Focus on Building Community

A Deeper Walk -

In today's episode, we discuss the Deeper Walk content and explore what genuine spiritual growth looks like. Discipleship is about more than gaining biblical knowledge—it’s about allowing God's truth to transform our hearts, shape our emotional life, and influence how we love and relate to others. Join us as we talk about the importance of a heart-focused community and the vital role it plays in our journey of becoming more like Christ. Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast Pastor Merle's message on the FISH model A Deeper Walk [https://deeperwalk.com/streaming/a-deeper-walk-online-course/] free online course Book: A Deeper Walk [https://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Walk-Proven-Developing-Vibrant/dp/0802428711] by Marcus Warner

Following God's Voice: One Missionary's Journey to Southeast Asia

Hearing the Call: Kristina Miller’s Journey into Missions Today we sat down with Kristina Miller to hear her story of responding to God's call to missions. Kristina shared what it was like to first sense God's leading, the steps of faith that followed, and the journey that ultimately led her to serve in Southeast Asia. Throughout the conversation, she reflected on the joys, challenges, and lessons learned from cross-cultural ministry, offering insight into what it means to trust God through seasons of uncertainty and transition. Her story is a powerful reminder that God continues to call ordinary people to extraordinary obedience, and that saying "yes" to Him often leads to places and opportunities we could never have imagined. Whether you are sensing a call yourself, supporting someone in missions, or simply curious about how God works through His people around the world, Kristina's testimony will encourage and inspire you.

Missional Focused Families - building a focus on outreach into the heart of your family culture

Living missionally as a family starts with recognizing where God has placed you and being intentional in those everyday spaces. Whether it is running errands, attending playdates, sitting at sports practices, or connecting with neighbors, each moment becomes an opportunity to reflect the love of Christ to others. * What if we began each day asking God for divine appointments and open hearts to the people around us? * How can we model integrating our values and faith by demonstrating practical ways to serve, give, and engage in the needs in our community? As we live this way, we’re also modeling faith for our children. They’re watching us learn what it truly means to follow Jesus—not just on Sundays, but in the everyday rhythms of life. Living missionally doesn’t require grand gestures; it simply takes hearts that are willing to be intentional, obedient, and led by the Holy Spirit right where God has placed us. Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast -The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson [https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Switchblade-David-Wilkerson/dp/0515090255] -The Hidding Place by Corrie Ten Boom [https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-Place-Corrie-Ten-Boom/dp/0800794052/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.V96QybXBlKxqlE6xEKkD5L1UCoJjZ3q-oKpV0paj-vDzbZdyesl69ldudk0yJApWpkqwKlra8J6GPPT6gDjwo62zP5C8-r1jkQ-B0pBigtQe28NoTEmPnqmvaERVq5EZirTeEeMs4oUjH6_cfvLFUsB6DqqQ7DaJCRBDAefoW1CN_EXFgKFimmhH1p_4qBS2t1hAJ6wl0Bo_br06bBL1jyfklSSkV-ipLnhHcNg2AUqYwJ-UpXabRyaL7wrHiA411a-SS1lb0uhFMCKg4piZLdsv_WtFtuo0tFUyXEh741U.lXTqJ4eos3VZdWVYip19aVypQZ116jma1rvPbzFJC7M&dib_tag=se&keywords=corrie+ten+boom&qid=1779389401&s=books&sr=1-4] -God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew [https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Smuggler-Brother-Andrew/dp/0800798058/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1008WGKWX109U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.n92z7Y87ieilAPxdhq2aqjRFRP077sf9tFy7hADt5A4F4kpEr0JvbaZu-WE6JuQ5eRJvB5AQwjLIuyW-ixsMqKkLaCwfOcRlWOUF-0sG8rUzT8NZh6qixqwaA4G_uKx-6eyhTvaLjKdOrnw83yWNDTngsyrJgyEpVvU2GjfqpblzcsQf90TFOzAqlMfb5BijU41UvgjROYrZ7mm9467nvmWLuHALqzYE1mPcpB6cTjw.yarzsJS6NsyaW-WQ-XdHOgdFlRtaah2NQ4C3sKrwc4s&dib_tag=se&keywords=God%27s+Smuggler&qid=1779389442&s=books&sprefix=god%27s+smuggler%2Cstripbooks%2C124&sr=1-1] -Gifted Hands by Ben Carson [https://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Hands-Ben-Carson-M-D/dp/0310546516/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1NV_oXtkl8iQ4igRpY4N4mogXqogsL7RTC-n8-MeIQim94q2vMpG7z4Jq59R7fabNxk6C4GcTPD-d0pVdCrkMzW2yI5I8UCa5kxiCJnWo-hrQeBIwSsIIprk1AGK6B7ZEcnukXRY-H-PC9B7jk7UWxYNyOZnf1D6DsFH3rc-dqQT4IMnKSXn8z2H5QJ3aVClOiBqaZNO1kQ19lcH5e1_RoXNqXuXrkCqjCmjGY3sH7M.PHw-mbPRqRIycK5IOBaaMW-c64a49Oh5WSzMW2Uuzac&qid=1779389479&sr=8-1] -George Meuller the Guardian of Bristol's Orphans [https://www.amazon.com/George-Muller-Guardian-Bristols-Christian/dp/1576581454/ref=sxin_10_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.0a3d7af1-408b-4d97-8532-5af55b19637b%3Aamzn1.sym.0a3d7af1-408b-4d97-8532-5af55b19637b&cv_ct_cx=george+mueller+books&keywords=george+mueller+books&pd_rd_i=1576581454&pd_rd_r=ce679835-3288-4a30-af9b-c4d8b0fbf782&pd_rd_w=ctp43&pd_rd_wg=CN2ww&pf_rd_p=0a3d7af1-408b-4d97-8532-5af55b19637b&pf_rd_r=XCN253FBZVPHY9C9Q4JM&qid=1779389509&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=1-1-6e60e730-e094-43e9-99e8-1a4854cd27ff-spons&aref=zS853pTjht&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1]

