Don't Mom Alone Podcast

When enough wise people share something with me, I believe it must be true. One of those statements is: “The years go quickly.” I mean. Have I really been parenting for a decade? And have I been publishing podcasts for two years? Wowzers. In honor of time flying and wise mentors, I’ve created a gift for you. . . A Parenting Mashup Episode!!!  What does that mean exactly? Well, I listened to hours of past parenting podcast episodes and pulled out clips with great words of wisdom. Then I mashed them together in one episode!! So now when you need a quick word of grace and truth you can head over to episode 96 and be filled. Thank you for celebrating God’s great work and giving Him all thanks and glory!! What we chat about: * The common emotion of anger and struggle with yelling. * The idea of controlling ourselves first and how to do that practically * The false comfort of formulas and ever achieving “perfect” parenting * The grace we have been extended and can give to our children * The practical weaving of grace into discipline * The true identity we need to discover in Christ before dealing with children’s behavior * The lessons learned from those who have older children. . .what really matters * The ways to connect with God in the midst of mundane and busy mothering * The need we have for others and reaching out for help * The hope and joy we can experience when we see our children with heaven’s perspective Who was on this episode (in order of appearance): * Sally Clarkson–Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram * Leslie Johnson–Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram * September McCarthy–Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter * Kirk Martin–Site :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Podcast * Jeannie Cunnion–Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest :: Instagram * Jim & Lynne Jackson–Connected Families Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest * Vickie Kraft–Books :: Obituary

Parenting Mashup Episode :: Two Years of the GodCenteredMom Podcast {Ep 96}

You’ve heard me talk about it for the past few weeks. And it’s finally here!!! My new idea to invite you, the listener, on the show. To share your story, your specific struggle to stay God-centered. We can all echo “that’s me”. . .identifying with you and coming alongside one another. And as a bonus, I’ve called on a mentor/author/expert to share advice, coming from a place of “that was me!” or “that’s me, too!” This week our ‘guinea pig’ guests are Annette and Rachel.  In this episode, Annette and I chat for the first half of the show. She had emailed me about balancing working part-time with raising three very young girls. She also felt disconnected from her husband who is self-employed and has to work a lot as a result. With Annette’s permission, I reached out to my friend, Rachel Anne Ridge. Rachel is a mom to three grown children. She and her husband have experienced many years of self-employment. Rachel found herself going back to work when she really wanted to stay home and homeschool her children. She also has a super practical blog with great housekeeping tips for those of us “less organized” folks. Rachel’s reassuring, calming voice and wise perspective is good for us all. No matter what your work-life balance looks like, who doesn’t need some good tips on handling laundry and clutter? (Rachel also owns a donkey. It’s true. She wrote about it in her book, “Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances“**) I’m super duper excited to share this new feature episode with you. There are more “that’s me” episodes in the works. Please, please let me know if you enjoy this one and if it helps you in any way. Connect with Rachel Anne Ridge: Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram What we chat about: Annette’s Questions:  * Are you the kind of mom who needs a “something else”? * Is staying home for a season an option? * How do we handle frustration when husband is home but working/occupied? * Is investment only a term we can use for finances? * What are some ways to connect with a husband who works a lot? * How can we stop operating from a place of fear and self-reliance? * When moms who work outside the home have “free time” how do they choose between house work and work-work? Rachel’s Answers:  * Committing to pray for the situation * Compromising to come to a solution * Writing out the specifics to determine your ROI (return on investment) * Considering the emotional needs of each spouse * Lowering your standards when life is full * Creating a simple housekeeping schedule and basket/drawer in each room * Prioritizing your alone time to regroup * Finding common interests as a couple Links Mentioned: * Sabbath post * Kathi Lipp and her organization book * Previous Interview with Rachel Anne Ridge (Ep 13) * What happens to our minds when we get distracted by email —

