The Journey: PCA Parent Podcast

Dr. Mike Goddard ”ALL IN” School-wide Theme

Guest: Dr. Mike Goddard, Superintendent, Prestonwood Christian Academy School System

“ALL IN” School-wide Theme for 2022-23

Jesus answered, “The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:29-30

Dr. Goddard decided to look at his life and every aspect of what he’s putting into his mind and body - and he’s down 35 pounds in weight! The goal for our Christian teachers and leaders is to MODEL the way for our students!

Objective for every classroom - love Jesus and love others enough to share Him!

When we feed the flesh, the flesh grows. When we feed the spirit, the spirit grows. What are you feeding in your life? Choose what is right, good, and true and feed those thoughts and ideas.

PCA adding about 500 students across the PCA System - incredible opportunities for those students and families for a Biblically-solid Christian education to train them to make a difference in the world for Christ!

A “strand of three cords” - the church, school, and home - together we are stronger as we train our students to be strong lights in a dark world!

Check Out the Incredible Levi’s Locker!

Levi’s Locker

Special thanks to Toby Graham and Kelly Walsh - our directors for Levi’s Locker, the PCA Spirit Store! And a huge shout out to Katie McDonald PCA’s Director of Communications and Web - who is the biggest fan of all the incredible work that Toby and Kelly are doing!

To learn more about Levi’s Locker and check out all the incredible things they offer, visit their website and social media offerings:

Levi’s Locker online: https://the-hub-prestonwood-christian-academy.square.site/

To volunteer and find out the hours of operation: prestonwoodchristian.org/spiritstore

Facebook: @LevisLockerPCA

Instagram: @LevisLockerPCA

Twitter: @LevisLockerPCA

Levi’s Locker will be announcing their MOBILE opportunities soon - to “take spirit to the people.” So be on the lookout for Levi’s Locker coming to a variety of PCA events near you! There is an online store where you can order your materials and get them even before the long lines form at Back to School Day!

Levi’s Locker equips us to present to the watching world a message of love and truth by presenting the hope that is in us as children of the light. Just as the word should be written on our hearts so that we might not sin against God, we can also write His word on our lives so that the world can see the difference that Christ has made in our lives - when we promote PCA, we promote Christ who is at the center of all that PCA is and does.

Parenting Wisdom for Today’s Issues

Guest: Dr. Karla Hale Gerdes

www.drhalegerdes.com

972-248-4673

Office location: 5168 Village Creek Dr., Suite 200, Plano, TX 75093

Karla Hale Gerdes, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, specializing in psychotherapy for individuals and couples. She is dual licensed as a marriage/family therapist and has been in private practice for almost 30 years, with extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Gerdes is qualified to deal with a wide range of psychological, behavioral, relational, and spiritual issues with warmth, wisdom, competency, and compassion.

Dr. Gerdes’ specialty interests include marriage and family relationships, depression and anxiety, women's issues, life transitions, grief and loss, divorce recovery, blended families, and faith/spirituality issues.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Texas Tech University; emphasis in marriage/family therapy

• Internship in Clinical Psychology, UT Health Sciences Center, Houston

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Harding University, summa cum laude

Dr. Gerdes is trained in a variety of evidence-based approaches to therapy, including: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family Systems and Family of Origin
• Imago and Gottman Marital Therapies
• Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Solution-Focused, short-term therapy
• Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness techniques

Understanding the Anxiety and Stress Our Kids Are Under

Guest: Dr. Karla Hale Gerdes

www.drhalegerdes.com

972-248-4673

Office location: 5168 Village Creek Dr., Suite 200, Plano, TX 75093

Karla Hale Gerdes, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, specializing in psychotherapy for individuals and couples. She is dual licensed as a marriage/family therapist and has been in private practice for almost 30 years, with extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Dr. Gerdes is qualified to deal with a wide range of psychological, behavioral, relational, and spiritual issues with warmth, wisdom, competency, and compassion.

