The Session with Tom Russell

The Session: The Impact of Media on America Part 1

The Session: The Impact of Media on America We Set out to Examine What Impacts the World View of Americans Today Matthew 5:14-16  "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Religious Radio Across America, from the Pew Research Center  The project took place over the last year and analyzed 440,000 hours of radio broadcasts in July 2025 with over 5,000 adults in the survey. Those questioned were asked about their experience listening to Religious content on the radio. Key findings in the Pew study: * 45% of Americans listen to Religious programming on a regular basis * Most religious radio stations describe evangelism as part of their mission * The survey revealed that adults ages 18–29 account for 87% of online religious audio streaming, while also demonstrates the format’s broad appeal across generations. Notably, 65% of adults aged 50–64 also listen to religious content online. * Approximately 37% of religious stations focus primarily on music, 35% emphasize talk programming, and 28% maintain a more balanced mix of the two. * According to the survey of U.S. adults, most listeners do not cite news and politics as a primary reason for tuning into religious audio programming. Only 14% of listeners say keeping up with current events is a major reason they listen, though 40% say it is at least a minor reason. Issues that people listen for, according to the survey: * The economy, crime, and immigration — issues that consistently rank among the most important concerns in national surveys of Americans. * Two social and cultural issues: abortion and LGBTQ rights. * President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, the Republican Party, and the Democratic Party. * Modern-day Israel and the Palestinian territories, including references to the war in Gaza. * 98% of the U.S. adult population lives within range of at least 1 religious radio station * 18 to 29-year-olds represent 87% of online religious streaming  Summary: * 45% of Americans listen to religious radio that have a evangelism focus * 18 to 29-year-olds represent 87% of online religious streaming. 65% of Americans 50 to 64 listen to religious radio. * Two social and cultural issues discussed on religious radio was abortion an LGBTQ * Presidential differences A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: For a Successful Marriage, Avoid “The 5 R’s”!

The Session: For a Successful Marriage, Avoid “The 5 R’s”!  From Focus on the Family.   Here’s the link to the full article, if you want to read more: For a Successful Marriage, Avoid These 5 Rs - Focus on the Family [https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/for-a-successful-marriage-avoid-these-5-rs/] Romans 12:18  “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” 1.    Rejection Something happens or is said, done, not said, or not done that results in a spouse feeling rejected.   2.    Resentment Resentment is any negative emotional reaction to what you think was said or done, or not said or not done. 3.    Resistance Resistance is putting up walls and cutting off communication and relationship. Resistance is being shut down emotionally and relationally to someone. The solution: Engage. What emotions are you avoiding? Make eye contact, have conversations. Consider getting clear by saying, “The story I’m making up in my head about ________ is _______________.” 4.    Revenge Revenge is the attempt to get even. Revenge is taking advantage of a situation or setting up an opportunity so another can feel the rejection you felt. Examples include. Revenge is the attempt to get even. Revenge is taking advantage of a situation or setting up an opportunity so another can feel the rejection you felt. 5.    Repeat A toxic pattern is to believe that because you are hurt, you have the right to be unkind and hurtful. Then you hurt someone, and they hurt you, and you are offended, and they are offended, and in that offense both parties deeply dive into the 5 Rs. Coaches Feedback If we are intentional in our marriages, we will have less time with or when the five R’s show up. Making your marriage, a priority will also help prevent the five r’s from showing up. Particularly for families with children still at home it is very important to think about what you want your children to think about marriage and what they believe in about marriage based on what they saw their parents do?  What do you want your children say someday at your celebration of life? The powerful part of that is when that day comes there is nothing that you’ll be able to do about it. However, today you can write what you want them to say, based on how you manage your own life and marriage.  A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Forgiveness versus Unforgiveness

