The Journey Parent Podcast

A Personal Journey and Biblical Perspective on Gender & Sexuality

Guest: Hope Harris

 

Hope is a former “loud and proud” lesbian activist from Seattle who surrendered her life and sexuality to Christ about fifteen years ago. Her spiritual journey with Christ began when a friend asked Hope what she really wanted in life and when Hope responded with “peace,” her friend showed Hope the peace with God made possible by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross - see John 14:27.

 

The verse in Scripture that jumped off the page to Hope was found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, which reads:

 

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 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.

 

God’s intended design is what is best for each person. God does not withhold what is best. His design for gender and sexuality gives healthy boundaries and relationships that help us know what is best, healthy, and beneficial to human flourishing.

 

Because God is relational, we as human beings created in the image of God are designed to be relational as well. We are designed to be in community and to live lives with purpose and meaning beyond what feels best for our own self-interest.

 

“You are” messages translate into “I am” concepts in the minds of many young people. Be very careful what you say to others - words have power. Part of parenting is to model what healthy gender and sexuality really are for others to see.

 

Fighting back against the lies of this world is really a discipleship issue. Are you discipling your children, grounding them in the Word of God, and building them up to be the men and women that God has created and designed for them to be? Remember that people, even if we disagree with them, are not our enemies. Scripture reminds us that our “battle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

 

Hope’s Recommended Resources:

Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends by Mark Yarhouse

 

Talking to Kids about Gender Identity: A Roadmap for Christian Compassion, Civility, and Conviction by Mark Yarhouse

 

Feelings are real, but they are not reliable. Also, parents, we need to discuss God’s design for gender and sexuality - if they aren’t hearing the truth from us, they are learning lies from the world.

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Advancing the Gospel through the Ministry of the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center

Guests: Leanne Jamison, Alana Campbell, Whitney Freeman, and Dalton McGaha

 

The work and ministry of the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center is vital and as important as ever, even after the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the recent Dobbs decision, saving the lives of the unborn and helping families in crisis is an incredible opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who are in need of love and care. But the pregnancy center needs YOU to help - to volunteer, to serve, to ministry, to give. Listen to this moving and powerful powerful podcast featuring some PCA parents just like you as they tell about how they got involved and the difference their time and energies make in the lives of others!

 

And then connect with the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center - set up a diaper drive, donate items on their Amazon wish list, volunteer some of your time, and give some of your resources to help continue their incredible work!

 

Also remember the Chosen conference is just around the corner on Saturday, April 13th. This conference is a national gathering of life-affirming leaders and organizations providing information, resources, and support about adoption and foster care. Dynamic keynote speakers who have a passion for the sanctity of life and a heart for children in desperate need of a “forever home” include Gregg Matte, Sadie Robertson Huff, Korie Robertson, and Shane & Kasi Pruitt. 

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Scientific Evidence for a Young Universe and the April 8th Total Eclipse

Guest: Dr. Leo (Jake) Hebert III, Research Scientist, Institute for Creation Research (ICR) 

 

April 8th will feature a total eclipse and Dallas, TX is in the path of totality. To learn more about the path of totality and what you need to do to prepare, visit NASA’s site here. You can also pay attention to our friends at Day 4 Astronomy.

 

You will need some special glasses to view the eclipse - lots of places are selling them, make sure they are NASA certified.

 

The solar system is remarkable for how young it appears and new research continues to support a young universe. Check out the latest articles at ICR that point toward evidence for a young universe.

 

To read more about how blue stars point to a young universe, check out this article at ICR. Evolution has a problem with their origin story for the creation of stars.

 

Check out Dr. Hebert’s latest article on the ice sheets and how they demonstrate a young earth.

 

Check our Dr. Hebert’s article on delayed maturation and extreme longevity in the pre-flood era.

 

Check out the ICR Discovery Center for Science and Earth History.

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Scientific Evidences Support the Biblical Narrative for Creation

Guest: Dr. Tim Clarey, Director of Research, Institute for Creation Research (ICR)

 

What’s new in the world of science - plate tectonics! The movement of the sea floor had a dramatic impact on the impact of the Flood - and the more recent discoveries give more evidence for a worldwide and catastrophic Flood. Dr. John Baumgardner has done some amazing research in this area - you can read more about this here.

 

Dr. Clarey’s research shows evidence for a “progressive” and worldwide flood as well as deposits of marine fossils in places where water just shouldn’t be unless there was a worldwide flood.

