Wrestling God - God’s Will vs. Our Will

•The conversation transitions to the deeper implications of wrestling with God, touching on the challenges of aligning personal desires with divine will.
•They discuss the tension between human understanding and God’s purposes, emphasizing the importance of surrendering pride for spiritual growth.

Personal Stories of Divine Wrestling

•Andy’s Journey: Andy recounts his personal struggles with obedience to God’s call, particularly regarding moving houses and adopting children. He describes a wrestling match with God over these life decisions and the confusion that ensued.
•The Role of Obedience: The hosts emphasize that wrestling can be a test of obedience, with God often asking individuals to step out of their comfort zones.

Learning Through Struggle

•The hosts affirm that spiritual wrestling often leads to deeper understanding and humility, much like physical wrestling.
•They invoke the example of Jesus in Gethsemane, who wrestled with the weight of His mission but ultimately submitted to God’s will, reinforcing that wrestling with God is a biblical and spiritual norm.

Practical Steps for Wrestling with God

Seeking God in Times of Struggle

1.Take Your Concerns to God: The hosts encourage listeners to pray and seek God directly rather than relying on external opinions that may not align with spiritual truths.
2.Express Lament: They stress the importance of expressing one’s feelings of frustration, anger, or confusion to God, citing the Psalms as a model for honest communication with God.
3.Community Engagement: The necessity of engaging with a community of faith is highlighted. Surrounding oneself with spiritually mature individuals can provide support and challenge one’s understanding.

Seeking Understanding Through God’s Word

•The hosts encourage listeners to study Scripture as a way to gain clarity on personal struggles, emphasizing that God’s ways often differ from human understanding.
•They reference James 1:5, urging individuals to seek wisdom from God, who generously gives it to those who ask.

Trusting God’s Goodness

•Despite the struggles, the hosts remind listeners to trust in God’s sovereignty and overall goodness, reiterating that divine plans often exceed human comprehension.
•The hosts conclude that wrestling with God is a lifelong journey, one that fosters growth and understanding in one’s relationship with Him.

Conclusion

•The podcast ends on an encouraging note, inviting listeners to engage in their own wrestling matches with God, asserting that these struggles are not just acceptable but essential for spiritual growth.
•The hosts remind listeners to embrace the wrestling process, assuring them that such experiences lead to a more profound relationship with God and a better understanding of His plans.

Final Thoughts

The episode effectively emphasizes that wrestling with God is a vital part of faith that leads to deeper understanding, humility, and ultimately, transformation. The personal stories, scriptural references, and practical advice create a relatable and insightful discussion for listeners, encouraging them to embrace their spiritual struggles as opportunities for growth.

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Merrill Hutchinson and Andy Dalton on Parenting Seasons

Introduction
The video features Merrill Hutchinson and Andy Dalton discussing the various roles of dads during different “seasons” of parenting. The conversation is grounded in the analogy of farming seasons, where different tasks are performed at different times of the year—relating this to the developmental stages of children and the corresponding responsibilities of parents.

Overview of Parenting Seasons
1.Service Season (0-3 years)
2.Leadership Season (3-13 years)
3.Mentorship Season (13-18 years)
4.Friend/Counsel Season (18 years and older)
Each season corresponds to specific tasks, challenges, and expectations for both the child and the parent.

1. Service Season (0-3 years)
•Role of the Parent: The primary role during this season is that of a servant. Parents are tasked with meeting the basic needs of their children, which include feeding, changing diapers, and providing comfort.
•Key Responsibilities:
•Understanding and responding to the child’s cries and needs.
•Learning the various dimensions of what it means to be a caregiver, including emotional support.

2. Leadership Season (3-13 years)
•Role of the Parent: The parent transitions into a leadership role where the focus shifts towards teaching and guiding children rather than just serving them.
•Key Responsibilities:
•Instilling values and expectations related to responsibility and service to others.
•Involving children in household chores and responsibilities to teach them about contributing to the family.