The Session: Forgiveness versus Unforgiveness, from Dr. Paul Tripp (Ephesians 4:31-5:2)   Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. First, an introduction.  Dr. Paul David Tripp was born in Toledo.  He is a pastor, international event speaker, and author of more than 30 books and video series.  He defines forgiveness in a single, simple sentence: Forgiveness is a vertical commitment followed by a horizontal transaction.  What we are going to share is a summary of several articles and videos Dr. Tripp has done on forgiveness.  His website is Paul Tripp dot com. The Beautiful Power of Relational Debt * Holding on to someone else’s wrongs gives us the upper hand * Holding a record of a person’s wrongs gives us the upper hand in that relationship The Dark Unhealthy Benefits of Unforgiveness * Debt is power. It protects us in an unhealthy way. * Debt is identity. It helps us feel more righteous and mature than the person we’re angry at. * Debt is entitlement holding another person. Send against them makes us feel entitled. * We can weaponize unforgiveness and use it for our advantage Unforgiveness makes us equal with God * It is not our job to dispense consequences to those who have hurt us The Ugly Selfishness of Relational Unforgiveness  It has nothing to do with God and loving others The Beauty of Forgiveness The beauty of leading a life of forgiveness shows us how much we have embraced our forgiveness of our sins. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant After pleading with his his master for forgiveness and being granted forgiveness, he goes out and demands repayment from people who owed him. Matthew 18:21-35  A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Children of Divorce

The Session: Children of Divorce Psalm 27:10, "Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me" Key Statistics and Findings Relational Wisdom 360 * Religious Impact: Children of divorced parents are more likely to become nonreligious; 35% of children from divorced families are nonreligious compared to their peers. * Adult Faith: Divorce can cause children to feel isolated from their religious community * Relationship Challenges: Children from divorced homes often struggle with fear of failure, abandonment, and conflict. * Social & Academic Effects: Children of divorce are more likely to experience lower academic performance, and increased instances of delinquency and substance use. * Long-Term Consequences: A 2025 study found that children of divorce had a higher likelihood of teen pregnancy and increased mortality rates compared to children from continuously married parents. Dr. Judith Wallerstein Study In a landmark study, psychologist Judith Wallerstein followed a group of children of divorce from the 1970s into the 1990s. She interviewed them at eighteen months, five, ten, fifteen, and twenty-five years after the divorce. The results were: * Continued experiencing fear of failure, * Fear of loss * change * Fear of conflict Study Data The Center for Economic Studies released the findings of a research project, where they surveyed 5 million children of divorce. Data shows that children of divorced parents have an elevated risk of jail time (40% increase), elevated risk of mortality (45% increase), increased risk of teen birth (60% increase) 9-13% less income  Other Important Implications * Without two parents and one of the parents working, children are often times left alone. Their answer to that is to go on social media and other screens for attention and relationship * Children of divorce are often unable to participate in after school activities  What do you want your children to learn about marriage and family?  A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: What is Schizophrenia?

The Session – What is Schizophrenia? 1 John 4:1 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A1&version=ESV] Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. Livingwithschizophreniauk.org * Schizophrenia is an illness affecting the brain and rooted within the biological functions of the brain cells. * At some time during their life about 1 in 100 people will suffer an episode of schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia occurs in all countries and societies of the world.  Schizophrenia affects men and women alike and sufferers come from all walks of life and social backgrounds. * It is not multiple personality disorder. That is known as dissociative disorder.  (let’s do quick definitions here for both) * Onset:  It tends to strike most often in late teens and early twenties, slightly earlier in men than in women, although late onset illness can occur as late as the 70s. Schizophrenia before puberty is very rare. * The word schizophrenia literally means a “fragmented mind”. * It is caused by an abnormality in the brain cell of dopamine. * This hormone is responsible for thought processes and an excess or shortage can cause thinking to become disturbed. * What the evidence shows us is that people with schizophrenia are at considerably higher risk of death by suicide than the general population and are also more at risk of violent behavior and sexually disinhibited behavior. However provided that adequate psychiatric care is provided and good supervision of those in crisis is carried out these risks can be reduced to levels no higher than the general population. * The cause of schizophrenia is often times thought to be genetic predisposition and potential complications a childbirth. * Schizophrenia is a severe condition in which the sufferer may completely lose touch with reality, become socially withdrawn, be unable to work or study and stop looking after themselves. Their behavior may become bizarre or sometimes dangerous. * Other symptoms include delusions (a false) and hallucinations (perception of something not there) (National Institute of Health)  Religious Delusions: People with schizophrenia often experience hallucinations or false beliefs with religious content, such as believing they are God, a saint, or being punished by demons.  A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.