That's Me Struggling with Work-Life Balance Annette & Rachel Ep 95

Our copy is duct-taped and well-loved. . . My oldest son beamed telling me how he’s read the whole Bible in a couple weeks. . . It’s sold almost 2 million copies. . . Children (and adults) have been wooed by the story of their Great Rescuer. Of His ‘Never-Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.’ And now “The Jesus Storybook Bible” is even more accessible. This week’s podcast guest, author Sally Lloyd-Jones, chats with me about her newest project. . . Same great content, new design, new title. . .for a new audience. “The Story of God’s Love for You” is now available. For the person you never would have thought to give a children’s Bible. The person who needs to hear: “It’s not about rules, so keeping them God will love us. Or heroes we’re supposed to copy so God will love us. It’s about a God who loved us before we even knew Him. A God who will move heaven and earth to be with His children.” –Sally Lloyd-Jones In this episode, Sally shares a little of her background and the inspiration behind “The Jesus Storybook Bible”. We also spend time talking about how God uses stories to reach our hearts. Sally knows how to speak grace and the gospel message. Her words will feel like a deep cleansing breath. Her books are daily reminders of grace. The grace we long to show ourselves and our children. Connect with Sally: Story of God’s Love for You :: Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram What we chat about: * How Sally got to NYC from Uganda and how she discovered the gift of writing * Trusting God to bring about His plans even in challenging circumstances * Being faithful with the unseen, important task in front of us * How the “Jesus Story Book Bible” makes the gospel accessible * What’s new in the version “The Story of God’s Love for You” * How God’s love melts our hearts * Sally’s personal childhood experience with Sunday School and how it guided her writing * Reconciling the God in the Old Testament and New Testament Links Mentioned: * The Story of God’s Love for You ** * The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name** * Other books by Sally **Amazon Affiliate Link How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one (that I mentioned) in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio. If you don’t have an iDevice, you can listen via Stitcher. 3. Subscribe to the Podcast – access the podcast in iTunes (

The Story of God's Love for You Sally Lloyd-Jones Ep 94

All have sinned. . .and all have been offered mercy.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. . . we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:8 & 11 The last couple podcast episodes there has been a bit of a theme developing.  None of us can achieve perfection in our efforts. But we have hope because we have been given a perfect Savior. Jesus longs to restore us to wholeness. To heal the wounds. To bind the brokenness. Today, my dear friend, Stacy Reaves, shares her own restoration story. Her story includes an abortion as a teenager, a striving to “live perfectly” and a healing of her soul.  Now she and her mom lead Restore Ministry for post-abortive women.  Even if your story doesn’t resonate with Stacy’s, I encourage you to listen because she clearly explains the freedom journey. No matter what shame you are carrying, Stacy and I hope you find the confidence of a safe friend. That you allow Truth to remove whatever lies you are believing.  And that you hear God’s voice clearly saying who you are in Him. Connect with Stacy: Restored Ministry Site :: Facebook What we chat about: * The story of Stacy’s teenage pregnancy and then abortion. * The weight and struggle of the pain after she became a Christian. * The invitation by a mentor to attend a recovery Bible study. * The freedom she (and her mom) received and wanted for others. * The life we are called to live–a purpose to live out once healed. * The multitude of women not reaching out for help and healing. * The healing and groups for men affected by abortion. Links Mentioned: * Restore Ministry * True self vs. False self video * “Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” Psalm 30:10-12 * Surrendering the Secret: Healing the Heartbreak of Abortion (Picking Up the Pieces Series) by Patricia Layton** *  Operation Outcry **Amazon Affiliate Link How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one (that I mentioned) in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio. If you don’t have an iDevice, you can listen via Stitcher. 3. Subscribe to the Podcast – access the podcast in iTunes (Click here to access via iTunes). You can also search for it on your smartphone app (like the ones listed above) and subscribe.

