Podcasts about marriage and family

Elizabeth delves into the challenging topic of breaking up and getting back together. Discover valuable insights on rebuilding trust, navigating post-breakup changes, and approaching the renewed relationship with fresh eyes.

6 Episode Series - Be Intact with Your Holiday Purpose Today is all about purpose. Why purpose? It is important during the holidays to start with purpose. Not the reason for the season, but the reason your relationship is going to thrive through the season. This can be an excellent anchor and a decision maker for hard decisions. Having a quick decision maker during the holidays can be such a great time and stress saver don't you think?  Listen along as Zach and Sierra walk you through steps to creating a purpose to help your relationship navigate the Holidays with more peace and ease.  This Episodes Audio Transcript - https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/RlKZ_SigK7ygMBnxHmOaYaWWBmnmHCuGWd0avK1xW0RuOBB5d373FBmpCZZHnwrwM9SG-RIkXRS-XeVy.fMOesWwymyIAnlUB Download our FREE "What to Say..." Guide to get started on these conversations -  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6447124ec65923bd9fbd3af5 To enroll in our upcoming workshops in the Seattle Area December 2nd and 3rd - https://beintact.com/workshopsandofferings Book a session or discover relationship development services for personal and professional relationships.  topmate.io/beintact Couples Workshop:You will discover the truth about the fundamental nature and design of human relationships. As you unveil what is operating unseen behind all the issues that arise in relationships, problems dissolve and disappear. You're no longer caught up in the futility of fixing, tolerating, and ending relationships. Instead, you are ready to start creating and designing extraordinary relationships. Singles Workshop:This workshop is for single people ready to take the next steps in their experience of relationships. Why keep going on 50 first dates? You may discover the roadblocks keeping you from steadfast and fulfilling relationships.   With over a decade of coaching others, and 20+ years together, 1000+ hours of coaching sessions, we are here to offer our services, workshops and programs to breakthrough where you may be stuck, or take your great relationship and explore extraordinary relationship. Welcome to Be Intact - where we help busy, burnt out, millennials create lasting habits, transform their health and experience extraordinary relationships. We are truly glad you are here with us - welcome to the conversation! Xoxo - Zach & Sierra https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/RlKZ_SigK7ygMBnxHmOaYaWWBmnmHCuGWd0avK1xW0RuOBB5d373FBmpCZZHnwrwM9SG-RIkXRS-XeVy.fMOesWwymyIAnlUB

Who is whispering in your ears in terms of advice?

Elizabeth discusses the challenges of maintaining chastity in a relationship while deeply loving Jesus. We discuss the importance of embracing your desires, the impact of past sex education, and the significance of sexual intimacy in God's plan. She shares practical advice on how to avoid crossing physical boundaries and maintain chastity. Discover strategies to strengthen your relationship while upholding your dignity. On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God's will for you, and if you already know that you're called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. You're missing the view! Watch this episode on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfD0nsZh2Vs) Get 3 FREE sessions (https://tobinstitute.kartra.com/page/YjD233) of our flagship course on Theology of the Body Click here (https://tobpatron.com) to join our Patron Community! Your monthly gift helps us continue to put out the message of Theology of the Body to the world. Thank you! Want to attend a course at the Theology of the Body Institute online or in person? Click here to view our schedule (https://tobinstitute.org/programs/tobi-schedule/) Shownotes Learn more about Discerning Marriage Ministries here (https://www.discerningmarriage.com). Send a question to host Elizabeth Busby here (https://discerningmarriage.fireside.fm/ask).

6 Episode Series - Be Intact Over The Holidays Today is all about traditions. What do traditions mean in relationship, how do they evolve, are they serving the meaning that is intended? What is possible when the traditions no longer align in relationship and what can be done? This Episodes Audio Transcript - https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/RlKZ_SigK7ygMBnxHmOaYaWWBmnmHCuGWd0avK1xW0RuOBB5d373FBmpCZZHnwrwM9SG-RIkXRS-XeVy.fMOesWwymyIAnlUB Download our FREE "What to Say..." Guide to get started on these conversations -  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6447124ec65923bd9fbd3af5 To enroll in our upcoming workshops in the Seattle Area December 2nd and 3rd - https://beintact.com/workshopsandofferings Book a session or discover relationship development services for personal and professional relationships.  topmate.io/beintact Couples Workshop:You will discover the truth about the fundamental nature and design of human relationships. As you unveil what is operating unseen behind all the issues that arise in relationships, problems dissolve and disappear. You're no longer caught up in the futility of fixing, tolerating, and ending relationships. Instead, you are ready to start creating and designing extraordinary relationships. Singles Workshop:This workshop is for single people ready to take the next steps in their experience of relationships. Why keep going on 50 first dates? You may discover the roadblocks keeping you from steadfast and fulfilling relationships.   With over a decade of coaching others, and 20+ years together, 1000+ hours of coaching sessions, we are here to offer our services, workshops and programs to breakthrough where you may be stuck, or take your great relationship and explore extraordinary relationship. Welcome to Be Intact - where we help busy, burnt out, millennials create lasting habits, transform their health and experience extraordinary relationships. We are truly glad you are here with us - welcome to the conversation! Xoxo - Zach & Sierra https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/RlKZ_SigK7ygMBnxHmOaYaWWBmnmHCuGWd0avK1xW0RuOBB5d373FBmpCZZHnwrwM9SG-RIkXRS-XeVy.fMOesWwymyIAnlUB

Long distance marriages with Coach Duri on the Night Fix with Glendah Fadzai.

