not stressed or worried or hurrying to the next thing... they had time to work, time to rest, and time to be in relationship with one another. That is what God designed for us. 

*Somer's Proverbs 31 Woman reimagined 

REMEMBER:

*Know that you are a daughter of the King

*Never negate your value 

*"The season of life you're in right now, is preparing you for the season ahead." 

SCRIPTURE: 

Psalm 46:10
1st Peter 2:9

Ephesians 1:4-5

Genesis Chapter 2 

Colossians 3:12 

Connect with Somer! 

Check out her website for more information and how to book her at your conference! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am welcoming back my friend, THE Red-Haired Archeologist, Amanda Hope Haley. 

Thank you for listening today!

You can connect with Amanda  through Facebook, Instagram, and her website!  

You can also find her books on Amazon or wherever you buy your books! They make excellent Christmas presents. 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*The iconic nativity scenes we see all around us this time of year and grew up with, are not historically accurate! But we can still love and appreciate them. 

*"There was no room in the inn" is a poor translation... there was room, just where the animals were. 

*The "Three Wise Men" may not have even been three! We have no idea how many men came or even when they came. All we know is what they brought and how significant that was. 

*The B.C. and A.D. dating system is flawed... it's contradicted by Scripture! Jesus was born when Harod was alive, and he died before year 1 A.D. 

*We may try to look to science and history to "prove" Scripture, but God used miracles for a reason. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram!

Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Crystal Bowman and Michelle Lazurek.

Crystal Bowman and Michelle Lazurek are both incredible, award-winning book authors who teamed together to create "Who God Wants Me to Be." It is a beautifully illustrated children's book which celebrates diversity and empowers young girls to do any career they want, because nothing is impossible with God--and it's okay to change your mind! This book makes an excellent Christmas present if you know a little girl who's a big dreamer. 

In this episode, Crystal, Michelle and I talk about the importance of identity in our kids and how it needs to be rooted in who God says we are. There are so many careers and jobs in this world, from stay-at-home mom to a neurosurgeon, and all are just as important in God's eyes. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Crystal on her Facebook or her website.

You can connect with Michelle on her Facebook or her website.

You can order their book on this websitehttps://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/695899/who-god-wants-me-to-be-by-crystal-bowman-and-michelle-s-lazurek-illustrated-by-sandra-eide/!

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*80% of college students will change their major at least once. Those are adults, think of kids who are constantly changing their minds. It's okay to go a different path! There should be a freedom to explore, especially when you're young.

*We have to think of ourselves in our identity not by what we DO, like "I'm a writer" or "I'm a doctor" but as in: "I am a child of the King." 

*Having disabilities or things we consider life hinderances do not define us. Our kids can have big dreams too, even if they're different. Nothing is impossible with God. 

SCRIPTURE: 

Psalm 37:4

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Lauren Chandler.

Lauren Chandler is passionate about writing, music, and leading worship at her home congregation, The Village Church, and across the country. She is the author of two Bible studies, including With Us in the Wilderness, and two other books including one for children: Goodbye to Goodbyes. Lauren and her husband, pastor Matt Chandler, live with their three children in Flower Mound, Texas.

In this episode, Lauren Chandler and I dive deep into praise. Praising God can seem easy during the pleasant pastures of life's journey, but even then we can get distracted and not do it enough, and through the storms of life it can be difficult to praise Him. Lauren and I discuss the ways we can praise God through all seasons of life, the sunny days and the dark nights, and how to foster homes of praise and demonstrate it to our kids--it makes an impact! 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Lauren Chandler  through Instagram and her website

Plus you can order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*Praise isn't just for singing in church. Praise can be walking out the door with all the kids trying to get to school, and realizing the sunrise is stunning. Nature is full of God's beauty and wonderous handiwork and can bring us back to Him. Praise can also be lived out as a life-long expression of obedience to Him. Rethinking "praise" can help us do it on a daily basis. 

*Praise changes our focus. Lauren shares the example of being in a bad mood one morning, rushing to get kids to school, and then after stopping to see God's sunrise and turned to praise, she found her mood completely change. With her heart pointed to praise and thanksgiving, her mood shifted and was able to extend love and grace to her kids that morning and begin her day brighter. 

*Kids pick up more from us as parents based on our actions as opposed to our words. We can say a million good things, but it's our actions that kids notice and take after. Demonstrating a posture of praise even in dark seasons can help our kids as they go through their own dark seasons, remembering how mom and dad got through it. 

REMEMBER:

*Don't discrdit your child's prayer or praise. Praying for a puppy's hurt toe can be a prayer which leads to praying more with God, especially in darker seasons, like witnessing a friend's parents get divorced. 

*Every child has his or her own journey to Christ. All we can do is model Christ's love and show them He is real through our life as an example, and through bringing them up on the solid foundation of scripture. We have to trust God that He will handle the rest. 

Connect with me! Here's my Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined by Gabe and Andrea Olson.

Andrea and Gabe Olson are believers, parents, entrepreneurs and authors. A worship leader and songwriter, Andrea founded and runs Overflow Worship, a ministry that equips worship leaders at churches across the country. Gabe owns and operates a real estate investment company. Creators of 'The Big God Books' series and authors of two previous books, including 'The Little Church'—which debuted on the Amazon bestseller list in Children’s Christian Ministry in 2021— they ventured into publishing in order to not only capture some of the miracles they've seen in their own home and lives, but to help point their kids and others to the miraculous work God is doing that they may otherwise miss. 

In this episode, Somer, Gabe and Andrea discuss ways of pointing our kids to Christ through answering their big and little questions about God. A recent survey revealed only 1 out of 5 Christian-raised teens or young adults will stay in the Church, many leaving because they found the faith to be inauthentic and religion to be irrelevant. Our kids need to see real and authentic faith lived out and to see God isn't a religion, He is real and desires a relationship. Gabe and Andrea offer suggestions for engaging with our kids, answering their questions, talking about miracles, and not being afraid to admit we don't have all the answers. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Gabe and Andrea through Instagram.

Their books The Big God series make an excellent Christmas present! You can order them here on their website.  

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

There is a weight as a Christian parent. The weight to make sure your kids follow Christ. While we are stewards of our children and responsible for them as kids, in the end they will have to find Christ on their own and choose Him for themselves. That means building a solid foundation for them to stand on is so important. 

When our kids ask questions, especially at random or inconvenient times, it is easy to brush it off. Pausing to listen to them and walk in discussion can be a small action which a big impact. 

Prayer is crucial to building a relationship with God, and modeling that for our children builds that solid foundation. Prayer isn't just folding hands, bowing heads, it can also look like having a conversation with God throughout the day. As a family, you can also find meaningful ways to incorporate prayer into your routine. Example from Gabe and Andrea: expressing gratitude at the dinner table every night, "I'm grateful for...." and a prayer huddle in the mornings before Dad or Mom goes to work. 

While prayer is crucial, we don't want our kids to think God is "Holy Santa Claus" and will grant all we ask and desire. We have to teach our kids what prayer really is, and how to surrender, and that God answers our prayers or gives us what we need sometimes in unexpected ways. 

REMEMBER:

God is the perfect parent. We are not perfect, and it's okay that our kids know that. We don't have all the answers, but we know God is good. 

Our kids world is different from ours. When they experience something like losing a friend or moving, it may not seem like a big deal to us, but it is shattering for them. We can't impose our worldview onto them and diminish their feelings and experiences. We have to get on their level. Asking questions about how they're feeling can open doors to connection and seeing God in their circumstances. 

We may feel a pressure to craft perfect responses to our kids' questions but remember it’s not just your words but it’s the things that you are doing–your actions. Your actions may be more impactful than anything you say. Being present with your kids is more than enough.

The little things add up and become big.

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined by Caris Snider.

Caris is a Christian Communicator who shares the hope of God through speaking, and leading worship. She is the recent author of Anxiety Elephants 31 Day Devotional.  Her passion for the Lord comes through as she shares from her experiences of overcoming depression and anxiety. Her desire is to help women of all ages with their faith and mental health journey.

In this episode, Somer and Caris discuss anxiety and the toll it is taking on our kids. Children even in fifth grade are confessing to struggle with anxiety, and as parents we have to face it with them. Our children live in a world after a life-changing pandemic, being forced into isolation and fear of an invisisble virus, now growing fears of "World War III" with the Ukrainian war, and prevelant social media exposure. Not to mention the other life struggles teens may face like "Should I go to college?"  "Can I afford college" and "What am I going to do with my life, what major or job should I get?" On top of it all, new life changes like dating, learning how to drive, the list goes on... our teens and tweens are dealing with plenty of stress and uncertain futures. How do we help them through it? 

Caris walks us through Scripture, the practical advice God gives us in the Bible for dealing with anxiety, the scientific explanations for what anxiety is and what it does with our brain chemistry, and the best thing you can do as a parent to help prepare your child for this world. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Caris Snider through Instagram, and her webste. 

You can also order her new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS

Our tweens and teens are experiencing a lot of uncertainty in their lives, witnessing the pandemic, now the Ukrainian war, people talking about "World War III", inflation, election season, etc. On top of it all, they're experiencing interpersonal drama with friends, romantic interests, teachers, coaches, and having new learning experiences like driving and wondering about college. There is a lot of stress. 

Symptoms of Anxiety to look out for in your child:

-Stomach aches

-Raised heart rate 

-Heavy chest, chest aches

-Difficulty verbalizing 

-Unregulated emotions, i.e. crying easily, anger 

Things which can trigger anxiety:

-Lack of sleep

-Caffiene (energy drinks, coffee, etc) 

-Upcoming tests

It is important to create safe spaces for our kids, places where they can talk about their struggles and not feel judged or condemned. Conversation is critical. 

"Need to know basis" what a fourteen year old knows doesn't necessarily need to be what a ten year old child knows. Have appropriate conversations with age levels, but also not be afraid of going into tough topics, like body changes. We have to talk with our kids before the World does. 

There is a difference between boys and girls, but boys still need our attention and conversations--maybe just in a different way. 

REMEMBER

The Bible is full of coping mechanisms--God knows we deal with anxiety. 

Scripture talks about breathing, a tool to calm our bodies. Scripture talks about grateful hearts, and science has shown gratitude repels anxiety. Scripture talks about a peace beyond understanding when we come to Jesus. 

You're doing a better job than you think. 

There is nothing wrong with seeking help: counseling and therapy for your child, and if necessary, medication--there is no shame in it. Taking medicine for a broken arm is no different than taking medicine to balance brain chemistry. 

Have a support system, have people to lift you up and pray for you; and pray for your child. 

SCRIPTURE 

Psalms 94:19

Philipians 4:6-8

Galatians 6:9

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Jordan Raynor. 

Bestselling author Jordan Raynor helps Christians respond to the radical, biblical truth that their work matters for eternity. He does this through his books including the forthcoming The Word Before Work: A Monday-Through-Friday Devotional to Help You Find Eternal Purpose in Your Daily Work  (WaterBrook; on sale 11/15/22), The Creator in You, and Redeeming Your Time), podcast (Mere Christians), and weekly devotional (“The Word Before Work”)—content that has served millions of Christ-followers in every country on earth. In addition to his writing, Jordan serves as the executive chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which he previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own. Jordan served in the White House under George W. Bush and has twice been selected as a Google Fellow. 

Jordan and Somer talk about the connection between our work and ministry and how to balance our careers while loving God. Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Jordan Raynor:

Instagram

Website

Buy his new book! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

God Himself works as a Creator, gardener and builder before He showed up as a pastor.

God calls people into secular work as much as He calls them out of it.

Work was the very first gift God gave humankind.

God could have chosen to reveal any aspect of His character but the very first thing He reveals is that He is a God who creates.

The God of the Bible doesn’t define work as the thing one gets paid to do. 

Some of the most mundane work in the Bible is some of the most celebrated.

Even when we work in obscurity, the God of the universe will not forget your work.

