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For this episode I'll talk about Taylor on two levels...#1 As herself, an entertainer not worth listening to. #2 As an icon representing the entertainment industry, and representing those who believe they are Christians but speak, behave, and believe lies at a foundational level. With Awaken church I'll do the same. #1 I'll talk about their false teachings, but #2 I'll also speak about them as an icon representing the types of churches who preach incorrect doctrine and lead people astray but with the best of intentions and lots of charm. There are so many people lately that I'm learning do not believe in basic Christian beliefs like the exclusivity of Christ, that he values pre-born children and hates their murder. How is this happening?! It's like all the rocky soil and thorny soil people are showing their fruits, or lack thereof. Can we say they aren't Christians? Can we judge them by their fruits? And what happens at the corporate church level to develop these false converts? And also, if we're not gonna listen to Taylor Swift with joy anymore, what can we listen to? Should we drop all the singers who are sinners? Should we take a vow of silence and become sad, non-music listening souls who occasionally dabble in hymns? Let's talk about it!Taylor Swift - "I am Christian." https://youtu.be/BDMwCGdKeCQThe candidate Taylor was talking about - Marsha Blackburnhttps://youtu.be/wxSPO4V7FYIKarma in Hindismhttps://slife.org/karma-in-hinduism/Support the show

https://www.christianpost.com/news/dallas-jenkins-clarifies-his-mormons-are-christians-comments.htmlMany people watch the Chosen and LOVE it. Others are frustrated because the director and staff don't all share a Biblical Worldview. Does it matter? So Dallas Jenkins said he wouldn't say that all LDS (Latter Day Saint" members love the Jesus he does, but some of them do, including his close friends. What should we do with this information? Should it impact us? Should his show be seen as a ministry and what would that look like?Support the show

My teens argue with me and eventually it makes me crazy. I may explode and become reactionary, bringing with it guilt and regret. Instead, we're learning to teach a godly appeal method to our teens. This way they get to offer thoughts and ideas without arguing. Brilliant! But, we've got a LOT of work to do on ourselves and our kiddos - thankfully it's one step at a time. Support the show

Everyone has an opinion, and preferences. So when do we, as moms, get to decide what our kids do, listen to, watch, and when do they, the teen or child decide? That's a tough one but I'll share with you how we handle the music preferences in our home.Support the show

Times change and all things have to be evaluated in their season. This episode is all about what's coming up in the next season for me and what I'm saying yes to and no to. Support the show

Some days are blah. I just feel off and am more reactive. What's going on and how do I get outta this funky weird feeling? Support the show

We all need a list of things to do so we don't fall prey to idle time. I'm not talking about rest here, or taking care of ourselves...but idleness. Also, I talk about discipleship and Titus 2 because that's where God's had me for the last few months in Bible Study and so I'll share some of the convictions I've gleaned around the area of submission over the years. Yep, the "s" word is comin' at ya!Support the show

Be careful when the imaginings of men trump the truth of scripture. BEWARE: This episode might be considered PG-13 for some as it mentions homosexuality and some of their practices.Support the show

Want to know what I was like before and after I discovered what my days needed to be? My family has seen some serious ebb and flow but I'm finally realizing what I need to do each day to bless my family and have order in our home.Support the show

Another example of how we must stay vigilant to think about what we're hearing, to explore who we listen to and who they are aligning themselves with. I don't enjoy finding out that someone I've respected has taken a turn off the path of orthodox Christianity. But as I encounter them, I must move them from a trusted resource person, to someone I must filter, preview, and listen to with my skeptical radar engaged. The Bible Project's Tim Mackie, their seminary guy has moved or has revealed where his beliefs have landed. I hope they aren't going to stay heretical, but only God knows. Sadly, his interview with the podcast "Almost Heretical" is actually heretical. In this episode I'll go through his interview and in the Part 2 I'll go through his sermon (both linked below). Sadly, this story isn't fun to tell, but you can discern what to do with this information now that I've offered it to you.The Interview with Almost Heretical:https://almostheretical.com/episodes/tim-mackie-conversationSermon on Matthew:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xvt6AMaBowSupport the show