Elizabeth discusses the challenges and considerations when Catholics marry non-Catholics. She candidly explores the complexities of such marriages, touching on aspects like practicing faith, sexual morality, and raising children. Whether you're a Catholic contemplating such a union or someone interested in understanding the dynamics, this video provides valuable insights. Get Elizabeth's ebook "10 Questions to Ask at the Beginning of Your Relationship" for free (https://tobinstitute.kartra.com/page/xIt287) On The Discerning Marriage Podcast, we accompany you on the journey to discover if marriage is God's will for you, and if you already know that you're called to marriage, we want to help you bring glory to God in your vocation. You're missing the view! Watch this episode on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nQ58wXBSdc)

*NEW* 6 Episode Series - Be Intact Over The Holidays Nothing is going to be off limits. Relationships over the holidays can be tricky to navigate over the holidays when it comes to finances, traditions, family and starting the year together. So, come be a fly on the wall in this episode that only touches the surface of a few of the topics we will dive deep into this series.   Download our FREE "What to Say..." Guide to get started on these conversations -  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6447124ec65923bd9fbd3af5 To enroll in our upcoming workshops in the Seattle Area December 2nd and 3rd - https://beintact.com/workshopsandofferings Book a session or discover relationship development services for personal and professional relationships.  topmate.io/beintact Couples Workshop:You will discover the truth about the fundamental nature and design of human relationships. As you unveil what is operating unseen behind all the issues that arise in relationships, problems dissolve and disappear. You're no longer caught up in the futility of fixing, tolerating, and ending relationships. Instead, you are ready to start creating and designing extraordinary relationships. Singles Workshop:This workshop is for single people ready to take the next steps in their experience of relationships. Why keep going on 50 first dates? You may discover the roadblocks keeping you from steadfast and fulfilling relationships.   With over a decade of coaching others, and 20+ years together, 1000+ hours of coaching sessions, we are here to offer our services, workshops and programs to breakthrough where you may be stuck, or take your great relationship and explore extraordinary relationship. Welcome to Be Intact - where we help busy, burnt out, millennials create lasting habits, transform their health and experience extraordinary relationships. We are truly glad you are here with us - welcome to the conversation! Xoxo - Zach & Sierra

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on 8/6/2023) As we continue in our introduction to this new series, we will see that there are many attacks upon the biblical family today. But God has established a pattern for marriage and … Read More

by Elder Chris McCool, Pastor (preached on 8/6/2023) We are beginning a new series today, entitled “Family Matters.” We are examining this topic because, well, family MATTERS! It matters today more than ever! Today, we begin by looking at an … Read More

Surviving infidelity is one of the hardest journeys in any marriage. This episode features the true story of ultimate betrayal and how Tracy and Kathy were able to overcome the worst odds. Thanks to MDI, they were able to use the tools needed for recovery, giving hope for their future. Your marriage can survive an affair. Healing from infidelity is hard, painful work; both of you must be committed to repairing the damage, rebuilding trust, and reconnecting. The unfaithful spouse must be willing to stop the affair, provide all details honestly and completely, and take the steps necessary to prove his or her trustworthiness. But it's not an easy road.. For more information on how you can save your marriage, get on www.marriagedynamics.com

Recording Date: 2023-10-25 Speaker: JB Bond, Th.M (Senior Pastor)

Recording Date: 2023-10-18 Speaker: JB Bond, Th.M (Senior Pastor)

Pastor and author Brian Berry is convinced that “The best gift you can give your community and ministry is a healthy family.”

In this episode, we welcome Melissa Paramo, a marriage and family therapist who shares her invaluable insights on cultivating genuine connections through communication. Melissa's expertise shines as she underscores the importance of being open about yourself and curious about the other person. We delve into the art of active listening, vulnerability, and empathy, as she gives practical tips to enrich your interpersonal connections. Whether you're in a relationship or “just looking” Melissa's wisdom offers a roadmap to more authentic and fulfilling connections. Tune in to uncover the keys to deepening your human connections and living a richer, more connected life. #Dating #DatingTips #DatingAdvice #OnlineDating #DatingApps #DateNight #FirstDate #DinnerAndADate #DatingMadeSimple #ItsJustDinner --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theitsjustdinnerpodcast/message

Do you ever wonder what would happen if your business rapidly took off and you experienced the success you dream of? Do you worry it would negatively impact your home life or relationships? In this episode, Jillian Anderson, a copywriter who specializes in high-performance sales, launch, and web copy for holistic women's health and motherhood-centered brands, joins Kate on the podcast to talk about how success impacted her marriage. She shares her story of burning her business down, what she chose to focus on instead, and how she's now rebuilt her business and home life from a new set of values. If you've ever wondered how it's possible to have a thriving marriage, happy family, AND a growing business, you're going to love this episode.  Want to connect more with Jillian? Head here. Find Jillian on Instagram.  Read the full show notes and transcripts here.    Are you looking for a business community that honors your season of motherhood while helping you build a profitable business? Enrollment is re-opening November 8th for EXPAND Mentoring Membership, my yearlong coaching program for moms in business. In Expand, you'll not only get supported in your business, but also home life, so you can balance both with more ease. It's time to create more profit in your business, in less time, to be the foundation for your family's dream life. To find out all about it and get your name on the waitlist, head here now. 

*NEW* 6 Episode Series - Matching Stories Vs Creating Stories: Where Upsets and Celebrations live in Relationship Sorry for the wacky sound on this one friends!  On this episode many topics are hit in relationship including belief, new possibilities and of course a little reality tv dating show nuggets. When you SAY something in your relationship, it take a moment to hear it, another to learn it, another to understand it, and another to really experience it to do differently.  In that space to get somewhere, and focusing on it, we often stay there longer. What playing a game looks like on the same team in relationship! WE play games, WE play games not I play games on you. If you are playing a game onto your partner, that in itself is outside of relationship.  Download our FREE "What to Say..." Guide to get started on these conversations -  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6447124ec65923bd9fbd3af5 To enroll in our upcoming workshops in September and October, click this link - Singles workshop enrollment coming soon for October 7-8, 2023 in the Seattle, WA area. https://beintact.com/workshopsandofferings   Book a session or discover relationship development services for personal and professional relationships.  topmate.io/beintact Couples Workshop:You will discover the truth about the fundamental nature and design of human relationships. As you unveil what is operating unseen behind all the issues that arise in relationships, problems dissolve and disappear. You're no longer caught up in the futility of fixing, tolerating, and ending relationships. Instead, you are ready to start creating and designing extraordinary relationships. Singles Workshop:This workshop is for single people ready to take the next steps in their experience of relationships. Why keep going on 50 first dates? You may discover the roadblocks keeping you from steadfast and fulfilling relationships.   With over a decade of coaching others, and 20+ years together, 1000+ hours of coaching sessions, we are here to offer our services, workshops and programs to breakthrough where you may be stuck, or take your great relationship and explore extraordinary relationship. Welcome to Be Intact - where we help busy, burnt out, millennials create lasting habits, transform their health and experience extraordinary relationships. We are truly glad you are here with us - welcome to the conversation! Xoxo - Zach & Sierra

Self-care is not selfish. Pastor and author Brian Berry talks about why “The best gift you can give your marriage is a healthy self.”