Work is a means to be a faithful servant of the King.

Your work is not the only work that is the work of the Lord.

An occupational hazard for anyone in ministry is that we have a tendency to be so preoccupied to do our work FOR God that we forget to do it WITH Him…we place God’s mission over God Himself.

When you look at the word ministry, it just means service.

We’re called to work hard, we’re called to hustle, but we’re also called to trust God that God alone is producing the results. 

Lord, I know that I can’t produce an ounce of results without you. Everything I have is from you and through you and for you. Now in response to that, I’m gonna work hard as a means of making you famous throughout the earth. 

Jesus is calling us to the pursuit of excellence but He never calls us to the attainment of excellence.

God is calling us to do our best with what He has called us to steward.

I encourage all Christian parents to speak truth into their kids at an early age that the God of the universe loves them equally on their most successful and least successful day. 

SCRIPTURE REFERNCES: 

1 Corinthians 15:58

Psalm 37:23

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Dr. Jessica Peck, also known as Dr Nurse Momma. 

Jessica has been a pediatric nurse practitioner for twenty years. A native Texan, she is a clinical professor at the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing as well as president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She especially loves encouraging parents in her clinical practice and equipping them to build healthy relationships with their children. 

Jessica and I became fast friends as we sat down to discuss her new release, Behind Closed Doors: A Guide to Help Parents and Teens Navigate Through Life’s Toughest Issues which provides an eye opening perspective to what teens and their families are facing in today’s world.

Jessica shares the main struggles her patients experience, tackles common misconceptions about the teen years and share the secret sauce to getting your teen to communicate.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Dr. Jessica Peck:

Instagram

Website

Buy her new book!

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

Stigma is a coping mechanism we have to separate ourselves from the unthinkable.

Biggest issues Dr. Jessica sees behind closed doors:

Vaping

Substance abuse

Gender identity

Self harm

Suicide

Sexting 

Disordered eating

It’s a popular misconception that teens don’t want to talk to you - that’s not true!

You can’t parent based on instant gratification - you have to plant that seed that can be harvested in a future season.

When we react in fear we hinder connection with our teens.

When we react in fear, even when it is well meaning, our teens interpret our reaction as anger against them.

Train yourself to say, “You know I really don’t know what to say, but I want you to know I love you and we will get through this together."

We don’t always have to have the right answer but our teens need to know we are present.

More teenagers die from disordered eating than any other mental health disorder.

We are imperfect children with a perfect Father and we have imperfect children being raised by imperfect parents.

The first key to good conversation with your teen is to listen before you talk.

You have old school experience but they have fresh world perspective - see what they already know and then share your perspective.

Choose a battle, not every battle.

Release your teen from the pressure of having to give you an immediate response.

My job is to be my kid’s mom and not expect them to validate my role as their mom.

The secret sauce is motivational interviewing - 

1. Listen
2. Offer open ended questions
3. Validate their emotions
4. Give them decision making autonomy

It is important that we become a safe space for our kids to come and be vulnerable.

We have to stand in our kids shoes and give them the tools they need to function in their world.

Having developmentally appropriate conversations upfront will prepare them.

Red flags to watch out for:

Distance

Isolation

Irritability

Emotional

It is never too late to try and build a healthy relationship with your teen.

1. Pray and surrender control
2. Serve your way back in without expecting validation

God is in the business of restoration.

These are the longest days and the shortest years of your life.

Embrace every stage of parenting.

Celebrate who they are and who they are going to become.

Younger children need a gatekeeper, teenagers need a coach.

Let your kids fail if it’s safe - your home is a practice environment for life.

Make sure your kids know their struggle does not define who they are.

Teens do not need your money, the latest gadgets, a dream vacation or for you to be the perfect mom - they need your time and your attention.

Teens care deeply about what you have to say about them.

If they won’t talk to you, talk to them and speak words of life.

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Jo Swinney. 

Jo Swinney is a prolific writer, speaker and editor. She’s written a few books and has contributed to LICC Connecting with Culture. She has also written for Stewardship, Bible Society, Scripture Union, and BRF. Jo was the Director of Church Communications at CPO, a charity existing to help churches and other charities with their communication. Currently, she is the Director of Communications for A Rocha International. 

Jo has a recent book titled “A Place at the Table: Faith, Hope and Hospitality” which is  about encouraging one another to foster communities and how universally human it is to share food and share life. 

In this episode, Somer and Jo Swinney talk about the upcoming Holiday season--this is typically the time we gather together for dinner and hospitality. Jo reminds us that our lives, not just the holidays, should reflect Jesus' hospitality. It doesn't need to be big, extravagent dinners with immaculate houses. It should be doing life together, simple and practical. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Jo Swinney:

Instagram

Website

Buy her new book!

And check out the book's website.  

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

“Sharing food is at the heart of a shared life” 

Community is reflective of God’s character.

You can build hospitality into your regular rhythms of life.

Hospitality doesn’t have to be as disruptive or complicated as we think.

People feel safer when you welcome them into your comfortable spaces.

Hospitality is bringing people into a family like situation.

It’s okay to create space for yourself and your family; healthy boundaries.

Hospitality has to be about the other person and not ourselves.

Questions are powerful - people love talking about themselves if you are willing to listen.

People around us are lonelier than they look.

We are walking past broken people every day.

The Christian life happens when we are not looking. The Holy Spirit is working in and through us as we are looking outward, serving other people and worshiping Him. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Jeremy Freeman and his son, Caleb.

Jeremy Freeman is lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Newcastle, Oklahoma, and served as first vice president for the Oklahoma Baptist convention. Jeremy is a sought-after speaker for inspirational events hosted by churches, conventions, conferences, businesses, and schools. 

I'm just going to go ahead and give you fair warning: this week's episode is going to change you.

It did me.

Pastor Jeremy Freeman and his family have endured seasons of tremendous loss and tragedy. After losing their son, Trey, to a rare illness they nearly lost their son Caleb to a traumatic brain injury after a serious car crash. The doctors gave Caleb 10% chance of living, and he was unlikely to talk or walk again. The Freemans navigated remaining in ministry while grieving and walking with God in dark places. They witnessed God's hand at work as Caleb not only survived but speaks alongside his father today to share hope in Christ even in the gravest of circumstances.

In this episode, Somer, Jeremy, and Caleb talk about their new book "#butGod," their ministry, and how those simple words "but God" transformed the way they look at life altering circumstances.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with the Freemans:

Buy their book "#butGod" to read their story in more depth! 

Join their Facebook group, Pray for Caleb Freeman 

Instagram

Twitter

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

“I’m pretty much the biggest nobody on this earth today but for some reason God has chosen to write this amazing story using my life. God has put me on this earth to tell that greater story and I live to tell that story to anyone who will listen.” - Caleb Freeman

"The church that suffers well together grows well together" - Jeremy Freeman

"God, use our story for your glory" - Jeremy

"As believers we have to get to a place where our faith becomes so real to us that suffering doesn’t destroy your faith, but it refines it" - Caleb

"Faith that can’t be tested, can’t be trusted" - Caleb

"God paves the way even in tragedy" - Somer

"When you say 'thy will be done' that is when the cloud of darkness starts to lift" - Jeremy

"If you don’t take your grief to the Lord, it can control and consume you" - Jeremy

"Suffering has been my greatest theologian" - Martin Luther

"God always knows what He is doing and most of the time He is up to something bigger" - Caleb

"Preach these Truths to yourself until you believe them" - John Piper

"We believe suffering can be used to draw people to God’s heart" - Jeremy

"You can impress people with your strengths but you connect with people through your weaknesses" - Caleb

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Rachel K. Adams.

Rachel is the author of A Little Goes a Long Way and she is the host of The Love Offering podcast. Rachael hopes to help women realize their God-given purpose and significance. She and her husband, Bryan, run a family business and farm in Kentucky with their two children, Will and Kate, and two dogs. Her work has been featured on Crosswalk, iBelieve, Today Parenting, and YouVersion. She is also a friend of the Love Where You Are podcast! 

In this episode, Somer and Rachel talk about her devotional (A Little Goes a Long Way) and how we as mothers and wives can find significance in our seemingly ordinary lives.

Rachel reminds us of the life Jesus led, the humble son of a carpenter from Nazareth who saw the hungry, the lame, the blind, the women. While Jesus did perform extraordinary miracles, he also did the simple act: speaking to these people. Sometimes living our ordinary lives and following Jesus may not seem glamourous (especially in contrast to social media's image of life!) but it can be exactly what God calls from us. Not only that, but Rachel reminds us that we are loved by God not because of what we can do, but just simply because He does. God is the most significant and He loves us unconditionally. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Rachel:

Get her A Little Goes a Long Way book! 

Follow her on Instagram

Check out her Website

Listen to the Love Offering Podcast 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS: 

We don’t gain our value from our work but there is value in our work

As believers, God looks upon us and says ‘I am pleased with you’, therefore you already have significance

We already have inherent significance just because God created us

We exhaust ourselves even though our value has already been determined by our Creator

If nothing was too insignificant for the Savior of the world, then nothing is too insignificant for us. 

We don’t need to discount those simple, everyday moments where we’re just connecting with one another on a heart to heart level

Everyone has the daily, ordinary and so what happens when we’re faithful there?

The devil wants to take our eyes off of what we have been given

There is too much at stake to let comparison get us off track

At the end of the day, God does his best work with weak and little and inadequate and that’s the story of all of scripture.

REMEMBER: 

When we are weak, He is strong and He gets all the glory

When we love others well, that kind of activity is contagious

When they do something that may feel super small, we need to call attention to it and tell them how proud we are - as we start to draw attention to those things, they will start to draw attention to those things

When God created Adam and Eve, He looked upon His creation and said it was good before they ever did a thing. 

Connect with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Melissa Swain.

Melissa Swain has spent nearly 23 years as a pastor’s wife and she is a mom, homeschool teacher, writer, and editor. 

She and her husband, Chris, have served all across the south in ministries. Chris served in Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, as Disciple-Making Pastor and CEO of Replicate Ministries, training the local church to make disciples. 

Chris served in full-time ministry for over two decades after proudly serving in the United States Marine Corps. Sadly, Chris passed away in 2021, but he and Melissa co-wrote the book, “Write It On Their Hearts” before going to his heavenly home. The words he leaves reflect his devotion to his family and to making disciples, and today Melissa is here to share that guidance with us. 

Last week, we had Dennis Allen who spoke to us about discipleship, and today it only seems fitting we continue that conversation with Melissa.

Melissa and Somer will stay rooted in scripture as they explore what it means to disciple your children, with practical real sustainable approaches discussing things like:

• The pressure we put on ourselves to disciple our kids well
• Simplifying daily discipleship with our kids
• Holding our kids capable rather than accountable
• The importance of rest and modeling that for our kids
• And so much more!

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Melissa:

Write It on Their Hearts book! 

Instagram

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-A lot of times we are our own worst enemies because we put so much pressure on ourselves - we end up sapped of energy, inspiration and joy and it seems like an overwhelming task to disciple our kids

-We all have the desire to fit in - we all want to be one of the group

-We are not taught that standing out is OK - so we have to change our mindset and understand that it is ok to be different and it is ok to stand out

-We have to teach ourselves and let God teach us through His word that we are not supposed to be like everyone else

-Take a step back and teach our kids to evaluate based on what God’s word says:

“What does God’s word say about that?”

“What do you think God thinks about that?”

REMEMBER:

-Be in constant open ended conversation with your kids

-Intentional discipleship of our kids does not mean that you have all of the answers all of the time

-As God teaches us, we teach our kids

-You have to say things out loud because your kids can’t read your mind

-As parents, our children are our first and closest disciples

-The big things aren’t what make the most impact, it’s the small things

-When we hold our kids capable that means that we believe in them and we are telling them, "Hey, I believe in you."

-“Restlessness is an addiction. Hurry is the drug.”

-You can’t pour out of an empty cup

-Bring God into our rest

CONNECT with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Dennis Allen.