Dr. Gerdes’ specialty interests include marriage and family relationships, depression and anxiety, women's issues, life transitions, grief and loss, divorce recovery, blended families, and faith/spirituality issues.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Texas Tech University; emphasis in marriage/family therapy

• Internship in Clinical Psychology, UT Health Sciences Center, Houston

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Harding University, summa cum laude

Dr. Gerdes is trained in a variety of evidence-based approaches to therapy, including: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family Systems and Family of Origin
• Imago and Gottman Marital Therapies
• Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Solution-Focused, short-term therapy
• Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness techniques

Understanding the Importance of the Dobbs Decision

Guest: Ryan Bangert, Alliance Defending Freedom

Hope y’all have a wonderful 4th of July! On July 4th, Americans celebrate the passage of the Declaration of Independence, which reads in part:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Recently, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) handed down a monumental decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (Dobbs) case that effectively overturned the infamous 1973 Roe v. Wade decision where the Court had found a woman’s right to an abortion was a Constitutionally protected right. Overturning Roe means that the “right to an abortion” is now no longer secured by the federal courts and is subject to the determination of the governed - just as the Framers had intended our governmental process to work. So whether you’re “pro-abortion” or “pro-life,” Dobbs returns the power to influence the legislative process back to the citizens of each state to decide through their elected representatives, a right which the Court had usurped from citizens in the Roe decision.

As Christians, what does the Dobbs decision mean?

• A large percentage of women seeking abortions are single women who already have other children, but because of financial or other considerations, feel that they are unable to support another child. Men should be part of this consideration and equation and not leave the burden and responsibility to raise children entirely on the shoulders of the mothers of their children. Before abortion becomes a legislative or legal issue, it is a personal responsibility issue and men need to be personally responsible for their children.

• Women facing the decision over abortion or birth are looking for wisdom and guidance and men have an opportunity to support pregnancy centers in their community to give women the needed support to choose life. If you’re in the DFW area, look to support the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center. If you live in other areas of the country, visit the resource list made available from The Heidi Group. The Human Coalition is also a great organization to know about and support.

• As more women look to give birth to their children, there may be an increased opportunity for men to step up in terms of adoption and foster care. Even if you’re not looking to bring a child into your family, you can support others who are willing. Learn more from CHOSEN: Christ’s Hope for Orphans: Supporting, Embracing, Nurturing.

• Don’t forget about post-abortive resources for women struggling with the trauma and anxiety that often comes from having an abortion. Check out the resources available from Focus on the Family for post-abortive care.

 

Meet PCA Head Football Coach Donnie Yantis

Continuing with our summer theme for the past few weeks, we spend some time getting to know the new head football coach for PCA Donnie Yantis. 

Meet new PCA Athletic Director Brian Brazil

Great opportunity to meet our new PCA Athletic Director Brian Brazil and his wife Birdie, who will be serving our PCA community as an assistant in the athletic office!

Meet the No Family!

Guest: Chae and Judy No

Chae and Judy No have four children (and a foreign exchange student living with them)
Children:
Josiah - named after a king of Israel (entering Middle School next year, 5th grade)
Jeremiah - every king needs a prophet! (will be in 4th grade)
Charissa - means charisma (going into 1st grade in the fall)
Christelle - means a follower of Christ (coming into Pre-K 3 in the fall)

Both Chae and Judy are on staff with a church - Judy working with students as the Nextgen Kids Director and Chae serving as a lead pastor at Regeneration Community Church.

Judy is “1.5 generation” from Korea. Her family was Buddhist, but God visited her mother in a dream and her entire family was converted to Christianity and moved to the United States. They are both formerly from the West Coast and had a friend ask them to move to Texas to help start a church!

What brought the No family to PCA?
They heard great things about “Prestonworld” and found out how Biblically-centered the teaching and curriculum is - that’s what they wanted for their family!

What have your children learned from PCA?
The goal is to have PCA partner with Chae and Judy as they raise their children - like a “cord of three strands” which is stronger and not easily broken, is the partnership of the school, the church, and the home! At PCA we call this “Kingdom Education” and this is a very critical understanding of the vital importance of each sphere doing its job and working together.

What is the No family doing to keep spiritual development going over the summer?
Church isn’t just for Sunday, Christianity isn’t just during certain times - summer isn’t a “time off.” They have already purchased a variety of books for them to read over the summer and have planned family devotional time each morning. Chae has started a discipleship program with his boys and Judy will do that with their girls when they get a little older.

The No family looks to connect with people, have them in their home, so they can share the good news of Jesus Christ with them…especially over dinner!

Book recommendation: The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into Christian Faith by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield

Chae’s “request” - let’s come together as the family of God and the PCA community as we walk together and do life together! Judy - PCA is a place where their identity is in Christ!

SAGE Dining with Chef Vaughn

Guest: Chef Shaun Vaughn, SAGE Dining

To learn more about SAGE Dining, visit their website or download their Touch of SAGE app.

Parents - encourage your students to TRY the incredible variety offered by SAGE Dining at PCA

SAGE prepares food for 1700 people every day at PCA - and they take into account the varieties of allergies or food sensitivities.