Pastor Perry continues the series with the second part of a sermon titled "The Truth About ... Gender, Marriage, and Family."Support the show

*NEW* 6 Episode Series - Matching Stories Vs Creating Stories: Where Upsets and Celebrations live in Relationship In this episode we chat about reality TV dating shows. It may not be what you expect! We aren't getting into the drama of dating, being single or production... we are getting into what YOU can see in your relationship by watching these showss and hearing some commentary about them. We all have a lot to learn by seeing relationships in a vacuum on television. Join us as we discuss how participants get tripped up by matching stories in their attemp to create them on The Golden Bachelor and Love is Blind.  Do you want more on these shows and what you can learn from them? Be sure you are following us on TikTok and Instagram as we share more insights and relationship tips as these shows go on.  Download our FREE "What to Say..." Guide to get started on these conversations -  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6447124ec65923bd9fbd3af5 To enroll in our upcoming workshops in September and October, click this link - Singles workshop enrollment coming soon for October 7-8, 2023 in the Seattle, WA area. https://beintact.com/workshopsandofferings   Book a session or discover relationship development services for personal and professional relationships.  topmate.io/beintact Couples Workshop:You will discover the truth about the fundamental nature and design of human relationships. As you unveil what is operating unseen behind all the issues that arise in relationships, problems dissolve and disappear. You're no longer caught up in the futility of fixing, tolerating, and ending relationships. Instead, you are ready to start creating and designing extraordinary relationships. Singles Workshop:This workshop is for single people ready to take the next steps in their experience of relationships. Why keep going on 50 first dates? You may discover the roadblocks keeping you from steadfast and fulfilling relationships.   With over a decade of coaching others, and 20+ years together, 1000+ hours of coaching sessions, we are here to offer our services, workshops and programs to breakthrough where you may be stuck, or take your great relationship and explore extraordinary relationship. Welcome to Be Intact - where we help busy, burnt out, millennials create lasting habits, transform their health and experience extraordinary relationships. We are truly glad you are here with us - welcome to the conversation! Xoxo - Zach & Sierra

Therapy, for a lot of us in the black community, can be taboo. Often times speaking to a stranger about our problems and our relationships can be an intimidating journey filled with uncertainty, vulnerability, and self-discovery. But today, we're here to help peel back some of the layers on the idea of therapy for your relationship and peek into what it's really all about. We also will be getting advice on 5 things that are essential for a healthy marriage from an expert with several years of experience counseling couples. Our guest today is Deborah Richelieu, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for guiding individuals, couples, and families toward brighter, more harmonious futures. So, if you've ever wondered about the transformative power of therapy, if you've hesitated to take that first step, or if you're just curious about the lessons a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist has to offer, you're in the right place. Podcast Mentions John Gottman:  Research Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Article Connect with Deborah Richelieu, LMFT:  Instagram: @richlydeb    She's Taking Clients: 15 min Free Consultation Youtube Channel: The Rich Couch Therapy Resources Therapy for Black Men: Find a Therapist Therapy for Black Girls: Find a Therapist BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/ TalkSpace: https://www.talkspace.com/ CBT Thought Diary: https://cbtthoughtdiary.com/ Libby Audiobook Library: https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blackmarriagetherapy/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blackmarriagetherapy/support

In her very first episode, Karol discusses a viral video on TikTok that portrays marriage and family life negatively. She questions whether it is anti-marriage propaganda from China and shares her thoughts on the clip. Later, she introduces her guest, Buck Sexton, and they discuss their backgrounds and careers. They also talk about the challenges of writing books, societal pressure to get married young, self-obsession in society, and the importance of protecting one's time. Email Karol your questions at KarolMarkowiczShow@gmail.com.  The Karol Markowicz Show is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Monday & Thursday.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Pastor Perry continues the series with the first part of a sermon titled "The Truth About ... Gender, Marriage, and Family."Support the show

Bronwyn is a psychotherapist, public speaker, podcaster, and parenting expert.    She went from not wanting kids to believing in an idealized parenting relationship that (of course) didn't go to plan. At age 5 she emotionally abandoned her daughter, due to a 10-year bout with depression although she was going through the process of becoming a therapist. Her daughter is now an adult and they're continuing to learn to have a positive relationship.  Angry at the Right Things podcast:  https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-3xcf8-13b6aff Anger, like fire, can burn down a house if out of control. Suppressed anger makes us sick – and it leaks out in ways that hurt the people who least deserve it. But fire can also purify and refine. Join licensed marriage and family therapist Bronwyn Schweigardt in a conversation about healthy ways to harness our anger for good. Let's be angry at the right things. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/becoming-parents/message

To readily bring transformation to society, there is the need to pay close attention to what goes on in homes. Christian marriage and family life must also speak of the goodness of God. The Chairman Of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, throws more light on this in this insightful message titled "Raising Family Altars To Strengthen The Local Church: Lessons From The Puritans (Part 1)". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Kings Table Podcast, a captivating new show hosted by Ashish, Mike, Aaron, and Matt. Join us for an unfiltered, authentic experience as we gather weekly to delve into the raw discussions that drive our lives, businesses, economics, and the world. Meet the hosts:1. Mike (The Sage) Ayala is an accomplished investor, speaker, and podcast host, who stands at the helm of Investing for Freedom, guiding busy professionals and entrepreneurs toward the path of genuine liberation and optimal living. 2. Ashish (Hostess with the Most-est) Nathu is a founder and CEO, entrepreneur, real estate investor, triathlete, and host of the Rich Equation Podcast. 3. Matt (Hero of Hospitality) Aitchison is a distinguished real estate investor, captivating speaker, and committed philanthropist. 4. Aaron (The Trend Spotter) Amuchastegui is a seasoned real estate virtuoso with a remarkable track record of over 1,000 house transactions, predominantly acquired through astute foreclosure purchases at courthouse auctions. In this installment, we dive deep into the realms of business relationships, marriage, parenting, and the essential building blocks that foster strong and healthy relationships. Our conversation kicks off with an exploration of business relationships and why people leave. We ponder questions about religion, in-laws, financial harmony, and setting shared goals early in a partnership. As the discussion unfolds, we shift our focus to parenting, sharing valuable insights and keys to becoming a successful and nurturing parent. Discover how to create an environment where your children can thrive and flourish. Tune in, engage, and let's continue to explore the tapestry of life's most precious relationships. Highlights:01:19 - An article from Berlin about people who identify themselves as a dog 11:49 - Thinking more positive thoughts or thinking less negative thoughts 16:41 - Do employees owe you 2 weeks notice when they quit 47:21 - Marriage and family dynamics regarding religion, parenting, money, and dealing with in-laws 01:19:10 - Parenting advice Connect with us!We eagerly await your feedback about the show! Kindly share your thoughts via text message at this number: (844) 447-1555. Mike Ayala: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikeayala/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoa4pNSAYxBM6nSn2jCrPYA Website: https://investingforfreedom.co/ Ashish Nathu: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1TXia_kxtVVCV29jmoTmeg Website: https://www.therichequation.com/ Matt Aitchison: Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialmattya YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mattaitchisonmedia Website: https://www.MillionaireMindcast.com Aaron Amuchastegui: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronamuchastegui/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronAmuchastegui/about Website: https://www.aaronamuchastegui.com/