Dennis Allen has served as a Chief Executive Officer in electronics, software, distribution, oil & gas, and conglomerates in public and private corporations. He has also served in leadership with mega, mid-sized and startup churches, as an elder, deacon, teacher and speaker across Presbyterian, Evangelical Free, Baptist churches and Military Chapels in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Dennis was an Air Force F-15 fighter and instructor pilot serving in stateside and international posts prior to his business career. He is also the author of, "The Disciple Dilemma."

In this episode, Somer and Dennis discuss:

*How parents can effectively disciple their children

*Why our kids and young adults are leaving the Christian faith

*Traditionalism vs true discipleship

Dennis and Somer step out of the comfort zone today to highlight a very important issue…The Disciple Dilemma, Dennis literally wrote the book on it! 

This episode is a bit of a gut punch, but the good kind (I know its weird but we need the honest truth!) as Dennis and Somer understand the reality of Christianity today. 

Pastor Tony Evans says it this way: "The problem isn’t that we don’t have enough Christians. The problem is Christ doesn’t have enough disciples.”

Statistics from Dennis' book:

• 65 % of the US population identify as Christian (200 million believers) and yet less than a quarter of them attend church (50 million)
• 82 % of these believers say they have no Bible study, faith community or mentor
• 80 % say they lack the skills or relationships to feel free to talk about their faith
• Another survey found that 92% of Christians do not believe that sharing their faith is important
• The statistics show 6 out of 10 young people walking away from the church - calling it arrogant, evil or irrelevant

This is every Christian parent’s worst nightmare and yet it has proven true for people all around us and maybe in our own homes. Knowing the reality of these statistics, let’s dive in and ask, "What is the disciple dilemma we face today? Why is it important to me as a parent?"

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Dennis:

The Disciple Dilemma: Rethinking and Reforming How the Church Does Discipleship

Thediscipledilemma.com

Instagram

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

The problem is doing the same thing but expecting a different outcome.

We’ve been hacked and it’s coming for your family - what now?

The idea of discipleship is not about perfect parents in perfect control of perfect children who do perfect things. The idea of discipleship is about an individual human being being invited to come and investigate and evaluate who the person of Jesus Christ is.

It is critical that we understand that the largest problem in American Christianity today is the idea that I want Jesus to save me, but this idea about being "Lord - I’m good." 

“We really like being a fan of Jesus but having him as our Lord, not so much.” Sam Albury

If you think your kids have to look this way, talk this way, act this way - you’re going to lose the fight.

The problem that we face in contemporary American Christianity is…. 

We’ve got to stop worrying about conversation and start worrying about what Jesus actually talked about which is make disciples of people. Parents, stop trying to control it and take the walk with your kids.

We don’t need the answers to every question - we need the time to take the walk out the questions and go through life together.

If you are living for the metrics of managing your kids, you lose the mission.

QUESTIONS TO ASK: 

Are you afraid?

Are you stressed out? 

Or are you just going through the motions?

REMEMBER:

Biblical Discipleship is -

*Invitation

*Investigation

*Surrender

Stop trying to control your kids' outcome and start showing them, walking with them through real life - give them the steering wheel so to speak.

Discipleship is a constant, neverending, lifelong journey of surrender.

You have to learn to see the unique human being that is in front of you. 

Meek - powerful but under control 

Submission = a battle formation in good order

Parents - The Lord Jesus Christ has called you to the role you are in.

SCRIPTURE: 

Micah 6:8

1 Peter 3:15

CONNECT with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Drew Dixon.

Drew is the co-founder of Love Thy Nerd, a ministry that offers a better way to share the love of Jesus to nerds and nerd culture. 

Let’s face it: the digital age has changed the way we parent. So, instead of ignoring what your children are playing or removing the videogames altogether, Love Thy Nerd offers an opportunity for parents to understand their children and the kinds of games they are playing.

Drew wrote a book titled "Know Thy Gamer" to discuss important movements in the gaming world. He guides parents to a better understanding on the topic through a Christian lens. 

In this episode, Somer and Drew Dixon discuss:

• common myths related to video games
• benefits of gaming 
• and the often missed opportunity for parents and churches to engage and share the love of Jesus with gamer culture

Let's equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to face this digital age of parenting. 

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Drew at lovethynerd.com and grab a copy of his new release HERE!

Resources for researching video games:

commonsensemedia.org 

Esrb.org

Twitch 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-Common myths about video games 

1. Video games are going to make our kids violent 
2. Video games are going to turn my kid into a mindless zombie i.e. addiction

Love Thy Nerd exists to be the love of Jesus to gamers and their culture.

220 million Americans play video games regularly.

The church has an opportunity for mission and connection with nerd culture.

-If your child is identifying themself as a “nerd” or a “gamer”, the best thing you can do as a parent is be curious about that - and genuinely so.

-If we keep love at the center, that guides everything else that we do

-Everything in our culture is designed to ‘get its hooks into us’.

-Video game addiction is a very small subset of the gaming population, less than 1%

-Video games engage our brain in a way that’s deeper than a book or movie because the player gets to have input.

-Our kids experience a sense of accomplishment in gaming. We do not want to diminish their accomplishments even if it doesn't seem special to us. 

REMEMBER:

God is the author or play and fun.

These days games do bring people together.

Boredom is your friend as a parent - we need to let go of this idea that our kids constantly need something to do. 

Mindset: "I want to learn about you because you are my child and I love you - I want to know what makes you tick, without judgment."

CONNECT with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

In today’s episode I am joined with Beth McCord.

Beth McCord an author, speaker, coach and the Founder and Chief Content Officer at Your Enneagram Coach, an online platform for individuals and couples to learn about, explore and get certified in the Enneagram. She has years of experience and a passion for coming alongside individuals, couples, and groups. Beth is leading the way in simplifying the deep truths of the Enneagram from a Biblical perspective. Her mission is to make personal awareness and growth accessible for everyone, anywhere, so they can experience health and transformation in every area of their lives.

In this episode, Somer and Beth dive deep into how the Enneagram can help you in your marriage, parenting, and even your relationship with God.

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can connect with Beth through Facebook, Instagram, and you can take your own Enneagram personality test here!

You can also order her new book! 

ENNEAGRAM TYPES:

Type 1: The Principled Reformer

Type 2: The Nurturing Supporter

Type 3: The Admirable Achiever

Type 4: The Introspective Individualist

Type 5: The Analytical Investigator

Type 6: The Faithful Guardian

Type 7: The Enthusiastic Optimist

Type 8: The Passionate Protector

Type 9:  The Peaceful Accommodator

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

The enneagram is a tool to help us understand the different ways we see, interpret and react to life’s circumstances. 

We all have our strengths and our weaknesses, and the Enneagram can be a tool to help us recognize them and those in others. 

We are more than just one of the “types”

How can I better know myself so I can set up my kids well but also see them for who they are and bless them instead of making them what I think they should be?

AWARE: 

A - Awaken to what we are thinking, feeling and our body’s sensations

W - Welcome, acknowledge what is going on

A - Ask healthy questions

R - Receive what is true and tend to your needs so you can regulate

E - Engage in relationships in a new way with new perspective 

REMEMBER:

The other gift you can give your kids is apologizing. 

Learn how to communicate well what makes you uncomfortable and what you need.

We have to understand our limitations. There is grace in growth.

We know that we are safe and secure in Christ, we know that we are His beloved and each enneagram type is longing for a particular message to be said and experienced in their heart and Christ has actually already accomplished that for us.

Never use the enneagram as a weapon against others.

SCRIPTURE: 

Romans 5:8 - Christ came while we were still sinners

In today’s episode I am joined with Charity Rios.

Charity is the author of My Heart’s Garden - a picture book and workbook designed for parents and kids to equip them to identify and battle against the lies the enemy speaks to the hearts of children. She is pefectly equipped to help me tackle today's conversation. We'll be focusing on the lies the enemy speaks to our children. 

We have spent the last 12 weeks identifying and calling out the lies the enemy speaks to YOU - the hearts of moms. We’ve countered each lie with the Truth of scripture and encouraged you to embrace the incredible role you’ve been given as biblical steward over the lives of your children.

Now - what about the lies the enemy speaks to the hearts of your kids?

If you’re anything like me, you can handle a little attack here and there but when the enemy messes with your babies - LOOK OUT!

If you’re thinking - how and where do I even begin teaching my kids about something that I am still battling myself - this episode is for you!

In this episode, Somer and Charity discuss the process of teaching kids how to tend their hearts, identifying the lies of the enemy, and who the enemy is without scaring them. Charity also explains her "heart flags" and what it means to become a student of your children. Somer and Charity talk in depth about the struggle but also give you tools from a Biblical foundation so you don't have to be afraid. Remember, Jesus has already won.  

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

You can find Charity through Facebook, Instagram, and her website. 

You can also purchase her book "My Heart's Garden" on Amazon! 

For this week's downloadable prayer, click here! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

The enemy is ruthless attacking the core of our children’s identity 

Common lies the enemy speaks to the hearts of our kids:

Identity 

Performance

Your kids struggles are not your failures

If it aligns with scripture, the character of God and if it is encouraging - it is from God. Scripture is a solid place we can stand even when our feelings are not lining up. 

While my intentions and my heart for my children is good, God’s is better.

Don’t be scared of the questions - see them as an opportunity to engage with their hearts share Truth with them.

Truth will always stand.

REMEMBER:

Model for our kids and teach them how to talk to God and give Him their pain, their fears and their disappointments

We’re all learning how to hear His voice and access Him more

Speak life into your kids

Show them as a Mom that the place you go to for comfort is God.

I tell my kids satan is real, I don’t water it down, but I don’t give him power.

The enemy does not play nice

THE 4 R's: the process of teaching your kids to tend their hearts and identify lies the enemy speaks to them...

Recognize

Repent

Receive

Rejoice

In today’s episode I am joined with Lisa Clark. Lisa co-hosts both The Wonder podcast and Raising Sinners podcast with our friends over at Christian Parenting where she encourages Moms weekly to raise their children by God’s Word. Together, we're tackling the lie: I have to be supermom! 

Lisa co-hosts both The Wonder podcast and Raising Sinners podcast with our friends over at Christian Parenting where she encourages Moms weekly to raise their children by God’s Word. 

Today’s hustle culture creates a never ending hamster wheel that gets us rushing from one thing to the next. It also creates an environment for us and our kids to find our identities in what we do and not who we are. 

Pretty soon we find ourselves and our families living life waiting for the next break instead of soaking up the mundane moments that build the culture and character of our family. And all because of this lie: the super mom. We wanted to be super mom and do the things the world defines as super!

In this episode, Somer and Lisa go over how we, as Christian moms, find balance in all the things and cultivate a God-centered home. 

I’m so grateful you are joining me today! Let’s dive in!

You can connect with Lisa through Instagram! Also her website. 

You can also check out her book Raising Sinners as well as her podcast of the same name, Raising Sinners on Christian Parenting. 

For this week's downloadable prayer, click here! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

Our kids need love, tenderness, devotion, discipline, structure

We have the best intentions but super mom does not exist - and if she does, she’s exhausted, she’s anxious, she’s tired and she really is missing out on those mundane moments of the day. Those mundane moments of the day are where memories are made.

There is nothing in scripture that encourages us to hustle.

We need to understand that we are the vessel that God is using to get to His children, to bring His children back to Him.

Make a list of things I’m doing to prepare my child for eternity vs. Things I’m doing to prepare my child for life - which one is more full?

I don’t want to raise my kids and my family and be in that “I can’t wait until…” mentality. I want to be present.

If you’re feeling defeated, that’s a lie from the enemy. Whatever we are walking through as parents, God is greater.

A lot of these things that are causing you to be stressed out and feeling less than are not things that your kids ever asked of you as Mom.

SCRIPTURE:

Deuteronomy 6

1 Corinthians 10:31

Romans 8:18

REMINDERS: 

You’re not missing a thing - you are making a family.