 

To learn more about the fossil record and how scientists use this for dating strata, check out these resources at ICR.

 

You’ll want to check out The Discovery Center at ICR - here’s what you can expect there:

• Planetarium shows
• Engaging exhibits that teach the origin of the universe and how science affirms the Bible
• Animatronic creatures, special effects, and a chilly Ice Age theater
• Fascinating facts about DNA and human ancestry, fossils and rocks, dinosaurs, and astronomy
• Development and application of critical thinking skills while discovering the latest scientific research
• A Bible-based journey through Earth's history, highlighting scientific discoveries along the way
• Special events will include live presentations by scientists and scholars
• A resource store full of creation-based science resources and educational kits

 

Read more about the latest discoveries related to “feathered dinosaurs” and the Biblical narrative that God created animals according to their kind. Also read more about the six biological evidences for a young earth by ICR.

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Primary Election 2024 Important Information

Guest: Ben Quine, Vice President of Christians Engaged

 

Christians Engaged is encouraging and equipping Christians to PRAY, VOTE, and ENGAGE the culture for Christ!

 

1 Timothy 2:2 - Paul calls for Christians to pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

 

The Primary Election date is Tuesday, March 5th - and Early Voting is from Feb. 20th to March 1st

 

The runoff for the primary election will be May 28th

 

The General Election is Tuesday, November 5th

 

To learn more about the Party Platforms and their positions on important issues of our day, get this Biblical Roadmap to the Party Platforms.

 

Mike Johnson’s 7 Core Principles of Conservativism

1. Individual Freedom
2. Limited Government
3. The Rule of Law
4. Peace through Strength
5. Fiscal Responsibility
6. Free Markets
7. Human Dignity

 

In preparation for Easter, check out this Living Hope Devotional - a 5 week journey into the powerful story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ - our “living hope.” The first four weeks of the book will strengthen your heart, soul, and mind by working through  a different spiritual discipline each week. Those disciplines will set the table for week five - Holy Week. Cost is $10. Order yours now to get it in time for you to start five weeks before Easter!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

The Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Banquet 2024

Guests: Megan Rogers, Senior Director of Development and Stewardship and Lauren Aulenbach, Director of Annual Funds

 

Check out the PCA Alumni podcast called LifeTalk

 

The Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership Award Banquet will be held at 6 pm on Sunday, April 21st at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX

 

The attire for the event is “western” - so put on the boots and jeans and come on out!

 

This year’s award recipient is John C. Maxwell, known for his Maxwell Leadership training and resources.

 

To sponsor a table, visit the Zig Ziglar Servant Leadership website.

 

PCA alumni, when you donate, all of the dollars that you give go toward the PCA Alunni Endowment Fund that helps PCA alumni financially afford PCA.

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Freedom Weekend 2024

Guests: Coleman Bales (North campus, junior), Trinity Elliot (North campus, senior), Katelyn Teague (Plano campus, senior), and Campbell Panetti (Plano campus, junior)

 

Freedom Weekend at Prestonwood is February 2-4, 7 at both the Prestonwood Plano and North campuses. To find out more about Freedom Weekend, MDWK (MidWeek) Bible studies, LifeGroups on Sunday, Lead Team,  Beach Camp, Parent Resources, and other ways to connect with Prestonwood as a student or parent, check out www.prestonwoodstudents.org

 

Parents, there is also a parent training opportunity on Sunday morning, February 4th at the Plano campus with Lisa Clark in Room A112 at 9:30 am.

 

To join in praying for Freedom Weekend text PRAY4FREEDOM to 74788.

 

To learn more about the student choir mission trips, check out www.prestonwoodstudentworship.org. Students are able to get involved in additional opportunities like Fall Follies and the Gift of Christmas (GOC) as well.

 

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Encouraging and Equipping Book for Every Parent

Guests: Johnny Farr and Nick Bellamy

 

As we look to equip you as parents for meaningful and intentional spiritual training, pointing you to good resources and books is a practical way to prepare you to better train your children “in the fear and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We will also look to address other media avenues, such as movies, to help equip you, the parents, for those quality conversations around the dinner table or on your drive to and from school.

 

Our first resource that we are reviewing and strongly recommending is Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp.

 

From the book Parenting:

Introduction

Good parents don’t always produce good kids, and parents should constantly be asking themselves where they get the set of values that tell them whether they have “good” kids or not.

 

Chapter 1 Calling

Principle: Nothing is more important in your life than being one of God’s tools to form a human soul.