SAGE sources from four different vendors including Hardies, Crystal Creek, Labatt, and Ben E. Keith.

SAGE goes through about 200-300 pounds of protein every day!

About 80% of all the food is made from scratch - prepared fresh here in the kitchen!

Everyday there is a salad and deli bar for students to make their own salad or sandwiches!

Everyday there is fresh cut fruit offered!

What do you do with the leftovers? SAGE uses “batch” cooking so that the meals are being prepared as fresh as possible and it cuts down on leftovers!

SAGE employs nutritionists and dietitians who prepare the recipes and Chef Vaughn and his team follow - they can take an item out of the recipe, but they can’t add to it!

Ideas for How to Read Your Bible

Guest: Dr. Jim Wicker 

Professor of New Testament, Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary

jwicker@swbts.edu

1. Tips
2. Start small.
3. Use a simple plan for 1 month.
4. Read a chapter in Proverbs each day (31 chapters). It is easy to remember which one.
5. Read a chapter in Matthew each day (28 chapters). You will have 2-3 catch up days.
6. Read a chapter in Acts each day (28 chapters). You will have 2-3 catch up days.
7. Read 5 chapters of Psalms each day (150 chapters).
8. Do another simple plan the 2nd month & 3rd month.

     You might repeat Proverbs as a checkup to see if your life has changed any from the 1st month.

2. Set a specific daily time to do your reading.

      What is the best time for you?

1. Morning works well for many people.
2. Lunch time? Prior to bedtime?
3. If you miss one or several days, don’t get discouraged & quit. Either:
4. Pick up where you should be when you resume (my suggestion).
5. Catch up when you resume (my wife’s suggestion).
6. Read for inspiration, encouragement, knowledge, & wisdom.
7. Start with prayer.
8. Do not zip through the reading just to check off the box.
9. As you read, when a question comes up, jot it down to study later.
10. After you read a chapter, think through your personal application of it.
11. Spend time in prayer. Use a journal or list to keep track of your prayers & God’s answers.
12. Build in some accountability.
13. Have a sheet to check off the readings.
14. Use an app to click.
15. Use an accountability partner.
16. Do not use daily Bible reading to replace Bible study.

1. Online Plans (in chronological order) – Bible.org (5), Bible Study Tools (16), Bible Gateway (18), Blue Letter Bible (8), Olive Tree Bible

   Most descriptions of their plans are verbatim from their websites.

 Bible.org (NET Bible) (https://bible.org)

1. Choices: email
2. Translations: NET
3. Plans (5):

   Read The Bible in 90 Days - Read through the Bible in 90 days. This plan, made popular by another Bible translation publisher is now available in the NET Bible. The plan it self is 88 days long, with two grace days at the end. It repeats every 91 days so you can begin any time and be done in 90 days.

   Chronological Bible Reading - Read the Bible every day in the order events transpired.

NT, Psalms and Proverbs - Read through the NT, Psalms and Proverbs in a year.

Read Through the Bible - Read 2-3 chapters a day from Genesis to Revelation.

The Rev. R. M. M'Cheyne, Plan - The whole Bible will be read through in an orderly manner in the course of a year. - The OT once, the NT and Psalms twice

 Bible Study Tools (https://www.biblestudytools.com) (Salem Web Network)

1. Choices: website with free account
2. Translations:
3. Go to their website. At top, click on “Bible,” then “Reading Plans”
4. Plans (16):
5. 71 Days in Isaiah - Carefully work your way through Isaiah in 71 days to experience the full impact of the prophet's words.
6. Read from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 in the order in which the books of the Bible are arranged.
7. Chronological - Read the Bible in the order that the events happened.
8. Chronological NT - in 3 months you can read the NT in the order that the events happened.
9. Classic - Read 3 passages each day, starting with Genesis, Psalms, and Luke. From the original Bible Study Tools reading plan.
10. Daily Gospel - This plan focuses on the record of the life of Christ. Length: 45 days.
11. Daily Psalm - Read one Psalm per day for a spiritual boost (150 days)
12. Daily Wisdom - Find wisdom each day as you read straight through the Psalms, Proverbs, & Song of Solomon. Length: 60 days.
13. New Testament - Read straight through the New Testament in 90 days.
14. Ninety-Day Challenge - Read the Bible all the way through in only 90 days. It's a challenge well worth taking. Length: 90 days
15. Old Testament and New Testament - Read one passage from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament each day. Length: 365 days.
16. One-Year Immersion Plan - With this immersive plan, you'll read the Old Testament once and the New Testament three times each year. Length: 365 days
17. Prof. Horner's Reading System - A unique and challenging system where you read 10 chapters a day. Length: 365 days
18. Stay-on-Track Plan - If you have trouble staying on track, this one-year plan will help. 5 daily readings, with weekends free to catch up or get ahead. Length: 364 days
19. The Busy-Life Plan - If your life is busy, this plan will help you get through the Bible at a pace that works for you. You’ll read a short selection each day and complete the Bible in two years. Length: 720 days
20. The Christmas Bible Reading Plan - Designed for personal or family reading times, these 25 New Testament readings highlight the birth of Jesus and the purpose for His coming. Related Old Testament passages are also featured daily. Length: 25 days
21. Thematic - This Bible reading schedule is thematic or connective in nature. The goal is to make as many associations as possible between the different parts of Scripture while still reading individual books of the Bible from start to finish. Length: 365 days

