The Journey: PCA Parent Podcast

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.

 

MOM - Molders of Mankind

Guest: Karol Ladd

Motherhood is the toughest job you’ve ever loved. It drains you and strains you, pulls you in all directions. It is also one of the most important jobs - and we can lose sight of that fact.

“MOM” pillow - Manager of Messes

“MOM” should be Molders of Mankind!

Seasons - there are different seasons/times in the life of a person and family

Things to remember:

1. This is just a season, it won’t be this way forever
2. You are not alone. Even if everyone else leaves you, God is with you!

You may not have the patience for each given day or situation, but God does! Prayer for the young mom - God, give me the patience for today; God give me the strength for today!

Important to:

• have a mentor mom
• have friends with kids of similar ages

Motherhood Motto - “Everything is Hard”

How should I handle hard?

1. Victim - self-pity
2. Angry - lash out at others
3. Dependent on the strength of the Lord!

Warning to moms - it is easy to become isolated and alone. You need people. Start with looking for people you can help and start building quality relationships with godly moms.

The days are long, but the years are short. Embrace the moments and don’t miss them!

“Be Present” - wherever you are, but all there!

Recommended Resources by Karol Ladd:

The Power of a Positive Mom

Becoming a Woman of the Word

A Woman’s Passionate Pursuit of God

Positive Leadership Principles for Women

Pursuing God in the Quiet Places

Battling Depression with Brittany Andrews

 

Guest: Brittany Andrews

Please forgive the underlying static on this recording. 

Brittany is a Pre-K 3 teacher at PCA. She shares her story of wrestling with depression. Some recommended resources that might be helpful to you after listening include the following:

Between Two Worlds: The Inner Life of Children of Divorce by Elizabeth Marquardt

When People are Big and God is Small by Ed Welch

Depression: The Way Up When You Are Down by Ed Welch

Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch

Depression: Walking from Darkness into Dawn by June Hunt

Walking on Water When You Feel Like You’re Drowning: Finding Hope in Life’s Darkest Moments by Tommy Nelson

Evaluating Different Parenting Styles

Guest: June Hunt

Biblical Counseling Keys

Hope for the Heart - Providing Biblical Hope and Practical Help

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - check out some resources on this subject.

Four problem parenting styles:

1. Dependent - parents that are possessive, manipulative, suspicious, over-involved - Rebekah in the Bible, protected her favorite child Jacob through deceit and manipulation. Parents should release control of their children to God - check out Proverbs 3:5-6.
2. Domineering - parents are over-controlling, inflexible, performance-based, hypercritical. Children can be either subservient or strong-willed; under-achievers or over-achievers. We see this from Laban in the Bible - a domineering father. Biblical counter - whoever wants to be great among you, must be a servant. Don’t make things all about you - seek first the Kingdom of heaven. Domineering parents are filled with pride.
3. Doting - over-protective, kids can become spoiled; yield to pressure, kids can be manipulative; desperate for harmony, kids can become disrespectful; rescue too much, kids become irresponsible. Let your children make decisions on their own and allow them to fail - failure can be a great teacher. Lawn-mower parents try to mow down every obstacle in the path of their children. Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child. Biblical example: Eli, who will not discipline his sons and they become irresponsible and worthless men. Parents, you need to be “parents” to your children, not their “friend.”
4. Detached - avoiding responsibility, apathetic, ambivalent, unwilling to set boundaries; children can become self-sufficient, insecure, undisciplined, lack of follow through. Biblical example: King David, successful in so many other aspects of his life, but not as a parent - did not discipline his own children.

Proverbs 29:17 - Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

Biblical parenting style: Discipling - Goal is to develop Christ-like character in your children. Parents must lead by example, implement healthy and biblical boundaries that include consequences for crossing those boundaries. When parents implement healthy boundaries, kids are secure. When parents are encouraging responsible behavior, kids are confident. When parents are comforting, kids become compassionate. When parents are loving without conditions, kids become caring. Biblical example: Timothy, raised by a godly mother and grandmother who model sincere faith which help Timothy to become a strong man of God.

Suggested Resources:

Bonding with Your Teen Through Boundaries by June Hunt

Parenting: Steps for Successful Parenting by June Hunt

Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp

The Housing Market is Bananas!

