The Intentional Parents Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How to Discern God’s Will and The False Self May 10, 2023

Show notes

In today’s show, we talk about the different processes by which we make decisions. We make decisions every day, and sometimes they can be life-changing. Our culture tells us one way, but as followers of Jesus, how do we discern God’s will with the choices that come our way? We break down three different ways people make decisions: The way of Logic, The ignition way, and The way of discernment. We share some real-life stories where we learned the hard way and explore the lessons from those experiences. We dive into practical ways to help you navigate the discerning process. We cover topics such as how our egos or false self can affect our decision-making abilities and how some may have misconceptions about suffering related to God’s will for our lives. Today, we ask a couple of essential questions that can help you uncover some patterns that may make you stuck; What do I believe about God, and Does he want the best for me and my family? We also discuss balancing our feelings while not letting our emotions rule our decisions. We have been working thoughtfully to develop a process to help our own family make big decisions and discern God’s will for our lives. We genuinely hope these nine steps bless and assist you as you walk through your moments of discernment that arise. This process takes time, and we hope to encourage you to practice these steps slowly.

The process:

Focusing your attention on God
Consider what it means to be totally attached to God’s agenda and will
Lay your choice before God and examine the matter thoroughly.
Share your desires with God. What is it you want?
Use Reason
Attend to your feelings
Listen to God as your read Scripture
Seek the counsel of those gifted in discernment who can listen to you and with you
Offer your choice to God

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series

The Intentional Leadership Retreat:

https://www.intentionalparents.org/leadership-retreat

The Intentional Motherhood Retreat

https://www.intentionalparents.org/motherhood-retreat

Some scriptures mentioned today:

John 16:7, Philippians 1:9-10, 1 John 4:1, James 1v5, 1 chronicles 4:10, Psalm 23

Books mentioned:

Adele Ahlberg Calhoun: Spiritual disciplines handbook

https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Disciplines-Handbook-Practices-Transform/dp/0830846050

Ruth Haley Barton: Pursuing God’s Will Together

https://www.amazon.com/Pursuing-Gods-Will-Together-Transforming/dp/0830835660/ref=sr_1_1?crid=16QKGMD1P1Q1T&keywords=ruth+haley+barton+pursuing+gods+will+together&qid=1683580826&s=books&sprefix=ruth+haley+barton+pursuing+gods+will+together%2Cstripbooks%2C162&sr=1-1

The Bible Project, teaching the skill of discernment and chasing desires (Interview with Tim Mackie) May 03, 2023

Show notes

We are thrilled to have the co-founder and creative director of The Bible Project, Tim Mackie, on the show today. Brook and Tim dive into some big questions like what it looks like to be faithful to Jesus in our time, where we need to put our attention, and how some desires will lead us to life and others will not.

We get to listen in as Tim shares some fun inside stories of finding Jesus through skateboarding and what life in the Mackie house looks like now. He shares how he looks for opportunities in his parenting to teach big concepts to his children, even while building with Legos. Brook and Tim also unpack the creative and in-depth process behind making each Bible Project video. Tim imparts some practical wisdom about teaching our children the ability to discern that there is a story behind every voice that’s trying to grab our attention. And finally, Brook and Tim discuss chasing desires and how sometimes denying what we really want is the way to get what we really need.

We hope you enjoy this show today filled with fun conversation and wisdom.

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series

The Intentional Leadership Retreat:

https://www.intentionalparents.org/leadership-retreat

The Intentional Motherhood Retreat

https://www.intentionalparents.org/motherhood-retreat

The Bible Project Links:

Website: https://bibleproject.com/

App: https://bibleproject.com/app/

Suffering, Prayer, and How to teach your kids to Talk to God (Interview with Strahan Coleman) Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Today we have Strahan Coleman on the show. Strahan is a writer, spiritual director, and award-winning musician from New Zealand. In this rich conversation, Brook and Strahan discuss chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and how to find a vibrant faith amidst these challenges. They talk about the importance of shifting our prayer lives from following a prayer formula and seeking to perform for God to prayers that are intimate and purely about beholding the presence of God. In Strahan’s words, “Prayer equals nakedness with God.” They also discuss the constant noise in our culture and why bringing the volume down in our homes is essential. Strahan shares with Brook some practical ways he teaches his kids to hear from God. He gives us an inside view of his intentionality in teaching his kids to bring their heart posture to a constant awareness and integration of God in their everyday lives. We hope you enjoy this interview.

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series

The Intentional Leadership Retreat:

https://www.intentionalparents.org/leadership-retreat

The Intentional Motherhood Retreat

https://www.intentionalparents.org/motherhood-retreat

Strahan’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Beholding-Deepening-Our-Experience-God/dp/0830785183

Strahan’s website: https://www.commonerscommunion.com/

Strahan’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beholding-prayer/id1669562572

Being oblivious, closed family culture, idols, absorbing without resentment, and why extended family is often the hardest Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Why is it that sometimes close personal family and extended family are the hardest? Occasionally well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies, but why? What does the Bible say about this paradigm, and how can we live at peace even in tension? We discuss our responsibility in the relationship and the part we can play. What does Matthew 10v34-37 mean when Jesus talks about not bringing peace, but a sword and "turning man against father, a daughter against a mother"? We break down the context of this scripture and define what an idol is, the purpose of not having idols, and how idols can be good things, just in the wrong order. We also discuss nine ways to honor your convictions and your family. Enjoy!