These are the good days - don’t wish for another day.

We can’t miss those mundane moments that make a family and make who we are.

You are the heartbeat of your home.

You are never too far gone for a fresh start and a fresh beginning from the Lord.

That’s the business that He’s in - changing our hearts for Him.

As parents, never be discouraged!

In today’s episode I am joined with Sarah Wood. She is a friend, writer, speaker and Editor-in-Chief of Mom Mentor. Together, we're tackling the lie: I have to be perfect or I am going to mess up my kids.

Our Momma hearts have a deep desire to do well and to be confident that we are, in fact, good moms who are doing a good job with our kids. We want to look back on our motherhood journey and know that we did what was pleasing to the Lord by raising little disciples who, ideally become adults living out their lives with kingdom purpose. So naturally, this is an area the enemy is going to attack because he knows if it is important to us, we can be found vulnerable.

You are going to love this conversation with Sarah. She and I dive into the real life struggles, the mom fails and the lessons we’ve learned so far in our motherhood journeys as it pertains to perfectionism.

Sarah will share how her experiences have helped her to grow as a mom and as a believer and offer you practical steps to encourage and get your started in silencing this lie and replace it with Truth about your identity, your mission and purpose.

Are you ready? I’m so grateful you are joining me today! Let’s dive in!

You can connect with Sarah through Instagram! 

Also check out her ministry, Mom Mentor! Here is where you can find her book, "What Other Moms Never Told Me". 

For this week's downloadable prayer, click here! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

It's not about perfectionism, it’s about control. We have to realize as moms that we are stewards, we’re not puppet masters. Because it’s God’s plan for their lives, not our plans for their lives.

We cannot impose our identity and self-worth on our children and their behavior. The minute we do that, it places this terrible millstone around their neck.

God is the perfect Father but look at His children.

SCRIPTURE:

2 Timothy 1:6-7

2 Timothy 3:3-6

REMINDER:

*Our children can be a process God teaches us, just as we teach them. 

*Sometimes when we say no, that means we are a good mom.

*As moms we are cultivating character. It’s not about cultivating an image, it’s about cultivating character.

*God honors the prayers of a mother. It is something we do as warriors.

*We are constantly standing in the way in between the enemy’s pursuit of our kids and God’s plan for their life. 

STEPS we can walk out: 

1. Think about what you’re thinking about.
2. Call it out and bring it into the light.
3. Write it down and find a verse that will combat the lie.
4. Get to work - keeping speaking God’s Truth over yourself

Lies are not only meant to discourage, they are meant to distract and take you off course.

In today’s episode I am joined with Misty Phillip. She is a friend, author, speaker, host of the By His Grace podcast and founder of Spark Media. Together we're tackling the lie: I have to justify my actions as a Christian mom.

In today’s society, Christian parents are faced with challenges like never before when it comes to how they steward and shepherd their children in a world blatantly seeking the destruction of faith and family. 

Today, Misty and I want to call out the lies the enemy whispers to keep you questioning yourself, your convictions and chipping away at your confidence as the parent to your children. 

We’re diving into scripture and giving practical steps to embolden you to parent with “God-fidence” as the Lord leads you throughout your parenting journey for “such a time as this”.

Are you ready? I’m so grateful you are joining me today! Let’s dive in!

You can learn more about Misty on her website. 

And you can connect with her through Twitter, Instagram  and Facebook! 

For this week's downloadable prayer, click here! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS: 

The enemy has only a few tactics - he comes to discourage, to distract us, to think of anything other than the Lord

He (the enemy) uses the same tactics, it just manifests in different ways

If it’s a condemning thought - it’s not true

Take our thoughts captive and line them up with the Truth of scripture

Be the gatekeeper of our minds so we don’t dwell on it because then it becomes sin

We have to be intentional with the choices we make

REMINDER:

God gave us these children as gifts and that’s because He thinks we’re the one for the job

My family looks exactly the way God intended it to look

God is faithful to give us what we need when we focus on Him and that is why it is so important that we extinguish those lies

We have to be infused with the Word so the Word comes out of us.

If the Word is not in us the Word will not come out of us

The first step is understanding that we are in a battle

Declare Truth over ourselves and over our situation

We have to fight for our kids hearts and minds and continually pouring into them

The more I had to make different choices the more it emboldened me

We have to change what we’re doing as a society because so many kids are walking away from their faith

Drop the facade that everything is perfect and okay

Surrounding yourself with a loving community is a game changer

When we’re isolated we’re more susceptible to those mind games the enemy plays

Have “God-fidence” knowing God has entrusted us to be the parents of our children and He will give us the wisdom we need to parent each child in the way they need

If you see mom-shaming, stop it, confront it and gently correct

God has given us everything we need to do our jobs as moms

God has us and our little disciples here “for such a time as this”

There’s peace in your decision making when you are trusting in Him

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 3:5-6

In today’s episode I am joined with Rachael Gilbert. She is an author, podcastor, public speaker, and licensed therapist. Together we are tackling the lie: it's selfish to take care of yourself. 

As busy moms we are prone to serve everyone around us and place our own care at the back of the line. We kinda can’t help it, it’s how God wired us as caregivers and overseers of our homes and families. But we also know when warning signs creep in through short tempers, lowered immune systems and burnout - that, my friend, is when it’s time to re-evaluate.

The Lord designed us for this hard work called motherhood but sometimes we just need the reminder that He desires a healthy balance of service and rest. 

Today, Rachael and I want to call out the lies the enemy whispers to keep you frantic and exhausted and point you back to the Truth of God’s heart and His Word and give you practical steps to care for your temple, your heart and your mental health.

I’m so grateful you are joining me today! 

You can learn more about Rachael on her website. 

And you can connect with her through Twitter, Instagram  and Facebook! 

For this week's downloadable prayer, click here! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

*You’re not alone in this struggle - the enemy loves to isolate us and make us think we are the only one struggling

*When I’m wrestling with a lie of any sort, I always want to get to the root of where did the lie come from and does it have any validity.

*You might have a root lie that I’m not enough or worthy -  it really comes down to a value issue, what do we see as valuable and what does God see as valuable

Scripture to Read:

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

Warning Signs: 

Numbing out - shutting out all of your feelings

Health falling apart

Snapping at your kids

Change in libido

When you no longer love the things you used to

Burnout

Remember: Follow the peace, not the pressure

Everything that concerns us, He cares about it

Give grace to your body and partner with God on that

You are a daughter of the Most High God and He cares about all of the things you are going through. Not only does He care but He is here to set you free!

During this summer season, I am going to be joined by some amazing guests, and together we are going to dedicate each episode to calling out a common lie the enemy speaks to the hearts of Moms.

We’re going to measure that lie against the truth of scripture, offer you some practical advice and Biblical encouragement through discussion and then end our time with a simple but powerful prayer to equip you to take these lies head on whenever they try and sneak their way into your mind.

In today’s episode, we are going to tackle the lie: you are too busy to pray.

And here to help me in this discussion is Sarah Keeling.

Sarah Keeling is passinate about prayer! She is a podcaster, blogger, author, advocate, speaker, and of course, a mama! 

You can learn more about Sarah through her website!  

You can connect with her through Facebook  and Instagram

For this week's downloadable prayer, click here! 

Favorite Take-Aways: 

It's true, we don't have a lot of interrupted time as mothers; and we also have a lot on our plates--mentally and emotionally, and even physically! 

Sometimes, we get bored with prayer--hard to admit but its true! 

We suggest praying the Bible. 

WATCH OUT: Satan wants us to stay stuck, anxious and disconnected

The Biblical prayer is our weapon. “Prayer is the power that wields the weapon of the Word.” - John Piper

If we don’t spend time in prayer we try to do things in our own strength. We’re so much more powerful when we’re surrendered to God. Prayer is our only offensive weapon when you look at the armor of God. We can’t afford NOT to pray. You can’t win the battle without the weapon.

It’s ideal to have your own quiet time with God, but if you can’t, it’s okay to do it with your kids too. That doesn’t disqualify that time with God.

Keep the tiny humans alive and point them to Jesus

The enemy is going to do everything he can to break down your family and prevent you from being an effective discipler of your kids.

Prayer is a discipline and a practice. Disciple means learner. It takes practice to be still. We can’t hear God if we are drowning in all the noise. 

There are so many expectations on moms and none of them are realistic.

There’s so much freedom in asking for help. 

Scripture References: 

James 4:8 & Matthew 6 

Reminders as you begin this week:

-Start simple.

-Find an easy method to pray scripture.

-God is not looking at you with judgement and condemnation when you come back to Him.

-Kick your shame to the curb. God doesn’t deal in shame.

-Every time our seasons change, we have to adjust.

Love you, sister, thanks for joining the conversation! 

In today’s episode I am joined with Natalia Drumm, an author, Bible teacher, and host of the podcast Girlfriends in the Word. Together we are tackling the lie: you are too busy to read the Bible. 

Whether you are sitting in a laundry room or a board room, God is calling us to love Him with everything that we have and that works out in our day to day, mundane everyday life.

There is so much to juggle, between the toys everywhere, kids' homework, maybe running them off to soccer or piano lessons, how is there any time? On top of that, there's the guilt and shame for not meeting certain expectations. The guilt, shame, condemnation we may feel in the church for not doing what we're "supposed to do" may cause us to struggle even more with carving out the time. Somer and Natalia get honest with the struggle and aim to fill you with the truth you need. 

You can learn more about Natalia on her website. 

And you can connect with her through  Instagram  and Facebook! 

For this week's downloadable prayer, click here! 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

-God’s Word is power and the enemy doesn't want us to have power.

-Satan is crafty, not creative.  

-The enemy gives us just enough truth to discourage us but not enough truth to get us where we need to be.

Scripture to Read:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - when you want to know what God wants from you, read this passage

Romans 8:1 - There is this fine line between condemnation and conviction and the enemy would have us condemned.

Remember: 

I am not responsible to multiply what God is doing. I am just responsible to show up.

Open your hand and give God whatever you’ve got.

The best way to love where you are is to stop looking where someone else is.

God has assigned me this season, this period of time, because I am the girl for the job. He’s given it to me. He trusts me with it. So how can I give it back to the Master?

Girl - you’ve got what it takes to be in God’s Word, you just have to start!

During this summer season, I am going to be joined by some amazing guests, and together we are going to dedicate each episode to calling out a common lie the enemy speaks to the hearts of Moms.

We’re going to measure that lie against the truth of scripture, offer you some practical advice and Biblical encouragement through discussion and then end our time with a simple but powerful prayer to equip you to take these lies head on whenever they try and sneak their way into your mind.

In today’s episode, we are going to tackle the lie: you are alone.

And here to help me in this discussion is Bonnie Gray.

Bonnie Gray is an author and podcaster. She writes regularly for DaySpring’s (in)courage and is the author of Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine - a memoir sharing her story as the daughter of a mail order bride, abandoned by her father at the age of 7 to be raised by her toxic and abusive mother. She is also the host of the Breathe: The Less Stress Podcast. 

You can learn more about Bonnie through her website!  

You can connect with her through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

For the downloadable prayers, click here! 

Bonnie will share lies such as:

You cannot be sad. 

No one is going to help you. 

You have to do everything on your own.

Nobody wants to hear your story. Nobody can relate to it.

Don’t talk about how lonely you feel.

There are parts of me I need to cut off, shut down and not talk about.

We are going to cover topics like:

Loneliness

Anxiety

Panic attacks

Depression

Social anxiety

Identity crisis

Chasing the cookie cutter image - this is what I have to do to prove I am a good mom

Scripture Highlight from the Episode - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV)

14 But ^jthanks be to God, who in Christ always ^kleads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads ^lthe fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among ^mthose who are being saved and among ⁿthose who are perishing, 

This week’s episode was a heavy one for sure, but my heart is not to shy away from broken places, but to walk through them with grace and in full reliance on the Lord to teach us as we go along the way clinging fast to Him.