 Bible Gateway (https://www.biblegateway.com) (Zondervan)

1. Choices: on the web (free personal account), mobile app (Android & IOS), or receive readings by daily email
2. Some 60 English Bible translations (but avoid Jubilee Bible, Orthodox Jewish Bible) & many other languages.
3. Choose from 18 different plans):

   Old/New Testament - Each day includes a passage from both the Old Testament and New Testament.

   Chronological - Read the Bible in the chronological order in which its stories and events occurred.

   Beginning - Read the Bible from start to finish, from Genesis to Revelation.

   Historical - Read the books of the Bible as they were written historically, according to the estimated date of their writing.

   Bible in 90 Days - An intensive Bible reading plan that walks through the entire Bible in 90 days.

   Read the Gospels in 40 Days - Read through the four Gospels--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John--in 40 days.

   New Testament in a Year - Read the New Testament from start to finish, from Matthew to Revelation.

   The Daily Audio Bible - This reading plan is provided by Brian Hardin from Daily Audio Bible.

   Book of Common Prayer  - Daily Old and New Testament readings based on the Book of Common Prayer.

   Readings for Lent and Easter - Short readings from throughout the Bible that focus on the meaning and events of Easter.

   Daily Reading for Personal Growth, 40 Days with God - 40 daily Scripture readings that illustrate the character of God and the nature of faith.

   Readings for Celebrating Advent - Scripture passages that focus on the meaning of Advent and Christmas.

   Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks - A reading plan that walks through the entire New Testament in 24 weeks of daily readings.

   Verse of the Day - A daily inspirational and encouraging Bible verse.

   Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary) - Daily Bible readings that follow the church liturgical year, with thematically matched Old and New Testament readings.

   Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous) - Daily Bible readings that follow the church liturgical year, with sequential stories told across multiple weeks.

   M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan The classic M'Cheyne plan--read the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms or Gospels every day.

   Proverbs Monthly - Read through the book of Proverbs every month of the year.

 Blue Letter Bible (https://www.blueletterbible.org)

1. Choices: thru the website, Android app, Apple app (not as developed)
2. Subscribe to one of 8 reading plans (all are available as a free downloadable pdf)

• Canonical Plan (1Yr) (Gen.-Rev. straight through, 7 days a week)
• Canonical Five-Day Plan (2Yr) (same as above, but 5 days a week)
• Blended Plan (1Yr) (non-traditional sequence of OT & NT books, 7 days a week; most days have OT & NT readings, such as: day one: Gen. 1-3; Rom. 1. It goes Gen. & Rom., Isa. & Mark, etc.
• Chronological Plan (1Yr) (reads according to when the events occurred
• Historical Plan (1Yr) (reads OT in Jewish order of Law-Writings-Prophets; NT in order written)
• Life Journal Plan (1Yr) (reads thru OT once & NT twice; it is a blended non-traditional order 7- day plan, produced by http://lifejournal.cc/)
• OT & NT Each Day (1Yr) (readings from both testaments most days and in canonical order, such as: day one-Gen. 1-3 & Matt. 1)
• OT & NT Each Day (2Yr) (same as above, but at a slower pace, 7 days a week, such as: day one-Gen. 1-3; day two-Matt. 1)

3. You can either "Subscribe" or "Subscribe with Accountability." Setting your reading with accountability, makes it so when you click the "accountability on" button you will be able to see if you are on track or behind on your reading progress.

 Bible by Olive Tree (https://www.olivetreebible.com)

1. Choices: Android & IOS app
2. Translations: You choose four free translations and can pay for additional ones in English or other languages.