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Kings Table Podcast, a captivating new show hosted by Ashish, Mike, Aaron, and Matt. Join us for an unfiltered, authentic experience as we gather weekly to delve into the raw discussions that drive our lives, businesses, economics, and the world. Meet the hosts:  1. Mike Ayala is an accomplished investor, speaker, and podcast host, who stands at the helm of Investing for Freedom, guiding busy professionals and entrepreneurs toward the path of genuine liberation and optimal living.  2. Ashish Nathu is a founder and CEO, entrepreneur, real estate investor, triathlete, and host of the Rich Equation Podcast.  3. Matt Aitchison is a distinguished real estate investor, captivating speaker, and committed philanthropist.  4. Aaron Amuchastegui is a seasoned real estate virtuoso with a remarkable track record of over 1,000 house transactions, predominantly acquired through astute foreclosure purchases at courthouse auctions.  In this installment, we dive deep into the realms of business relationships, marriage, parenting, and the essential building blocks that foster strong and healthy relationships. Our conversation kicks off with an exploration of business relationships and why people leave. We ponder questions about religion, in-laws, financial harmony, and setting shared goals early in a partnership. As the discussion unfolds, we shift our focus to parenting, sharing valuable insights and keys to becoming a successful and nurturing parent. Discover how to create an environment where your children can thrive and flourish.  Tune in, engage, and let's continue to explore the tapestry of life's most precious relationships. Highlights: 01:19 - Kicked off the episode discussing an article from Berlin about people who identify themselves as a dog 11:49 - thinking more positive thoughts or thinking less negative thoughts 16:41 - Do employees owe you 2 weeks notice when they quit  47:21 - Marriage and family dynamics regarding religion, parenting, money, and dealing with in-laws 01:19:10 - Parenting advice Connect with us!  We eagerly await your feedback about the show! Kindly share your thoughts via text message at this number: (844) 447-1555.   Mike Ayala:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikeayala/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoa4pNSAYxBM6nSn2jCrPYA Website: https://investingforfreedom.co/   Ashish Nathu: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1TXia_kxtVVCV29jmoTmeg Website: https://www.therichequation.com/ Matt Aitchison: Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialmattya Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mattaitchisonmedia Website: www.MillionaireMindcast.com Aaron Amuchastegui: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronamuchastegui/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronAmuchastegui/about Website: https://www.aaronamuchastegui.com/

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Kings Table Podcast, a captivating new show hosted by Ashish, Mike, Aaron, and Matt. Join us for an unfiltered, authentic experience as we gather weekly to delve into the raw discussions that drive our lives, businesses, economics, and the world. Meet the hosts:  1. Mike Ayala is an accomplished investor, speaker, and podcast host, who stands at the helm of Investing for Freedom, guiding busy professionals and entrepreneurs toward the path of genuine liberation and optimal living.  2. Ashish Nathu is a founder and CEO, entrepreneur, real estate investor, triathlete, and host of the Rich Equation Podcast.  3. Matt Aitchison is a distinguished real estate investor, captivating speaker, and committed philanthropist.  4. Aaron Amuchastegui is a seasoned real estate virtuoso with a remarkable track record of over 1,000 house transactions, predominantly acquired through astute foreclosure purchases at courthouse auctions.  In this installment, we dive deep into the realms of business relationships, marriage, parenting, and the essential building blocks that foster strong and healthy relationships. Our conversation kicks off with an exploration of business relationships and why people leave. We ponder questions about religion, in-laws, financial harmony, and setting shared goals early in a partnership. As the discussion unfolds, we shift our focus to parenting, sharing valuable insights and keys to becoming a successful and nurturing parent. Discover how to create an environment where your children can thrive and flourish.  Tune in, engage, and let's continue to explore the tapestry of life's most precious relationships.   Connect with us!    We eagerly await your feedback about the show! Kindly share your thoughts via text message at this number: (844) 447-1555.   Mike Ayala:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikeayala/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoa4pNSAYxBM6nSn2jCrPYA Website: https://investingforfreedom.co/   Ashish Nathu: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashishnathu/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1TXia_kxtVVCV29jmoTmeg Website: https://www.therichequation.com/ Matt Aitchison: Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialmattya Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mattaitchisonmedia Website: www.MillionaireMindcast.com Aaron Amuchastegui: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronamuchastegui/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronAmuchastegui/about Website: https://www.aaronamuchastegui.com/

Ryan Dusick is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist with an MA in Clinical Psychology and the founding drummer of the world's most popular band, Maroon 5. As a boy, he dreamt of pitching for the Dodgers and writing adventure novels. Arm injuries sidelined his burgeoning baseball career, just as rock music became his new passion and purpose. Founding the band Kara's Flowers in 1994 with fellow Brentwood High School students Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden, and Adam Levine, Ryan worked tirelessly through his college years at UCLA before the band changed its name to Maroon 5 and finally had its first hit record, Songs About Jane. Multiple hit songs, two Grammy Awards, and 20 million albums sold later, Ryan found himself suffering and without direction as his career as a performer came to an end, just as it was taking off. Struggling with physical and mental health challenges, Ryan finally overcame his struggles in 2016, when he began his journey of recovery, culminating in a new life path full of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Now working as a mental health professional at The Missing Peace Center for Anxiety in Agoura Hills, CA, Ryan is spreading the message that recovery is possible, and some astounding things can come with it.