I Am Restored Stacy Reaves Ep 93

Numb. Isolated. Exhausted. Unlovable. If you’ve ever strived for perfection, then you know how it feels when you fall short. Maybe you aren’t the one carrying a list of all you “need to do to earn God’s love.” But more the type who carries a “Never Good Enough List with all the reasons you’ll never be able to earn His love.” Either way, Amy Carroll, (author, speaker, Proverbs 31 contributor) is on the podcast this week helping us break up with perfect. This topic arrived perfectly after last week’s grace-filled message from Jeannie Cunnion. Because in order to give our children grace we have to grasp it for ourselves. In this episode (and in her new book), Amy helps us recognize the lies we have been believing and the Truth to set us free. Lies like: “I was created to produce perfection” or “People are obstacles to my tasks” or “If I have the right stuff, my life will be perfect.” My favorite quote from our conversation was: Only when I end my own pursuit of perfection can God do a perfecting work in me. –Amy Carroll  May you experience a supernatural freedom from the struggle to be perfect. May your friendships deepen, your family be strengthened and your awareness of God’s love grow as you stop striving and surrender to His gentle heart work. Connect with Amy: Breaking Up with Perfect :: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest  What we chat about: * The events making Amy aware of her perfectionism * The impact a mentor had in Amy’s journey to lose the list of perfect * The supernatural work God did on Amy to break the shell around her heart, to feel His love * The two perfect super moms in Amy’s head–torn between two ideals. * The destruction of friendship when perfectionism enters. * The different types of perfectionists and their lists: good girl list or the never-good-enough list * The possibility of passing on perfectionism to our kids. Links Mentioned: * Courtney DeFeo–our connector * Breaking up with Perfect * Dr. Caroline Leaf * Proverbs 31 Ministries * The Opinion Blender–didn’t mention in podcast, but found it on Amy’s site. . .such great advice **Amazon Affiliate Link How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a

Breaking Up with Perfect Amy Carroll Ep 92

I know parenting with grace is the “right” choice. However. . .when the house is a wreck and the boys are fighting and dinner’s on the stove? Grace doesn’t come easily. But then I get a pep talk from, Jeannie Cunnion (author of “Parenting the Wholehearted Child”). Jeannie always reminds me of the gospel. She reminds me who I am in Christ, so I can come alongside my kids and do the same. In this episode  Jeannie and I spend time chatting about a recent article she wrote over at FoxNews (link below). She encourages us to ask our kids an important question. Engaging them in a conversation about what makes us lovable. Personally, my day went so much better after we talked. I’m confident the same will be true for you. They’re not going to have perfect mom, but they have a perfect Savior. -Jeannie Connect with Jeannie: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest :: Instagram What we chat about: * How do grace and discipline intermix * The question we should regular ask our children * Learning to not equate performance with being more lovable * Recognizing God’s grace for us, allows us to come along side our kids to the cross * Modeling a willingness to say “I need Jesus” * Freedom found in not being a perfect mom but having a perfect Savior. Links Mentioned: * Parenting the Wholehearted Child: Captivating Your Child’s Heart with God’s Extravagant Grace** * Previous podcast interview with Jeannie (Ep 55)–How to {really} parent with grace * My Challenge to Every Parent–Fox News * Good News for Weary Women: Escaping the Bondage of To-Do Lists, Steps, and Bad Advice by Elise Fitzpatrick ** **Amazon Affiliate Link How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one (that I mentioned) in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio. If you don’t have an iDevice, you can listen via Stitcher. 3. Subscribe to the Podcast – access the podcast in iTunes (Click here to access via iTunes). You can also search for it on your smartphone app (like the ones listed above) and subscribe. **Check out this page for instructions on how to leave a rating or review on iTunes:GodCenteredMom.com/review   