Working through the Bible with a focus on trust. I found some amazing insights into how I can trust God more! And, for those of you who are feeling down because you've already blown your New Year's Resolution - there's some encouragement for you at the end.Support the show

Many women try to impact the world, but we must remember that our best legacy is family. What will your kids remember your family was about? What are the values you are passing along in the way you schedule your time, and how you respond to kids and husband? I'm often so challenged when I remember that all the small moments of my life add up to a legacy.In this episode I share a few areas I'm hopeful my kids will absorb from living under our roof for 18 years. What do you want to pass along?Support the show

Secular music can teach us and give us an idea of what the culture around us, the individual people in our midst believe. A recent song, Flowers by Miley Cyrus, speaks to something on women's hearts. Understanding her song's perspective on love can teach us a few things. Are you willing to listen?Support the show

The world, as usual has a wrong view of a holiday - Valentines Day. But is it wrong? Should we ignore it or downplay it? I want to talk about how we can respond to Valentines Day by preparing for it. As Christian wives, there are things we should and shouldn't do for this holiday of love. Support the show

Sheltering - what does it mean? Is it negative or positive? And what is going on in my world as it pertains to growing in trust. God is really after me...Support the show

Many Christians are okay with their kids playing Pokemon, with going to Yoga classes themselves and claim that the Enneagram has done wonders for their marriage. Well, is that okay? I've decided to go out on a limb and share my own reasons for ditching these three things.A great article on the inescapable link between Yoga and Hindu worship.https://praisemoves.com/about-praisemoves/why-a-christian-alternative-to-yoga/yoga-postures-are-offerings-to-hindu-gods/Support the show

In this episode I talk about two things:1. Needs vs Desires - What do we need to truly survive according to the world and according to the Kingdom of God? What differences are there?2. M&Ms - Are you feeling represented as a woman in this cruel world? M&Ms have your back and have created an entire bag full of woman-inspired candies to promote, well I can't even type it, just go listen!M&M wokie article:https://www.theblaze.com/news/mm-s-goes-woke-offers-all-female-candy-package-featuring-new-purple-character-who-promotes-inclusivityWant to become a follower of Christ?https://www.navigators.org/resource/the-bridge-to-life/Support the show

Are you looking to start a Bible Reading Plan? A lot of people do this on January 1st. Well, it doesn't matter when you start. I want to give you some encouragement about when and how to begin. God can speak through His word to whatever is going on in our hearts and minds. I was recently amazed by how God showed me about "trust" using Genesis 1, which never uses the word. Support the show

What do Luke 18 and Jerry Springer have to do with one another?As moms, we struggle with many sin issues: worry, comparison, fear. Sure, we readily admit these faults. But what about pride? Although pride isn't something women usually share as a struggle, it really affects our relationships and our reactions to others. This week I saw my pride and comparison front and center. They played together like friends and I saw another side of pride in myself. Thankfully, our God is amazing and helps us to see ourselves in light of his nature, not just what the world calls good. Support the show

It's so easy to take recommendations from a friend at church about books, movies, media etc. But what are we doing? We are responsible, not other parents for our kid's upbringing. Sure, ask your friends what they do, but don't stop there. Search out what God's Word says...develop your own convictions. We cannot afford to trust another person's word when our child's mind and spirit are at stake.Who do you look to instead of God's Word to give you advice? Do you test everything by the Word?Support the show

Finding it hard to find time for family? Are the holidays about to swallow up all your time and energy but you just wish you could slow down and be a family, have those sweet moments, or take time to figure out what to focus on with the kids? Or maybe your everyday or every week is so busy you hardly know what's going on with your teen. Time is a gift but few take it. Most of us fill out schedule to the brim and that's fine as long as it's fine. When an emergency happens, or a teen is in need there's a lot of fallout from having to screech to a halt and say no all of a sudden. The guilt from letting others down follows and so the cycle continues season after season. Does this describe your family?How do you decide which ministry to be involved in? Do you consider your spouse first, and your children? What drives your "yes" in choosing where to volunteer your time? These are hard choices, but ones every mother must face. Come listen in as I chat with my husband about these decisions and more.Support the show

Do you have teenagers yet? Are you about to have a teen in the house? There are many philosophies in the world on how to raise a successful teen. You may have multiple experts on the matter to consult, but have you ever examined the life of Napoleon Dynamite? His life offers many clues to how to raise a successful teen. Enjoy! Support the show