“God setteth the solitary in families.” Psalms 68:6HOMEPAGE:   https://safeguardyoursoul.comMAKE PEACE WITH GOD NOW: https://safeguardyoursoul.com/peace-with-god/SUPPORT:  https://safeguardyoursoul.com/support/STORE:   https://store.safeguardyoursoul.com/ABOUT:  https://safeguardyoursoul.com/about/email Todd:  info@safeguardyoursoul.comBackground Music by: Thad Fiscella https://www.thadfiscella.com/ 

Another great interview with Sharion N A Phelps Marriage and Family Therapist on marriage, divorce, introspective healing, finding the root causes, personal mental and physical health, cultural difference , Social media and mental health, social norms and much more! Welcome to eyematherapy! I'm Sharion N.A. Phelps, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a solid educational foundation. I hold a Graduate Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, demonstrating my commitment to the field's specialized knowledge. I also have a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, which provides me with a broader understanding of the social dynamics that influence individuals and relationships. Having worked extensively with over 100 clients, encompassing individuals, couples, and groups, I've guided them toward achieving their mental health goals. My approach is rooted in the belief that true transformation occurs when we embark on a journey of self-discovery, leading to enhanced self-awareness, inner tranquility, and more profound interpersonal connections. Throughout my practice, I've discovered that clients often seek therapy for healing and personal growth. They yearn for an approach that fosters deep exploration of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I am a firm advocate of the power of introspection. I guide clients from an inward to outward perspective, harnessing therapeutic methodologies that cater to all individuals, couples, groups, and families. For more Information about to to get services visit www.eyeamtherapy.com to inquire . Hosted By: Terrance Hutchinson Www.Yourbestlifestyles.com Www.Bbrmediagroup.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/yourbestlifestyles/message

Part Four of our Sermon Series "Relationships" with Pastor Adam Starling

Research consistently shows that young people who wait until after the wedding have a better chance for a stable, fulfilling, happy marriage. They also do not have to worry about sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. Though this does not fit with contemporary assumptions about human beings, obedience to the Lord's loving plan always works best, and brings incalculable benefits into our lives.   While we may or may not hear this kind of moral clarity in church, it's been quite a while since the government has admitted the negative consequences of unmarried sex, particularly for teenagers. However, a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated clearly that young people who are virgins register much higher in nearly all health-related behaviors than those who are sexually active. These behaviors included everything from using seat belts to avoiding drug abuse, eating a healthy diet, going to the doctor, exercising, and avoiding riding with a driver who's been drinking. In addition, one finding that the media did not mention at the time is that while sexually inactive teens are healthiest, sexually active homosexual and bisexual teens fared significantly worse than their sexually active heterosexual peers.   At the time, the CDC conveyed the blockbuster conclusions of their report as drily and bureaucratically as possible: “Significant health disparities exist.” A summary of the CDC study provided by Focus on the Family clarified just how significant these disparities are.   First, smoking. The study found that sexually active heterosexual teens were 3,300% more likely to smoke tobacco products daily than their virgin counterparts. “Same-sex/bisexual-active” teens were 9,500% more likely to smoke daily than the virgins.  Second, drug abuse. The study found that sexually active heterosexual teens were 500% more likely to have ever injected a non-prescription drug than the virgins, while a whopping 2,333% of the “same-sex/bisexual-active” teens were more likely than the virgins to have done so.  Now, as Focus noted at the time, correlation is not causation. The research did not prove that abstinence causes other healthy habits. However, the very fact that the CDC noted a relationship between sexual behavior and other habits is more than a little significant. Though the CDC would never put it this way, the summary offered by Focus on the Family was clear and succinct: “The sexual choices and values our young people hold have real-life consequences far beyond sexuality itself.”  Parents who care about the health and well-being of their children should especially take note of this data and have confidence that they can make a difference for their child. Researcher Mark Regnerus highlighted in his book Forbidden Fruit that the intensity of teens' religious beliefs is more important when it comes to sexual activity than exactly what religious beliefs they claim.  The first thing, then, for parents to care about is our kids' faith. A strong, informed, and vital relationship with Jesus will help them resist the kinds of temptation and peer pressure—sexual and otherwise—that assault them every day at school and online.  In other words, worldview matters. The CDC report demonstrates there are consequences for a secular worldview that sees bodies as something we “own,” something external to who we are, something we use (or abuse) depending on our desires, our will, or our “identity.”  The Christian worldview, in sharp contrast, teaches that our bodies are integral to who we are, both in how humans were created and in that Christ took on flesh to make all things new. The extent that we and our kids truly embrace this will determine how we treat our bodies and the bodies of others.  For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.  This Breakpoint was revised from one originally published on December 9, 2016. 