Can you relate to this week’s guest?

Share your favorite takeaway in the Ahavah Community Facebook group here!

Remember, your brokenness does not disqualify you from being a good Mom - it only stands to strengthen the beautiful testimony God is building in and through you!

Blessings sweet friend!

Somer

In today’s episode I am joined with ChristianParenting.org's Cynthia Yanof, the author and host of Pardon the Mess podcast. Together we are tackling the lie: I'm not enough. 

This lie hits harder than others just because of how pervasive it is in the lives of women. From the moment we're teenagers, to young adults, and then mothers, we're constantly battling that lie. Cynthia and I explore the right and wrong ways of responding to this lie, and how to stand firm in God's truth of who we are: enough. 

You can learn more about Cynthia on the Christian Parenting website. 

And you can connect with her through  Instagram, and Twitter! You can also check out the Pardon the Mess podcast Facebook page. 

For this week's downloadable prayer, click here! 

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

The enemy tailor makes the lies he speaks to us

If we realize his motives, we can get angry in a healthy way and stand against his lies

There’s no way to hit us harder than with our kids

Two ways we respond to his lies:

1. Paralysis - we step out
2. Step in too much - we chase after things that aren’t necessarily God’s plan for our kids

Find perfect peace in God’s sovereignty over your parenting 

Our best parenting comes when we are chasing after the Lord

“Don’t be afraid of failing. Be afraid of succeeding at the wrong things.” - Francis Chan 

Why do we agree with the enemy’s lies?

1. We feel overlooked

1 John 2:20

I’m not overlooked - I’m anointed

1. We feel disqualified

Know how to repent and know your identity

We don’t have to have this idea that we should have already achieved this perfection as a mom, as soon as we become a mom.

Let’s not compare, let’s model after.

If you’re going to compare, always compare everything you are facing with the truth of scripture.

Go back to God’s word and ask: What is the truth?

Guard who you allow to speak into your parenting

Everyone has an opinion - that’s overwhelming and that starts a comparison game.

Don’t reject teachable moments because you are threatened by another’s perceived perfection.

Being willing to be teachable is being willing to be vulnerable.

As Moms, we are doing a disservice to one another if we are following that model that things have to look a certain way.

Esther 4:14 - “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.”

I can trust that the God of the universe who picked me for now, knew what He was doing.

What we are called to do is be faithful.

The Great Commission starts at home.

If our impact wasn’t significant, the enemy wouldn’t go after it.

Only God can heal this lie. 

When you are stuck believing this lie:

1. Go to God’s Word
2. Remember: God’s hand is in the hard places

Wherever you are feeling “not good enough” - remember, He is raising up good in those places

Sit in God’s Word and sit in the truth of your anointing

During this summer season, I am going to be joined by some amazing guests, and together we are going to dedicate each episode to calling out a common lie the enemy speaks to the hearts of Moms.

We’re going to measure that lie against the truth of scripture, offer you some practical advice and Biblical encouragement through discussion and then end our time with a simple but powerful prayer to equip you to take these lies head on whenever they try and sneak their way into your mind.

In today’s episode, we are going to tackle the lie: someone else could do it better than me. 

And here to help me in this discussion is Becky Keife.

Becky Keife is the author of three books and the mother to three boys, her books are:  The Simple Difference, Courageous Kindness, and No Better Mom for the Job. She is also the Community Manager for the DaySpring community (in)courage. Becky says “Championing women to live courageously, empowered by the strength Jesus gives, makes me come alive.” 

You can learn more about Becky through her website!  

You can connect with her through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

For the downloadable prayers, click here! 

Over the next 11 weeks I am going to be joined by some amazing guests, and together we are going to dedicate each episode to calling out a common lie the enemy speaks to the hearts of Moms.

We’re going to measure that lie against the truth of scripture, offer you some practical advice and Biblical encouragement through discussion and then end our time with a simple but powerful prayer to equip you to take these lies head on whenever they try and sneak their way into your mind.

In today’s first episode of this new mini-series, we are going to tackle the lie: I’m “just” a mom

And here to help me in this discussion is Cheri Fletcher.

Cheri is a writer, speaker, singer and the host of Your Spiritual Game Plan podcast. 

She loves to help women develop a spiritual game plan so that they can live out the purpose God created for them.  She wants to share the message of just how intentionally you were made to be a part of God’s plan.  

Through her writings, speaking and podcast guest it is her desire to equip you with an understanding of the enemy’s plot against that very plan.

You can learn more about Cheri through her website!

And you can connect with her through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

For the downloadable prayers, click here! 

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

1. The enemy hates us
2. He is seeking to trip us up and derail us from our mission
3. He lies to us constantly in order to achieve that

I didn’t feel relevant because I was doing nothing to contribute

When we end up dropping the ball, the enemy is there to remind you “you are nothing more than…”

The enemy was able to entice her (Eve) with wanting to be more than she already was and believing she wasn’t who God wanted her to be after all.

Once he could get that thought into her mind, she took care of the rest on her own. 

He planted the thoughts into my heart and into my head and I watered them

God has a PLAN for you and the enemy has a PLOT against you.

The enemy wasn’t created in God’s image and he can’t create.

We are made in God’s image and we can create.

The enemy has so much to lose when you shine.

Just = nothing more than VS Just = exactly what I need

Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (Emphasis mine)

Sandy Patty song: Masterpiece

When God created YOU, He did not say, now go figure out why.

Choosing to agree with Truth, rather than lies - help us to agree we are a masterpiece intentionally created to serve a purpose for His glory

John 10:10 - the enemy’s only purpose

What the enemy says is true, but it’s not THE TRUTH. (audio graphic)

Daily spiritual game plan is to remember a scripture I can give back to the enemy when he attacks. Or a worship song.

We’re in a battle whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.

We’re in a battle whether we choose to be a part of it or not.

The only way I can find victory is to claim it every day.

Fight the battle but also keep the mission in mind

You are such an intentionally created daughter of God.

Life can cause very human reactions from us especially when we are tired, stressed or have been deeply hurt.

The book of Psalms is FULL of the author's 'big feelings' and downright rants to God.

Join me this week for a discussion with the author of the new release, Restore My Soul, Laura Smith.

Laura is no stranger to 'big feelings' and shares her story of seeking out her self worth in all the wrong places and how God met her in the Psalms and changed her forever.

In this week's episode on the podcast, Laura and I discuss:

~The struggle of pretending to be someone you are not for the purpose of seeking out love

~How we can manage our own 'big feelings' while teaching our kids to do the same

~How to release worry and give God the glory

~How the Psalms remind us of our value to God

~And more!

The world tries to tell us our value based on things like the clothes we wear, a number on a scale, how many likes we have on Facebook, and a slew of other anxiety-indusing reasons... but Scripture tells us our value comes from God and we are beautifully made by Him! 

On this week's episode, special guest Laura Smith, author of the upcoming book "Restore My Soul - The Power and Promise of 30 Psalms", shares some of her journey with Somer and how God used the Psalms repeatedly to remind Laura of His love and her value. Today, Laura hopes to share this with others, just as the psalmists share with us their big feelings and God's continual presence. 

You can pre-order her new book now! 

You can also connect with Laura Smith on her:

-Facebook

-Twitter

-Instagram

Visit her website for more information, read her blog, and check out her other books! 

Don't forget to connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

Sign up to join Somer's Ahavah Community for FREE HERE!

And without that confidence, our girls are left to navigate — on their own — the pressures and values of the world around them. 

This week on the show, Somer talks with licensed marriage and family therapist, life coach, author, speaker, podcast host and mom of 2, Terra Mattson.

Somer and Terra discuss:

• Some of the greatest challenges mothers and daughters face today
• Giving moms confidence to tackle tough topics with their daughters
• The importance of healthy communication between mothers and daughters
• All about Terra's new course, Helping Moms Raise Confident Daughters
• And more!

Connect with Terra, and check out her podcasts and register for Helping Moms Raising Confident Daughters today! 

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

Sign up to join Somer's Ahavah Community for FREE HERE!

In today’s episode I am thrilled to welcome my good friend, author, speaker and host of the Love Offering podcast, Rachael Adams to discuss the Unexpected Weapon the Enemy Uses Against Women…assumptions.

Rachael and I dive into:

• How the enemy can get in our head and uses assumptions to hinder relationships
• How to respond to our assumptions
• Practical steps to overcome assumptions
• How to encourage our children as they experience assumptions

This is one of my absolute FAVORITE conversations on the Love Where You Are podcast and I can’t wait for you to tune in!

Connect with Rachael at rachaelkadams.com and on Instagram

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram and be sure to join the Ahavah Community for weekly updates and bonus resources!

Register for Helping Moms Raise Confident Daughters Course by going to cpguides.org

Resources mentioned in today’s episode:

https://somercolbert.com/2021/03/15/assumptions-taking-our-imaginations-captive/

Katie McCown episode on the Love Offering podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-smiles-without-fear-with-katy-mccown/id1448057435?i=1000523014758

You heard Rachel reference a previous conversation several times in today’s episode. Click the link to listen to my conversation with Angie Gibbons: How Anxiety Can Hinder Us From Loving Well

Check out Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen

Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer

Break Bread Together by Jess Herberger

The Art of Friendship by Kim Weir

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

Assumptions = thinking something is fact when you have no proof

We put people in categories and labels

I feel like assumptions are almost a judgment of someone

“Before we know it, even without proof, what we assume becomes our truth. Our misguided feelings lead to misguided thoughts, which cause misguided responses. The result: ruined relationships.” - Wendy Pope

Insecurity has held me back for way too long

Insecurity is a focus on self

What if the other person is struggling with assumptions too?

Is what I am thinking: true, noble, right, pure, praiseworthy?

Instead of assuming, ask questions and clarify

What does God’s Word say? Because that is what is true!

I think the enemy uses the comparison trap to build walls in our minds, discouraging and dividing our efforts.

The enemy’s goal is to divide us because he knows how fierce a gathering of strong, faithful Christian women can be against his efforts and against his evil plot. 

Go to the Lord first before you even entertain your thoughts

“Few things are as fierce as a woman empowered by Christ.” - Becky Beresford

SFD = sloppy first draft

We’re not fighting against other women, we’re fighting against an enemy who wants to destroy and divide us

Put on the armor of God - Ephesians 6

We can’t just run away, we have to stand firm

Assumptions are half truths

We get a little bit of information from what we’re seeing

We want to control and we don’t want to be hurt - so we guard ourselves

Practical ways to respond to assumptions:

• Be mindful
• Transform your assumption into a question
• Give yourself and others the benefit of the doubt
• Say “We’ll see” and act in faith

To automatically discount someone because they are different is a mistake

We are commanded to love as Christ loves whether people treat us well or not

Some busyness is unavoidable based on the season of life you are in, but how busy is too busy?

And how does that affect our ability to really live?

This week I am bringing back one of my favorite conversations with my friend, Daisy Fuentes Dronen where we address how to break free from the crazy cycle of busyness.

Seriously, you are going to LOVE Daisy and the wisdom she has to share on this topic as she and I discuss:

• The messages the world sends us about busyness
• How busyness can affect our relationships
• Tools the enemy uses against us as women
• How God feels about busyness
• And practical ways to slow down and prioritize how to spend our time

One of my favorite things Daisy shares in this episode is breath prayers and how to build a habit of slowing your mind and heart to dwell on God.

Connect with Daisy on Instagram and check our her latest breath prayers HERE!

Connect with Somer on Instagram and sign up to receive weekly updates in the Ahavah Community here! 

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

As women we are created to be partners. To join others in service for example our spouses Eve was created to be a helpmate for Adam. As christian women we are called to very tangible service organizing creating coordinating things, even teaching. We even are taught and instructed to serve as Christ served, but we are not always taught how Christ served. We are already wired to be nurturers so we feel a great sense of purpose and pride when we see our work being accomplished. And we can quickly go through life believing that our worth is found in accomplishing. And we allow ourselves to be defined by our doing and accomplishing. We also don’t want to let anyone down and we believe we will have greater favor in doing. We have even believed that we could let God down. 