What does it mean to live a life of peace? Should we shut out difficult things? Does a peaceful lifestyle mean avoiding hard stuff? What does Jesus have to say about peace? What does the world's peace look like and what will I do about it?So many questions, but that's where growth begins. :)Support the show

I used to be so hung up on my own plans. I'd cry and cry when something unexpected happened, different than what I wanted. Spoiled only child syndrome? Maybe. But God was doing something in my heart, showing me how to change my perspective. I want to share with you what helps me now and how I've learned to live without regret.Support the show

We all want great kids, right? Well, how can we be sure that they will turn out well? Can we be sure? What is the goal of parenting? Today let's talk briefly about the President's son, Hunter, and explore what we can do in our own homes and why it matters.Want to raise godly children? Check out this ministry and their Family Discipleship Seminar. They are free, but it will take a lot of work to implement! We've certainly seen some sweet fruit from doing things God's way. Support the show

What is something you want to do but don't? Why doesn't it get done? Do you feel guilty about it? Come listen and discover what's important to you but doesn't get done and why that might be. Plus, discover how to become the kind of mom who doesn't make excuses for what doesn't get done. Women are famous for being "busy" - and that's not a bad word, but be careful. Being busy can mean missing out on what is most important to you. Is being busy getting in your way or is it supporting what you really want your life to be about? Are you busy enough or too busy? Or maybe you say you don't like being busy, but you keep saying "yes" to all the things. Well, how much is too much and when should you stop? What should make the cut as most important, and what can we do with the rest of all the good opportunities that aren't truly in our family's best interest?Support the show

Cancel Culture hurts people and is mean, right? Cancelling people because of their beliefs and wanting to keep them out of places of influence and take the proverbial microphones away from them? That's just not Christian is it? We should be loving and accepting of everyone even when we don't agree, right?Well let's explore that a bit more. Today we discuss the fear of man and how training our children to care more what God thinks can make a huge impact on our nation's future. That, and we gotta talk about all the gay celebrities I never knew about and how amazed I was to hear about their families.Support the show

Sometimes I focus on what's wrong instead of what's right in my life. How do I get to that place? It's a pretty simple answer and I'm guessing you do this sometimes too. Thankfully, the way out is simple too. Support the show

I have more triggers and little things that annoy me than I'd like to admit. Should my goal be to fake it? To magically become less easily annoyed? To ignore my feelings? What do you do when frustration or annoyance comes your way? In this episode let's talk about frustration and expectations. AND, let's not forget to throw Canada under the bus. And while we're at it, let's teach our kids to speak up about the lame alternative definitions being thrown around our own country! Support the show

I've learned a lot about my capacity, which is constantly shifting. So how do I know when it's a good idea to take on another responsibility or not? I tend to think the best of my abilities, but I am constantly challenged to evaluate how I'm spending my time and choosing what is best and letting go of what others think about my decisions. Come on in and let's chat about new opportunities and considering what's ahead and what to do when we're faced with what the next season holds. Support the show

Like my past EXPERT SERIES episodes, I delve into the worldview of the beloved Jordan Peterson and Dave Rubin, two self-proclaimed conservatives. Problem is, they are also redefining words for us while feigning to have an open conversation, devoid of any true pushback or mention of wrongdoing. These conservatives are wolves, slyly clothed in wool and we must be cautious not to fall prey to their ideas just because they aren't woke. There is far more to being conservative than being anti-woke. Pragmatism is an empty shell and poor reason to adhere to any philosophy and these two men have fallen into that pit of believing ideals are worthwhile so long as they serve a discernible purpose. So, what will we do as Christian moms when we hear their neo conservative rhetoric? Will we remain silent and watch our friends and family get sucked in? Or will we combat their ideology and be the ones who call for a Biblical conservative way?Listen to how these two friends view the world as it stands today on concepts that God invented, namely marriage and family. Don't forget to leave me an honest review where you listen to podcasts and visit my website to check out my book Knee-Jerk Mom.Support the show