Nine ways to move towards health.

1. Pray

2. Have a conversation

3. Treat them with honor

4. Let your words be full of grace

5. Is this a hill you want to die on?

6. Share the truth in Love

7. Keep short accounts

8. Seek counsel

9. Recognize it is up to them

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series

The Intentional Leadership Retreat:

https://www.intentionalparents.org/leadership-retreat

Why we over-respond, self-regulation, neuroception, and good enough parenting (Interview with Sally Lemos MS, LPC) Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

Today is a fantastic meaningful conversation. We have Sally Lemos on the show. We cover attachment, attunement, how to NOT parent from our woundedness, connection before correction, how to noitice when your flooded and so much more! Enjoy!

A little about Sally...

Sally Lemos, MS, LPC, is a mental health therapist providing services to adults, adolescents, and children experiencing various mental health challenges. She is certified in EMDR with advanced training in treating complex developmental trauma and dissociation with adults, adolescents, and children, attachment-informed EMDR treatment working with parents and children to heal intergenerational trauma, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). She has extensive experience and training working with children and families involved in the foster care system and with children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series

The Intentional Leadership Retreat:

https://www.intentionalparents.org/leadership-retreat

Episodes Mentioned (Interview with Aundi Kolber)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intentional-parents-podcast/id1462206659?i=1000537701695

Sally Lemos

https://www.newbloomtherapy.com/about

The Intentional Motherhood Retreat Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

How long has it been since someone- anyone- poured into you?

How long has it been since your soul brimmed so full of beauty, hope, healing, and joy that every jolt of real-life motherhood spilled overflowing abundance onto those you love?

We know the answer: too long, if ever. As a mom, you give and give and give, until there’s nothing left.

We want to invite you to join us for a three-day retreat of being given to. We know (and live) the beautiful challenge of motherhood. We know the feelings of aloneness, of inadequacy, of fear— of weariness— that so often weigh us down in the midst of all it means to be a mother.

We’ve designed this retreat with your needs in mind. Your need for connection with like-minded women, your need for the gentleness of spiritual formation, and ultimately, your need to be strengthened for the task of motherhood.

Come to where we live, in Bend, Oregon— surrounded by snowcapped mountains, with rivers and trails and alpine lakes— a place of startling beauty. A place to come away from it all. Come with your best friend, your sister, your mom— come together or come alone.

It was Dallas Willard who said, “If you don’t come apart for a while, you’ll come apart after a while.”

So come! Come apart for a while with us. Come, planning to be surprised by God, to find in Him the delight your soul craves.

Join us October 5th-7th 2023 in Bend OR

Motherhood Retreat Sign Up

Essentials: Bottom-up vs. Top-down Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Today in this Intentional essential, we discuss the bottom-up vs. top-down parenting method. We talk about getting to the heart of your child's behavior and getting curious instead of angry. We also cover three ways to do this with the spirit's help. Enjoy!

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series

The Intentional Leadership Retreat:

https://www.intentionalparents.org/leadership-retreat

Non-anxious curiosity, and the three words that change everything (Interview with Mark Batterson) Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Today we have the excellent Mark Batterson on the show. We talk about having a non-anxious curiosity, the importance of kindness, and the three words that change everything. Enjoy!

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series

The Intentional Leadership Retreat:

https://www.intentionalparents.org/leadership-retreat

Marks Books

The Best Worst Day Ever

https://amzn.to/3TTMIFG

Please, Sorry, Thanks.

https://amzn.to/3JMWtRA

Wounding, Suffering, Trauma and how God Heals (Interview with Matthias J. Barker) Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Today we have Matthias J. Barker on the show. Matthias is a psychotherapist based in Nashville, TN, and is all about moving towards what's meaningful amid hardship. You may know him from the various social media platforms that he creates content for, but whatever the case, you are in for a treat. We define words like wounds, trauma, and triggering and how God heals these parts of our lives. We also talk about self-criticism in parenting and the importance of going on the inner journey with Jesus.

Trauma = An overwhelming experience that inspires a manner of engaging in the world around or with yourself that creates dysfunctional self-reinforcing cycles.

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series

The Intentional Leadership Retreat:

https://www.intentionalparents.org/leadership-retreat

Matthias J. Barker

https://linktr.ee/matthiasjbarker

Tik Tok

https://www.tiktok.com/@matthiasjbarker?lang=en

Optimal Deprivation Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Today we discuss the idea of optimal deprivation. What is it, why does it matter, and how can we develop from it? How do we build optimal deprivation for kids with more than they need, and what does it look like to invite suffering and life's challenges as a way of formation to Jesus? We cover these topics and touch on many scriptures to help us. Enjoy!

Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)

https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4

Website: intentionalparents.org

Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact

Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog

GET: The Intentional Film Series

https://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series