 

Chapter 2 Grace

Here’s the humbling conclusion that God, in grace, led me to: I am more like my children than unlike them - and so are you!

 

Chapter 4 Inability

Parenting is not about exercising power for change in your children. Parenting is about your humble faithfulness in being willing to participate in God’s work of change for the sake of your children.

 

Chapter 5 Identity

Principle: If you are not resting as a parent in your identity in Christ, you will look for identity in your children.

How do you know if you’re putting your identity on the shoulders of your children?

1. Too much focus on success.
2. Too much concern about reputation.
3. Too great a desire for control.
4. Too much emphasis on doing rather than being.
5. Too much temptation to make it personal.

 

Chapter 6 Process

Principle: You must be committed as a parent to long-view parenting because change is a process and not an event.

 

Chapter 8 Authority

Do you humbly own the rebellion of your own heart as you deal with the rebellion of your children in a way that causes you to exercise authority with patience and grace?

 

Chapter 9 Foolishness

Principle: The foolishness inside your children is more dangerous to them than the temptation outside of them. Only God’s grace has the power to rescue fools.

 

Chapter 12 Control

Principle: The goal of parenting is not control of behavior, but rather heart and life change.

 

Chapter 14 Mercy

Principle: No parent gives mercy better than one who is convinced that he desperately needs it himself.

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

PCA Preparation for College and Life

Guests: PCA Alumni Pateel Toranian (‘23), Isabelle Simpson (‘20), and Hunter Hall (‘20)

 

What a blessing it was to hear from Pateel Toranian (Class of 2023, currently at the University of Texas - Austin), Isabelle Simpson (Class of 2020, currently at Texas Tech University), and Hunter Hall (Class of 2020, currently at Texas A&M University) - they shared some practical wisdom with our US students at chapel and I was able to catch them before they returned to college to have their share about the impact that PCA has and is making in their lives and spiritual journeys.

 

All three of these students had parents who were involved in their spiritual development as well as the other “legs of the stool” - involvement in a good Bible-teaching church and the Christ-centered, Biblical worldview intensive aspects of Prestonwood Christian Academy. The Biblical worldview training that a student receives at PCA is not only foundational for success at PCA and in college, but also for a “successful and prosperous” life as defined by God’s economy (see Joshua 1:8). All three of these students are continuing their spiritual maturity while in college - they are all plugged into a solid church and Christian community and continuing their own personal spiritual growth!

 

When we talk about The Portrait of a PCA Graduate, the concepts that are important are a reverence for God, an eternal perspective, humility, a rigorous academic learning process, and high expectations and accountability. Each of these students embody those characteristics of a PCA Graduate!

 

How much do you have to hate someone - statement from magician Penn Jillette following a situation where a man shared about the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ.

 

The students also shared about the incredible and eternal impact of PCA’s Minimester program - coming up again in March - be praying for our students who will be traveling across the globe to share the love of Jesus!

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

PCA Re-enrollment 2024 Conversation

Guests: Angie Gray, Chief Enrollment and Marketing Officer for PCA, and Emery Petroff, PCA’s Ambassador Board member, Finance and Operations committee

 

PCA’s re-enrollment begins on January 15 and concludes on January 31 for existing PCA families. At that time, spots will be open for those looking to enroll their students in PCA for the next school year who are not currently enrolled at PCA. Re-enrollment is a vital component of maintaining the spirit and vibrancy of the PCA community and over the years more than 90% of families at PCA chose to re-enroll their students for the following year, which is a remarkable achievement. Part of the decision-making process for families considering PCA is the tuition and each year that tuition amount is determined by key leadership personnel at PCA and approved by the FiOps committee, and then the entire Ambassador Board at PCA. Dr. Goddard recently sent out an email informing parents of the minimal increase of 2% for the 2024-25 school year and the conversation with Angie Gray and Emery Petroff will hopefully help you understand how this decision was reached. As Dr. Goddard wrote in his email, “We realize and appreciate the sacrifice you [parents/families] make each year to provide your children with a Kingdom education. We are grateful for the privilege of partnering with you to provide a Kingdom education for your student. Together we will continue our mission, establishing students for life and building Faith-Filled Lions.”

 

If you have any questions about re-enrollment as a current PCA family or wish to learn more about enrolling your child(ren) at PCA in the future, please contact Angie Gray, Chief Enrollment and Marketing Officer at 972-930-4007 or via email at agray@prestonwoodchristian.org

Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!