Animals are important, but where do we gain our understanding of what values are placed on animals? Are some more important than others? Is it wrong to eat dogs, for example? Figuring out our place as humans and asking good questions about animals as we read God's Word is important in a world system that has very specific answers to these questions. You need to learn what your answers are and what God says about them.Support the show

Strangely, I've encountered many drug users in my lifetime. I could probably write a book about all the experiences but I've decided to share two short ones to illustrate some crossover between our current government officials and drug users. Issues like inflation, immigration, and of course how abortion has been handled show these similarities. Support the show

Can we legislate morality? Is society capable of getting better and better as we try harder? Doesn't religion belong in the churches and morals only affect people in their own private world? George Washington didn't think so. He gave very specific calls for religion and morality to impact politics. Let's learn together!Support the show

There's a lot of speculation, a lot of rumor going around these days. So what can we do as Christian moms? How can we respond to all the concerns that face our nation, our communities, our families, and our minds?Do you talk about hard topics with your kids? Do you and your family understand how our government was designed to work? I'm often amazed at the kind of information someone has to study and learn in order to become a legal citizen of this country. Could you pass that exam? Let's not waste any time teaching our children about this country, but more than that, let's discuss hard things with them and guide them toward what God says about war and peace. He is the authority, His Word.So what does God say about war and peace? Come on and let's have a quick chat!Support the show

New movies come out every week and it seems that producers are growing more authentic, pushing their morally depraved content our way to younger and younger audiences. So how does our family decide how to navigate through the mess and have fun watching movies?So many resources are out there and so many verses, but it's a highly personal decision. So come listen to how we do it. You don't have to do it like us, but you have to do something. Check out my book!Support this podcast!Support the show

I finally ditched Facebook for real! But this podcast isn't really about that specifically. I just wanted you to know so you can help me share this show! Seriously though, there are things we want to do in life, things that seem to always fall to the bottom of our schedule. Important things, but they don't feel urgent (exercise, time with God, praying for our husband, scripture memory etc). What holds us back from doing these things?Want to dig deeper into the topic of what your schedule looks like and how to set priorities? Get my book Knee-Jerk Mom. And if you've already read it, please leave an honest review. While you're at it, leave a review for this podcast. More moms will see it online when you leave a review. Thanks friends!Support the show

As Christian moms, we like the idea that we're training our kids for their futures. We think about their future education, their future family, and future careers. But are we training them to do well in life or are we simply bowing to what creates the least amount of conflict in the home (aka what makes them happy)? When faced with a tense moment, we often times we default to what is expedient instead of what is effective. In this episode I explore a few examples in my own home that tell me whether I'm training my kids to be happy or to be successful.Support the showSupport the show

Do you read your child Nursery Rhymes? I've read a ton of them to my kids. What about Sesame Street? Again, my kids have watched so many episodes over the years. Well, here's where I explain why we need to be careful with even the most seemingly innocent things. We can't hide in a hole, but we can sit down and watch some episodes of whatever show with our kids, distill the message down, and compare it with God's Word.Get a copy of my book Knee-Jerk Mom to help you navigate this culture of chaos by choosing what is most important on purpose and learning to discern who is worth listening to. And don't forget to subscribe to Upstreamers Podcast and if you're feeling brave, you can support the podcast by sending me a cup of coffee!Support the show

Who doesn't love a good Hillsong worship song? I know I have listened many, many times. But what are they teaching? What does their church teach and is it even that important if we know? Isn't God going to just work all that out and I'll just enjoy their music, not worrying about their church teachings? I mean I don't go there, so what does it matter? Frankly, I was tired of hearing critiques about Hillsong so I decided to listen to a Hillsong message the other day. I wanted to hear for myself whether or not they strayed from scripture. Are any significant errors or are they merely secondary disagreements? Is their messaging dangerous or just different? Come find out what I heard and decide for yourself what to listen to.Support the show

Have you talked to your kid about sex? Don't wait for them to ask you about it. And don't expect the state to do it for you. If you've never heard about the history of sex ed listen in and find out who is behind all the programs public schools use to teach our kids about sex. We can no longer be silent. We must initiate conversations and take back the authority given to us by God to teach our kids about relationships and sex without using the scare tactics of our predecessors. There is a beauty to explore and rich conversations to be had. Don't miss out because of fear or hypothetical awkwardness. Here's the program, Passport to Purity, that we used.Here are the articles I read from in the show today:Rethinking SchoolsPlanned ParenthoodThe Naughty ListSupport the show