Parenting for Heart Connection - Part 2

Episode Summary Parenting begins with connection. In this episode, we talk about helping our kids grow in emotional regulation, character, and personal responsibility—without getting pulled into power struggles.   In this episode, Lisa and Cheree talk about helping kids grow in emotional regulation, character, and personal responsibility—without getting pulled into power struggles. You’ll learn practical strategies to protect connection, disengage from conflict, and stay grounded when your child isn’t. We explore the tension of stepping back instead of stepping in: When we rescue our kids from struggle, we rob them of growth—and send the message that they aren’t capable. Can we be okay when our kids are not okay? We also talk about the role of self-care—running an errand alone, taking a night away, building community with other moms—and why deciding your family values ahead of time (screen time, sports, family rhythms) keeps culture from making those decisions for you. Books Links: Habits of the Household [https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Household-Practicing-Everyday-Rhythms/dp/0310362938/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PnCcVroxSYrz2v-ctF8MX2-EkiGsftD1tWf1GaXsqiyglbX1u1ukeSJ6vd_x6fpT9VJl0Iy-wmK0K88sHCgpYsQ-YQC0yK_2v4uAJgYfUzJ3KHtcWktyAn0wODMUbNeBuy2EXw6B1AhM1mlcuOplrAtNSQ5aEN4Usq0_P_iha_4suHvkHwovx6nHbvY2UCVBiwU6QXbOLO4xomFkzXWWfjA-TcPZuMjmWgDaclgNnqg.lFRxZ4Umc8tHZQk1Qq-2dZGwy0fZegkoJPV5qbbHV5U&qid=1772566664&sr=8-1] Gift of Failure [https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Failure-Parents-Children-Succeed/dp/0062299255/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N5wrpeR6sdMkN9x5jFIcIQ6QKFwXip5UFMzIeeXjxJaIOJHlE5lMtTtygQBBMoC4ODRzZSSthhgVO5OZXlXViOAP6F8yfJGh-XGjBQPyg7g.B5qjmp3OJWSA8SUDOvlyBO_mh17NNHJNFD5qyvorh0c&qid=1772567165&sr=8-1]

Parenting from a Heart Connection

In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the difference between parenting from a place of rules, fear, punishment, and outward conformity versus parenting from a place of love, heart connection, and internal responsibility. Fear may teach self-preservation, but love builds transformation. When we move from control on the outside to connection on the inside, we begin parenting heart to heart. That looks different at every age—understanding our kids’ needs, their love languages, and the power of bonding and healthy attachment, making sure both their physical and emotional needs are met. Our goal is to reflect the Father’s heart—to love our children the way He loves us—becoming a safe place they can run to, especially when they’ve messed up. When kids know nothing can separate them from our love, they begin to care how their choices affect the relationship. We’ll also talk about how our own upbringing and our view of God shape the way we parent, and how giving children age-appropriate choices teaches them they are powerful and responsible—while still guiding them in understanding obedience and authority.