Busyness can get into every crevice and before we know it we are completely missing our lives. -daisy

What messages does the world around us send to us about busyness?

• Hustle 
• Independent woman achieve more
• You can do anything you set your mind to
• You're just a stay at home mom
• You can have it all 
• You are successful when you accomplish
• Multi tasking is the new super power 

What tools does the enemy use to cause our busyness to distract us from seeing the needs of others? 

Corrie ten boom says “ if the devil can’t make you sin he will make you busy” 

He uses Lies to 

• Cause division
• • You begin to think people are not carrying their own weight
  • They are never available
• Self preoccupation
• • I am the only one that always…
  • Nobody cares about me 
• Fear
• • Afraid if i am not performing or accomplishing i am not favored
  • Afraid of missing out
• Frenzy
• • In the frenzy of busyness we can’t stop enough to confess, to meditates, to be still to abide, to let God be God

How can we begin to take steps to recognize our own busyness?

• First decide to find out- one of my favorite and most terrifying prayers comes from psalm 139 'Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!'Psalm 139:23-22
• • The Lord will accompany you in this process as well invite him in, he is ready and willing 
• Talk to your husband or close friend and ask them 
• Pay attention to comments such as i don’t know how you do it all
• Make a list of all the things you are involved in or do just because you have always done them. Show them to God and I love how Emily p.freeman talks about which are life giving and which are life draining. 

In this episode, author and co-founder of Girl Defined Ministries, Kristen Clark shares her story of infertility, miscarriage and God's perfect plan for her family through adoption. 

Kristen and I discussed:

• How to prepare for the twists and turns when you are in a blissful season
• Giving permission to grieve and rejoice at the same time
• How disappointment can lead to God's perfect plan for you
• Her adoption story
• Her biggest lesson through the twists and turns of life

Resources mentioned:

Attributes of God FREE download at girldefined.com/god

Connect with Kristen on Facebook, Instagram and at girldefined.com

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Sign up to receive weekly emails and resources from Somer HERE!

Author and Co-founder of Girl Defined Ministries, Bethany Beal knows about the twists and turns life can bring.

That is why she has a passion to encourage Christian women to look to God when things happen that they just don't understand.

In this episode Bethany shares her story of waiting for marriage longer than she had planned followed by her heartbreaking experiences with miscarriage.

Through it all, Bethany has a message of hope and encouragement for you today...

We discussed:

• typical responses when we experience unexpected twists and turns
• how to struggle well when the unexpected happens
• head knowledge vs. heart belief in the goodness of God
• shifting your expectations and focusing on relationship with God
• how to love where you are in unexpected seasons of life

Bethany's passion for women and love for God is infectious and I can't wait for you to hear her story and learn from her experience!

Connect with Bethany on Instagram and at girldefined.com

Get your copy of Not Part of the Story: Trusting God with the Twists and Turns of Your Story and check out their adorable merch HERE

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Sign up to receive weekly emails and resources from Somer HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

Don’t let your circumstances keep you from God

The World won’t tell us to go to Christ, we in our flesh won’t naturally go to Christ; it’s a relationship, it takes time and growing into. 

“God, you are my strength” 

Run the race that God has set before you, YOUR race, not someone else’s. 

Grieving with people, whatever they’re going through, their journey is different than yours, we can’t put labels and values on individual’s life experiences and suffering. 

“There are so many things we could do to bash other women and diminish the things that they’re going through instead of saying ‘no, we are called to love one another, support one another, serve one another.’ So I think for each of us we need to have that mindset saying, ‘God this is the race you’ve set before me.’” 

So important we don’t diminish or abandon people in suffering.   

God wants us to be image bearers and reflect His character. 

Having one or two godly women around you to reach out for support, to maintain focus on the Word of God and maintaining that relationship with God, being held accountable and look up to as examples and rolemodels. 

“God, I desire to know you.” 

Proverbs 3:5-6  

Connect with Bethany on Instagram and at Girl Defined: https://girldefined.com

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Sign up to receive weekly emails and resources from Somer HERE!

Most of us form our Christian worldview based on what we learned from stories in Sunday school, but today Amanda reminds us of the importance of proper context and accurate translation. She also reminds us that we as parents don't have to be scholars to read and understand the Bible and then teach it to our kids.

In today's conversation Amanda and I discuss:

• How to see the Bible beyond the stories and understand the context and background
• How busy parents can teach their children proper Biblical context
• Modeling self care with God for your kids
• Eliminating time constraints when it comes to Scripture
• Let your kids see the Bible bring you to life that they might emulate the same
• How to choose a good Bible translation

And so much more!

Amanda had so many amazing insights to share that we have decided to come back with more topics this fall so stay tuned!

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy today's conversation and walk away feeling inspired and encouraged to dive deep into God's Word in a whole new way!

Connect with Amanda on Instagram and check out her resources at redhairedarchaeologist.com 

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Sign up to receive weekly emails and resources from Somer HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

“When we talk about a bible story, then it’s one short little clip that by definition has been extracted from the scripture around it, its taken out of context.  And no matter how big that bit of the story is, once you’ve made a clip you’re losing something on either side of it. I think maybe that is where a lot of…in the places where we have wrong interpretations of scripture comes from the ways that we clip them.” 

“So when you clip out stories, you miss the greater point, often times.” 

The preparation. God prepares men and women through their entire life for the role He needs them to fill, like David and like Amanda. 

“Everything that seems to be out there in the marketplace [for understanding the Bible] right now seems to be quick and easy. And the thing is, all of that completely undercuts scripture. I look at the Bible and its 66 separate books written by dozens of different authors over hundreds of years, and it’s a very strange way, on its face, for God to have chosen to reveal himself to us. Scripture is the primary, first point of contact with God, and we see throughout scripture that God is a God of relationship. And you cannot have a relationship with anyone in your life if it’s only five minutes a day or seventy seconds in the morning. We can’t shortcut relationships.” 

Learn how your Bible was translated, where it came from, adjust your perspective. It’s not just one book, it’s 66 distinct writings. “Your Bible has everything you need to get started.”

The best Bible you can have is the one you know the best, and that means getting to know your Bible: who translated it, was it one person or a committee, who was on that committee, do they all come from a specific denomination, what would be the leanings of that denomination. Make sure it has excellent footnotes. The really boring ones. Make sure your Bible is being transparent about the decisions they make about the words they’re choosing. 

You must be responsible as a believer and as a reader of God’s scripture that you have the best translation, the more transparent and accurate. 

Understanding the Bible through the proper lens and context, like the teachings of Paul that have become hot button issues. 

Things on the surface seem contradictory. Old Testament: God killing entire civilizations, hard parts of the Bible, hard for our western minds to reconcile, and we have to be willing to pursue answers and be curious. 

Relationships come with question and answer and time.  

Humility to say “I don’t know” with all the things in the Bible. 

“Maybe we as a society of Christians have been so eager to get our children into scripture early, that we try to make soft fluffy cartoon versions of God’s scripture and I don’t think that's a good idea ultimately.”  

Instead of sanitizing God’s word, be more discerning in how one approaches it and sharing it with children. 

Traditions are good and fine, but they should not replace the foundation which is Scripture. 

Honesty from parents, Sunday school teachers, and church leaders to say “I don’t know” when asked a question about the Bible instead of fudging something or making biased biblical assumptions.  

We can approach the Bible in our own language today, unlike people hundreds of years ago. We have been given this gift to approach the Bible.

You just have to start and the Holy Spirit will be there. 

Jess has walked an incredible story of becoming a special needs mom, young widow and meeting her husband, Ryan, to become a blended family. She has learned how to ‘just keep livin’ when the unpredictable becomes reality and she has a heart to share God’s message of love and hope for families, caregivers and the unseen. 

In today’s conversation, Jess and I discuss:

• How to wrestle with and lean into God in the painful and unpredictable moments of life
• Understanding the beautiful story He is writing for each of us
• How to bless special needs families
• How to be a more present people and set boundaries to protect family time

This was such an amazing conversation that could have lasted for hours but friend, be sure to listen all the way through and let Jess encourage you to put one foot in front of the other when you feel unseen or the responsibilities of life have exhausted you beyond measure.

JESSICA RONNE is an author, speaker, podcast host of Coffee with Caregivers, and advocate. She is founder and Executive Director of The Lucas Project—a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing recognition, resources, and respite for special needs families. She and her husband Ryan live in Michigan with their eight children.

Connect with Jess on Facebook, Instagram and at jessplusthemess.com

To watch Jess’ newly released documentary, Unseen, click HERE!

Jess’ books, Sunlight Burning at Midnight and Blended With Grit and Grace: Just Keep Livin’ When Life is Unexpected are available to purchase HERE

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

Join Somer for the 3rd annual Wives of Integrity Conference HERE!

Sign up to receive weekly emails and resources from Somer HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

I never lost my faith but there was a lot of wrestling and a lot of screaming and a lot of questions

Anger was a fuel I was leaning into

God can handle our questions, He can handle our wrestling and He can handle our “why”

Today I can say, He wrote my story perfectly

He is God and I am not and everything He has created on this earth is to bring Him glory and that includes my story

A child cannot be healthy if the caregivers are not

Use whatever skillset you have that the Lord has blessed you with to do something.

We are not a present people - A “yes” to my phone is a “no” to my family

There is no holier work this side of heaven than caring for those who cannot care for themselves

With this increased amount of time spent on technology, parents and medical professionals are seeing the mental, physical and behavioral effects on kids like never before. 

If you feel like your kids have become screen zombies, today’s episode is for you!

Joining me to discuss this topic is author and mom of 6, Molly DeFrank. Molly’s Digital Detox is taking the world by storm, helping parents take back their kids, their time and reconnect as a family.

In today’s episode, Molly and I discuss: 

• Signs it’s time for a digital detox
• The effects of technology on brain chemistry
• Easy 4 steps process for families to do their own detox
• Putting technology in its right place

As Molly says, “Parents have to work a lot harder today than they had before in order to put technology in its right place.”  

In today’s episode we will encourage and show you how!

Connect with Molly on Instagram and get your copy of Digital Detox and access freebies at mollydefrank.com

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

Receive weekly updates and resources from Somer’s Ahavah Community HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

My precious kids were becoming “screen zombies”

Signs it may be time for a digital detox:

Tantrum after screen time that wasn’t age appropriate

Short attention span

Sibling arguments go next-level

Boredom complaints

When our kids use their devices, their dopamine levels are through the roof - there’s so much dopamine flowing through the brains that real life doesn’t compare with the dopamine they are getting from these games

Our worldviews are all being formed by something - the question is, what is forming their worldview?

⅔ of all internet downloads are pornographic

“Parents have to work a lot harder today than they had before in order to put technology in its right place.”  

Dopamine receptors are actually numbing out the brain - it’s like any addiction loop, you need more and more to satisfy what the brain becomes accustomed to

“We want to use [technology] to create and connect, like watching movies together. It’s a great tool for connection but when it comes to isolating and consuming that’s when we took it off the table.”

“It is from our littlest kids to our older kids that are negatively being impacted by too much [screentime].”

ER visits for 12-17 year old girls doubled for eating disorders since the pandemic 

ER visits tripled with an unexplained tic disorder related to tik toc

We treat the tablets like they are the solution but really they are causing the problem.

“What we have is this opportunity in our homes to show them we love them all the time no matter what. Especially for kids who’ve been through trauma, that’s what changes lives.”

4 Steps Necessary for Tech Detox Success

-Unplugging completely! No “educational” apps or anything. Completely unplugged.

-Study your kids!  Open up opportunities to see what your kids like, such as art or cooking in the kitchen, and encourage them in whatever they like--feeding those desires!

-Develop a list of screen free fun ideas for them. Hype them up! Set goals! 