Anchoring Our Kids' Lovability in Christ :: Jeannie Cunnion Ep 91

There is born within you an internal conversation with God. This conversation is highly enjoyable, and the most amazing thing about it is that no outward circumstances can interrupt it. – Jeanne Guyon Is such a thing really possible? Is joy outside of circumstances a pipe dream or a reality for some believers? Today’s podcast guest, Amanda Wilson, is a real life friend (and prayer mentor) who shares her faith journey. Amanda grew up in the church. Her performance was perfect and she believed God was pleased. Then her theology was rocked. She learned personally how bad things could happen to good people. Doctors diagnosed her beloved father with ALS (degenerative muscular disease) and gave him 2-5 years to live. Fifteen years later her father is still living, can speak and smile. And most importantly he enjoys intimate conversations with God. In this episode Amanda shares how God revealed His deep love for her (outside of her performance) and how she is learning to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Through her dad’s experience we all learn joy outside of circumstances is truly possible. **If you are a local Dallas listener, come out on October 22nd and watch the documentary about John Paine’s life, “The Luckiest Man”. Hopefully it will be shown in more theaters around the country. Watch the trailer below (or click here if reading via email). What we chat about: * When you’ve had a good Christian childhood. . .to make God happy. * When life doesn’t go perfectly and you assumed it would if you follow the rules. * When you realize you have a skewed view of who you are in Christ. * When you choose to work with a community to re-learn your true identity. * When you can no longer move your body and still know deep joy. * When you long for visible fruit from the Holy Spirit, outside of your circumstances. Links Mentioned: * Captivating Revised and Updated: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul ** * Celebrate Recovery Groups * Al-Anon –for family of people with addictions * Steps Into God’s Grace: Spiritual Formation through God’s Word and the 12 Steps of Recovery** * The Luckiest Man by Fotolanthropy —Tickets to premiere * Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit** **Amazon Affiliate Link How to listen to the podcast: 1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one (that I mentioned) in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio. If you don’t have an iDevice, you can listen via Stitcher. 3. Subscribe to the Podcast – access the podcast in iTunes (Click here to access via iTunes).

Joy Outside of Circumstances Amanda Wilson Ep 90

Do you think you’re beautiful? (If you’re like 96% of women surveyed worldwide, your answer was probably: ‘no’). But what if I asked your kids or your husband, what would they say? (I know my 8-year-old loves when I wear my hair down & put on my ‘pretty eyes’). What about God, do you believe He sees you as beautiful? Maybe your instinct is to flippantly say, “Yeah, sure, God thinks I’m beautiful.” But do you (and I) deep down know and live like we are cherished in His eyes—no matter what our past or present holds. No matter how much we yell or whine or complain . . . He greets us: “Hello, beauty full”. This message is near and dear to the heart of today’s podcast guest, Elisa Morgan. President Emerita for MOPS International & Co-host of Discover the Word radio show, Elisa is also a fabulous author & speaker with a new book available September 29, 2015 titled: “Hello, Beauty Full”. In this episode Elisa and I chat about broken families and acknowledge that no one is perfect. She shares some of her own story, coming from alcoholic parents and having children with addiction issues and teen pregnancy. You will love her vulnerable spirit and warm demeanor. Most of all, Elisa reminds of how God sees us. How treasured and valuable we are in spite of anything we have done or will do. He sees Jesus when he looks at us and we know God is well-pleased with His Son. My hope is if you are struggling in your identity, believing lies of the enemy, or trying to please others instead of resting in your approval from God, that Elisa’s words would lift your chin and encourage your heart. May you and I both fully believe that when God sees us He sees a thing of beauty. What we chat about: * The beauty to be found in messy, broken families. * The importance of truly knowing how God sees us. * How women listen to the lies (“the hiss”) instead of hearing God’s voice of pleasure. * When we believe the lies, we can try self-salvation or living like we’re saved. * The five elements of beauty which make us unique. * My new favorite quote in Elisa’s book by Bernard Clairvaux. * Choosing godly sorrow which saves, instead of shame which leads to death. * A couple of practical ideas to grasp God’s wooing of you. * Accepting life to the brim, the full, not just a sip of God’s goodness Connect with Elisa: Hello, Beauty Full :: Site (with videos) :: Facebook :: Twitter Links Mentioned: * MOPs International  * The Beauty of Broken: My Story and Likely Yours Too** * The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name** * “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10) * For Freedom Be Set Free — GCM podcast Ep 4 with Francie Winslow * Lessons Learned in 87 years (Part 1) and (