3. Mentorship Season (13-18 years)
•Role of the Parent: This season focuses on mentorship, where parents guide teenagers towards independence while allowing them to make their own choices.
•Key Responsibilities:
•Encouraging self-reliance and accountability while providing a safety net for mistakes.
•Engaging in discussions about values and preparing them for real-world challenges.

4. Friend/Counsel Season (18+ years)
•Role of the Parent: The final season transitions into a friend or counsel role, where parents no longer direct but rather support their adult children.
•Key Responsibilities:
•Building a relationship based on mutual respect and friendship, allowing for open dialogues about life choices.
•Offering counsel when asked, without overstepping boundaries, thus respecting their independence.

Conclusion
Merrill and Andy emphasize the importance of understanding these parenting seasons to fulfill one’s roles effectively. The ability to adapt to the varying needs of children at different ages can lead to producing well-rounded, responsible individuals. The conversation encourages intentionality in parenting, underscoring that a parent’s understanding of their role significantly impacts their children’s development and future contributions to society.

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Background -
Ah, the age-old issue of nagging! It's a common portrayal in media and often the subject of jokes, but beneath the surface lies a dynamic in a marriage that can cause real frustration. From a biblical perspective, the ideal for a husband and wife is one of mutual respect, love, and effective communication. When nagging becomes a pattern, it often signals a breakdown in this ideal. Let's explore how a husband might unintentionally contribute to his wife's nagging and how he can take positive steps toward a more harmonious relationship, grounded in biblical principles.

Scripture calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). This is a love characterized by sacrifice, patience, and a desire for the other's well-being. Similarly, wives are called to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33). When these foundational principles are not consistently practiced, misunderstandings and frustrations can arise, sometimes manifesting as what we call "nagging."

It's easy to see nagging as solely the wife's behavior, but often, a husband's actions (or inactions) can inadvertently fuel it. Here are five ways a husband might contribute:

Unmet Expectations and Follow-Through: When a husband makes promises or agrees to tasks and then doesn't follow through, it can lead to his wife feeling unheard and responsible for constantly reminding him.

Lack of Proactive Initiative: If a husband consistently waits to be told what needs to be done around the house or with family responsibilities, his wife might feel like the sole manager of the household. This can lead to her constantly directing and reminding, which can feel like nagging.

Poor Communication and Listening Skills: When a wife feels her concerns are not being heard or acknowledged, she may resort to repeating herself or raising her voice to get her point across.

Inconsistency and Selective Hearing: Sometimes, a husband might respond to his wife's requests only after she has mentioned them multiple times. This inconsistency teaches her that persistence is the only way to get his attention or action.

Taking Her for Granted: When a husband doesn't acknowledge or appreciate the efforts his wife makes, she might feel unseen and unvalued. This can lead to her feeling the need to constantly remind him of her contributions or the things that need attention.

Advice -
Now, how can a husband, guided by biblical principles of love and respect, help to slow or even stop the nagging without being oppressive or demeaning? Here are five ways:

Practice Active Listening and Empathy: When your wife brings up a concern, truly listen to understand her perspective. Acknowledge her feelings and validate her concerns, even if you don't fully agree.

Take Ownership and Follow Through: When you agree to something, make it a priority to follow through in a timely manner.

Initiate and Share Responsibilities: Don't wait to be asked. Look for ways to proactively contribute to the household and family responsibilities.

Establish Clear Communication Systems: Have open and honest conversations about expectations and how you will communicate about them.

Express Appreciation Regularly: Acknowledge and appreciate your wife's efforts, both big and small.

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#Rocksolidfamilies,#familytherapy,#marriagecounseling,#parenting,#faithbasedcounseling,#counseling,#Strongdads,#coaching,#lifecoach,#lifecoaching,#marriagecoaching,#marriageandfamily,#control,#security,#respect,#affection,#love,#purpose,#faith,#mastersofdisaster,#storms,#disasterrelief,#tornados,#hurricanes,#floods