-Opening the books. Help your kids love to learn reading! 

Reading is the gateway to every other hobby and calling.

When tech is off the table, they will find things to do!

We have this opportunity in our homes to show our kids we love them all of the time, no matter what.

In the space of one night’s sleep, Lisa Appelo’s life upended and took her on a journey she never imagined and certainly didn’t welcome as she unexpectedly became a widow with 7 children. Learning to navigate life through grief while still needing to show up each day and be a strong mom, Lisa learned invaluable lessons that she now shares through her writing and speaking ministry. 

Today Lisa and I discuss her new book release, Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart and:

• The different ways we experience grief
• Practical advice for how we can serve those walking through grief
• The importance of dealing with grief
• Ways the Lord meets you in your grief
• How to parent your children as they walk through their own grief
• And lastly, how can indeed be good again

Connect with Lisa on Instagram and read the first chapter of her new book at lisaappelo.com/lifecanbegood again before grabbing your copy HERE!

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

Receive weekly updates and resources from Somer’s Ahavah Community HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

We would do well as a culture to acknowledge that even good moves can still cause grief

Don’t be afraid to say, it must be really hard for you…

Weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn

Just show up if God prompts you

Grief is awkward for everybody - let’s just be ok with awkward

Pray for God to show you the need and watch expectantly

If God gives you words, be gentle with them and careful with them

It is hurtful to compare grief

No two people feel things the same way

Don't rush people past the pain

Grief takes an enormous amount of mental, physical, emotional and even spiritual space - it is exhausting - your body is trying to grapple with trauma

If we don’t deal with grief on our terms now, it will come back on its terms later

God, who designed us, designed our emotions - He understands that we are going to go through a full range of emotions

There’s always regret and guilt in grief

We were not built for death, we were built for life 

When the bottom fell out for me, I needed God’s Word more than I needed food

Just as God is doing work in our life in the worst suffering, God is doing work in our children’s in situations we would never ask for God can use in ways we could never imagine. 

It’s very important when you’re walking through grief (with kids), to keep the conversation open

Just as God is pursuing us, He is also pursuing our children

Eternity is closer than we imagine

If we will do the hard work of grief and we do the work with God, He will bring beauty from ashes

Even though it felt like plan B for me, it was God’s part 2 for my life… and I needed to lean into that and find that

Seeing all that He has done and all the ways He can reshape us when life just shatters is such beauty

Today on the show I am talking with Mom of 10, Best Selling Author and host of the Walk It Out podcast, Tricia Goyer

Tricia is all too familiar with the busyness of spinning all the plates of motherhood, ministry and marriage and today she is sharing what the Lord has taught her and all about her new book, Heart Happy: Staying Centered in God’s Love During Chaotic Circumstances.

In this episode, Tricia and I discuss:

• How to combat the comparison trap
• How to have realistic expectations without wearing ourselves out
• How to make time with God priority and not just one more thing on our to-do list
• The Biblical translation of “happy”
• How to rest even in the busiest of seasons
• And more!

Connect with Tricia on Facebook, Instagram and at triciagoyer.com 

To grab a copy of Tricia’s latest book, Heart Happy: Staying Centered in God’s Love During Chaotic Circumstances

If you’d like to hear more from Tricia, tune in to the Walk It Out podcast

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

Receive weekly updates and resources from Somer’s Ahavah Community HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

It’s not what I do, it’s not what I can accomplish, it’s not what my kids can accomplish, it really is remembering to go back to that hole in our heart right from the beginning of time and ask: show me who I am in you

Where can we combat all this “not enough?” God’s Word!

God created us unique in our own purposes and plans and we can excel in those without having to compare ourselves to others

These are my strengths, I am not going to compare. I'm gonna thank God for them and the areas I’m weak, I can come alongside a friend and she can help me and I can help her and that changes everything. 

George Mueller: “I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man may be nourished…I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation on it.”

God loves me completely, He is there and I am not alone. Once my heart is happy in Him, all the problems run off my back because I know God has got this.

The God of the universe is waiting to commune with me, the presence of God is there waiting for me. 

The best thing we can do for our kids is model what it looks like to walk with God and prioritize Him first

We have to trust that the unseen things are the most important. 

So many times we put priority on things that don’t need to be priorities

Five years from now, what is going to matter?

When chaos comes, we can discover God in new ways we never have before

That’s part of God’s love when we let His love come through us and bless others

Rest can look completely different for each of us

Look back at the things that brought you joy as child, these are probably things that can bring you rest now

Take time to do those things that feed your soul

Happy is translated blessed - blessed is actually a verb that means “walking straight”

Get our heart happy in the Lord in the middle of it all

Psalm 139:23

Search our hearts to see what is keeping us from God

Me: I need to make you love me, I need to make you love me

God: I already love you!

As Christian parents, it has never been more important to stand in between our daughters and a world seeking to rob them of their God-given identity.

Today on the show I am talking with my dear friend and fellow Mama Bear, Trudy Lonesky.  Trudy is the host of the Kingdom Mamas podcast and author of Reclaim Her Heart, a 30 day devotion to help equip our girls to reject any ideologies that stand in the way of them living in God- given identity. 

In this conversation, Trudy and I discuss:

• How to fight the battle against today’s culture without our daughters feeling like we are fighting them?
• How to find balance in being a parent vs being a friend to our daughters?
• The importance of being an “askable parent”
• The realities of social media and the pathway to dark places

Connect with Trudy at her Facebook group for moms raising teen girls, on Instagram and check her out on the Kingdom Mamas podcast!

Keep up with Trudy on social media to find out when you can grab a copy of Reclaim Her Heart

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

Receive weekly updates and resources from Somer’s Ahavah Community HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

Our teens are growing up in an era where their identity is not grounded in Christ

Kids don’t even need social media to lose their privacy anymore

Our girls are being measured against a world that is not real

Our girls are seeking likes, comments, followers - I have to look a certain way to feel like I’m worthy and that’s a moving target

Our kids prefrontal cortex won’t finish developing until they are in their mid-twenties

If we aren’t addressing what is coming at them and if we aren’t careful, their questions are unaddressed and the world will address them

The enemy is seeking to steal, kill and destroy the family unit right now, and how is he going to do that? In the next generation.

Red Flags for Parents to Be Aware of:

• Sleeping more
• Wanting to be alone
• Changes in mood pattern

The enemy met my son in his room behind closed doors during a pandemic - I thought he was fine.

Yes, Jesus is our best friend but we have the fear of the Lord in us too. 

Parent like Jesus

You always have to keep the door open - because once it’s closed, it will never be open again.

Your kids want to know it’s going to be a conversation and not a preaching sermon when they come to you 

Today's conversation is for you!

Welcome my friend, writer, speaker and creator of the Dawn App, Angie Gibbons to the show today!

Angie’s ministry is dedicated to helping Christian moms trade stress and worry for peace, shift their mindset from performance to relationship and connect with God in a deeper way.

Just what we all need, right?

This conversation is filled with encouragement and practical steps to help you stop the crazy, silence the performance mindset, breathe deeply and connect with God today.

Be encouraged as Angie and I discuss:

How balance is a verb, not a noun

Laying down that performance lens when we spend time with God

4 Ways to Reset When You Are Worried

Making Space for What Fills Your Soul

How to truly simplify

Connect with Angie Gibbons at gatheratdawn.com and on Instagram

To download the Dawn App, click HERE!

Connect with Somer on Instagram, Facebook and get weekly updates from her in the Ahavah Community HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

We’ve normalized and made busyness a big joke that we feel like this is the way it’s supposed to be and there’s no other way to be and we’re missing out on the full embodiment of who God made us to be. 

All of the busyness and all the running around makes it so that none of our relationships are as fulfilling as they are supposed to be.

We are trying to get to a place where we are balancing rather than balanced - it’s a verb, not a noun.

If we see balance as a place of arrival then we are always failing 

Those of us who have grown up in the church, we have this voice in our head that says: you are supposed to be selfless to a fault, you are basically supposed to kill yourself on this altar and bleed yourself dry.

When we feel like we’ve got to achieve a certain balance, it becomes all about us.

Shift your mindset rather than try to stop your mindset

4 Steps to Reset When You Are Worried:

1. Stop and name the “big worry”
2. Invite God into the process of solving the worry
3. Hand worry over to God
4. Ask God to help you release the burden and lift it to Him

*Take deep breaths between each step*

The Lord was here first

Simplify your schedule by blocking

We are such a performance based society and because of that when we think about even spending time with God we put our performance lens on it

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

We’ve heard them, memorized them and have them as decorations on our walls and yet...

They are really hard to live out - and even harder to teach your kids, especially when you feel like you are continually sowing seeds and seeing little to no fruit!

Joining me to discuss this topic is the author of Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences For Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit, Christie Thomas.

Christie is passionate about teaching Christian moms that they don’t need to know it all to teach their kids how to grow in their faith but rather, they can lean into the One who knows all the answers. 

In this episode we’re diving into:

• How to avoid treating our relationship with God like a checklist
• Discipling both younger and older children in the fruits of the spirit
• The importance of being our children’s primary discipler

Don’t miss a moment as Christie shares a very interesting statistic of just who our children say the main spiritual influence really is in their lives…can you guess who it is?

Connect with Christie on Instagram and check out her resources at  littleshootsdeeproots.com

Connect with Somer on Instagram, Facebook and at somercolbert.com where you can sign up to receive weekly updates and resources!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Power reveals who we are on the inside

Treating God like a checklist is empty worship

Programming isn’t the answer, parenting is

Building Faith at Home: Why Faith at Home Must Be Your Church's #1 Priority by Mark Holman

I don’t need to know it all or do it all, because I know the One who knows the answers

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Little by little, a little becomes a lot - Tanzanian proverb

Every mom has some version of the fear that we are going to turn our kids away from God because of what we’ve done

God is still parenting us as we are parenting our kids 

Real change is happening in small everyday moments

It’s not what you know but Who you know

“Jesus, be the center of this”

We can certainly agree that this world has presented its fair share of challenges over the past two years and caused many to lose their joy….

Joining me on the show today is bestselling author, Bible teacher and co-host of the More than Small Talk podcast, Suzanne Eller

Suzie believes that joy is more than a feeling.

It’s a knowing.

In her new book, JoyKeeper, Suzie shares six biblical truths that will transform our understanding of joy.

In today’s conversation Suzie and I are going to take on the hard questions surrounding the idea of redefining joy as we ask questions like:

• What does it look like to live a life marked by joy?
• How can we hold fast to joy when our feelings lead in the complete opposite direction?
• How can we as Christian Parents be a safe place for our kids to feel big feelings, ask the hard questions and wrestle with their own faith?

Whether you are driving, doing laundry or taking some much needed time for exercise or rest, I pray you will attune your heart to the incredible wisdom you are about to hear - today’s episode delivers what I like to call some serious holy gut punches!

Connect with Suzie on Facebook, Instagram and her website 

To hear more from Suzie, tune in for the More Than Small Talk podcast

For more on today’s topic, grab a copy of Suzie’s book: Joykeeper - 6 Things That Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Joy

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

Grab your ticket for the Parent With Purpose Digital Event HERE!

Sign up to receive weekly emails and resources from Somer HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

Your feelings matter to God but joy is more than a feeling, it’s a knowing.

It’s knowing where to turn. It’s knowing who you are. It’s knowing whose you are. It’s knowing God’s plan for you hasn’t gone away.

God created our kids to feel and He cares about how they feel.

Why don’t we introduce our kids to the Creator who created them with these big feelings who cares about their big feelings and show God as a shelter to them instead of shutting them down.

Invite God into the midst of your feelings

To be a joykeeper means we are so tied to the Source of our joy that we are confronting joystealers with Truth

3 main joystealers:

1. It is our job to make sure that those we love never fail, fall or hurt

Your child needs sacred space to make mistakes and grow. To find their way to Jesus.