Learning to silence the liar from within is tough, especially when the lie is subtle. One lie I've fallen prey to is that I'm destined to yell because that's just part of motherhood. Come listen to how I deal with this lie.Support the show

Do your kids listen when you speak in a normal voice or do you have to yell to get their attention? Training for attention is so important and early on we received some fantastic advice on how to help our kids learn this skill. Since then we've adopted a win/win method for continuing to emphasize that habit. And the bonus is, we're using Scripture to help us develop that habit in our kids. But there's a lot of tough stuff to read aloud from the Bible like rape, war, murder, incest, fornication and more. The Bible isn't some fairy tale! So what do we do with all those hard to read parts with our kids? Come find out...Support the show

Did you ever get a book from someone that you never read? This book sat on my shelf for several years but eventually I took the time to read it and  it changed the course of my life for the better. Go get yourself a copy and dare to read a book that's underwhelming to look at, but has treasure inside. Are you willing to put the magnifying glass on your beliefs about women, feminism, and what it means to be a godly wife and mother? Let's do it together!Support the show

What we listen to matter and what we let our kids read matters. It's hard to draw hard lines in the sand when it seems like the Bible is silent about a topic. But several umbrella verses, or principle verses exist to help guide us when specific guidance isn't spelled out in scripture. Let's talk about Captain Underpants, why he's so popular and why I allowed my kids to read the books for years. And then let's talk about why the series is now a hard "NO" in our house. I hope this example helps you wade through some of those books and movies that you're not sure if you should allow or not. Discernment is available to those who are in Christ Jesus and I pray we all continue to grow in that area!Support the show

This episode is different. Scripture says there is a time for everything under heaven. There are times when I love talking about current events and getting into the thick of all the hot topics. And then there's times when I just need a good laugh. So today, I invited my husband to hang with me in the closet for seven minutes in heaven, just kidding. It was more like twenty, but we spent the whole time just being silly, being ourselves, and chatting about my podcast and life. Enjoy and hope you can take some similar time with someone special to you to relax and just giggle a bit.Support the show

How do you react when bad news hits you? When something out of your control happens or when leaders in your life lay down ultimatums? How can we respond? How will you be different as a Christian mom when tough policies or difficulties arise in our culture in the coming days? It's time to practice responding to so-called experts and think the issues through. Say goodbye to group-think regardless of what you decide about the vaccines.Support the show

No one wants to be that person that everyone stares at, but Christians are commanded to live differently. So why can't we just stay quiet and live a life where we never speak up for what is right? Do we have to scream from the tops of buildings and create blogs or podcasts? No, but God has spaces and people in our lives where we can stand for him or deny him (just like Peter). So which are you doing? Why is it hard to speak up? What can we do about it?Support the show

There are so many manipulation techniques out there! Believe me, I've tried many of them and I can tell you, none of them are productive. Let's talk today about Gas-lighting, Triangulation, and how they can keep us silent. God created us to speak the truth, but we cannot do this if we're under the toe of these slippery tactics. Come on in and listen so you can identify the gaslighters and triangulators in your life...and don't be surprised if you find out you do it too! I know I have. Support the show

Agenda-driven books aren't a new thing. They are everywhere. What do you do about it? Do you let your kids pick anything off the shelves? How do you decide what to let them read and at what ages? Do you have a good list you go by or do it book by book? We need to explore the why behind what's going on in children's literature and not "check out" as moms before we check out books at the library.Sweet books I love that display a normal family dynamic:The Seven SiIly EatersRainy Day TogetherLittle Bear booksRichard Scary booksSylvester and the Magic PebbleThe Ox Cart ManSupport the show

Lyrics matter. As moms we often care so much about what our kids listen to, but what do I let myself listen to? And will that affect my family? My marriage, my view of God, and what it means to be a mother are at stake. And don't think for a minute that just because you listen to only Christian music that you're immune from the damage lyrics can do to your mindset and belief. Some Christian artists undermine our view of God too. Come and let's have a chat together about what we listen to.Support the show