If all there was to go on were sitcoms, movies, and mainstream editorials, we'd have to conclude that marriage is a direct path to misery, the “old ball and chain” that only ties us down, limits our freedom, and cramps our sexual fun. Many people now think of marriage less as “settling down” and more as “settling.” Young people are told, “You've got plenty of time, live a little, first,” as if life ends after the wedding.   The truth about marriage, however, is that it is, statistically, the single best predictor of long-term happiness. Making this even more important to understand is that for at least the last 20 years now, Americans have been steadily getting less happy.    Writing at UnHerd, sociologist Brad Wilcox and the Institute for Family Studies' David Bass point to new research from the University of Chicago that suggests that “Americans who are married with children are now leading happier and more prosperous lives, on average, than men and women who are single and childless.” And not just a little bit happier, either. According to Wilcox and Bass there is a “startling 30-percentage-point happiness divide between married and unmarried Americans.”  In other words, the happiness divide and the marriage divide are largely the same. Sam Peltzman, lead researcher behind the University of Chicago paper, isolated all other factors among thousands of respondents, including income, education, race, location, age, and gender. He concluded that “the most important differentiator” when it comes to who is happy and who is not is marriage. “Low happiness characterizes all types of non-married,” Peltzman writes, whether divorced, widowed, or never married. “No subsequent population categorization will yield so large a difference in happiness across so many people.”  In other words, the decline of marriage over the last several decades is causing the decline in happiness, or at least most of it. As Peltzman told The Atlantic in statistical hyperbole: “The only happy people for 50 years have been married people.”   Olga Khazan, who wrote the Atlantic piece and has been cohabiting with her partner for 15 years, says these stats also struck her as counterintuitive. However, she then admits that “this is a fairly consistent finding dating back decades in social-science research: Married people are happier. Period.”  Of course, happiness isn't the sole or even the best reason to get married. Many things in life carry deep meaning and significance that don't necessarily make us happy. A life lived only for happiness is a futile “chasing after the wind.” Enduring suffering, overcoming trials and tragedy, or sacrificing time, energy, or even our lives for others are all richly worthwhile pursuits that yield rewards in eternity. Certainly, loving someone and raising godly children is worth it, even if it's not always fun.   And we should note, “happiness” is a malleable word. When survey participants say being married or having children made them “happy,” they may often mean that these permanent connections give them lasting joy, something more profound than fleeting happiness, which surveys seldom quantify.      Still, these consistently stark results are unmistakable. They should challenge the entire way of thinking in sitcoms, movies, and editorials. Marriage is one of the chief sources of wellbeing and satisfaction in life. The fact that marriage rates have declined so dramatically over the last 50 years has had real, population-wide consequences.  Because the reasons people are not marrying at the same rates are so complex, different solutions will be required to raise the marriage rate. According to Wilcox and Bass, one of the most important reasons is the fact that, for many Americans who are living together and may already have children, getting married incurs a tax “penalty.” The federal government needs to, in their words, stop “making marriage a bad financial bet for lower-income families.”   That would be a good start. Ultimately, however, our bad laws are reinforced by a low view of marriage that has infected hearts and minds via entertainment, media, culture, and individual choices. We have a worldview problem, which has led to a conflict between the values and priorities of millions of people and the way they were actually created to live.   Marriage is part of God's plan for humanity and for His creation. No other human institution forges such lasting and consequential bonds. So, it should surprise no one—least of all Christians—that our nation's 50-year experiment with alternatives to marriage has left huge numbers of people deeply unhappy. Thanks to social science, we know the solution. The question now, for each of us and for all of society, is whether we're willing to commit.   This Breakpoint was co-authored by Shane Morris. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

A law in St. Louis banning so-called transgender care for minors can now take effect after a judge struck down a lawsuit challenging it. In a two-page order, Missouri Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer wrote that the lawsuit, which was brought by the ACLU, lacked sufficient evidence to delay the legislation: “The science and medical evidence is conflicting and unclear. Accordingly, the evidence raises more questions than answers.”  Activists claim that the science in favor of transgender “care” is settled. It's not true. Thankfully this judge was willing to say it out loud. This legislative push came as part of an investigation into the transgender clinic at St. Louis Children's Hospital. In February, a whistleblower alleged that the clinic had started transitioning more than 600 children between 2020 and 2022. In some cases, puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones were prescribed after just two one-hour visits.   In summary, the threat is real, the “science” is false, and children's lives are at stake.

Sermon Text: Mark 10:1-16 Preacher: Will Broadus Series: The Book of Mark: The Gospel of the Kingdom

For a lot of people, writes Angela Chen in The Atlantic, “[s]ibling bonds are the longest relationships of our lives. We know siblings before we meet our partners (and before we have our own kids), and we'll know them after our parents die.”  Some research even suggests that siblings have a higher impact than parents on whether teens do drugs and alcohol. Another study found that “subjects who had conflict or distance in their relationships with siblings before age 20 were more likely to be depressed at age 50.”   What G.K. Chesterton once wrote about neighbors describes siblings even better,  "We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next-door neighbor. Hence, he comes to us clad in all the careless terrors of nature; he is as strange as the stars, as reckless and indifferent as the rain." The fewer children that Western couples have, the fewer siblings there will be in the world. And that will be a poorer world indeed. 

*NEW* 6 Episode Series - Matching Stories Vs Creating Stories: Where Upsets and Celebrations live in Relationship Discover with Zach and Sierra What is a matching story? What is important to know about them? What do they serve, what are the pitfalls? Matching stories are past based and many times a cause of upsets or disagreement.  What is a created story? These serve a unique possibility in relationship and it is important to disinguish the two. While a new created story can feel uncomfortable, remarkable breakthroughs are possible in this space.  Get some real time practice and ideas of what to look for in your relationships to see where you may be getting tied up.    Download our FREE "What to Say..." Guide to get started on these conversations -  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6447124ec65923bd9fbd3af5 To enroll in our upcoming workshops in September and October, click this link - Singles workshop enrollment coming soon for October 7-8, 2023 in the Seattle, WA area. https://beintact.com/workshopsandofferings   Book a session or discover relationship development services for personal and professional relationships.  topmate.io/beintact Couples Workshop:You will discover the truth about the fundamental nature and design of human relationships. As you unveil what is operating unseen behind all the issues that arise in relationships, problems dissolve and disappear. You're no longer caught up in the futility of fixing, tolerating, and ending relationships. Instead, you are ready to start creating and designing extraordinary relationships. Singles Workshop:This workshop is for single people ready to take the next steps in their experience of relationships. Why keep going on 50 first dates? You may discover the roadblocks keeping you from steadfast and fulfilling relationships.   With over a decade of coaching others, and 20+ years together, 1000+ hours of coaching sessions, we are here to offer our services, workshops and programs to breakthrough where you may be stuck, or take your great relationship and explore extraordinary relationship. Welcome to Be Intact - where we help busy, burnt out, millennials create lasting habits, transform their health and experience extraordinary relationships. We are truly glad you are here with us - welcome to the conversation! Xoxo - Zach & Sierra

https://roddreher.substack.com/p/the-sad-life-of-julia  @blogmablog4870  Live Not By Lies...At Least Not Lots of Them | Doug Wilson https://youtu.be/9jj2fCcvGnU?si=av7CQ484FQSjy_4a  @GrimGriz  OUTPOURING TSUNAMI - 20230907 https://www.youtube.com/live/qxnsVgQR8VU?si=a-i--8sLVzEKA2KQ https://roddreher.substack.com/p/reviewing-the-boniface-option https://www.furtherup.net/p/all-the-single-ladies Upcoming TLC Events Breakwater Festival Mannheim Germany October 27-29 2023 Event Details and Tickets: https://buytickets.at/breakwater/935800   T-shirts: https://buytickets.at/breakwater/store Discord: tinyurl.com/BreakwaterDiscord   Festival Email: contact.breakwater@gmail.com  Flyer https://bit.ly/breakwaterfestival2023  https://events.eventzilla.net/e/convivium-2023-poetry-as-perception-2138588315 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGsDIP_K6J6VSTqlq-9IPlg/join   Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg Bridges of Meaning Discord https://discord.gg/UkptDXrP https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/ My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/ Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/ If you want to schedule a one-on-one conversation check here. https://paulvanderklay.me/2019/08/06/converzations-with-pvk/ There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333  If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/  All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.  https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640  