1. When you disqualify yourself from taking a seat even when Jesus invites you

If God is the one pulling out the seat saying - “I’ve got you, sis, I’ve got you” - then it’s my privilege to take it not thinking that I’m going to be perfect but thinking that God Himself is going to help me as I take that seat.

1. Trying to earn love from a God who already loves you like crazy

You are loved by God and there is no other version of this story

We don’t give ourselves permission to allow joy and sorrow to waltz together

We can say a million words to our kids about faith, but it’s honestly them seeing our own wrestling in it that shows them that it is real. 

Wrestling is a very sacred part of faith.

We give our children permission to wrestle in their faith and maybe crawl to the Cross rather than run to it.

All throughout scripture I see heroes of faith who wrestled and asked the ahrd questions and maybe crawled to the Cross and there they met Jesus one to one and it forever changed their lives.

Parents: Let your faith be real and raw in front of your children. You don’t have to be a paragon of virtue. You don’t have to be always right and always strong.

Is it inspirational or is it perspirational?

Sometimes we speak into something when we haven’t really heard what the issue is

Chalkline faith - 

Things I am called to do or things I can do

Things my child is called to do or can do

Things only God can do

When we know what is our assignment and what is not, that gives us the freedom to do what only we can do…

We have such a desire to make sure our children are ok -  and that’s good - but is that your assignment?

Many times, we are just climbing into everybody’s chalkline

Consider: what is your child’s assignment?

How can parents be a safe space for their kids to wrestle and ask questions:

Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” to your kids

Truly listen to what they have to say without making it about you

Encourage them as they find answers

There is a path to Jesus that has to be carved on our children’s own behalf

Sit with your child in their sorrow - let them know that God does hear our prayers and cares about how we feel

We set our kids up for such a hard place when we don’t allow them to ask the hard questions

“Choose joy” adds burden in the midst of the hard places

Choose the Source of your joy in the midst of hard places

Joy is intentionally walking into the goodness of God right where we are

My calling is to listen for the voice of God daily and say “yes” over and over again

“I’m going to give you My joy and no one can take it from you” - John 15:11

Acts 2 and 4 - community of believers whose focus was the Source of their joy and people looked on with joy

There is a world watching. Our babies are watching. What comes out of our mouth, what we put on social media, how we interact with strangers, how we treat others who are different from us and they are asking themselves: is that something I want?

Rest means we are synched in rhythm with God’s heart and thoughts over our life

Embrace and receive the rest God offers you

Rest in the love that God has for you

Conviction leads us to God’s best for us

Condemnation and shame lead us away from God

The enemy is hitting hardest in community and unity

Surround yourself with healthy community and be healthy community for others

It’s really important right now how we reflect Jesus

Joining me to speak on this topic are author, literary agent and Founder of the Blythe Daniel Agency, Blythe Daniel and her mom, author, counselor and speaker Dr. Helen McIntosh. This amazing mother/daughter duo are the co-authors of Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters and their latest release, I Love You, Mom: Cherished Word Gifts From My Heart to Yours.

As Christians, it is our calling and desire to struggle well and respond to difficult relationships in a way that honors Christ and doesn’t derail our mission, which is ultimately to point others to Him but let’s be honest, that is hard to do when you find yourself in a relationship that is defined by someone else’s dysfunction.

Dr. Helen was raised by a mother whose anger and alcoholism caused frequent strain on their relationship. Even at a young age, and before she knew Christ, Dr. Helen set out on a mission to understand the “why” behind her mother’s behavior and purposed to establish a new approach and legacy of love once her daughter Blythe was born.

Join me for this delightful conversation as Blythe and Dr. Helen share their story, insight and wisdom and encourage listeners with God’s heart and His word as it applies to mother/daughter relationships.

Connect with Blythe on Instagram and Facebook

Connect with Dr. Helen McIntosh on Facebook

Check out all of their resources at ourmendedhearts.com and grab a copy of I Love You, Mom just in time for Mother’s Day!

I’d love to hear your favorite takeaway from today’s show! 

Come find me on Facebook or Instagram and leave a comment!

If you’d like to receive weekly updates from me, you can sign up for my e-mail list HERE!

Favorite Takeaways:

“You are just responsible for what’s on your side of the net” - Dr. Helen

I made the mistake of trying to be the fixer

Mom, I long for us to be restored, what do you think we need to do to make things better?

It’s so important to know what your thinking is and how that affects your actions - Blythe

When we can recognize that it’s not about us, it’s not - well, we should have done this or we should have done -  a lot of times, it’s that the other person is making the choices and they’re saying the things that affect us but we don’t have to receive that and take it on ourselves

Proverbs 4:23

I bumped her cup, indeed, but what came out were her issues, not mine

Be purposeful in how you teach your children to love and how to ask for forgiveness

Extend grace and keep a fresh account between you

That which you focus on, you become like - Dr. Helen

Keep your eyes off of dysfunction and keep your eyes on the Lord

A way to show respect is to know when is the best time to speak to your loved one

Guard your space and the other person’s time

Renewing can start simply

We are disobeying God when we don’t honor the person He has given us as mother

Throughout the Bible, God is so good to renew relationships….

Intentionality is really where God wants our hearts

Choose to engage with love to build small bridges 

Choose love even when you don’t feel loving

Anger is a reaction when we don’t get what we want

When you are working harder in the relationship than the other person, that’s a red flag

Matthew 7

Make sure your side of the net is clear

We need to model good communication.

When we want to get our point across, we are not so great at listening to the other person.

We are geared to go ahead and formulate our answer to something or our next point while someone is talking. 

We need to be the one initiating because otherwise it may never happen

As we speak words of life then that reflects back to your own heart 

Our ability to love is a function of our relationship with the Lord

Boundaries are healthy ways to protect the relationship

Boundaries help establish the care of the relationship

A healthy boundary life means sometimes you say yes and sometimes you say no

Psalm 23

The blood of the lamb is the anti-venom for the bite of a snake

Ephesians 6

Ephesians 4:29

To put on love, you don’t have to feel it but you can extend it

The question we are answering is - 

How Do I Deal With it when bad things keep happening to good people and for parents listening, how can we even begin to explain this to our children when we as adults don’t have the answer…

Joining me to speak to this topic is my friend, Rebecca George.

Rebecca is an author, speaker, career coach and host of the Radical Radiance podcast. Her ministry seeks to encourage Christian women to radiate the heart of Jesus in everything they do.

In this episode Rebecca and I discuss:

Wrestling with God on why bad things happen to good people

Leaning into His character when we just don’t understand

How to guide your children in the hard questions they face

What it looks like to seek the Comforter over the comfort

The wisdom of when to speak and when to reflect the ministry of presence

This conversation was such a blessing to me and really caused me to think differently in my approach to this question - why do bad things happen to good people - and perhaps consider a different question altogether.

As Rebecca says, let’s go girls…

Connect with Rebecca on Instagram, Facebook and find all of her resources at radianceadicalradiance.live and lastly, be sure to listen to the Radical Radiance podcast 

Connect with Somer on Instagram, Facebook and at somercolbert.com

To join Somer’s Ahavah Community click HERE!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

We’re scared to say the hard thing to our people and we’re scared to say the hard thing to God but what we forget about His character in that is He so intimately knows our hearts 

Isaiah 53:3-5 “He is one acquainted with grief”

John 14

Keep in mind as we seek to honor Jesus: We have the Holy Spirit in us as we walk through hard things

Suffering is such a mystery on this side of heaven

It takes such a great deal of humility to acknowledge we do not have all the answers but we do know a lot about about our God

We live under the effects of a broken, fallen, sin-stained world and some of the effects of that include hardship and suffering

What do I know to be true about God?

How do I see His purpose in and through that?

When we try to make sense of it, we are starting from the wrong place

The immutability of God - the unchanging nature of God

Surrender our thoughts, day by day and minute by minute

Remember: You have the mind of Christ, take your thoughts captive

I may not know why, I may not see the fruit of what God is doing through this to bring Himself glory, to further His kingdom but I have an opportunity to show Christ in that daily by my thought life that precedes my actions by the conversations and the way I attempt to honor God in that and see His purposes in it.

We are able to comfort others with the comfort we have received from Him - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Our feelings are real but they’re not always reliable

It’s not about achieving the answers, it’s not about achieving understanding - it’s about walking alongside the One who had the answers from the get go, who allowed these situations to sift through His hand….

The lesson does not come with answers, the lesson comes with trusting the One who is writing our story and guiding us on the journey

If God felt it necessary for us to totally understand suffering and hardship and ‘why do bad things happen to good people’ on this side of eternity, He would have told us.

We know a lot about what we will experience and we know about the promises of God and we have to take those things and hold those things alongside what we experience and say, God I trust you.

Romans 8:18

Questions like these create an opportunity to introduce your child to the mysteries of the Kingdom of God

We don’t have all the answers but we have His Word

Either we teach our children or the world will

It is a gift to teach your children not to rely on answers, not to rely on understanding but to rely on God

That person walking through hard things may not have capacity to carry their story and yours

We take for granted how powerful the ministry of presence can be

Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is be there

It’s harder to sit and be than it is to get up and do

Battles with technology, a culture that is increasingly turning the things of God upside down inside out and an unrelenting assault against the innocence and future of our children can leave parents exhausted, fearful and uncertain in how to navigate it all.

We need Truth, we need counsel and we need an abundance of godly support as we daily take on the battle of raising our children in the Truth and knowledge of the Lord according to scripture.

This week on the Love Where You Are podcast is tackling the question: How Do I Deal With This? Raising My Kids During Such an Unimaginable Time?

Joining me for this conversation today is Monica Swanson. Monica is a blogger, the author of Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most From You and the host of the Boy Mom podcast.

This conversation is filled with practical advice, biblical wisdom and encouragement on:

• how to combat the enemy’s attacks against your children
• how to cultivate spiritual health in your home
• how to disciple your sons in biblical masculinity
• how to encourage your children to be confidently countercultural and still filled with grace

Connect with Monica on Instagram and at monicaswanson.com and check out the Boy Mom podcast!

Connect with Somer on Instagram, Facebook and at somercolbert.com

Join Somer's Ahavah Community for weekly updates and resources!

FAVORITE TAKEAWAYS:

When screens began to be central to our lives, everything changed

The option of being elsewhere while being right here

I believe we live in a time that is culturally more antagonistic to the Christian faith and Christian values than ever before

Technology

Cultural antagonism toward the Christian faith

Political correctness

How to cultivate Christ-focused mental health in our homes:

1. Know who we are in the big picture

The more healthy we are in our identity we can pass that on to our kids

Our kids are seeing what we’re doing more than they are hearing what we’re saying especially in a culture that is so noisy

How can we disciple our sons in healthy masculinity?

Dads really need to rise up in this time and this is an important place for Dad’s to step up and really teach and model what true masculinity is. We need our men to be strong leaders, to be servant leaders.

I think sometimes we can feel so overwhelmed with the messages of our culture that we forget that there is still a lot of goodness and there are still examples so perhaps some of what we need to do is focus more on the truth and the good and teaching what there is and worry less about being on the defensive

Speak up and call out that emerging little man in front of you - do not think you have to squelch that and help them channel that in a healthy way

Remind them of the importance of being a gentleman

You need to speak these words to your kids before you necessarily feel them:

You’ve got this

You can handle this

I believe in you

The more healthy adventures you give your kids the less likely they are to go seeking adventures in unhealthy places

Mentally healthy moms = mentally healthy kids

There is a blatant attack on the innocence of our children, on the purity of our children and on the future of our children.

How Christian parents can combat the attacks of the enemy on their kids:

• Set boundaries as a family
• Focus more on what your kids can do than what they can’t do
• Be proactive
• Filters on every device
• Phones out of bedrooms at night and put off getting them phones at an early age

Our family culture does not have to look like the average family

Let’s do things as a family that build them up to the point that they’re going to look at the things of this world and just say: I’m not interested

We are digital immigrants as parents so we need to give ourselves grace