Guest: Hunter Dehn

Find out more about Hunter at Hunter Dehn Realty Group

214-471-5007 or email: hunter@hunterdehn.com

What things should you consider when buying a home? LOCATION - remember, this is where you’re raising your family. Are you close to your church, school, work, etc.?

Do I need a real estate agent to help me buy or sell my home - can’t I do this on my own? First, you get what you pay for! Second, having an expert can greatly increase the value of your home in selling or your ability to get a fair deal as a buyer.

I’m not in the market to buy or sell right now, should I look into upgrading my home with the equity I have in it? If I do make some upgrades, where should I spend that money for the best return?

Want to make upgrades to your home, walk in and look at it as if you’re a new buyer - what do you see that needs to be repaired/replaced, where can you make a quick splash for a positive visual impact? Also, don’t try to cover up a bad smell with 5 Glade plugins! New lights help tremendously - and fresh paint is usually a quick way to brighten up a home.

Pay attention to interest rates - which will determine how much it costs to borrow money.

Parenting Perspectives with Dr. Rick Fowler

Guest: Dr. Rick Fowler 

Professor of Psychology at Truett-McConnell University

“Lawnmower parenting” - mowing down all the obstacles in the path of our children, trying to make life “easier” for our kids - is this the best strategy for our children long-term?

Dr. Fowler - if a child has a problem, I’d say it’s often 60% the problem of the parents!

When everything is done for our children, they don’t have to learn how to do anything. As a result, they expect things to be done for them…even when they become adults.

Most of the problems that our kids have are a result of the fact that too many parents want to be “friends” with their children.

How do we, as parents, move from doing things for our children to actually teaching our children how to do things on their own.

1. First realize that if you have more than one child, you’ll have very different children - different skills, temperaments, etc. - so each one has to be “trained” in the way that THEY should go
2. Allow your children to be part of the planning process so that when they face consequences for not following through on the plans, it was THEIR plan to begin with!
3. Understand the differences between “rules” and “preferences” - don’t compromise on the rules, but you can bend on the preferences.
4. Give your children consequences for not following through on the action plans - and you can even give your children some say in the actual consequences!
5. Routines help children develop executive functioning skills and learn responsibility!
6. After school, lay out what work needs to be done. The biggest struggle in homework is getting STARTED. 
7. Help students learn to utilize a calendar - planning is a very important life skill.
8. Allow your children to try things…and fail…to help them find where their passions lie.

Parents, we need to also ask “what motivates us” - what do we hope to accomplish by training our children - what are our goals for our children?

HE is Risen...Easter Celebration!

Guest: Dr. Jonathan Teague

Good Friday services at Prestonwood, April 15

English services at Plano and North campuses: 6:30 pm

Prestonwood en Español at Plano and Lewisville campuses: 6:30 pm

If you would like to be baptized, please contact baptism@prestonwood.org or call 972-820-5211 (Plano campus) or kgreenwell@prestonwood.org or call 972-798-6702 (North campus).

Easter Worship services at Prestonwood, Saturday, April 16 or Sunday, April 17

English services - Plano campus, Sunday at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am

English services - North campus, Saturday at 5:00 pm; Sunday at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 am

Prestonwood en Español at Plano and Lewisville campuses: Sunday at 2:00 pm

Easter Buffet (click to register) at Plano campus - Sunday at 10:30 and Noon

Cost: $16.95 for adults 12 and up, $9.95 for children ages 3-11, free for children 2 and under

Establishing family traditions for Easter:

1. Worship with the family of God - don’t underestimate the value of corporate worship, the gathering of God’s people in God’s house opening the Word of God and lifting high the name of Jesus!
2. Share a meal with your family celebrating Easter. Open the Scriptures and read the Word of God as a family. 
3. Dress up and wear something bright, festive, and celebratory for Easter Sunday to commemorate the “new life” in Christ that is seen in the festive and spring (pastel) colors!

What’s so “good” about Good Friday?

If there is no death and burial, there won’t be a payment for sin and there wouldn’t have been a resurrection and new life in Christ!

BEACH CAMP!

Guest: Jason Mick, PBC Student Pastor

Dates for BEACH CAMP: June 12-17, 2022

To register visit PrestonwoodStudents.org

Jason also mentioned some helpful Parent Resources available on the Prestonwood Students website that cover a variety of topics from College Prep to Dating, Depression & Anxiety to LGBTQ - check out these resources and plan some engaging conversations with your teens this summer!