We discuss both the truth and the myths that exist when it comes to generational impact on our lives. Don't excuse your behavior because of how you were raised, and don't ignore what you need to do to impact your legacy today. Choose to equip your kids for what they will face in the future and develop their character by living out genuine faith in front of them. They need to SEE it, not just HEAR it. Legacy matters and you are leaving one...what is it? Remember, in Christ we are a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 -“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” We have the ability to repent from sin, pick up our cross, and live a life transformed by God. Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We are responsible for our own behavior Ezekiel 18:20-23 -“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” As always, we would love to hear from you and please take the time to leave us a review as it helps make this resource available to others.  If you want additional information about our 2 day Marriage Reboots, Coaching, Speaking Events, or Resources...please go and visit our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.unrelentingpursuit.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We would love to be a part of your growth and healing in marriage. You can also email us @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@unrelentingpursuit.org⁠⁠ Be sure to stay updated with us on social media- ⁠https://www.instagram.com/unrelentingpursuit_/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unrelentingpursuit/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unrelentingpursuit/support

John Stonestreet and Maria Baer remember the lives and legacies of two remarkable people of faith. They also discuss new information regarding the alleged mass graves at Canadian boarding schools and how the Church should view singlehood.     — Recommendations — "Fresh off a Supreme Court Win, the Praying Coach Takes the Field" Lighthouse Voices Event: Dr. Matthew Sleeth   Section 1 - Remembering the Legacies of People of Faith "Former Minnesota Gov. Al Quie Dies at 99" Alice K. Noebel Obituary  Section 2 - The The "Mass Graves" Hoax in Canada "No Human Remains Found Two Years After Claims of ‘Mass Graves' in Canada" "Colorado Student Can Keep “Don't Tread on Me” Flag" Section 3 - Stories of the Week "The Church, Singles, and Calling" "Don't Blame Your Sins on Montana" "Jane Goodall, Avengers-Level Threat"

Americans today are getting married later in life than their parents or grandparents. As of 2022, the average age at which Americans get married is 28 for women and 30 for men. This is eight years later in life than the average bride and groom of the 1960s.   As many have noted, today's spike in singleness and single-person households is, in part, the result of a widespread cultural erosion of marriage, both inside and outside of the Church. Over the past 60 years, marriage has taken a social and cultural beating thanks to the legalization of no-fault divorce and abortion, the widespread use of birth control, the proliferation of easily accessible hook-up apps, and the casual dominance of pornography. These realities undermine the maturity, self-control, and responsibility required for stable and successful marriages. Whether or not an individual chooses to engage in these practices, they decrease everyone's chances of finding a partner interested in or ready for marriage.  In the wake of this cultural erosion, the Church has had to make necessary and prudential efforts to reinforce marriage and family life as   the God-given norm, reaffirming the goodness of marriage and family life in its teaching, serving as a space for Christians who desire marriage to find a spouse, and offering support and recovery for those fighting the temptations of “free love.” However, in these efforts, the Church has often struggled in its approach to singles. While not intentionally excluding singles, the Church has often failed to intentionally include singles—whether young or old, never married or widows/widowers—and create space for them to participate and serve in the life of the Church apart from the pursuit of marriage. In the process, some churches have even given the impression that singleness is only a problem to be fixed, rather than a calling that some have for part or all of their lives.   Though unusual as a long-term vocation, singleness is a biblical, God-ordained calling within which individuals show God's image and serve Him and His Church with single-minded, self-sacrificial devotion. Scripture presents single people as whole persons who bear the image of God. Unlike other creation stories (like Plato's Timaeus), Genesis 2 does   not present Adam and Eve as half persons made whole by joining in marriage. Rather, Adam was created a complete person who, in his singleness, reveals God's image. When God declares that Adam's aloneness is “not good,” He does not thereby imply that Adam was half of a person. Marriage unites the man and the woman as “one flesh” precisely because both are full persons who bear the image of God. Because singles bear God's image, they are capable of revealing His image in their singleness.   Additionally, through Christ's redemption, singles have a means to devote themselves to Christ and His Kingdom in a way that married people, on account of simple logistics, cannot. Through faithfulness and chastity, Christian singleness—whether temporary or lifelong—also points to the mystical union believers have with Christ. Because of this union, those who are single can be free from the anxieties of this present,   passing age and can focus on the work of God's Kingdom (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). Their joyful, single-minded devotion paints a picture of life in the age to come, an age where we “neither marry nor are given in marriage.”    In affirming the biblical legitimacy of singleness, the Church must avoid swinging too far in the other direction by elevating singleness over and against marriage. Just as being less common doesn't make singleness   abnormal or aberrant, neither does its extraordinariness make it intrinsically holier than marriage. Like the widow and her mite, the married couple with young children honors God. A husband and wife are not more mature by virtue of their marital status. Both singleness and marriage are ways for humans to bear God's image and glorify Him. Both singleness and marriage can be distorted by sin and selfishness.   For a number of reasons, extended singleness is a reality that many, young and old, face today. God is not surprised by this. Rather, He has called his people to live in “such a time as this.” In such a time, the Church has a responsibility not only to recover and uphold the institution of marriage but to graciously help people live out their singleness in self-sacrificial faithfulness. Pitting marriage and singleness against one another, as if one were better or holier than the other, will only lead to incomplete ministry that abandons believers to the strong undertow of cultural brokenness.   This Breakpoint was co-authored by Jared Eckert. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Stories that depict parenting as the end of happiness are a cottage industry these days, but a story told recently in People magazine was different. Arkansas teachers Tasia and Drew Taylor are, at just 23 and 25, raising two teenagers, with a baby on the way.  First, the Taylors took in Tasia's cousin Tamiray. Then they adopted Rory, a 13-year-old student at the school where Tasia taught, when they learned she was being placed in foster care. When asked why, the Taylors said, “We felt God was calling us.” Tasia described their decisions to provide a home for these teenagers in this way:   "People try to make us out as martyrs a lot of the time, and that's not what we are. There's no way that in our heart we could turn these kids away knowing that we had the space for them, and we were willing to provide for them." 

A recent BBC article questioned what last year's Dobbs decision could mean for in vitro fertilization. The owner of a self-described “boutique fertility clinic” in Austin, Texas, told reporters that she's worried abortion restrictions will be bad for business: “If you say life begins at fertili[z]ation, then how can I grow an embryo in a lab, or biopsy it for genetic testing, or freeze it or thaw it, or implant it in somebody, or leave it frozen?”  These questions should have been asked before IVF became big business. In most fertility clinics today, human lives are put in real danger, especially those embryos designated “extra.” These are either aborted, left indefinitely on ice, discarded, or donated for medical experimentation.   The few clinics committed to a more (though not completely) ethical IVF, by creating a single embryo at a time or requiring that every embryo is implanted, won't be affected by abortion restrictions, but most of them will. And they should be.

Recently, NBC news shared an article entitled, “Pope says church is open to everyone, including gay people, but has rules.” Asked if it was inconsistent for him to say that Christianity was open to “everyone” when some, including gay people, were apparently excluded, Pope Francis replied, “The church is open to everyone but there are laws that regulate life inside the church.” To anyone even vaguely familiar with the Roman Catholic Church or Christian teaching throughout history, the only newsworthy item here is that reporters thought it was newsworthy.   The rest of us may not have been sure that the Pope would be as forthright as he was. What he said was not an innovation.   St. Paul was pretty clear when he described Christians and their sin, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”   

In the 22nd week of surrogate Brittney Pearson's pregnancy, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Because the necessary treatment could harm the baby, her doctors recommended inducing labor early and allowing the baby to be cared for in neonatal intensive care while she started chemo. However, the gay couple paying Brittney Pearson to serve as their surrogate did not want a premature baby with potential developmental or health problems. They wanted her instead to have an abortion.  Pearson offered to put the baby up for adoption, but the men refused because, according to Pearson, they did not want a child who was genetically related to one of them somewhere “out there.” According to Pearson, the men threatened both her and her doctors with a lawsuit if she did not abort her child. Because of California's radical surrogacy laws, which allow financiers of a surrogacy arrangement to be granted legal parental rights of the baby before he or she is born, they likely would have prevailed.   In an interview with Jennifer Lahl of the Center for Bioethics and Culture, Pearson told her story. Her son was born at 25 weeks of pregnancy, a gestational age that, thanks to advances in maternal medicine, children have survived. Though she has not publicly stated whether her son was killed before or after delivery, or whether he was given or denied the medical treatment a premature baby needs, she has confirmed that her son died the day he was born, which was Father's Day.  Though, of course, not every surrogacy contract ends this way, Pearson is not the first surrogate mom pressured to kill her baby by those paying for it. However, it would be a profound mistake to think of hers as a case of “surrogacy gone wrong,” as advocates of the practice claim about stories like hers. Each and every moral violation that occurred along the way was not exclusive to Pearson's unique circumstances. Rather, they are violations endemic to surrogacy itself, a practice that denies children the right to their mother and, at times, their father, and denies a mother the right to her own child. Children are treated as products to be purchased and arranged, subject to property laws and other legal realities long used to dehumanize certain individuals.  It's jarring to hear these men talk of Brittney Pearson's baby as if he were a lamp ordered off Amazon that was delivered broken. However, it is the surrogacy contracts signed ahead of time that treat human babies as commodities. If it seems like an obvious violation of human rights and God's moral order for two men to demand that a woman have her baby killed, what should we make of the legal contract governing the baby's creation, gestation, and delivery in the first place? If babies are treated like products and pregnancy like the means of production at the beginning of the surrogacy process, ought we not to expect things to be different at the end?  Human beings are made in the image and likeness of God. Thus, they should never be treated like any other thing.   Like the social research that shows how extended exposure to violent video games and media can desensitize people to actual violence, surrogacy is among those cultural realities that reveal how much our view of children has been desensitized by all that constantly reduces them to “things.” As one gay man who sued his employer last year for refusing to pay for him and his husband to hire a surrogate put it, children are just one of the modern “trappings” of “marriage,” like a “house, children, [and] 401k.”  The willful death of Brittney Pearson's son is a tragic, but logical, escalation of the moral errors fundamental to surrogacy. As marriage and family are increasingly deconstructed, reimagined, and replaced in law, the demand for surrogacy will only increase, and more babies will face the same kind of danger as Pearson's baby. If we don't stand up for them, who will? And if we do, it will require standing against this practice, which is fundamentally disordered and always wrong, and not merely against selective cases.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Maria Baer. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Massachusetts is rejecting would-be adoptive parents if those parents are Christian and thus denying a home to children in need, according to a new lawsuit. Mike and Kitty Burke went through all the classes, background checks, and home assessments required to become adoptive parents, and scored highly. Yet, they were rejected because, as state officials wrote in their report, the couple's Christian faith meant they are “not supportive” of kids who identify as LGBTQ.  Right now, in Massachusetts more than 1,500 kids are in need of a foster home. Not only do advocates deny biology and sexualize children by suggesting their sexual preferences are their identity, but they also deny kids loving parents as if it is better to not have a home than to be in a home with a religious mom and dad.  This is not an isolated incident. A mom in Oregon was also rejected from fostering kids for the same reason. Again, it's the children who are harmed.

It's an experience that drives many young mothers crazy. After carrying a child for months, enduring labor and childbirth, nursing through many sleepless nights, what are the first words she hears from the kid? “Dada!”   It isn't always the case, but across time and cultures, babies are more likely to name their father before their mother. However, rather than a preference for dad or a slight to mom, according to a tweet by Dr. Dan Wuori, it more likely reinforces how important mom is. At that young age, the mother/child bond is so tight that babies simply can't see her as “other.” She is the world, with Dad more of a visitor.   This is a reminder of what Ryan T. Anderson has said. Kids don't need just “parents.” They need a mom and a dad, and each provides unique and distinct gifts by their presence to children.