Search Results

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 017 - Purpose of School Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #017 – Purpose of School Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. When President Barack Obama presented his State of the Union Address several years ago, announcing a new challenge to redesign America’s high schools in order to better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy, I believe many who heard this promise missed the opportunity to ponder exactly what the real purpose of school is. Have you ever stopped to think about what you actually expect from a public school? Is the institutional public education system in America meeting your expectations and the needs of your unique child? As I continue this podcast episode, it will be apparent that I am a huge homeschool proponent. Please take what I say from this opinion and know that I trust each of the listeners of this podcast are prayerful about what God has for you and your family. I also trust that each family will very prayerfully seek God’s instruction on what is best for your children and not only what is convenient. I understand what it is like to work full-time outside the home. I felt like I did not have the opportunity to homeschool. We felt the extra income I brought in was needed. We also worked very hard to get to the point that I could quit that job and be able to survive without the additional income. I also know there are many mothers (and some fathers) who work full-time and homeschool their children. Remember that when you homeschool, you are freed from the constraints of public education and free to form what works for your family under God . Even though I will talk in this episode about how public school is currently established, remember that the freedom found in home education relieves you from building your home school as a replica of the education your child currently receives. Through the years, I found that the more I moved beyond how traditional education in public school was set up, and focused on our relationship with Christ, the needs of my children, the plans I had for them and their future, and considered their qualities, interests, and talents, the more successful our private school became. Public education, as it is constructed now, corrals your child for 7 – 8 hours of education a day beginning in grade school, then adds additional time of approximately an hour for homework after school. As children reach the middle and high school years, the hours spent in class or activities, practices, and sports climb even higher. When you add in the increased homework load and jobs, and we see that kids spend almost all of their waking hours away from home and family. It’s easy to assume that parents have virtually no influence over school-aged children unless they are home-educated. Our culture tends to push the myth that public education is the only way to prepare students for life, to allow them to acquire skills necessary to obtain a career after graduation. Yet is this actually true? Many feel the government education system now established in America merely pushes students along until graduation, in order to assure that “no child is left behind.” Even more distressing is the concern that 21st century schools have been exposed as progressively worsening indoctrination camps which fail to properly educate students, instead pushing agendas that divide families. Does it appear to you that public schools set up children for a successful future that equips them to reach their full and God-given potential? Or is it based on an assembly line mentality that moves children from grade to grade until graduation? Some think of homeschooling as an inappropriate substitution for education, citing low socialization of students as the negative mark against this method of education. I believe what proves homeschooling as the superior choice is the type of socialization students receive. Home-educated children aren’t hidden in a closet or dungeon with no social life. The majority of homeschooled children are supported by adults and other children, whether it be siblings or peers in co-ops or extracurricular activities and study groups, and focus on a different guideline or set of expectations for socialization, which enables them to become well-equipped in interactions and able to converse with a range of ages and interests. In addition, I’d like to ask those who feel homeschooled children lack a social life this question. What part of sitting at a desk for hours a day in an institutional atmosphere and being taught morals and ideals contrary to what your family believes and that do nothing to promote a strong relationship with God is superior to what a loving, observant, godly parent can provide for his or her child ? Most homeschoolers are actually closer to family, more mature for their age, converse with parents about life issues, are uninterested in blindly following culture, and most have not been introduced to inappropriate graphic sexualized teachings, communist and socialist brainwashing, or gender and identity confusion. Often educationally superior to the majority of publicly educated students in a variety of ways, including testing in the areas of language arts and literacy, authentic American history, and often Biblical studies, the home-educated child proves that a government-driven system interested in stripping genuine American history cannot be trusted to equip our children for a successful future that ensures God-given rights and talents. Americans are now right to question whether public schools are simply indoctrination camps that provide 9-5 childcare services and are paving the way for leftist ideology and dissolution of Christian values our country was founded upon. Parents must certainly begin asking important questions, if they are not already doing so. 1. What is the purpose of school? 2. Is my child receiving the education I want them to have? 3. Is the education my child receives appropriate in the eyes of God? 4. Does their education shape them to be and use the unique God-given potential inside them? Deuteronomy 6:6-8 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates .” The most important education your child will receive should come from you, the parent. Godly instruction is eternal. Relationship with God through Jesus will never be stripped away, it never fades, and only increases as your child deepens and matures their walk with God. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength .” The greatest gift a homeschool journey will bring you and your child is the opportunity to connect parent to child under God. A strong foundation built through intentional, consistent time in the Bible together is absolutely priceless. This relationship firmly constructed on the truths and training of God and with each other connected to and through Him is a blessing our Heavenly Father extends as we train our children in Him and seek His guidance on teaching and equipping them to know, love, honor, and obey Him. Am I saying that every homeschooled child is going to be a model Christian? No. Each person has free will, but a school crafted through an atmosphere of learning God’s word and truths in a loving, humble, household where parents live the life they preach lovingly and unwaveringly will draw the heart of your child to God in a way nothing else will. Deuteronomy 4:9 says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them .” When we live with fullness of joy in a mature and growing walk with Christ, allowing our Heavenly Father to guide our heart and mind, attitude and emotions, our children see and reap the benefits as they are taught to learn and carry the same loving, humble walk with Christ. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord .” I know my home life and relationships with my children would not be the joy they are without homeschool. Our daily Bible studies are a highlight and necessity that has equipped us with spiritual growth and maturity at a level that would not have been possible otherwise. Psalm 34:11 says, “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. ” Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right .” Aside from the beautiful benefits of a gentle, godly atmosphere and training in the Lord each day, there are other advantages that come from teaching your child at home. Home education, however, is not a perfect solution without struggles. In fact, most mothers who make the choice to teach their children from home have many concerns or fears as they start the process. No one enters this area without wondering if they can do it. Part of the beauty in homeschooling comes from being right where God wants us. We are completely dependent on Him to make our school a success, if we choose to recognize Him as the one in control. I have been on my knees more times than I can count over the years. Through hardships and trying life situations, illness, adoption, deaths, and more, God has kept us on track and given us the opportunity to enjoy learning. We make our schedule fit our life, not shift our life to meet the demands of an institutional system . Are you one who has wondered whether you should elect to homeschool your children? Have you already started and are in need of encouragement? Homeschooling is as isolated or robust as we choose for it to be, but remember this: God is always there with you. He created your children. He formed my children. Each person is a unique and individual human being created for a purpose ordained by God Himself. As you homeschool, keep God front and center, seek His will with what and how you will teach. Ask Him to gift you with wisdom on what curriculum choices are best for your family. Allow time to seek His guidance and discernment, and allow time to hear His words and recognize His prompts to you. I’d like to list several important tips that helped us and that I believe may serve you in this season of beginning or continuing your school. Don’t worry about taking notes. You can find the transcript to this episode and all of the tips and information online at terrihitt.com. 1. Create a homeschool that seeks God first and strives to understand and obey His call. 2. Create a homeschool that respects the child. 3. Create a homeschool that serves the unique talents and interests crafted within your child. 4. Create a learning environment that fosters a love of learning. 5. Create a homeschool that allows children to make mistakes without condemnation or embarrassment. 6. Create a homeschool that focuses on the strengths and weaknesses your child is exhibiting and fosters what he or she needs to succeed with joy. Additionally, I believe you will want to create a homeschool that answers these questions (and whatever others you desire for your unique family). 1. Where do I want my child to be in his or her relationship with God at the end of their school years? 2. What type of relationship do I want with my child each school year? 3. What relationship do I want with my child when our school years together are over? 4. What do you want your child to be able to say about homeschooling together? 5. How do I want the love of Christ reflected in our homeschool and relationships together? 6. Do I observe and understand the ways my child learns? 7. Am I working to develop myself in order to reach the needs of my child? 8. How can I use our time together and the curriculum I choose to form the traits I desire my child to develop? 9. How can I strengthen the beautiful qualities God has already crafted inside my child? Near the beginning of our homeschool journey, I created a Mission Statement that still guides our time today. This statement hangs in our dedicated schoolroom, and serves as a reminder to me of the importance of setting and maintaining specific values and principles I desire to foster throughout the life of my children and myself. I am sharing it to help you imagine and craft a Mission Statement that best serves your family and enables you to keep your focus foremost in your mind through the years. “Our mission at GraceLight Academy is to study, understand, and instill the Lord Jesus Christ in our heart, words, thoughts, and actions and to recognize His love, provision, and guidance in our lives. We will also strive to instill and foster a lifelong love of learning and to gratefully use the gifts and talents He lovingly bestowed to us in ways that honor and glorify Him.” We also have a sign in our room that reads, “GraceLight Academy is dedicated to the Lord, for only He can make something out of nothing .” We have also crafted class rules that guided the early years of learning together and continue to be a foundational strength in our school. “At GraceLight Academy we listen carefully and respectfully to one another. We allow others time to talk, and we strive to please God as we learn from each other. When we don’t understand something, whether it is an old fact or something brand new, we ask questions and never feel ashamed. We want to learn. God gave us beautiful minds to use in ways that please and honor Him. We also take time to cuddle. God made us a family and we want to show our love for each other .” As I read this set of rules, I smile because I remember why I included the last portion. I wanted to ensure that while we continued on busy and sometimes hard schedules with family and life issues throughout seasons during the years, we would always make time to tell one another when we needed a time out of sorts to connect and enjoy each other. I never want the rush of life to rule our actions or reactions, but for love to be honoring and inclusive so that we always feel safe and joyful at home together. We also have a quote by Robert Collier on our wall. It reads, “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out .” One other quote hangs on another wall. It is entitled, “We Are a Family,” and is by G. Copeland. It reads, “Since before any of us were born, God planned for us to share our lives with each other. He knew exactly how our strengths and weaknesses would balance one another, and the depth of love, understanding, and commitment we would learn to feel. He knew that the richness of our separate characters would be developed through the hard times, and that mutual trust and respect would be born as a result of overcoming the trials together. He knew that we would laugh together and cry together. He knew we needed each…to hug, to help, to teach, to share…to love .” Of course, an American flag hangs in our schoolroom and our walls are also decorated with school and artwork, timelines, facts, and Bible verses that are meaningful to us and which support the focus of our school and life. I chose them when we began homeschooling so that the wisdom, attitude, and hope I desired would be what was shaped within each of us, and of course, each year we may add or subtract some of what hangs. I will share some of the Bible verses we chose now in the hope that it will inspire you to find what verses speak to you and help support the goals you have in your mind and heart. PROMISE : 1 Corinthians 15:58 , “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I chose this verse to remind us that when days are hard, learning is not easy, or life is complicated, we always have the promises of the Lord to sustain and encourage us. WISDOM : Proverbs 16:21 , “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. ” I chose this verse to remind us that God’s wisdom is all we need. This world is not our home and we must keep our focus on Him through all we do. ATTITUDE : Proverbs 5:12-14, “You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.” I chose this verse to ensure we began our homeschool journey with the proper attitude and continued to grow it over the years in ways that honor and please God and bring us closer to Him and each other. HOPE : Isaiah 55:11 , “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” I chose this verse to remind us in good and hard times of life that no matter how we feel or what circumstances appear to be like, God is good. He is present. He goes before us, and so do the truths of His word. I wanted us to always seek Him and stand on His truths. Your homeschool should reflect your family, children, and goals. There is so much to be said on this topic alone! If you want to get a clearer understanding of home education, I suggest reading the Charlotte Mason Home Education series of books as they teach of a philosophy of education and formation of character. I also suggest using a majority of living books in your curriculum. As we see educational concerns and changes in public schools, more parents have made the choice to home educate their children. Please make sure you follow state regulations and guidelines to ensure that your school is established correctly from the beginning. I highly recommend that you find local educator groups to help guide you. For example, I am I member of Midwest Parent Educators. You can search online to see what may be in your area. I also highly recommend HSLDA, Home School Legal Defense Association. You can also find information about this excellent organization online. As a member, you gain access to help with almost any area of your homeschool questions and concerns. For example, they guide you to local groups, help with school planning, and can assist with guidance for high school, transcripts, and so much more. Remember to craft the school you prayerfully desire to build. My youngest had to begin learning English at the age of nine, undergo many surgeries and procedures, and didn’t really start to learn until she was ten years old because of spending her early years in an orphanage. We haven’t labeled her grade like a public school would. It can be annoying at times to answer the simple question about what year she is in, but we have found simplicity and freedom in allowing her to learn faster in some areas and take more time on others. Thus, her grade levels are mixed, but it works perfectly for her. Many children are learning in this way and I find it much superior to the traditional institutional learning. I also ask that you consider what works for your child. When President Obama gave his State of the Union address many years ago and spoke of preparing students for college, I believe he overlooked the simple fact that not all children need a college education. Some will be led to use their God-given abilities in other skilled areas. Some may follow their heart calling to be a stay-at-home mother and raising the next generation of children. Whatever your child is equipped for and prayerfully following with your guidance will be the path they are destined to take. Don’t let comments or questions from others deflate their excitement or alter the plans God has for them. Instead of asking recent high school graduates where they are going to college, we should inquire what plans they are pursuing next. There are people needed in skilled trades and I love that God made each of us with unique interests. Just because our culture has grown to expect college, it does not mean that it is the right choice for everyone, especially with the huge amount of debt and the indoctrination that can dangerously confuse those attending. However, if your child is in pursuit of a career that needs a college degree, know that a homeschool education is respected and admired by universities, just as a public education is. I hope this episode equips and encourages you in your understanding of the purpose of school. It is important to realize and remember that home education is established as a lifestyle that encourages the best of my children and prayerfully brings the best out in me as I continue to learn and grow, as well. There is so much more to be said about home education. In fact, there is too much information for several podcast episodes. If you have questions for me, I’m happy to help in any way I can. Please feel free to contact me at info@terrihitt.com . Dear Heavenly Father, You are so good. Thank you for entrusting Your children to us. Thank you for making each of them unique and beautifully, intentionally formed in the image of You. Father, we praise You for the opportunity to homeschool our precious children. Please protect our freedom and choice to home educate Your children and help us to start them off in the way they should go as we seek Your perfect ways for them individually all the days we are privileged to raise and influence them. Help us to see them as You do and equip them to follow the gifts and talents You have gifted to them. May they pursue You with love, honor, and loving devotion and follow the path You have set before them. Help us to never be a stumbling block for our children. Enable us to be godly encouragement that shines You and Your truths. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast. Both of my podcasts may be found at terrihitt.com, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and are also part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts may also now be found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. If you find value in what you hear through my podcasts, and you would like more information on the topic we discussed today, I invite you to listen to previous episodes. To hear episodes that deal with homeschooling or educating children, I suggest listening to the following episodes of the Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast: Episode 89, Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll – Part 1, Episode 90, Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carrol – Part 2, Episode 91, Interview with Charlene Notgrass – Notgrass History – Part 1, Episode 92, Interview with Charlene Notgrass – Notgrass History – Part 2, Episode 93, Interview with Emily Hladik – Understanding American History – Part 1, and Episode 94, Interview with Emily Hladik – Understanding American History – Part 2. You may easily find these episodes at terrihitt.com. Just click on “podcasts” and type in the topic or title you wish to hear about in the search bar at the top of the page. Please let me know if you would like more information on the topic of homeschooling. Also, have you rated or reviewed this podcast on Apple Podcasts yet? For those who have, I thank you so very much! If you haven’t, would you please consider doing so? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. If you believe the content you hear should be heard so that more people can begin to deepen their walk with Jesus, live with eyes set on eternity, and raise or influence children for Christ, would you please write a review and rate the podcast for me? Please also follow and share both of my podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #033 – The Keys Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. I would describe myself as an extroverted introvert. Quiet time to reflect and unwind at home is needed. Although I love people, can talk to anyone, and really am interested in knowing them, I need down time. For the most part, our home is very relaxed and quiet, but last week my youngest had a melt-down. It has actually been a while since the last one. When she first came home from China, she wasn’t able to express her emotions, needs, or desires, so if something triggered memories, trauma, or fears, big feelings and crying sessions lasting two hours would take over. This behavior or type of emotional release is very common. Most adoptive parents have dealt with melt-downs. They usually lessen over time and eventually fade away to a distant memory of early days together. Which is mostly what ours have done. Until last week. As I sat on the floor with my precious girl, waiting for her to release her emotions, I thought about how far we had come. I felt blessed to have seen this one coming, I had recognized the trigger when it happened, and I was one hundred percent ready to sit on the floor and just be there with her. During the times this happens, all she wants is for me to stay there, to prove that she is not alone, that I love her, and I can handle the “bigness” of what she is experiencing. As extremely difficult as this can be on everyone, especially when children first arrive home, this process has brought us closer to each other. It has strengthened our bonds and attached us in miraculous ways. But it doesn’t make it easy. This particular melt-down lasted less than an hour, and the tears were not non-stop. As I observed my youngest, I was thankful to know my girl much better now. I understood that she needed to laugh in between sets of tears and was joyful that I possessed the know-how and ability to cater to her particular sense of humor. I also knew when to hug. I knew when to be silent and still. When a child is in the middle of a melt-down, their brain is not functioning normally. Although I understand that she isn’t able to process at that time, I still sometimes find myself asking her a few questions, attempting to help. We’ve been together long enough now that she allowed them, but wasn’t able to answer. I knew that whatever important words I said during that time needed to be repeated at a time she would understand and retain them, too. It was time to revisit what had happened during her outburst this week. So, earlier this week I sat down on the same bedroom floor and talked to her about the melt-down. We talked about why it happened. I shared about how hard it is sometimes to find the right words to express exactly what we are feeling. We talked about other people and how feelings can easily get hurt. Now that her brain wasn’t in an agitated or upset mode, she was more capable of admitting her needs and wants. Even though she has been with us for five years now, English is not her first language, and it is still difficult at times to find the right words for her to express big emotions. I told her that it is sometimes hard for people who have always lived and grown up in America to know how to talk about what they are feeling. I found a small box with a lid and showed her a demonstration I knew she wouldn’t absorb the day of, but had tried anyway. Although she looked like she was listening at the time of the melt-down, she couldn’t remember any of it. So I sat down in front of her with the box and shared again. “See this?” I asked her. “Yes,” she said as she nodded. “This box is a person.” Always up for make-believe, she smiled with interest as I continued. I took the lid off and held up a small stuffed animal. “Let’s pretend this is a feeling.” I dropped it in the box and held up another toy. “This is a thought.” In the box it went. I reminded her of previous discussions we have shared about feelings, thoughts, and emotions. She remembered I had told her that although we have many, and we need to feel and admit them, they are not always accurate or true, even though they feel like it. I continued adding items to the box, saying that people have many thoughts, feelings, and emotions every day. “When we do not have the words to tell others what we think or feel.” I said, “Our head and heart get so full we feel many things. We may get confused, or scared, or mad, or frustrated.” I filled the box up all the way and showed her the inside of it. “We wonder how to get the feelings and thoughts out. Sometimes it’s good to cry and even Jesus cried sometimes. But we can also talk to people and share how we feel so they can help us. In China you did not have anyone, but now you do. I always want to help.” I do talk,” she said. “I always talk to God.” “I’m so happy,” I told her as I gave her a hug. “When you talk to God, the feelings and emotions and thoughts can come out.” I started talking the animals out of the box one at a time. “Then the box feels lighter and we don’t feel like crying because we feel like someone hears us and can understand and help. The thoughts won’t make us feel heavy and sad. Remember that Mommy and Daddy can help. But I’m always glad you talk to God first.” “I know,” she said as she moved closer to me. After a moment she said, “The box is like a puzzle,” she said. “We have to find the right pieces for us.” What? I was astounded and in awe of my girl. She proved how far she had traveled in her time with us. She understood. She carried a deeper understanding than I realized. Being a parent is one of the greatest gifts I have been given. Anyone who has been listening to this podcast for a while knows our story and has heard me speak on this before. Adoptive parenting has humbled me even more than biological parenting. Adoptive parenting forces mothers and fathers to face and admit insecurities while dealing with a child who was once an absolute stranger with no ties to them. They have to navigate and deal with their own hang-ups, pains, or disappointments while facing the raw terror and trauma of a child that only God can heal. Many parents get lost on how the child treats them or rejects them. If we hold self-doubts and uncertainties in our own life, then couple those with the rejection of a child we work so hard to bring home, a family can easily spiral into crisis. Parenting is never about us. Life is not about us. The greatest sacrifice a parent can make is to face the responsibility of raising a child for God with a spirit of great humility. We know nothing about the child in our care, whether biological or adopted, until we release ourselves to our Heavenly Father and allow Him to reveal their special gifts, talents, emotions, and interests. Only by clinging to God are we able to merge broken human personalities and hurts, traumas, fears, hopes, dreams, and love to meet the needs of another. There is no greater gift we can offer than to lay down our life for our child and strive to see them through the eyes of their Creator. Without God, we are damaged vessels. Motherhood offers women the opportunity to face what is broken and allow God to mend and renew. Actually, parenthood offers us the opportunity to face what is broken and allow God to mend and renew. It isn’t just mothers who must face imperfections and bow to Him as we raise the children He entrusted to our care. What is the best method for learning and growing as a parent? As a person? Possessing active humility and simple trust. Last week on the podcast I read verses from Daniel 4:1-37 and shared about teachability. This week I feel the need to offer more, with emphasis on the best ways to be teachable. Humility and trust. We do not have to be the smartest person to learn, or the most intelligent parent, but we do need to pay attention, and carry a desire to learn or change, and maintain or gain, a humble spirit. When we are humble, we recognize that others may carry more knowledge or insight, and perhaps more wisdom than us. We recognize that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and as we seek Him, and desire to understand Him and His ways, we will also gain practical and godly wisdom. Humility teaches us: 1. To be a better listener than speaker. 2. To be slow to speak. 3. To admit our mistakes. 4. To consider others more highly than ourselves. 5. To seek the wisdom of God in everything. James 3:13-18 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” I think often about how God must feel when He looks down on this world; the pain His heart must feel. I purposely strive daily to view those I love and strangers around me through a lens that desires results from an eternal perspective that pleases God. I want what I do and think to give my Heavenly Father joy. Instead, how much pain does He receive from me daily? The words in James 3:13-18 show how far so many of us are from where God is calling us to be. When we are wise, we show it through good conduct. Look at the streets filled right now with looting and murder. I see no meekness of wisdom. I see envy and self-seeking, lies, and confusion. God’s wisdom fills us with more humility and wisdom that is pure from Him, peaceable, gentle, and willing to yield while full of mercy and good fruits. He tells us there is no hypocrisy or partiality. There is peace. We cannot know Him, His fruits, His peace, wisdom, or humility without knowing Him. We cannot be teachable without Him. Our world is so far from where we need to be, but that can change one person at a time. I always exclaim that the cure for what ails this nation is one simple thing. The problem is the condition of our hearts. Change the hearts, change the people, change our nation, change the world. The solution is Jesus. That is not my opinion. Is it a fact straight from the Bible. Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6, “I am the truth, the way, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” In John 8:24, he said, “For unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.” The Apostle Peter assured us of the truthfulness of those words when he quoted the words found in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Paul agreed in 1 Timothy 2:5 when he said, “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Simply spoken, the Old Testament points the way to the coming Messiah and the New Testament is united in the fact that no one can know or come to God, our Heavenly Father, except through the person of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can heal hearts. This world needs Him much more than we realize. Basic, but important steps are needed to approach change through Jesus and a relationship with our Heavenly Father. These steps allow our heart and mind to be changed and will keep us growing and maturing properly. There are two important keys. What are they? Humble submission and trust. First, we must recognize and admit our needs. Next, we must be ready for change. Finally, we must want permanent transformation. A shift begins with the willingness to be humbled and the desire to live with permanent humility. I’m going to share several verses to prepare our minds to see our need. 1 Peter 5:5 says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 15:33 says, “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.” Proverbs 22:4 says, “By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.” Colossians 2:23 says, “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” Philippians 2:3 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” Ephesians 4:2 says, “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.” Do you recognize these qualities in most of the people living today? Do you recognize them in yourself most of the time? We all have so much work to do. We must allow ourselves to be humbled and gain the desire and ability to trust God with our life. The whole of it. What about trust? In our society, it is hard-earned. Are you ready to extend it to, and allow it to stay, in God’s hand? How does trust in God help us? 1. Trust erases fear. 2. Trust produces peace and joy despite circumstances. 3. Trust enables us to turn away from evil. 4. Trust builds a fortress through the shield of God’s armor. 5. Trust produces a strong faith. 6. Trust enables obedience. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Listen to these additional verses about trust. Just like humility, trust is so important that God doesn’t speak on it just once, but continues to prove reasons for us to trust and shows us the only way to a life filled with the richness of peace and other fruits of the spirit we all desire and seek. Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” Isaiah 12:2 says, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.” Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.” Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Remember the story I shared about my youngest at the beginning of this podcast? The same principles apply to everyone because we have all experienced different levels of loss, hurt, frustration, confusion, needs, and more. We all have the same desire to be understood and to be able to express ourselves and still be loved and wanted. Think of the analogy I used with the box. Instead of releasing thoughts, feelings, and emotions from the box, think of our mind and heart as safe deposit boxes. If you use the example of the box with the lid, search the word of God and seek to study and understand it, then apply it safely in our hearts and minds to nourish our soul. In effect, we put it in “the box.” When that box is filled with the word of God, conversations and prayers, active listening for His voice, words, and directions to us, humble trust, and active pursuit of Him, and obedience, we release negativity and false beliefs, hurts, bitterness, anger, and more from the box. We build a deposit of humble trust and love for the only One who understands us and will never forsake us. Faith is a series of steps taken through a life of humility and trust with blind obedience through Jesus. Are you ready to begin or expand your walk with the Lord? Me, too. I know with certainty that anything we submit to and do for the Lord will bring us sweet joy on this earth and for eternity. Father, I thank You for Your presence in my life. Please enable me to follow You with humility that is pleasing to You. Help me to trust what you teach and reveal to me. Give me the courage to be obedient to what and where You call me. Let my faith grow and not falter. Help me bring You great joy. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 033 The Keys Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #033 – The Keys Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. I would describe myself as an extroverted introvert. Quiet time to reflect and unwind at home is needed. Although I love people, can talk to anyone, and really am interested in knowing them, I need down time. For the most part, our home is very relaxed and quiet, but last week my youngest had a melt-down. It has actually been a while since the last one. When she first came home from China, she wasn’t able to express her emotions, needs, or desires, so if something triggered memories, trauma, or fears, big feelings and crying sessions lasting two hours would take over. This behavior or type of emotional release is very common. Most adoptive parents have dealt with melt-downs. They usually lessen over time and eventually fade away to a distant memory of early days together. Which is mostly what ours have done. Until last week. As I sat on the floor with my precious girl, waiting for her to release her emotions, I thought about how far we had come. I felt blessed to have seen this one coming, I had recognized the trigger when it happened, and I was one hundred percent ready to sit on the floor and just be there with her. During the times this happens, all she wants is for me to stay there, to prove that she is not alone, that I love her, and I can handle the “bigness” of what she is experiencing. As extremely difficult as this can be on everyone, especially when children first arrive home, this process has brought us closer to each other. It has strengthened our bonds and attached us in miraculous ways. But it doesn’t make it easy. This particular melt-down lasted less than an hour, and the tears were not non-stop. As I observed my youngest, I was thankful to know my girl much better now. I understood that she needed to laugh in between sets of tears and was joyful that I possessed the know-how and ability to cater to her particular sense of humor. I also knew when to hug. I knew when to be silent and still. When a child is in the middle of a melt-down, their brain is not functioning normally. Although I understand that she isn’t able to process at that time, I still sometimes find myself asking her a few questions, attempting to help. We’ve been together long enough now that she allowed them, but wasn’t able to answer. I knew that whatever important words I said during that time needed to be repeated at a time she would understand and retain them, too. It was time to revisit what had happened during her outburst this week. So, earlier this week I sat down on the same bedroom floor and talked to her about the melt-down. We talked about why it happened. I shared about how hard it is sometimes to find the right words to express exactly what we are feeling. We talked about other people and how feelings can easily get hurt. Now that her brain wasn’t in an agitated or upset mode, she was more capable of admitting her needs and wants. Even though she has been with us for five years now, English is not her first language, and it is still difficult at times to find the right words for her to express big emotions. I told her that it is sometimes hard for people who have always lived and grown up in America to know how to talk about what they are feeling. I found a small box with a lid and showed her a demonstration I knew she wouldn’t absorb the day of, but had tried anyway. Although she looked like she was listening at the time of the melt-down, she couldn’t remember any of it. So I sat down in front of her with the box and shared again. “See this?” I asked her. “Yes,” she said as she nodded. “This box is a person.” Always up for make-believe, she smiled with interest as I continued. I took the lid off and held up a small stuffed animal. “Let’s pretend this is a feeling.” I dropped it in the box and held up another toy. “This is a thought.” In the box it went. I reminded her of previous discussions we have shared about feelings, thoughts, and emotions. She remembered I had told her that although we have many, and we need to feel and admit them, they are not always accurate or true, even though they feel like it. I continued adding items to the box, saying that people have many thoughts, feelings, and emotions every day. “When we do not have the words to tell others what we think or feel.” I said, “Our head and heart get so full we feel many things. We may get confused, or scared, or mad, or frustrated.” I filled the box up all the way and showed her the inside of it. “We wonder how to get the feelings and thoughts out. Sometimes it’s good to cry and even Jesus cried sometimes. But we can also talk to people and share how we feel so they can help us. In China you did not have anyone, but now you do. I always want to help.” I do talk,” she said. “I always talk to God.” “I’m so happy,” I told her as I gave her a hug. “When you talk to God, the feelings and emotions and thoughts can come out.” I started talking the animals out of the box one at a time. “Then the box feels lighter and we don’t feel like crying because we feel like someone hears us and can understand and help. The thoughts won’t make us feel heavy and sad. Remember that Mommy and Daddy can help. But I’m always glad you talk to God first.” “I know,” she said as she moved closer to me. After a moment she said, “The box is like a puzzle,” she said. “We have to find the right pieces for us.” What? I was astounded and in awe of my girl. She proved how far she had traveled in her time with us. She understood. She carried a deeper understanding than I realized. Being a parent is one of the greatest gifts I have been given. Anyone who has been listening to this podcast for a while knows our story and has heard me speak on this before. Adoptive parenting has humbled me even more than biological parenting. Adoptive parenting forces mothers and fathers to face and admit insecurities while dealing with a child who was once an absolute stranger with no ties to them. They have to navigate and deal with their own hang-ups, pains, or disappointments while facing the raw terror and trauma of a child that only God can heal. Many parents get lost on how the child treats them or rejects them. If we hold self-doubts and uncertainties in our own life, then couple those with the rejection of a child we work so hard to bring home, a family can easily spiral into crisis. Parenting is never about us. Life is not about us. The greatest sacrifice a parent can make is to face the responsibility of raising a child for God with a spirit of great humility. We know nothing about the child in our care, whether biological or adopted, until we release ourselves to our Heavenly Father and allow Him to reveal their special gifts, talents, emotions, and interests. Only by clinging to God are we able to merge broken human personalities and hurts, traumas, fears, hopes, dreams, and love to meet the needs of another. There is no greater gift we can offer than to lay down our life for our child and strive to see them through the eyes of their Creator. Without God, we are damaged vessels. Motherhood offers women the opportunity to face what is broken and allow God to mend and renew. Actually, parenthood offers us the opportunity to face what is broken and allow God to mend and renew. It isn’t just mothers who must face imperfections and bow to Him as we raise the children He entrusted to our care. What is the best method for learning and growing as a parent? As a person? Possessing active humility and simple trust. Last week on the podcast I read verses from Daniel 4:1-37 and shared about teachability. This week I feel the need to offer more, with emphasis on the best ways to be teachable. Humility and trust. We do not have to be the smartest person to learn, or the most intelligent parent, but we do need to pay attention, and carry a desire to learn or change, and maintain or gain, a humble spirit. When we are humble, we recognize that others may carry more knowledge or insight, and perhaps more wisdom than us. We recognize that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and as we seek Him, and desire to understand Him and His ways, we will also gain practical and godly wisdom. Humility teaches us: 1. To be a better listener than speaker. 2. To be slow to speak. 3. To admit our mistakes. 4. To consider others more highly than ourselves. 5. To seek the wisdom of God in everything. James 3:13-18 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” I think often about how God must feel when He looks down on this world; the pain His heart must feel. I purposely strive daily to view those I love and strangers around me through a lens that desires results from an eternal perspective that pleases God. I want what I do and think to give my Heavenly Father joy. Instead, how much pain does He receive from me daily? The words in James 3:13-18 show how far so many of us are from where God is calling us to be. When we are wise, we show it through good conduct. Look at the streets filled right now with looting and murder. I see no meekness of wisdom. I see envy and self-seeking, lies, and confusion. God’s wisdom fills us with more humility and wisdom that is pure from Him, peaceable, gentle, and willing to yield while full of mercy and good fruits. He tells us there is no hypocrisy or partiality. There is peace. We cannot know Him, His fruits, His peace, wisdom, or humility without knowing Him. We cannot be teachable without Him. Our world is so far from where we need to be, but that can change one person at a time. I always exclaim that the cure for what ails this nation is one simple thing. The problem is the condition of our hearts. Change the hearts, change the people, change our nation, change the world. The solution is Jesus. That is not my opinion. Is it a fact straight from the Bible. Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6, “I am the truth, the way, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” In John 8:24, he said, “For unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.” The Apostle Peter assured us of the truthfulness of those words when he quoted the words found in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Paul agreed in 1 Timothy 2:5 when he said, “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Simply spoken, the Old Testament points the way to the coming Messiah and the New Testament is united in the fact that no one can know or come to God, our Heavenly Father, except through the person of Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can heal hearts. This world needs Him much more than we realize. Basic, but important steps are needed to approach change through Jesus and a relationship with our Heavenly Father. These steps allow our heart and mind to be changed and will keep us growing and maturing properly. There are two important keys. What are they? Humble submission and trust. First, we must recognize and admit our needs. Next, we must be ready for change. Finally, we must want permanent transformation. A shift begins with the willingness to be humbled and the desire to live with permanent humility. I’m going to share several verses to prepare our minds to see our need. 1 Peter 5:5 says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 15:33 says, “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.” Proverbs 22:4 says, “By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.” Colossians 2:23 says, “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” Philippians 2:3 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” Ephesians 4:2 says, “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.” Do you recognize these qualities in most of the people living today? Do you recognize them in yourself most of the time? We all have so much work to do. We must allow ourselves to be humbled and gain the desire and ability to trust God with our life. The whole of it. What about trust? In our society, it is hard-earned. Are you ready to extend it to, and allow it to stay, in God’s hand? How does trust in God help us? 1. Trust erases fear. 2. Trust produces peace and joy despite circumstances. 3. Trust enables us to turn away from evil. 4. Trust builds a fortress through the shield of God’s armor. 5. Trust produces a strong faith. 6. Trust enables obedience. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Listen to these additional verses about trust. Just like humility, trust is so important that God doesn’t speak on it just once, but continues to prove reasons for us to trust and shows us the only way to a life filled with the richness of peace and other fruits of the spirit we all desire and seek. Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” Isaiah 12:2 says, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.” Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.” Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Remember the story I shared about my youngest at the beginning of this podcast? The same principles apply to everyone because we have all experienced different levels of loss, hurt, frustration, confusion, needs, and more. We all have the same desire to be understood and to be able to express ourselves and still be loved and wanted. Think of the analogy I used with the box. Instead of releasing thoughts, feelings, and emotions from the box, think of our mind and heart as safe deposit boxes. If you use the example of the box with the lid, search the word of God and seek to study and understand it, then apply it safely in our hearts and minds to nourish our soul. In effect, we put it in “the box.” When that box is filled with the word of God, conversations and prayers, active listening for His voice, words, and directions to us, humble trust, and active pursuit of Him, and obedience, we release negativity and false beliefs, hurts, bitterness, anger, and more from the box. We build a deposit of humble trust and love for the only One who understands us and will never forsake us. Faith is a series of steps taken through a life of humility and trust with blind obedience through Jesus. Are you ready to begin or expand your walk with the Lord? Me, too. I know with certainty that anything we submit to and do for the Lord will bring us sweet joy on this earth and for eternity. Father, I thank You for Your presence in my life. Please enable me to follow You with humility that is pleasing to You. Help me to trust what you teach and reveal to me. Give me the courage to be obedient to what and where You call me. Let my faith grow and not falter. Help me bring You great joy. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #093 – Interview with Emily Hladik – Understanding American History – Part 1 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Over the last several weeks, I’ve interviewed several wise and knowledgeable leaders in the homeschool industry. The key is that they are not only able to assist in the world of home education, but love Jesus. The wisdom and understanding they share about knowing children, giving them a full and rich education, and raising them to know and honor Jesus is what sets them apart. I’m excited to introduce another new guest on the podcast today. Emily Hladik is a wife, a follower of Jesus, and a homeschool mother who shares her passion for truth through eLearning to reach the next generation of American patriots. Emily began teaching as an adjunct college instructor of political science and history in 2004 and has a Master of Education and a BA in Political Science and History. She has also served as the Challenge 1 Director in the Classical Conversations community. Emily doesn’t care much for shopping and decorating, but is passionate about Jesus, history, politics, and is the founder and curriculum creator of Great American Studies. I appreciate her directness and wise views on history and what we must do to honor and uphold it in society today. Please join me as we converse about the Lord, politics, history, life, children, parenting, and more. Emily has a contagious spirit for all the topics we discuss, but especially Jesus, politics, and history. I think you’ll enjoy hearing her sound and principled thoughts, ideas, and values. As you listen to Part 1, please bear with the audio at around the 22 through 25 minutes mark. As you know, technology can be tricky, but Emily shares wise advice and experiences, so I hope you’ll adjust your volume where needed and hear the eternal value in our conversation. -------------------------------------------------INTERVIEW ------------------------------------------------ I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Emily and I hope you did, as well. I invite you to listen next week as we wrap up the interview with Part 2. You can learn more about Emily or Great American Studies at https://www.greatamericanstudies.com or on Facebook at Great American Studies. https://www.facebook.com/greatamericanstudies/ Emily’s courses are great for home or traditionally educated students, as well as parents who want to refresh their mind on history learned long ago. I plan to complete her course with my family soon. Father God, you have given us so much. You alone are good, holy, sovereign, and always present. We need You so much more than we can comprehend. Help us see You in each moment of our days. Help us to seek Your face as we navigate this world. May we live in sync with Your values and seek Your wisdom before our own or that of this world. May we please You with our thoughts, actions, and words because they are a reflection of Yours. Help us to view history with your heart and eyes and a gratitude for all You have allowed. Cause us to get involved where you call or support others You put in place for such a time as this. May our lives honor and reflect You to a world with blind eyes. We love You, Lord. Help the world see You within us and move ever closer to You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. As always, please feel free to let me know if you have specific questions I may be able to answer or if you need information or encouragement about a specific topic related to the podcast or interviews. You can reach me at info@terrihitt.com. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 093 - Understanding American History - Interview with Emily Hladik - Part 1 Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #093 – Interview with Emily Hladik – Understanding American History – Part 1 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Over the last several weeks, I’ve interviewed several wise and knowledgeable leaders in the homeschool industry. The key is that they are not only able to assist in the world of home education, but love Jesus. The wisdom and understanding they share about knowing children, giving them a full and rich education, and raising them to know and honor Jesus is what sets them apart. I’m excited to introduce another new guest on the podcast today. Emily Hladik is a wife, a follower of Jesus, and a homeschool mother who shares her passion for truth through eLearning to reach the next generation of American patriots. Emily began teaching as an adjunct college instructor of political science and history in 2004 and has a Master of Education and a BA in Political Science and History. She has also served as the Challenge 1 Director in the Classical Conversations community. Emily doesn’t care much for shopping and decorating, but is passionate about Jesus, history, politics, and is the founder and curriculum creator of Great American Studies. I appreciate her directness and wise views on history and what we must do to honor and uphold it in society today. Please join me as we converse about the Lord, politics, history, life, children, parenting, and more. Emily has a contagious spirit for all the topics we discuss, but especially Jesus, politics, and history. I think you’ll enjoy hearing her sound and principled thoughts, ideas, and values. As you listen to Part 1, please bear with the audio at around the 22 through 25 minutes mark. As you know, technology can be tricky, but Emily shares wise advice and experiences, so I hope you’ll adjust your volume where needed and hear the eternal value in our conversation. -------------------------------------------------INTERVIEW ------------------------------------------------ I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Emily and I hope you did, as well. I invite you to listen next week as we wrap up the interview with Part 2. You can learn more about Emily or Great American Studies at https://www.greatamericanstudies.com or on Facebook at Great American Studies. https://www.facebook.com/greatamericanstudies/ Emily’s courses are great for home or traditionally educated students, as well as parents who want to refresh their mind on history learned long ago. I plan to complete her course with my family soon. Father God, you have given us so much. You alone are good, holy, sovereign, and always present. We need You so much more than we can comprehend. Help us see You in each moment of our days. Help us to seek Your face as we navigate this world. May we live in sync with Your values and seek Your wisdom before our own or that of this world. May we please You with our thoughts, actions, and words because they are a reflection of Yours. Help us to view history with your heart and eyes and a gratitude for all You have allowed. Cause us to get involved where you call or support others You put in place for such a time as this. May our lives honor and reflect You to a world with blind eyes. We love You, Lord. Help the world see You within us and move ever closer to You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. As always, please feel free to let me know if you have specific questions I may be able to answer or if you need information or encouragement about a specific topic related to the podcast or interviews. You can reach me at info@terrihitt.com . Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. https://www.facebook.com/greatamericanstudies/ https://www.greatamericanstudies.com

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #099 – Editing God Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. This week I saw something that I couldn’t ignore. It saddened me so much that I had to create a podcast about it. As Christians, we should strive to become more purposed in creating lives that honor and obey God. Living with eternal perspective means growing in our desire to follow God’s word more clearly daily; not because we should, but because as we draw nearer to Him, God draws nearer to us, causing us to crave Him more. Yet how many people profess to be Christians and do not read His word regularly? If we don’t read His word, how can we readily recognize when His word is being misinterpreted or mishandled? The only way to confidently navigate life with the assurance that we understand the word of God and His requirements of us is to pursue relationship with Him through Jesus. Because we desire to know and be like Him, we simply must make time read and study His word with a hunger to understand, recognize, and apply it. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The Bible is not a collection of spiritual words written by men. It’s not just a collection of thoughts. The Bible is alive; it is a purposed gift to us from our Heavenly Father. God’s word is living, active, and life-changing. God’s words are power and supernatural strength. Sharper than a double-edged sword, these living words actively discern who and what we are, and are not. Scripture penetrates to our core, both morally and spiritually, discerning the good and evil within us, understanding the thoughts and intentions within us before we do. God’s word demands that we either choose Him or choose to walk away. It does not leave us where we are unless we decide to ignore it and reject Him. Without the word of God alive within us through the Holy Spirit, we are walking in darkness. How does the Bible define darkness? Satan. Satan is the prince of the power of darkness. Whenever God’s word speaks of darkness, it is most often referring to the devil, his demons, and his kingdom. The power of the prince of darkness is real. Spiritual darkness can control the mind, emotions, actions and words of non-believers. What holds power over Satan and the darkness of his realm? God’s holy word. His perfect, unedited word. God’s word is inspired. It is inerrant. It holds authority from God Himself. When Satan attempted to tempt Jesus, the Lord used God’s powerful, living words against him, answering with the authority we read in Matthew 4:4. “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Jesus is our perfect mentor. He was able to withstand the temptations of the devil because He knew scripture, He utilized the power it held, and He obeyed it. We must read, know, and study God’s word, but we must also rely on it. Even Satan knows scripture, but he does not obey it. Proverbs 30:5-6 tells us, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Although the Bible was written by 40 authors over a period of time, there are no contradictions in the words. There are no inconsistencies. Every prediction made so far has come true, or, we know by faith, will come true. Without God’s holy and divine inspiration, the Bible could not exist. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.” The very word, inspiration is the foundation of truth undergirding Biblical scripture. In the original Greek, the word inspiration was a compound adjective. The word, theopneustos (thapaneustos) comes from God (theos) and (the verb pneo) (panow), which means to blow or a breath. Through the understanding of the original Greek definition, we learn that the word, inspiration literally means “breathed by God.” Each of us with a growing relationship with God through Jesus knows what it feels like to be inspired by God to do, say, or to produce something. For example, although the podcasts I write and produce are not scripture, I very prayerfully create each one. I know that my work is inspired by Him, and anything worthy, or honoring to the Lord, comes from Him and is for Him. Although my words are not perfect, I trust that He is guiding me. Any mistakes would, of course, be my error, yet I feel Him guiding me with topics and the scripture to be presented each time a podcast is released. I can only imagine what it was like for those who contributed to the Bible as God worked in and through them in a much deeper way. What sacred work was set before them. The very breath of God moved through the writers to inspire and create a masterpiece God would present to the world as a bridge for relationship and His glory. Through a profound and sovereign method, God moved human writers to pen His scripture. Through the Holy Spirit, He exhaled His thoughts and words into them as they wrote. We understand that scripture is God-breathed, recorded without errors, and is confirmed as authentic. How beautiful it is that God’s life-filled, everlasting words were brought to life under the writings of mere mortals created by Him. God lovingly worked through them, gifting them, allowing their distinctive personalities to be connected to His holiness and sovereignty as the style of the writers remained true to their unique perspectives, yet without error by the grace and supreme power of our Heavenly Father. Matthew 5:17-19 says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” As the verses I just read say, “not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen will disappear from the law until everything is accomplished,” the words prove yet again that scripture is God-breathed and inspired. Did you know that in Hebrew, there is a tiny mark that looks like an apostrophe? It is called a jot. This smallest letter in the alphabet is very easy to omit. Although it seems to be an insignificant mark, the tittle is critical for distinguishing between letters. Jesus is telling us in Matthew 5:17-19 that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant biblical teaching or prophecy must be fulfilled. God's word is perfect and holy. It needs nothing added or subtracted. It withstands, and is proven, over the test of time. Read and know His word so you can recognize when others are misinterpreting or misquoting it. There is a trend in our culture that highly concerns me. Have you noticed the number of prosperity preachers and influencers who twist God’s word to make proclamations and promises that clearly do not convey the true meaning of scripture? Have you recognized how they bend scripture to suit their purposes (or that of our deteriorating culture), clearly following the darkness of this world through the advertising, indoctrinations in our educational system, and entertainment while shoving God’s word aside? I am sickened and saddened by this trend that worsens daily and how many mutely accept this moral and ethical decay without standing more firmly for the truth of God. As our Heavenly Father is pushed away, the power of darkness moves in to penetrate all areas of society and the home. Last week I saw a post made on social media that concerned me because it is not the only one of this type. It seems that more people are misunderstanding, misquoting, or mishandling God’s word to suit what they desire or believe without attempting to understand the true meaning of the message they are conveying or how far it strays from what the word of God actually says or teaches. Often times, it fits the agenda and emotions they “feel,” helps them get the acceptance of others, or gain the ease of not needing to change and grow themselves, so they eagerly use what affirms them. The quotes weren’t the first I’ve seen like this, but bothered me more because it is happening more frequently. People often do not look for, or notice, the errors and deceit in what is being presented as God’s words, yet are far from His actual truths. Listen to a few examples of what I am referring to. 1 Timothy 6:16 says, “He alone can never die, and He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach Him. No human eye has ever seen Him, nor ever will. All honor and power to Him forever! Amen.” How powerful that verse is! Just reading the verse aloud fills me with worship right now. Our magnificent Heavenly Father is so far above us, so far from us, yet extends Himself for and to us in love, mercy, and undeserved grace. I recently saw the scripture I just read used as a quote to reference an online post that said, “God isn’t looking for winners; He’s looking for fighters. He doesn’t see if you won the fight, He looks to see if you can fight the fight!” How in the world can the author of this believe that it reflects the 1 Timothy 6:16 scripture in any way? Did they write scripture references on a piece of paper and reach their hand into a bag, grab a verse, and match it with their musings of the moment? Another posting referred to Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This is such a popular verse that almost everyone, whether they know God’s word or not has heard it. Someone used this verse as the reference for this post: “You stayed in the ring regardless of money, jobs, what you had, what you lost, who left you, who stayed.” As I sit and shake my head again at how the person connected the reference verse with the words they posted, I can’t believe that people didn’t call them out. This is clearly changing the meaning of God’s words and using God’s words way out of context. God needs no editing. The last verse referenced in this particular post was Psalm 126:5, which says, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” The verse from Psalm 126 was used for this post, “Keep on walking, swinging, singing, crying, screaming, laughing. Keep On! Your blessing is on the other side of your suffering.” This scripture verse doesn’t promise us what the poster declares. This verse refers to the Israelites, who were in captivity, but their pain and sorrow turned to joy when they returned. When reading the Bible, we see that God rescued His people when they were humbled. Through this, the joy experienced was so much sweeter. God promises us that He can bring good out of tragedy, and that as we cling to Him through times of grief, we can find joy again. This verse doesn’t promise that we can keep on doing as we please and God will provide us with a blessing when we’re finished. At the end of the post, the person writing said, “These are the people God needs today.” I’m not sure if this poster wrote this mess or if they copied the work from someone else. It doesn’t say. But, please, if you are going to repost something by another person, check out the references first! Better yet, read the Bible. If you know God’s word, you can recognize when something does not seem right. We need to know what is sent from our Heavenly Father because we know Him. The world is changing and much is happening right now that is setting the course for our future. Much of it is dark and uncertain. But God never is. He is our light, our hope, our truth. When our minds, eyes, and heart are focused on Him, we can face anything. Knowing and obeying His word settles our spirit, connects us to Him, and alters our attitude, words, thoughts, and actions. We won’t be perfect, but we will be perfectly prepared to bring all to Him. We cannot handle everything; He doesn’t want us to. He has made a way and He calls for us to walk in it, allowing Him to carry us each step of the way. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” Earlier, we focused on the truth of God breathing life into scripture. Here, we also see that God has given us His thoughts and truths in written form for instruction, conviction, correction, and for training in righteousness. His desire is that we use His holy word in unedited form, just as He presented it to us in order to mature us completely, so we will be fully equipped for every good work He assigns to us, so that we are enabled to live our lives with a heart and mind set on eternity right now. Heavenly Father, The Great I Am, our loving, omnipotent, holy Father, Creator of the Universe and everything within, how do You set Your eyes upon us? We are so far from You and so far beneath You. You lovingly and generously present Yourself to us through Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the power of prayer, and in Your holy word. You are the giver of great gifts. Help us not to turn from them or alter them to suit our purposes. You need no editing. How can the created surpass the Creator? How could we presume to carry wisdom above Yours? Father, we thank you for the mercy and grace You bestow on us. I am so sorry for the ways we break Your heart, the ways we disappoint You. Yet You continue to love us deeply, equally. You continue to whisper worth and abundant love to us and yearn for us to turn fully to You, to allow You to guide and carry us in Your powerful arms. May we see Your word more clearly, follow it more closely, adhere to it with an awareness of the power and purpose it carries because we adore and reverence You, because we desire to obey and please You. We ask these things in the powerful and holy name of Your son, Jesus. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to help others find the podcast. If you are able, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review to push the podcast out for more people to find. Without good reviews, others won’t hear the episodes designed to mature walks with Christ and equip all to live for eternity now. You can also share podcast episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. You can share my website, terrihitt.com and let others know that on it they will be able to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature their walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage them to raise or influence children and grandchildren to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 099 Editing God Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #099 – Editing God Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. This week I saw something that I couldn’t ignore. It saddened me so much that I had to create a podcast about it. As Christians, we should strive to become more purposed in creating lives that honor and obey God. Living with eternal perspective means growing in our desire to follow God’s word more clearly daily; not because we should, but because as we draw nearer to Him, God draws nearer to us, causing us to crave Him more. Yet how many people profess to be Christians and do not read His word regularly? If we don’t read His word, how can we readily recognize when His word is being misinterpreted or mishandled? The only way to confidently navigate life with the assurance that we understand the word of God and His requirements of us is to pursue relationship with Him through Jesus. Because we desire to know and be like Him, we simply must make time read and study His word with a hunger to understand, recognize, and apply it. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The Bible is not a collection of spiritual words written by men. It’s not just a collection of thoughts. The Bible is alive; it is a purposed gift to us from our Heavenly Father. God’s word is living, active, and life-changing. God’s words are power and supernatural strength. Sharper than a double-edged sword, these living words actively discern who and what we are, and are not. Scripture penetrates to our core, both morally and spiritually, discerning the good and evil within us, understanding the thoughts and intentions within us before we do. God’s word demands that we either choose Him or choose to walk away. It does not leave us where we are unless we decide to ignore it and reject Him. Without the word of God alive within us through the Holy Spirit, we are walking in darkness. How does the Bible define darkness? Satan. Satan is the prince of the power of darkness. Whenever God’s word speaks of darkness, it is most often referring to the devil, his demons, and his kingdom. The power of the prince of darkness is real. Spiritual darkness can control the mind, emotions, actions and words of non-believers. What holds power over Satan and the darkness of his realm? God’s holy word. His perfect, unedited word. God’s word is inspired. It is inerrant. It holds authority from God Himself. When Satan attempted to tempt Jesus, the Lord used God’s powerful, living words against him, answering with the authority we read in Matthew 4:4. “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Jesus is our perfect mentor. He was able to withstand the temptations of the devil because He knew scripture, He utilized the power it held, and He obeyed it. We must read, know, and study God’s word, but we must also rely on it. Even Satan knows scripture, but he does not obey it. Proverbs 30:5-6 tells us, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Although the Bible was written by 40 authors over a period of time, there are no contradictions in the words. There are no inconsistencies. Every prediction made so far has come true, or, we know by faith, will come true. Without God’s holy and divine inspiration, the Bible could not exist. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.” The very word, inspiration is the foundation of truth undergirding Biblical scripture. In the original Greek, the word inspiration was a compound adjective. The word, theopneustos (thapaneustos) comes from God (theos) and (the verb pneo) (panow), which means to blow or a breath. Through the understanding of the original Greek definition, we learn that the word, inspiration literally means “breathed by God.” Each of us with a growing relationship with God through Jesus knows what it feels like to be inspired by God to do, say, or to produce something. For example, although the podcasts I write and produce are not scripture, I very prayerfully create each one. I know that my work is inspired by Him, and anything worthy, or honoring to the Lord, comes from Him and is for Him. Although my words are not perfect, I trust that He is guiding me. Any mistakes would, of course, be my error, yet I feel Him guiding me with topics and the scripture to be presented each time a podcast is released. I can only imagine what it was like for those who contributed to the Bible as God worked in and through them in a much deeper way. What sacred work was set before them. The very breath of God moved through the writers to inspire and create a masterpiece God would present to the world as a bridge for relationship and His glory. Through a profound and sovereign method, God moved human writers to pen His scripture. Through the Holy Spirit, He exhaled His thoughts and words into them as they wrote. We understand that scripture is God-breathed, recorded without errors, and is confirmed as authentic. How beautiful it is that God’s life-filled, everlasting words were brought to life under the writings of mere mortals created by Him. God lovingly worked through them, gifting them, allowing their distinctive personalities to be connected to His holiness and sovereignty as the style of the writers remained true to their unique perspectives, yet without error by the grace and supreme power of our Heavenly Father. Matthew 5:17-19 says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” As the verses I just read say, “not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen will disappear from the law until everything is accomplished,” the words prove yet again that scripture is God-breathed and inspired. Did you know that in Hebrew, there is a tiny mark that looks like an apostrophe? It is called a jot. This smallest letter in the alphabet is very easy to omit. Although it seems to be an insignificant mark, the tittle is critical for distinguishing between letters. Jesus is telling us in Matthew 5:17-19 that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant biblical teaching or prophecy must be fulfilled. God's word is perfect and holy. It needs nothing added or subtracted. It withstands, and is proven, over the test of time. Read and know His word so you can recognize when others are misinterpreting or misquoting it. There is a trend in our culture that highly concerns me. Have you noticed the number of prosperity preachers and influencers who twist God’s word to make proclamations and promises that clearly do not convey the true meaning of scripture? Have you recognized how they bend scripture to suit their purposes (or that of our deteriorating culture), clearly following the darkness of this world through the advertising, indoctrinations in our educational system, and entertainment while shoving God’s word aside? I am sickened and saddened by this trend that worsens daily and how many mutely accept this moral and ethical decay without standing more firmly for the truth of God. As our Heavenly Father is pushed away, the power of darkness moves in to penetrate all areas of society and the home. Last week I saw a post made on social media that concerned me because it is not the only one of this type. It seems that more people are misunderstanding, misquoting, or mishandling God’s word to suit what they desire or believe without attempting to understand the true meaning of the message they are conveying or how far it strays from what the word of God actually says or teaches. Often times, it fits the agenda and emotions they “feel,” helps them get the acceptance of others, or gain the ease of not needing to change and grow themselves, so they eagerly use what affirms them. The quotes weren’t the first I’ve seen like this, but bothered me more because it is happening more frequently. People often do not look for, or notice, the errors and deceit in what is being presented as God’s words, yet are far from His actual truths. Listen to a few examples of what I am referring to. 1 Timothy 6:16 says, “He alone can never die, and He lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach Him. No human eye has ever seen Him, nor ever will. All honor and power to Him forever! Amen.” How powerful that verse is! Just reading the verse aloud fills me with worship right now. Our magnificent Heavenly Father is so far above us, so far from us, yet extends Himself for and to us in love, mercy, and undeserved grace. I recently saw the scripture I just read used as a quote to reference an online post that said, “God isn’t looking for winners; He’s looking for fighters. He doesn’t see if you won the fight, He looks to see if you can fight the fight!” How in the world can the author of this believe that it reflects the 1 Timothy 6:16 scripture in any way? Did they write scripture references on a piece of paper and reach their hand into a bag, grab a verse, and match it with their musings of the moment? Another posting referred to Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This is such a popular verse that almost everyone, whether they know God’s word or not has heard it. Someone used this verse as the reference for this post: “You stayed in the ring regardless of money, jobs, what you had, what you lost, who left you, who stayed.” As I sit and shake my head again at how the person connected the reference verse with the words they posted, I can’t believe that people didn’t call them out. This is clearly changing the meaning of God’s words and using God’s words way out of context. God needs no editing. The last verse referenced in this particular post was Psalm 126:5, which says, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” The verse from Psalm 126 was used for this post, “Keep on walking, swinging, singing, crying, screaming, laughing. Keep On! Your blessing is on the other side of your suffering.” This scripture verse doesn’t promise us what the poster declares. This verse refers to the Israelites, who were in captivity, but their pain and sorrow turned to joy when they returned. When reading the Bible, we see that God rescued His people when they were humbled. Through this, the joy experienced was so much sweeter. God promises us that He can bring good out of tragedy, and that as we cling to Him through times of grief, we can find joy again. This verse doesn’t promise that we can keep on doing as we please and God will provide us with a blessing when we’re finished. At the end of the post, the person writing said, “These are the people God needs today.” I’m not sure if this poster wrote this mess or if they copied the work from someone else. It doesn’t say. But, please, if you are going to repost something by another person, check out the references first! Better yet, read the Bible. If you know God’s word, you can recognize when something does not seem right. We need to know what is sent from our Heavenly Father because we know Him. The world is changing and much is happening right now that is setting the course for our future. Much of it is dark and uncertain. But God never is. He is our light, our hope, our truth. When our minds, eyes, and heart are focused on Him, we can face anything. Knowing and obeying His word settles our spirit, connects us to Him, and alters our attitude, words, thoughts, and actions. We won’t be perfect, but we will be perfectly prepared to bring all to Him. We cannot handle everything; He doesn’t want us to. He has made a way and He calls for us to walk in it, allowing Him to carry us each step of the way. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” Earlier, we focused on the truth of God breathing life into scripture. Here, we also see that God has given us His thoughts and truths in written form for instruction, conviction, correction, and for training in righteousness. His desire is that we use His holy word in unedited form, just as He presented it to us in order to mature us completely, so we will be fully equipped for every good work He assigns to us, so that we are enabled to live our lives with a heart and mind set on eternity right now. Heavenly Father, The Great I Am, our loving, omnipotent, holy Father, Creator of the Universe and everything within, how do You set Your eyes upon us? We are so far from You and so far beneath You. You lovingly and generously present Yourself to us through Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the power of prayer, and in Your holy word. You are the giver of great gifts. Help us not to turn from them or alter them to suit our purposes. You need no editing. How can the created surpass the Creator? How could we presume to carry wisdom above Yours? Father, we thank you for the mercy and grace You bestow on us. I am so sorry for the ways we break Your heart, the ways we disappoint You. Yet You continue to love us deeply, equally. You continue to whisper worth and abundant love to us and yearn for us to turn fully to You, to allow You to guide and carry us in Your powerful arms. May we see Your word more clearly, follow it more closely, adhere to it with an awareness of the power and purpose it carries because we adore and reverence You, because we desire to obey and please You. We ask these things in the powerful and holy name of Your son, Jesus. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to help others find the podcast. If you are able, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review to push the podcast out for more people to find. Without good reviews, others won’t hear the episodes designed to mature walks with Christ and equip all to live for eternity now. You can also share podcast episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. You can share my website, terrihitt.com and let others know that on it they will be able to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature their walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage them to raise or influence children and grandchildren to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 079 - The Power of Using Scripture in Prayers - A Guide for Christian Homes Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 079 – The Power of Using Scripture in Prayers - A Guide for Christian Homes When I was a little girl my sister and I shared a bedroom until my senior year of high school. I remember praying together, especially at night as we both lay in our bunk beds with whispered words in the dark. I don’t recall how we learned to pray, but I thank God for our clumsy attempts to reach His ears even before I knew who Jesus was or had studied His Word. Luke 11:1-13 says, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be Your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him !” I’m so thankful God was already reaching down from Heaven to show us the way to Him through the unknown power of prayer. God was already making Himself and the power to reach Him known to little girls who sought hope and provision He alone can give. As we consider the passage I read from Luke 11:1-13, we notice that there is order in the prayer. Although as a child I didn’t understand much beyond the fact that my spirit called out to speak to God, our Heavenly Father does desire order in life and in prayers . In this section from Luke 11, you can see that the first thing Jesus did was praise God , before making requests. As we lift praise to the Maker of Heaven and Earth first, recognizing Who He is , we humbly submit to Him and acknowledge His rightful place in our heart and life. God doesn’t want our prayers to be thoughtlessly thrown to Him as we think about other things. He wants us to be cognizant of Who we humbly bow before. He desires and deserves to be given recognition, honor, and glory. As you study the passage I read earlier, you may notice that there is order in the passage after praise . The verses show three additional aspects of prayer: the content we lift to God, our persistence we should carry in coming before Him, and God’s faithfulness and generosity to us. Jesus’ mentorship of prayer provides a glimpse into His heart and the will of God. Our Heavenly Father desires that we praise Him, seek His daily provisions, keep a clear and connected relationship free of bitterness, unforgiveness, or temptation as we are sustained by God, lift godly requests , remain persistent with faithful expectation, and recognize God’s goodness and grace. As you mold your walk with God and your prayer life after the examples Jesus set for us, you are well-equipped to lift Scriptural prayers that God will receive with great joy. Are you ready to deepen your prayer life and walk with God and mentor the power of using Scripture in prayers to your children? Use God’s truths in His holy Word to craft Scriptural prayers. 1. Believers should regularly assess their heart and mind and ask God to purify thoughts, desires, actions, and reactions. As your relationship remains strong and you mature your walk moment by moment, you will be able to present yourself as one approved and lift your prayers to God without hindrance. 2. Make sure you regularly read God’s Word. The more you know and understand the Father, you are better able to pray according to His desires and will. 3. Any prayer need can be Scripturally-based and beautifully lifted to the Father. God loves hearing His children lift His sacred Words to Him in love, faith, and trust. 4. Find Scripture that fits your prayer requests and praises. You can pray God’s Word as it is or craft His holy Word into your prayers. You may also use the themes of the Bible to see God’s heart and purpose prayers to be lifted for His mighty hand to work in those topical areas of your life or in the world. 5. As your prayer life is shaped by God’s Word you will experience your holy heavenly Father working in ways you may not have yet experienced. Praying God’s Word works miracles in your life, your marriage, for your spouse, your work, your home, and your children. God’s Word applies to every area of life. So can the prayers you form from Scripture. Let’s look at ways to craft powerful prayers from God’s Word. As you grow in studying and knowing God’s Word you will hear His voice more clearly as you pray. 1. If you are a beginner, or need more direction in your prayers, look for topics as you read the Bible. Keep a journal or notepad to reference Scripture of certain themes or use the Topical Index to search for verses that fit your need. Use the topics you desire to transform your needs, praises, and worship into powerful prayers that speak God’s truths back to Him. 2. Find verses applicable to your prayer purpose. You are preparing to humbly present yourself and your desires or gratitude before the sovereign, holy God of the Universe. When you come before Him with a need, know His Word so you will know His ways. When you pray according to His will, 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us .” 3. After selecting Scripture pertaining to the prayer you want to offer God, speak your heart and use His Word to form the prayers you present. I’ll share various examples you may use as templates to guide your prayers or you may use the examples to ignite your own ideas. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus .” Father God, I rejoice in You and the treasures You given me through Jesus and the Holy Spirit inside me. Help me focus on You through the ups and downs of life and keep my focus where You call it to be. Matthew 6:6 says, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ” Dear good and glorious Heavenly Father, help my walk with You focus on what You call to my attention. Enable me to care only for Your praise. Work through me to craft an intimate relationship that comes to You with problems and praise. May you be the One I cling to and seek for guidance in all areas. Let’s examine specific topic examples of Scriptural prayers. First I’ll list various verses, then craft prayers that align with them. Prayers for your walk with God : Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God .” Deuteronomy 8:6 says, “So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in His ways and by fearing Him .” Romans 13:14 says, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh .” Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them .” Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Great I Am, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. I thank you for the ability to come before You with requests. I thank you for the merciful, sacrificial work of Jesus who became the bridge that carries me to You. Father, I desire a deeper walk, a deeper relationship with You. You have shown me what is good. All You require of me is to submit to Jesus as Savior, to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. I praise You for your mercy and love! Help me keep the commandments You expressed in Your Word as I allow You to carry me through this life. Give me the desire to walk in Your ways and carry a reverent fear of Your holiness. Your Word promises me that I am Your beautiful workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which You have already purposed and ordained for me. Help me please You in the way I seek and serve You and others in those ordained ways. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Prayers for your husband : 1 John 3:22 says, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him .” James 1:5-6 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers .” Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me .” Dear merciful and loving Heavenly Father, How we need Your loving and holy presence and guidance in our life and family. I thank you for my husband. May He seek You ever more each day. Help him be the man You purposed as You knit Him together in the secret place. I pray that when He comes before You his prayers are heard by You because he knows You intimately and follows Your commands and will. I pray His prayers are always in accordance with Your Word because he follows it. Help him remember that You have promised that he can do all things through You, His strength. Protect him - his thoughts and ways. Help him not to keep company with sinners or mockers who would lead him from You. Help his thoughts and actions not to be offensive to You. Help my husband take delight in Your Word day and night and be like a tree planted by streams of water. May all he do prosper because His follows You with his whole heart and soul. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Prayers for your children : Proverbs 29:17 says, “Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul .” Colossians 3:21 says, "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged ." 2 Timothy 3:14-17 says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Dear Heavenly Father, How I praise You for Your many good and loving gifts. You are kind and personal. Thank you for Your love for me and my family. I thank you for my precious children. Help my husband and I raise them in ways that delight Your soul and give us rest because they are obedient to You. Help my husband and I to be sweet honey, like a soothing balm, not embittering our children in any way that would discourage them or deter them from You. May they learn Your truths as preserved in Scripture, Your holy Word. May they cling to them in life, coming to a saving knowledge that lasts for eternity. May they uphold Your good and perfect Word and live a righteous life that equips them for every good work You have purposed for them. May they be a joy and blessing to Your heart and ours. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Prayers for your family : 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land .” Colossians 1:9-10 says, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God .” Dear Heavenly Father, You are so wise. How we need Your loving guidance. Help my husband and I continue to humble ourselves before You and each other so that it is Your wisdom, knowledge, guidance, and understanding that we cling to. Turn us from anything that is wicked in Your eyes. Heal the areas our family needs individually and as a unit under You. Help us to be godly examples that mentor You and lead our children to Your feet. I pray Your holiness fills us because we seek, find, and follow You in all the ways You desire. Please fill each of our family members with the wisdom and understanding the Holy Spirit desires so we may live a life worthy of You and please You in every way as we bear Your fruit. May our family encourage others who see us. May they experience something different and know that it is You. Cause the way we live, love, and act to send others straight to Your arms. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Other ways you may use Scripture to pray are to find a verse or passage you want to use and select a portion to focus on. If you can’t express the deep desires or needs on your heart – Romans 8:26-27 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God .” Dear Heavenly Father, You are so far above me. Your ways so much higher. I need Your love and wisdom to guide me. I don’t know what to pray, but I know You listen. Your heart is attuned to my needs, but You want to hear my words. Father, my burden is too heavy. I don’t know what words to use. May the Holy Spirit inside me carry my requests to Your hands as I humbly ask You to intercede according to Your good and gracious will. If you want to deepen your walk with God and carry deeper trust in Him – Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law .” Gracious, merciful Father, I long for a deeper walk with You. Please open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in Your law. Help me follow your will and ways and become the person You created me to be. When you need His help - Matthew 14:30 says, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" My Lord, I need You! Save me! When you want to keep a pure heart before God - Psalm 51:2 says, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin .” Holy Father, I want to be clean before You. I want to be pleasing in every way. Continue to wash away my iniquities and keep me pure before You. When you are in leadership - 1 Kings 3:9a says, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong .” Dear loving Heavenly Father, enable me to see others through Your eyes and know the ways to reach them. Give me a discerning heart that knows good from evil and right from wrong. Help me humbly allow Your work to shine through me. When you want to remain close to God - Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need .” Dear Heavenly Father, You are my strength, my guide, my life. Help me draw nearer to You so You will draw nearer to me. May I always approach Your throne with confidence that comes from a pure and close walk with You. Thank you for the grace and mercy You extend so freely. Help me always walk with you in times of ease and call out to You in times of need. You may also use Scripture as song and incorporate it into prayers of worship. Let your walk with God grow deeper and wider as You explore the various ways you can connect with Him more intimately through the power of His written Word. Remember the mentorship of Jesus as He guided His disciples of the way to lift requests before our Holy God. Praise Him, seek Him moment by moment, letting Him purify your heart, mind, and walk. Lift godly requests that show Your Christlike character growing daily. As you remain persistent with faithful expectation and lift prayers that release God’s Words back to Him, God will receive your requests and praise with great joy and goodness. Your children won’t wonder how to pray or Who they pray to. They will grow in wisdom and understanding of the Lord and begin a journey you will nurture for a lifetime. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Your Holy Word. Father, You have promised that if I remain in You and Your Words remain in me, I may ask You whatever I wish, and it will be done for me . Thank you for placing the Holy Spirit within me to teach that means I must walk closely with You to know Your will and ways. You don’t call for selfish desires to flow to You through my prayers, but You call for me to be humbled before You. Bring me closer to You. May my requests show the transformation of my heart, mind, and desires as I grow in You. God, You are so good. Thank you for reaching out to me and loving as I am, but showing me the way to become more Christlike moment by moment. May my prayers reflect You and be a joy to Your heart. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective is open now. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a 15 minute call to chat about details. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #014 – Fear Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Last week on the podcast we discussed change. As we know, change and fear often walk hand-in-hand, both easily causing distress, confusion, and depression. As I record this podcast, life is still not back to normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing orders. Fear is one of the emotions that has visited the hearts and minds of many right now as they live with uncertainty; and may reside with others as they watch a loved one battle illness, endure it themselves, or work on the front lines as a doctor or nurse, emergency personnel, or any type of essential worker. Some, like my family, have lost the ability to go to work and earn a living during this time. If one does not keep their eyes directed at Christ alone, fear could overtake all other emotions, placing joy and peace in a stronghold. Unfortunately, my youngest child has catalogued a history of fearful situations. Adopted at 9 years old, she was definitely not accustomed to being cherished in a family. Much of her life to that point had been spent alone. While bravely traveling over 7,000 miles and transferring to fly on three separate flights for a total travel experience lasting about 26 hours, she battled fear. I doubt that she even knew planes existed before having to strap herself into one with strangers who looked and smelled differently, ate foods she had never seen or tasted, and spoke a language she had never heard. During the long journey home, her eardrums burst and both ears bled, yet she never made a sound. Accustomed to no one caring, it was easier to remain uncomforted, exiled by a pattern of prior neglect and fear. Angst is often more comfortable than facing the terrors of change. As we were virtual strangers when we adopted her, she had no idea what would happen after arrival at our destination. Although we used a translator to prepare her, she barely knew the language in her home country, and had limited exposure to people during her lifetime, so I’m not sure exactly how much she understood. Considering the adrenaline of fear and uncertainty that had to be present, even if she had perfectly understood, how much could she really deeply comprehend and trust? Now, four years later, I relish moments in which she uncovers secrets of her past. Hearing how she lived before we ever knew she existed is a balm to empty places in my mother’s heart. I deeply treasure her trust and the relationship we have now, and wish we had been able to bring her into our family much, much sooner. When she shares her perspective of the family photo album we sent her before traveling to meet her, or of our first meeting, or the thoughts she experienced after arriving in the United States, I am saddened, yet respectful of the stoic personality I remember persevering through every change thrown at her in those days following her departure from anything she had ever experienced or known. Although her life was difficult, it was still all she knew, and to hear her speak of the extreme fear she felt is hard, yet I’m so thankful that she is able to tell us now. The early days with our precious girl are imprinted in my memory and recollected as easily as if they happened moments ago. The very first night alone with us, she pretended to be fine until darkness enveloped the day and it was time for bed. I cannot forget the desolate wails of great pain, anxiety, and sorrow. Yearning for comfort, yet fearful of receiving mine, she released pitiful cries as she kicked her legs in a weak attempt at forcefulness that was still miraculously tinged with hope. I quickly learned that she didn’t want me to touch her, yet didn’t want me to leave her alone. Fear caused her to react with survival instincts formed by the mind of a small, helpless girl who had endured pain, neglect, and hardships, but fortunately, by the grace of God, also carried a seed of hopeful endurance that life might change. Living with fear and anxiety drains the mind and emotions, disrupting the joy we were created to experience. Growing up, I didn’t know Jesus. I knew He was God’s Son, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. How I wish I had. Instead, fear resided in my life. I lived in the perfect environment for Satan to step in and work his will into the lives of my family. I remember having and going to slumber parties and partaking in trances and seances, and playing with Quija boards and Magic Eight Balls. We relayed scary stories and invited the supernatural into our life. It wasn’t a habit I practiced daily, yet the exposure at the parties was enough to invite Satan in and allow terror to touch our mind in ways never intended by God. The more we delved into activities built on fear, the more the emotion controlled us. But, not knowing Jesus, we didn’t know how to break the cycle. We didn’t understand what we were inviting into our lives. It is easy to follow trends, morals, and expectations of this world without giving them a second thought until we realize we have walked in the opposite direction of Jesus and we are left standing in fear. I learned from a young age that fear can be induced. The actions and activities I participated in were certainly not in God’s will or desires for me. They definitely did not bring joy or contentment in my life, but filled me with lonely, fearful thoughts and emotions. I had absolutely no idea that what I was doing was forbidden or warned against. I ignorantly followed what others were doing, stepping blindly into the wicked and shadowed trap Satan laid to divert me from knowing Jesus and the fullness of His joy. The level of my participation was low, yet the effects are strong and lasting. We are warned against such entertainment or recreational pastimes in many verses throughout the Bible. Leviticus 19:31 instructs, “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” Another verse warning against the dangers is given through Leviticus 20:6, which says, “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.” The choices we make that steer us into fear are not always evident. Sometimes it is entertainment consisting of astrology, books, movies, television shows, or magazines. It could be specific art or fashion. As a follower of Jesus, our heart must be so full of Him that our mind easily recognizes what He would not want us to step near. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 clearly warns, “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such things.” Whether we innocently or deliberately step into questionable or forbidden practices, Satan is ready to lure us deeper. We must remain in God’s word to know His desires and commands if we truly wish to follow them and live with the fruits of the spirit He allows us to possess and experience when we are His. Instead of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we experience the opposite when we travel into areas Jesus has not approved. Fear is an emotion caused by a perceived threat or danger which stimulates physiological and behavioral changes. I learned that when we walk outside the boundaries of what God desires for us, fear always catches us. “Have I not commanded you! Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Everyday life carries so many unknowns. If we ruminate scenarios for any amount of time, we can undoubtedly find something to fear and worry about. Our mind can create numerous possibilities without a shred of truthful evidence. Before long, we actually believe the fabrications can or already did happen. Such a powerful tool, our mind can convince us of almost anything. We can also easily be persuaded that almost anything is possible or approved for us to do. Since our mind is so easily deceived, we must cling to God for guidance. James 1:8 warns us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” We require God’s wisdom and direction. He never intended for us to experience fear in our life. God planned abundance, peace, and blessings tailor-made for each of us. As a believer, I know that fear does not come from our Heavenly Father. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” So if fear begins to creep into my mind, I have conditioned myself to follow Psalm 56:3, which says, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” We must learn to discern or reject fear and replace it with trust that comes from a deep relationship with God. Just like relationships we grow on earth, or muscles we train, the job is accomplished by a dedicated, intentional mindset and much effort. When fear is felt, is it due to something God is warning me to stay away from? Is it a past hurt or deep wound that needs healing? Is my fear a consequence, blessing, or residue? After my oldest daughter died unexpectedly, I understood how deep grief takes our faith to a higher level if we cling to God through fear. Strengthening my belief that He is always present was a decision I had to make daily. My head knew that God is always present. I knew that if I did not feel Him, it would mean that I had turned away and I did not want that to happen. I consciously chose to remain with Him, abiding in His presence. I needed His comfort, trusted His promises, and resolved to cry out to Him. My life memories are now cataloged as “Before Jaime” and “After Jaime”. Since it feels as though my heart separated at her death, it is natural that my mind began dividing time, as well. Before her death, I automatically believed in happy endings. Although I had endured difficulties in life, I trusted that God was in control, even during the years before I truly understood His sovereignty in my life. After Jaime died, I experienced the painful fact that anything could happen at any time. Death had claimed one of the immense loves of my life, my child. That meant my greatest fear had been realized. Destruction could strike again at any time, leaving me defenseless if it chose our family again. It would have been incredibly easy to allow fear to reign. Any time one of my family members is late, I notice. As time continues to pass without them, I feel how easily fear can rise and threaten to overtake my peace. That is the moment I choose to keep my mind and trust fixed above. Psalm 23:4 beautifully speaks of God’s power over fear. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” My grief journey through deep loss made me feel that even my DNA changed. I am not the person I was before sorrow cloaked my heart. Although death claimed what I feared losing the most, I have also experienced the sweet truth of God’s promises and provision. Our loving Heavenly Father is all His word proclaims, yet miraculously even more. When we allow Him access, an incredibly intimate and personal relationship matures because He alone knows our deepest needs and as our Creator, is the only One who can fill our voids because He understands them so perfectly. I lived the promise in Joshua 1:9 after the death of my daughter. The intimacy God gifted me during the time right before and after is absolute proof to me of His love and desire to nurture and minister to me directly. He does the same for each of His children. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” He simply desires our trust and calls us to rely on Him, rather than succumbing to fear. Mark 5:36b says, “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.” In contrast, Satan is the source of all anxiety and strives to fill our mind with doubt and distress. He desires for the people of God to stand trapped in fear, paralyzed so that he can distract and divert us from the perfect healing God holds. Satan gives bondage. God offers freedom. The devil understands that fear impacts physical and mental health, memory, brain processing and reactivity. Fear can crush relationships and dreams and demolish lives. Fear can even be induced by a perceived danger or threat, causing physiological, and ultimately behavioral changes such as fleeing, hiding, lying, fighting, and many other reactions that harm us, those around us, and keep us from resolving the root cause. Although powerful, fear is just an emotion. God created us with great intentionality. Everything in our anatomy is inner-woven to connect multiple intricate bodily systems that our Heavenly Father fashioned for specific purposes, enabling us to operate as one incredible creation. We are each a uniquely individual person meant to connect with Him in every way. The complexity of our design is astounding! I believe there are actually about 52 distinctly different regions of the brain alone. Are you as amazed by this fact as I am? Sometimes our fears are caused by traumatic events. Our brain has a specific area called the thalamus which is responsible for relaying sensory signals collected from the senses. In a nutshell explanation, information is received by the sensory cortex, which interprets data and organizes the material for dissemination to the amygdala, a section contributing to emotional processing and survival instincts, and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus, which is basically a command center. This area of the brain communicates with others concerning body functions that are natural – or not voluntary, such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, and so on. It triggers a “fight-or-flight” response which causes the body to respond with a burst of energy to perceived dangers. During emotional reactions, such as fear, the hippocampus region interacts to organize, store, and form these intense memories. This area is the most sensitive to stress, such as fear. Once those memories are formed, they leap to the surface of our mind and control our actions without us even realizing it. We know that this fear is caused by negative thinking, or worries, that arise from anxiety connected to an idea or a suspicion of dread or apprehension, usually caused by memories stored from past experiences. Those innate fears have been formed by exposure or events, either real or imagined, such as abandonment, separation, neglect, mutilation, disapproval, shame, and so on. Humans have an incredible ability to adapt our behavior through fear which can protect us. We also carry a natural capability for what I call “common sense” fears. If we see a wild lion coming at us, we are not going to stop and pet it. We are going to flee. These are learned fears, have been formed through conditioning and life experience. Some fears are good, but what I am concerned with in this podcast is fear that separates us from our Heavenly Father. As I mentioned earlier, when brain pathways are excited, the brain will react immediately to signals from the amygdala, instead of proceeding with rational processing. Our highly complex bodily system has already processed signals to other areas, which are now releasing hormones that cause us to shut down or slow functions not needed for survival (such as our digestive system). Other operations are sharpened such as eyesight and the heart rate and blood flow to muscles in case we need to run faster. This is when the body increases the flow of hormones to the amygdala. When in this overactive state, the brain perceives events as negative and will store them this way. Everything surrounding the danger is also recorded, such as time of day, weather, smells, sights, and sounds. Those stored details of a fearful event may carry us right back to the crisis as though we are experiencing it once again, although we have no conscious idea why a certain smell, sound, or sight, etc. caused us to react a certain way. Since our brain received a cataloged prompt of perceived danger, our body is triggered to flee the predictor of threat. God created our body this way for a variety of reasons, but definitely not to cause us harm. I remember a time in my twenties when I experienced great discomfort while on a road trip with my parents. We had shared a weekend family reunion and while returning home, I suffered the effects of eating foods I am allergic to. As I lay doubled over in pain in the back seat of their car, listening to my parents talk, I experienced a flashback in my mind. I asked my mother if she ever rubbed my temples. Although it was an odd question to ask out of the blue, I had spent an enjoyable few days with my parents, surfacing memories with relatives, and as I now felt pain in her presence, the thought of my mother rubbing my temples floated to mind. She was surprised when I asked, but answered that when I was a baby, she had used the technique of rubbing my temples to calm me to go to sleep. Our mind is incredibly powerful. The Bible tells us God created us in His image. We are intelligent creatures who are also creative, loving, humorous, (and many other adjectives) in ways that only mimic God. Imagine all of the bright and imaginative minds this world has held and understand that our qualities are merely shadows of His. It is no wonder that He lovingly formed our minds and bodies to be such highly structured creations. The devotion He has for us and the emotion with which He designed us is evident when we learn more about our intricate minds, bodies, and souls. I believe that is part of the reason it is said that the word “fear” is recognized over 500 times in the Bible. Some of the verses warn us not to fall victim to fear, while others teach us to fear or reverence God and nothing else. Fear causes us to do things we shouldn’t and to neglect doing things we should. It changes who we are meant to be and can freeze us where we are emotionally when horrible events happen. In this fallen world, God knows the pitfalls and trials we will suffer. He has done all He can to provide instructions in His Holy word, through the life Jesus modeled for us, and in the intimate ways He reaches out to us. Our intricate, yet sensitive minds have been scarred by this broken world we reside in. Despite the fact that our complex memories have cataloged and stored experiences that can continue to haunt and harm us, God provided an escape. He always plans ahead and never forsakes us. The way to battle the memories our mind has stored as dangers and that cause us to easily fall victim to fear, or to recognize areas in our life that we need to step away from to erase fear is by relying on the same basics that we use for all other areas of a joy-filled life. Our Heavenly Father. It is impossible to conquer fear or anxiety without a saving knowledge of, and deep relationship with Jesus and His word. Reading and studying the Bible is imperative. Without surrender to Jesus and reliance on the Holy word of God, we cannot recognize or learn the truth God desires to reveal to us. Without Him, we will not possess the keys to open our heart to transformation. The God who designed such a brilliant mind and body system also crafted each of us with a spirit yearning for deep relationship with Him. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” As we begin, grow, and mature our relationship with God through Jesus, we come to rely on Him, and also deepen our walk through prayer, His word, and our life experiences. God crafts each one of us in private ways that only He knows how to reach exactly where we need to grow and stretch through Him. He lovingly offers and allows opportunities to trust Him more deeply. We must allow Him to do the work of shifting and healing the pathways of our brain and heart, then lay new signals that allow us to react in ways that prove we acknowledge His ultimate devotion and love for us. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” As we experience God’s work in and through us, we trust more deeply and draw nearer to Him. Our conscious decision to trust Him over the reactions our body signals tell us will erase the fear and anxiety over time as we allow Him to shoulder the burdens we endure in this broken world. Sometimes therapy may be needed to assist us in ridding our minds of the effects of fear and anxiety from this broken world, but only strong Christian counsel, along with our minds and hearts focused on learning and growing in and through Him, will be effective in properly healing our minds and reactions. Healing through the Lord is not a read the Bible and pray, then expect immediate change remedy. Rebuilding our mind and reactions will come from surrendering moment by moment to a Heavenly Father who is waiting to carry each of our burdens. Healing from fear or anxiety comes from consistently relying on and growing a relationship that transcends what this world is able to provide or heal. Each life is different, each journey unique. We have each lived through different experiences that will require specific prescriptions from the Lord. He desires that we invite Him into each area of our life and trust Him to shift us so that deep mind and soul healing can occur. To begin a journey of healing from fear and anxiety, it is important to get enough rest, eat healthy foods, and stay hydrated. Exercise and time to relax and partake in activities we enjoy also relieves stress and supports a healthy mind and body. Making time to be in God’s word and study the meaning of scriptures and how they apply to our life is incredibly wise and must become a priority. Memorizing God’s word and/or meditating on scripture through study or scripture writing is also important. Prayer should be a regular habit, not just in times of stress or worry. Fear holds no power when God’s word is prayed to Him. Talking with God throughout each day, including Him as naturally as breathing, allows us to rely on Him to manage our emotions and reactions in healthy and honoring ways. Speaking the name of Jesus aloud also holds a powerful and calming effect. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” Nothing is too difficult for the Lord or too far for His merciful love to reach. Fear is no match for our omnipotent Heavenly Father, who cares about every aspect of our life. Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in this life and for eternity, so we have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. I would also appreciate it if you would share this podcast with a friend. I want everyone to hear encouragement through Jesus and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 014 Fear Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #014 – Fear Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Last week on the podcast we discussed change. As we know, change and fear often walk hand-in-hand, both easily causing distress, confusion, and depression. As I record this podcast, life is still not back to normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing orders. Fear is one of the emotions that has visited the hearts and minds of many right now as they live with uncertainty; and may reside with others as they watch a loved one battle illness, endure it themselves, or work on the front lines as a doctor or nurse, emergency personnel, or any type of essential worker. Some, like my family, have lost the ability to go to work and earn a living during this time. If one does not keep their eyes directed at Christ alone, fear could overtake all other emotions, placing joy and peace in a stronghold. Unfortunately, my youngest child has catalogued a history of fearful situations. Adopted at 9 years old, she was definitely not accustomed to being cherished in a family. Much of her life to that point had been spent alone. While bravely traveling over 7,000 miles and transferring to fly on three separate flights for a total travel experience lasting about 26 hours, she battled fear. I doubt that she even knew planes existed before having to strap herself into one with strangers who looked and smelled differently, ate foods she had never seen or tasted, and spoke a language she had never heard. During the long journey home, her eardrums burst and both ears bled, yet she never made a sound. Accustomed to no one caring, it was easier to remain uncomforted, exiled by a pattern of prior neglect and fear. Angst is often more comfortable than facing the terrors of change. As we were virtual strangers when we adopted her, she had no idea what would happen after arrival at our destination. Although we used a translator to prepare her, she barely knew the language in her home country, and had limited exposure to people during her lifetime, so I’m not sure exactly how much she understood. Considering the adrenaline of fear and uncertainty that had to be present, even if she had perfectly understood, how much could she really deeply comprehend and trust? Now, four years later, I relish moments in which she uncovers secrets of her past. Hearing how she lived before we ever knew she existed is a balm to empty places in my mother’s heart. I deeply treasure her trust and the relationship we have now, and wish we had been able to bring her into our family much, much sooner. When she shares her perspective of the family photo album we sent her before traveling to meet her, or of our first meeting, or the thoughts she experienced after arriving in the United States, I am saddened, yet respectful of the stoic personality I remember persevering through every change thrown at her in those days following her departure from anything she had ever experienced or known. Although her life was difficult, it was still all she knew, and to hear her speak of the extreme fear she felt is hard, yet I’m so thankful that she is able to tell us now. The early days with our precious girl are imprinted in my memory and recollected as easily as if they happened moments ago. The very first night alone with us, she pretended to be fine until darkness enveloped the day and it was time for bed. I cannot forget the desolate wails of great pain, anxiety, and sorrow. Yearning for comfort, yet fearful of receiving mine, she released pitiful cries as she kicked her legs in a weak attempt at forcefulness that was still miraculously tinged with hope. I quickly learned that she didn’t want me to touch her, yet didn’t want me to leave her alone. Fear caused her to react with survival instincts formed by the mind of a small, helpless girl who had endured pain, neglect, and hardships, but fortunately, by the grace of God, also carried a seed of hopeful endurance that life might change. Living with fear and anxiety drains the mind and emotions, disrupting the joy we were created to experience. Growing up, I didn’t know Jesus. I knew He was God’s Son, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. How I wish I had. Instead, fear resided in my life. I lived in the perfect environment for Satan to step in and work his will into the lives of my family. I remember having and going to slumber parties and partaking in trances and seances, and playing with Quija boards and Magic Eight Balls. We relayed scary stories and invited the supernatural into our life. It wasn’t a habit I practiced daily, yet the exposure at the parties was enough to invite Satan in and allow terror to touch our mind in ways never intended by God. The more we delved into activities built on fear, the more the emotion controlled us. But, not knowing Jesus, we didn’t know how to break the cycle. We didn’t understand what we were inviting into our lives. It is easy to follow trends, morals, and expectations of this world without giving them a second thought until we realize we have walked in the opposite direction of Jesus and we are left standing in fear. I learned from a young age that fear can be induced. The actions and activities I participated in were certainly not in God’s will or desires for me. They definitely did not bring joy or contentment in my life, but filled me with lonely, fearful thoughts and emotions. I had absolutely no idea that what I was doing was forbidden or warned against. I ignorantly followed what others were doing, stepping blindly into the wicked and shadowed trap Satan laid to divert me from knowing Jesus and the fullness of His joy. The level of my participation was low, yet the effects are strong and lasting. We are warned against such entertainment or recreational pastimes in many verses throughout the Bible. Leviticus 19:31 instructs, “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” Another verse warning against the dangers is given through Leviticus 20:6, which says, “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.” The choices we make that steer us into fear are not always evident. Sometimes it is entertainment consisting of astrology, books, movies, television shows, or magazines. It could be specific art or fashion. As a follower of Jesus, our heart must be so full of Him that our mind easily recognizes what He would not want us to step near. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 clearly warns, “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such things.” Whether we innocently or deliberately step into questionable or forbidden practices, Satan is ready to lure us deeper. We must remain in God’s word to know His desires and commands if we truly wish to follow them and live with the fruits of the spirit He allows us to possess and experience when we are His. Instead of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we experience the opposite when we travel into areas Jesus has not approved. Fear is an emotion caused by a perceived threat or danger which stimulates physiological and behavioral changes. I learned that when we walk outside the boundaries of what God desires for us, fear always catches us. “Have I not commanded you! Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Everyday life carries so many unknowns. If we ruminate scenarios for any amount of time, we can undoubtedly find something to fear and worry about. Our mind can create numerous possibilities without a shred of truthful evidence. Before long, we actually believe the fabrications can or already did happen. Such a powerful tool, our mind can convince us of almost anything. We can also easily be persuaded that almost anything is possible or approved for us to do. Since our mind is so easily deceived, we must cling to God for guidance. James 1:8 warns us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” We require God’s wisdom and direction. He never intended for us to experience fear in our life. God planned abundance, peace, and blessings tailor-made for each of us. As a believer, I know that fear does not come from our Heavenly Father. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” So if fear begins to creep into my mind, I have conditioned myself to follow Psalm 56:3, which says, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” We must learn to discern or reject fear and replace it with trust that comes from a deep relationship with God. Just like relationships we grow on earth, or muscles we train, the job is accomplished by a dedicated, intentional mindset and much effort. When fear is felt, is it due to something God is warning me to stay away from? Is it a past hurt or deep wound that needs healing? Is my fear a consequence, blessing, or residue? After my oldest daughter died unexpectedly, I understood how deep grief takes our faith to a higher level if we cling to God through fear. Strengthening my belief that He is always present was a decision I had to make daily. My head knew that God is always present. I knew that if I did not feel Him, it would mean that I had turned away and I did not want that to happen. I consciously chose to remain with Him, abiding in His presence. I needed His comfort, trusted His promises, and resolved to cry out to Him. My life memories are now cataloged as “Before Jaime” and “After Jaime”. Since it feels as though my heart separated at her death, it is natural that my mind began dividing time, as well. Before her death, I automatically believed in happy endings. Although I had endured difficulties in life, I trusted that God was in control, even during the years before I truly understood His sovereignty in my life. After Jaime died, I experienced the painful fact that anything could happen at any time. Death had claimed one of the immense loves of my life, my child. That meant my greatest fear had been realized. Destruction could strike again at any time, leaving me defenseless if it chose our family again. It would have been incredibly easy to allow fear to reign. Any time one of my family members is late, I notice. As time continues to pass without them, I feel how easily fear can rise and threaten to overtake my peace. That is the moment I choose to keep my mind and trust fixed above. Psalm 23:4 beautifully speaks of God’s power over fear. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” My grief journey through deep loss made me feel that even my DNA changed. I am not the person I was before sorrow cloaked my heart. Although death claimed what I feared losing the most, I have also experienced the sweet truth of God’s promises and provision. Our loving Heavenly Father is all His word proclaims, yet miraculously even more. When we allow Him access, an incredibly intimate and personal relationship matures because He alone knows our deepest needs and as our Creator, is the only One who can fill our voids because He understands them so perfectly. I lived the promise in Joshua 1:9 after the death of my daughter. The intimacy God gifted me during the time right before and after is absolute proof to me of His love and desire to nurture and minister to me directly. He does the same for each of His children. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” He simply desires our trust and calls us to rely on Him, rather than succumbing to fear. Mark 5:36b says, “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.” In contrast, Satan is the source of all anxiety and strives to fill our mind with doubt and distress. He desires for the people of God to stand trapped in fear, paralyzed so that he can distract and divert us from the perfect healing God holds. Satan gives bondage. God offers freedom. The devil understands that fear impacts physical and mental health, memory, brain processing and reactivity. Fear can crush relationships and dreams and demolish lives. Fear can even be induced by a perceived danger or threat, causing physiological, and ultimately behavioral changes such as fleeing, hiding, lying, fighting, and many other reactions that harm us, those around us, and keep us from resolving the root cause. Although powerful, fear is just an emotion. God created us with great intentionality. Everything in our anatomy is inner-woven to connect multiple intricate bodily systems that our Heavenly Father fashioned for specific purposes, enabling us to operate as one incredible creation. We are each a uniquely individual person meant to connect with Him in every way. The complexity of our design is astounding! I believe there are actually about 52 distinctly different regions of the brain alone. Are you as amazed by this fact as I am? Sometimes our fears are caused by traumatic events. Our brain has a specific area called the thalamus which is responsible for relaying sensory signals collected from the senses. In a nutshell explanation, information is received by the sensory cortex, which interprets data and organizes the material for dissemination to the amygdala, a section contributing to emotional processing and survival instincts, and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus, which is basically a command center. This area of the brain communicates with others concerning body functions that are natural – or not voluntary, such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, and so on. It triggers a “fight-or-flight” response which causes the body to respond with a burst of energy to perceived dangers. During emotional reactions, such as fear, the hippocampus region interacts to organize, store, and form these intense memories. This area is the most sensitive to stress, such as fear. Once those memories are formed, they leap to the surface of our mind and control our actions without us even realizing it. We know that this fear is caused by negative thinking, or worries, that arise from anxiety connected to an idea or a suspicion of dread or apprehension, usually caused by memories stored from past experiences. Those innate fears have been formed by exposure or events, either real or imagined, such as abandonment, separation, neglect, mutilation, disapproval, shame, and so on. Humans have an incredible ability to adapt our behavior through fear which can protect us. We also carry a natural capability for what I call “common sense” fears. If we see a wild lion coming at us, we are not going to stop and pet it. We are going to flee. These are learned fears, have been formed through conditioning and life experience. Some fears are good, but what I am concerned with in this podcast is fear that separates us from our Heavenly Father. As I mentioned earlier, when brain pathways are excited, the brain will react immediately to signals from the amygdala, instead of proceeding with rational processing. Our highly complex bodily system has already processed signals to other areas, which are now releasing hormones that cause us to shut down or slow functions not needed for survival (such as our digestive system). Other operations are sharpened such as eyesight and the heart rate and blood flow to muscles in case we need to run faster. This is when the body increases the flow of hormones to the amygdala. When in this overactive state, the brain perceives events as negative and will store them this way. Everything surrounding the danger is also recorded, such as time of day, weather, smells, sights, and sounds. Those stored details of a fearful event may carry us right back to the crisis as though we are experiencing it once again, although we have no conscious idea why a certain smell, sound, or sight, etc. caused us to react a certain way. Since our brain received a cataloged prompt of perceived danger, our body is triggered to flee the predictor of threat. God created our body this way for a variety of reasons, but definitely not to cause us harm. I remember a time in my twenties when I experienced great discomfort while on a road trip with my parents. We had shared a weekend family reunion and while returning home, I suffered the effects of eating foods I am allergic to. As I lay doubled over in pain in the back seat of their car, listening to my parents talk, I experienced a flashback in my mind. I asked my mother if she ever rubbed my temples. Although it was an odd question to ask out of the blue, I had spent an enjoyable few days with my parents, surfacing memories with relatives, and as I now felt pain in her presence, the thought of my mother rubbing my temples floated to mind. She was surprised when I asked, but answered that when I was a baby, she had used the technique of rubbing my temples to calm me to go to sleep. Our mind is incredibly powerful. The Bible tells us God created us in His image. We are intelligent creatures who are also creative, loving, humorous, (and many other adjectives) in ways that only mimic God. Imagine all of the bright and imaginative minds this world has held and understand that our qualities are merely shadows of His. It is no wonder that He lovingly formed our minds and bodies to be such highly structured creations. The devotion He has for us and the emotion with which He designed us is evident when we learn more about our intricate minds, bodies, and souls. I believe that is part of the reason it is said that the word “fear” is recognized over 500 times in the Bible. Some of the verses warn us not to fall victim to fear, while others teach us to fear or reverence God and nothing else. Fear causes us to do things we shouldn’t and to neglect doing things we should. It changes who we are meant to be and can freeze us where we are emotionally when horrible events happen. In this fallen world, God knows the pitfalls and trials we will suffer. He has done all He can to provide instructions in His Holy word, through the life Jesus modeled for us, and in the intimate ways He reaches out to us. Our intricate, yet sensitive minds have been scarred by this broken world we reside in. Despite the fact that our complex memories have cataloged and stored experiences that can continue to haunt and harm us, God provided an escape. He always plans ahead and never forsakes us. The way to battle the memories our mind has stored as dangers and that cause us to easily fall victim to fear, or to recognize areas in our life that we need to step away from to erase fear is by relying on the same basics that we use for all other areas of a joy-filled life. Our Heavenly Father. It is impossible to conquer fear or anxiety without a saving knowledge of, and deep relationship with Jesus and His word. Reading and studying the Bible is imperative. Without surrender to Jesus and reliance on the Holy word of God, we cannot recognize or learn the truth God desires to reveal to us. Without Him, we will not possess the keys to open our heart to transformation. The God who designed such a brilliant mind and body system also crafted each of us with a spirit yearning for deep relationship with Him. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” As we begin, grow, and mature our relationship with God through Jesus, we come to rely on Him, and also deepen our walk through prayer, His word, and our life experiences. God crafts each one of us in private ways that only He knows how to reach exactly where we need to grow and stretch through Him. He lovingly offers and allows opportunities to trust Him more deeply. We must allow Him to do the work of shifting and healing the pathways of our brain and heart, then lay new signals that allow us to react in ways that prove we acknowledge His ultimate devotion and love for us. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” As we experience God’s work in and through us, we trust more deeply and draw nearer to Him. Our conscious decision to trust Him over the reactions our body signals tell us will erase the fear and anxiety over time as we allow Him to shoulder the burdens we endure in this broken world. Sometimes therapy may be needed to assist us in ridding our minds of the effects of fear and anxiety from this broken world, but only strong Christian counsel, along with our minds and hearts focused on learning and growing in and through Him, will be effective in properly healing our minds and reactions. Healing through the Lord is not a read the Bible and pray, then expect immediate change remedy. Rebuilding our mind and reactions will come from surrendering moment by moment to a Heavenly Father who is waiting to carry each of our burdens. Healing from fear or anxiety comes from consistently relying on and growing a relationship that transcends what this world is able to provide or heal. Each life is different, each journey unique. We have each lived through different experiences that will require specific prescriptions from the Lord. He desires that we invite Him into each area of our life and trust Him to shift us so that deep mind and soul healing can occur. To begin a journey of healing from fear and anxiety, it is important to get enough rest, eat healthy foods, and stay hydrated. Exercise and time to relax and partake in activities we enjoy also relieves stress and supports a healthy mind and body. Making time to be in God’s word and study the meaning of scriptures and how they apply to our life is incredibly wise and must become a priority. Memorizing God’s word and/or meditating on scripture through study or scripture writing is also important. Prayer should be a regular habit, not just in times of stress or worry. Fear holds no power when God’s word is prayed to Him. Talking with God throughout each day, including Him as naturally as breathing, allows us to rely on Him to manage our emotions and reactions in healthy and honoring ways. Speaking the name of Jesus aloud also holds a powerful and calming effect. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” Nothing is too difficult for the Lord or too far for His merciful love to reach. Fear is no match for our omnipotent Heavenly Father, who cares about every aspect of our life. Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in this life and for eternity, so we have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. I would also appreciate it if you would share this podcast with a friend. I want everyone to hear encouragement through Jesus and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Are you ready to influence your children for eternity? Please fill out the Set-Apart Collective application. Godly parenting is challenging, but oh, so important ! If you want to deepen your walk with God by growing your identity through Christ and taking your mindset captive for Him , please fill out this application. I will prayerfully read your answers to see if it's a good fit for us to work together in the Set-Apart Collective or through one-on-one coaching. If working together would be a good fit, I'll reach out right away with the link to get started. If we work together, you can expect to be mentored into a deeper walk with God through relationship with Christ . We'll begin with the basics, and examine how you live and mentor your children for Jesus. You'll learn how your identity in Christ and the mindset you carry will negatively or positively affect your children . You'll be equipped to purpose your problems, be armed for battle , and teach Truth so you can captivate your kids toward lifetime pursuit of Christ. I'll share my unique Motherhood Mindset Model™️ and proven Purposed Parenting Plan™️ for you to use in your home. My coaching program can't guarantee your children will follow Jesus, but I can guarantee that if you do the work you will mentor the way to Him with clarity and confidence . You will stop being a good mom and become a godly mother. You will be a set-apart woman raising your children to chase Christ over culture . Begin influencing the eternity of your children today . First Name Last Name Phone Number Email Address Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior? Are you already a mother? If so, what ages are your children? On a scale of 1 - 10, how important is it to you to raise children to chase Christ over culture? Are you married? If so, is your spouse a believer? What is your biggest parenting concern right now? Do you have particular fears for raising your children? Are you committed to investing in the eternity of your children? What do you hope to gain from our time together? How did you discover the opportunity to work with Terri in the Set-Apart Collective? Submit Let's Chase Christ Over Culture ! I will be in touch soon via email.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 094 - How My Dog Inspires Godly Parenting Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 094 – How My Dog Inspires Godly Parenting Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children, equipping you to become a set-apart woman and mother. Job 12:7-10 says, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind .” I remember several months ago when our Golden Retriever had surgery. Afterwards he wasn’t allowed to jump, run, or be very active for about 10 days. Of course, he didn’t understand why he was suddenly restricted from doing everything he loves to do. He didn’t know why his routine was disrupted. In fact, besides losing privileges he was accustomed to, he was forced to wear a humiliating pajama-style striped bodysuit that kept him from licking or scratching in the surgical area. Since my dog can tend to act more like a cat, (he loves to jump up to the highest positions he can lay in), some of his favorite places were blocked off with bean bags and chairs as he recovered from surgery. One day I watched him eyeing one of his usual lounging areas. I could see displeasure reflected in his eyes when he couldn’t get to it. Resigned, he walked over to a small bean bag on the floor and curled himself into a tight ball to fit. His reactions remind me how children sometimes react. They, like us, tend to take much for granted, assuming they have the right to continue the same patterns, habits, and expectations whenever they desire. If something changes or they feel it’s been taken away, they don't understand. They might get angry, frustrated, disappointed, or stressed. However, although my dog was disappointed, he resigned himself to finding another spot. Even though he didn't understand why I wasn't letting him continue routine events, he didn't cry or fuss. He simply found another solution to what bothered him, still trusting that he would be loved and cared for. If only our children could react the same way. What if they got up each morning looking for the blessings that day would bring. But are they being taught to live with that perspective? Are we modeling godly resilience? Unlike animals, our children are capable of reasoning at a high level. Each parent must discern whether they are teaching their children to reason with a godly, eternal perspective or a mindset that society touts as good, but falls short of the expectations of God. Living with eyes, mind, and heart focused above is accomplished through a consistent, humble lifestyle that must be modeled to our children. Viewing the simplicity of expectations through the eyes of an animal that God allows us to care for is a reminder of how much excess humans have – of how much we assume and expect. How easily we can get caught up in worldly views and desires that are in turn handed down to our children. If you want your children to have the ability to view life through an eternal lens that pleases God, you must embrace life in a way that appreciates the losses as much as you grab the gifts. Losses often stretch you beyond what you imagine you can endure, allowing you the opportunity to reach a new level of intimacy with God...if you allow yourself to focus on Him instead of selfish desires. Are you modeling that faithfulness for your children to accept and emulate? As disappointments, failures, mistakes, regrets, or hardships tug at your confidence or emotions, don’t allow them to affect your relationship with Christ. Just as important, don’t allow your disappointments to sway your child away from God or toward a habit of complaining. Instead, let trials and triumphs draw you and your children nearer to God. Seek God despite circumstances so that you can allow His transformation to flow through you, no matter what happens to you. As much as we love answers, as much as we want pain or hardship to cease, we must learn to follow Him and allow His work to penetrate where we need it. We must allow God access to our heart and the heart of our children - instead of allowing them to fuss about trials. Instead of trying to erase pain and make every road smooth. Earlier I shared a story about my Golden Retriever. Recently he spotted one section of fencing surrounding our backyard garden was bent over. Because he has seen us inside the garden area, he decided it was only right that he be allowed inside that fence, too. He jumped inside, and as he made his way through rows of vegetables, he kept coming up against all the other sections of fence, which were standing upright. Although when he’s in the house he loves to jump onto the backs of furniture, he couldn’t figure out that he’s big enough to scale the growing produce or short chicken wire fence protecting our garden from rodents. Even though he easily entered the garden, my dog couldn’t solve the issue of getting back out. Because he’s such a Velcro-dog, when he realized none of us were in the garden with him, he decided it wasn’t as fun as he hoped. His only desire was to find a way out to be with us. It actually left him unable to think clearly as he only focused on us, instead of thinking about clearing the obstacles around him. Watching him made me ponder how often humans easily get ourselves into situations we don’t know how to escape. I imagined my dog as a child who thought he knew best until it was too late. Without our help he thought he was trapped. What situations do we allow ourselves to enter without a plan? How are we teaching our children to make wise choices that reflect God’s values and teachings? Are we teaching them to rely on Him when confusion or trouble strike? Or do they wander around confused and disoriented? Even when I called to my dog and showed him the area of fencing that was still laying down, he remained a little scared about jumping back over it. How often does God show us the way, but we remain paralyzed with fear because it’s not what we expected or we haven’t experienced it before. Instead of simply trusting me and jumping the way I instructed, it took time to coax my dog to take the correct route of the mess he got himself into. I’m thankful God allows humans to care for animals, to love them and learn with them. I’m even more thankful for the children He entrusted to me – His precious children that He allows me to instruct and lead to Him. As you think over your life, look for ways you can change your desires and reactions so that your children receive a godly example of how to live for Christ. Show them how to react when under stress, when plans change and life seems unsure, and when they don’t receive what they expect. Every act you do for Christ equips your child to construct an earlier, deeper walk with Jesus that will last into eternity. Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word tells us that the heavens declare Your glory and the skies proclaim the work of Your hands. You teach us that day after day You pour forth speech; night after night You reveal knowledge. Help us to see Your glory revealed through creation. Help us to recognize the beauty and majesty of Your hands. Help us to learn the lessons You sometimes present so simply if we only open our eyes and heart. Help us to study Your Word so we know and recognize You in all the beautiful ways You reveal Yourself to us with a holy and unsurpassed love. Equip us to parent our children with Your love and grace in ways that impact them for an eternity with You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face. That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will deepen your walk with Christ. You’ll learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. Send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a no obligation, strategic 15 minute call to chat about your needs to see if the program is a right fit for you. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. Because you’re a podcast listener, let me know if you’re ready to invest in the future of your children. If you tell me you heard about the special price I offer on this podcast, I will give you a big discount because I want you to experience results. Instead of a $997 value, I’ll give you a discount code that enables you to pay only $247. If you are serious about parenting with eternal perspective and raising children to chase Christ over culture, I’m making this very affordable and easy to do. Also, if you appreciated this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference in whether people are able to find the podcast. Also, you and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so please choose a friend to recommend the show to. Imagine the changes we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #073 – Be Rid of Sin Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Earlier this week my daughter Marissa and I went for a long walk together. Sharing a walk is not a new experience. We go out together a lot. Sharing conversation and laughs is a highlight for us. As we are always hopeful that we’ll encounter geese or ducks, my daughter usually carries treats to offer our feathered friends just in case we need them. What made this particular walk different is a new path we tried. I’m not sure when it opened, but our neighborhood added a nature trail for residents to enjoy. Full of winding paths, creeks, slight inclines (for optimum leg exercise), wildlife, fresh air, and sunshine, Marissa and I believed we found a little slice of heaven. Until we got home. Although I brought water with me, I was parched when we returned. For some reason, I was craving grapefruit. I told Marissa I was going to eat before I hopped into the shower. As I was eating, I felt something tickling my skin inside my shirt. I peeked inside my blouse and saw what looked like a tiny spider. After a second look, I knew it was a tick. My reflexive response was to flick it off my skin, but I regretted that move instantly because I didn’t want it to find my two dogs. After my family and I searched the kitchen floor for a bit without finding it, I looked back inside my shirt and saw that I had missed the tick, who was still enjoying walking around my stomach. I started screaming. I know. Screamers are extremely annoying, but I was so grossed out by this tiny blood-sucking bug that I could not help it. My husband grabbed the disgusting creature and smashed it. Ready for a shower now, I left for the bathroom so that I could shower and truly feel clean again. It was going to be a while before that happened. Marissa joined me in the bathroom. She planned to take a bath while I showered so we could both make sure we didn’t have any other creatures ready to suck life from us. As we prepared for our bath and shower, we continued to find more and more ticks. We ended up having so many on the two of us that I lost count. The peaceful woodland setting we had enjoyed together became a dreaded memory we never wanted to revisit. We spent the rest of the evening feeling like we had ticks crawling over our skin and checking under our clothes to ensure we didn’t really have anything to pluck off our body. As I thought about the walk and resulting ticks, I felt God urging me to write this podcast. One message kept coming to mind to share. Sin should have the same effect on us that the tiny eight-legged tick parasites carry. We should be anxious to be rid of any sinfulness touching our life. There was nothing else I could think of when I found each tick. I just wanted them off as soon as possible! The need to remove them was so urgent that it was futile to fathom thinking of anything else. Believers should be so attuned to His thoughts and ways that any sin sickens us and makes us want to escape it immediately. How is sin defined in this world? Basically, sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against God’s holy law or an act that is a sin in the eyes of God. Most people, regardless of where they stand in their religious convictions would agree that this is a fair definition of sin. Yet, what is interesting is that we each differ more in what we consider to be a sin in the eyes of God, or more importantly, we seem to forget what God would consider sinful as we habitually fall into practices that feel good or give us pleasure in the moment. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” All of humanity is subject to the actions of two men: Adam and Jesus. Do we desire to follow the example of Adam and be content to toy with sin? Or do we yearn to cling to the freedom and hope found through Christ and live with fullness of life because we identify and flee from sin? Genesis 4:7b says, “But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” Sin is everywhere. We do not experience a day where we can say we were not tempted to sin or we did not encounter some sort of sin. Yet, the miracle is that through the grace of God and the act of Jesus on the cross, we do not need to be a slave to the sinful nature within us. Romans 2:15 says, “They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” The condition of our heart dictates our thoughts and actions. I believe the easiest way to identify sin in our life is to break it down into two easy to remember categories. 1. Attitude: Are we living with a mind or heartset that strives to please God or be Christlike? Or can we recognize hatred, envy, bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride, arrogance, maliciousness, and the like in our life? 2. Action: Are we living with actions that are contrary to what God instructs? Are we living in ways that please Him? Does our life draw others to His life-changing or life-giving power or push them away? Or do we secretly live with acts such as negligence, foul language, slander, adultery, stealing, lying, and the like in our life? If we cannot recognize or obey God’s truths, commands, or promptings, we sin. James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.” When we are close to Jesus because we know, love, and follow Him, we allow His sacrificial act to transform our heart, mind, and life. Then we are able to make the powerful decision to put Him before self. It is a decision we will need to make each moment for the rest of our life – not because we have to, but because we love Him and desire transformation into His image. We need to immediately flick any remnant of sin from us with an urgency that conveys absolute obedience to Jesus. Romans 6:12-17 says, “What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Remember that our body on its own is not sinful or evil. Yet, we do not want to allow sin to find a place of dominance or power over our body or in our life. Jesus has rendered sin powerless and unless we do not know or follow Him, or we succumb to the allure of sin instead of keeping our gaze focused on the power of Christ, it will not carry a place of power over us. We can either allow ourselves to fall to the evil forces of sin and live in rebellion and regret or claim victory through the sacrifice of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. Satan and sin have no power over us when we are rightfully living under the dominion of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!! We know we have ultimate victory because the power of Jesus lives within us and He has given us a hope and future. We can also believe and claim His power over daily moment by moment activities as well. Our mind and heart can both turn to and rely on the power of Christ to save us every second if we continue to rely on Him. Grace was extended not so that we could continue to sin and experience grace over again, but so that we would be reconstructed into new life that cannot tolerate sin. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins" in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by His wounds you have been healed." 1 John 3:9 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” This verse is spoken in the present tense, meaning a continuous action. It is saying that a follower of Christ will not sin on purpose or make a practice of sinning. When we have been born again through Jesus’s act on the cross, our new nature, born again in the image of a holy God, enables us to follow Him and produce His good fruit. He releases the grip of sin and removes the temptation of bowing to sin when we keep our gaze and heart attuned to and reliant on Him. Sin entered the world through one man and exited the world through one man. Who do you want to follow? Look up to the One who has the authority and grace to render sin powerless. Jesus sacrificed all so that we can live a rich and fulfilling life now and for eternity. Keep your gaze and heart fixed on Him, the One who can do all things. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” What sin is threatening to grip or deceive you? Render it powerless now through Jesus. Heavenly Father, our good and gracious God. We thank You for the life You gave us through Jesus. Help us recognize the power alive and at work within us as we face life moment by moment. May we always turn to You, enabling Your grace and the gift of new life to lift us above the snares of this world. May our thoughts and behavior be perfected as You are perfect, not to honor us, but to glorify You. Do not let sin reign in our mortal body, or let us obey the lusts of it. Please help us present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, made alive through Jesus with sin carrying no dominion over us in any way. We boldly ask this because we know it is Your intention for us, loving Father. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 073 Be Rid of Sin Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #073 – Be Rid of Sin Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Earlier this week my daughter Marissa and I went for a long walk together. Sharing a walk is not a new experience. We go out together a lot. Sharing conversation and laughs is a highlight for us. As we are always hopeful that we’ll encounter geese or ducks, my daughter usually carries treats to offer our feathered friends just in case we need them. What made this particular walk different is a new path we tried. I’m not sure when it opened, but our neighborhood added a nature trail for residents to enjoy. Full of winding paths, creeks, slight inclines (for optimum leg exercise), wildlife, fresh air, and sunshine, Marissa and I believed we found a little slice of heaven. Until we got home. Although I brought water with me, I was parched when we returned. For some reason, I was craving grapefruit. I told Marissa I was going to eat before I hopped into the shower. As I was eating, I felt something tickling my skin inside my shirt. I peeked inside my blouse and saw what looked like a tiny spider. After a second look, I knew it was a tick. My reflexive response was to flick it off my skin, but I regretted that move instantly because I didn’t want it to find my two dogs. After my family and I searched the kitchen floor for a bit without finding it, I looked back inside my shirt and saw that I had missed the tick, who was still enjoying walking around my stomach. I started screaming. I know. Screamers are extremely annoying, but I was so grossed out by this tiny blood-sucking bug that I could not help it. My husband grabbed the disgusting creature and smashed it. Ready for a shower now, I left for the bathroom so that I could shower and truly feel clean again. It was going to be a while before that happened. Marissa joined me in the bathroom. She planned to take a bath while I showered so we could both make sure we didn’t have any other creatures ready to suck life from us. As we prepared for our bath and shower, we continued to find more and more ticks. We ended up having so many on the two of us that I lost count. The peaceful woodland setting we had enjoyed together became a dreaded memory we never wanted to revisit. We spent the rest of the evening feeling like we had ticks crawling over our skin and checking under our clothes to ensure we didn’t really have anything to pluck off our body. As I thought about the walk and resulting ticks, I felt God urging me to write this podcast. One message kept coming to mind to share. Sin should have the same effect on us that the tiny eight-legged tick parasites carry. We should be anxious to be rid of any sinfulness touching our life. There was nothing else I could think of when I found each tick. I just wanted them off as soon as possible! The need to remove them was so urgent that it was futile to fathom thinking of anything else. Believers should be so attuned to His thoughts and ways that any sin sickens us and makes us want to escape it immediately. How is sin defined in this world? Basically, sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against God’s holy law or an act that is a sin in the eyes of God. Most people, regardless of where they stand in their religious convictions would agree that this is a fair definition of sin. Yet, what is interesting is that we each differ more in what we consider to be a sin in the eyes of God, or more importantly, we seem to forget what God would consider sinful as we habitually fall into practices that feel good or give us pleasure in the moment. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” All of humanity is subject to the actions of two men: Adam and Jesus. Do we desire to follow the example of Adam and be content to toy with sin? Or do we yearn to cling to the freedom and hope found through Christ and live with fullness of life because we identify and flee from sin? Genesis 4:7b says, “But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” Sin is everywhere. We do not experience a day where we can say we were not tempted to sin or we did not encounter some sort of sin. Yet, the miracle is that through the grace of God and the act of Jesus on the cross, we do not need to be a slave to the sinful nature within us. Romans 2:15 says, “They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” The condition of our heart dictates our thoughts and actions. I believe the easiest way to identify sin in our life is to break it down into two easy to remember categories. 1. Attitude: Are we living with a mind or heartset that strives to please God or be Christlike? Or can we recognize hatred, envy, bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride, arrogance, maliciousness, and the like in our life? 2. Action: Are we living with actions that are contrary to what God instructs? Are we living in ways that please Him? Does our life draw others to His life-changing or life-giving power or push them away? Or do we secretly live with acts such as negligence, foul language, slander, adultery, stealing, lying, and the like in our life? If we cannot recognize or obey God’s truths, commands, or promptings, we sin. James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.” When we are close to Jesus because we know, love, and follow Him, we allow His sacrificial act to transform our heart, mind, and life. Then we are able to make the powerful decision to put Him before self. It is a decision we will need to make each moment for the rest of our life – not because we have to, but because we love Him and desire transformation into His image. We need to immediately flick any remnant of sin from us with an urgency that conveys absolute obedience to Jesus. Romans 6:12-17 says, “What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Remember that our body on its own is not sinful or evil. Yet, we do not want to allow sin to find a place of dominance or power over our body or in our life. Jesus has rendered sin powerless and unless we do not know or follow Him, or we succumb to the allure of sin instead of keeping our gaze focused on the power of Christ, it will not carry a place of power over us. We can either allow ourselves to fall to the evil forces of sin and live in rebellion and regret or claim victory through the sacrifice of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. Satan and sin have no power over us when we are rightfully living under the dominion of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!! We know we have ultimate victory because the power of Jesus lives within us and He has given us a hope and future. We can also believe and claim His power over daily moment by moment activities as well. Our mind and heart can both turn to and rely on the power of Christ to save us every second if we continue to rely on Him. Grace was extended not so that we could continue to sin and experience grace over again, but so that we would be reconstructed into new life that cannot tolerate sin. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins" in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by His wounds you have been healed." 1 John 3:9 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” This verse is spoken in the present tense, meaning a continuous action. It is saying that a follower of Christ will not sin on purpose or make a practice of sinning. When we have been born again through Jesus’s act on the cross, our new nature, born again in the image of a holy God, enables us to follow Him and produce His good fruit. He releases the grip of sin and removes the temptation of bowing to sin when we keep our gaze and heart attuned to and reliant on Him. Sin entered the world through one man and exited the world through one man. Who do you want to follow? Look up to the One who has the authority and grace to render sin powerless. Jesus sacrificed all so that we can live a rich and fulfilling life now and for eternity. Keep your gaze and heart fixed on Him, the One who can do all things. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” What sin is threatening to grip or deceive you? Render it powerless now through Jesus. Heavenly Father, our good and gracious God. We thank You for the life You gave us through Jesus. Help us recognize the power alive and at work within us as we face life moment by moment. May we always turn to You, enabling Your grace and the gift of new life to lift us above the snares of this world. May our thoughts and behavior be perfected as You are perfect, not to honor us, but to glorify You. Do not let sin reign in our mortal body, or let us obey the lusts of it. Please help us present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, made alive through Jesus with sin carrying no dominion over us in any way. We boldly ask this because we know it is Your intention for us, loving Father. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #068 – In Pursuit of Godly Truth – Interview with Professor William Wagner - Part 1 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Colossians 1:10 says, “So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” As I have been obedient in producing this podcast, God has been faithful, going ahead of me in every way. One of the stirrings He has placed in my heart is the desire to enable others to want and know Him more so that we may all deepen and mature our walk with Jesus, striving to live a life worthy of the gift God offers us through Jesus. In order to please according to His ways, we must live with an eternal perspective that draws us to follow Him moment by moment. I believe God has blessed us today with an interview that will shift perspectives of those listening or spur us into more action so that we may each hear and show Him more clearly. Whether you are living in the United States, or as some of my listeners, in other countries, what ties us together is our bond in Christ, the author and definer of truth. As you listen to this interview with Professor William Wagner, the President of Salt and Light Global, an international ministry preserving and shining truth in the culture, pray for God to expose areas of your life in which you can allow God more freedom to complete His good work in and through you. It takes each of us to stand firmly for the salt and light only Jesus offers. He loves each person, each country, and each soul in our world. He will not forsake us, yet we cannot ignore Him or the work He calls us to allow Him to complete through us. Professor William Wagner holds the academic rank of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Prior to joining academia, he served with distinction in all three branches of the federal government, including as a federal judge. Professor Wagner knows what he is discussing, but most of all, loves the Lord and strives to honor, obey, and please Him. I pray you hear God’s voice speaking to you as you listen. _____________________ Interview with Professor Wagner _________________ Have you enjoyed the interview so far? I respect the passion and determination God has gifted to Professor Wagner. I split this conversation with Professor Wagner into two episodes because the material is bold and relevant to the culture our world is facing. I pray each of us ponder what was heard today and allow God to stir areas of our hearts where we may be clinging to selfishness or ignorance and prayerfully ask God to expose where we need to shift into action for Him. Are we walking worthy of the manner to which we have been called? Father God, you alone are holy. You are worthy. Please humble our hearts to allow Your work in and through us. You are in Your holy temple, seated on Your holy throne, yet Your eyes roam the earth, they watch us closely as You examine us, the sons of men. I know we are far from You and Your desires for us. May we seek You more humbly and serve You with greater passion as we allow what we learn in Your word, through prayer time with You and through conversations such as the one we have heard today and will complete next week. Show each of us where we need to change and what we need to do to allow our world to be holy as You are holy, and worthy as You desire us to be. Enable us to step out in faith, regardless of fear, and help us to be obedient in every way You call for us. Keep our eyes, heart, and mind centered on You. In Your holy and precious name we humbly pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. I encourage you to listen to the podcast next week as I finish my conversation with Professor Wagner. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 068 In Pursuit of Godly Truth - Interview with Professor William Wagner - Part 1 Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #068 – In Pursuit of Godly Truth – Interview with Professor William Wagner - Part 1 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Colossians 1:10 says, “So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” As I have been obedient in producing this podcast, God has been faithful, going ahead of me in every way. One of the stirrings He has placed in my heart is the desire to enable others to want and know Him more so that we may all deepen and mature our walk with Jesus, striving to live a life worthy of the gift God offers us through Jesus. In order to please according to His ways, we must live with an eternal perspective that draws us to follow Him moment by moment. I believe God has blessed us today with an interview that will shift perspectives of those listening or spur us into more action so that we may each hear and show Him more clearly. Whether you are living in the United States, or as some of my listeners, in other countries, what ties us together is our bond in Christ, the author and definer of truth. As you listen to this interview with Professor William Wagner, the President of Salt and Light Global, an international ministry preserving and shining truth in the culture, pray for God to expose areas of your life in which you can allow God more freedom to complete His good work in and through you. It takes each of us to stand firmly for the salt and light only Jesus offers. He loves each person, each country, and each soul in our world. He will not forsake us, yet we cannot ignore Him or the work He calls us to allow Him to complete through us. Professor William Wagner holds the academic rank of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Prior to joining academia, he served with distinction in all three branches of the federal government, including as a federal judge. Professor Wagner knows what he is discussing, but most of all, loves the Lord and strives to honor, obey, and please Him. I pray you hear God’s voice speaking to you as you listen. _____________________ Interview with Professor Wagner _________________ Have you enjoyed the interview so far? I respect the passion and determination God has gifted to Professor Wagner. I split this conversation with Professor Wagner into two episodes because the material is bold and relevant to the culture our world is facing. I pray each of us ponder what was heard today and allow God to stir areas of our hearts where we may be clinging to selfishness or ignorance and prayerfully ask God to expose where we need to shift into action for Him. Are we walking worthy of the manner to which we have been called? Father God, you alone are holy. You are worthy. Please humble our hearts to allow Your work in and through us. You are in Your holy temple, seated on Your holy throne, yet Your eyes roam the earth, they watch us closely as You examine us, the sons of men. I know we are far from You and Your desires for us. May we seek You more humbly and serve You with greater passion as we allow what we learn in Your word, through prayer time with You and through conversations such as the one we have heard today and will complete next week. Show each of us where we need to change and what we need to do to allow our world to be holy as You are holy, and worthy as You desire us to be. Enable us to step out in faith, regardless of fear, and help us to be obedient in every way You call for us. Keep our eyes, heart, and mind centered on You. In Your holy and precious name we humbly pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. I encourage you to listen to the podcast next week as I finish my conversation with Professor Wagner. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Professor William Wagner holds the academic rank of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Prior to joining academia, he served with distinction in all three branches of the federal government, including as a federal judge. https://www.facebook.com/SaltLightGlobal/ https://www.slgwitness.com/

SUPPORT TERMS & CONDITIONS Last Updated on: August 2, 2025 By using this website as a user (hereinafter “You”), You agree to the following Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy. Please read them carefully before using this website. General Provisions This website is owned and operated by Terri Hitt Co. LLC (hereafter “Our,” “We,” “Us,” or “Company”). Our principal place of business is located at P.O. Box 16023 Shawnee, KS 66203 Use of this website is at Your own risk. We host this site on a reputable platform and take reasonable efforts to maintain and host the site. However, We make no explicit representations or warranties as to the safety of Your individual use of the website. The Terms and Conditions of Use contained on this page are subject to change at any time. Age Requirements You must be of legal age of majority in Your place of residence to be able to form legally binding contracts under applicable law to use Our website and to purchase Our courses. Anyone who does not meet these criteria is unauthorized, unlicensed, and in violation of these Terms and Conditions. By using this site, You represent and warrant that You can form a legally binding contract under applicable law and are of legal age of majority where you reside, and that you agree to abide by all of the terms and conditions of these Terms and Conditions. Intellectual Property Notice All text, photographs, graphics, designs, and other materials on this site are subject to the copyrights and other intellectual property rights of Terri Hitt Co. LLC., and are protected by United States Copyright Laws (U.S.C. Title 17). Website materials may not be copied for any reason, including your personal use, commercial use, or distribution, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior express written permission of Company. We may prosecute You to the fullest extent permissible should We choose to do so, including asking for financial penalties (damages) and/or an injunction forcing You to stop using Our intellectual property immediately. Digital Products By purchasing any product from Terri Hitt Co. LLC. on this website or by email, you are granted one revocable, worldwide, non-exclusive license to the product(s) you have purchased. If you violate this license by giving or selling a copy of our product(s) to anyone, We reserve the right to invoice you for the licenses you have gifted to others and revoke your access to our products permanently. Digital Products Return Policy Digital products such as The Set Apart Collective courses which are downloadable are not eligible for return. Your Communications Any communications made through Our blog, blog comments, newsletter sign-up, or other related pages, or directly to Our phones or mailing or email addresses, are not held privileged or confidential and are subject to viewing and distribution by third-parties. We own any and all communications displayed on Our website, servers, comments, emails, or other media as allowed by United States law and will not give credit or pay royalties for unsolicited user-generated content such as blog comments or emails. For more information on when and how We store and use Your communications or any data provided by You in those communications, please refer to Our Privacy Policy on this page. We maintain a right to republish any submission in whole or in part as reasonably necessary in the course of Our business. You agree not to submit any content or communications that could be illegal or serve an unlawful purpose, including, but not limited to, communications that are potentially libelous or maliciously false, obscene, abusive, negligent, or otherwise harmful or inappropriate. Disclaimers You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Our website and company for any direct or indirect loss or conduct incurred as a result of Your use of Our website and any related communications, including as a result of any consequences incurred from technological failures such as a payment processor error(s) or system failure(s). While We may reference certain results, outcomes, or situations on this website, You understand and acknowledge that We make no guarantee as to the accuracy of third-party statements contained herein or the likelihood of success for You as a result of these statements or any other statements anywhere on this website. If You have medical, legal, or financial questions, You should consult a medical professional, lawyer, or CPA and/or CFP respectively. We expressly disclaim any and all responsibility for any actions or omissions You choose to make as a result of using this website, related materials, products, courses, or the materials contained herein. While Company may offer discounts or offers at various times, these discounts or offers may be terminated or amended at any time without explanation or warning. Sales, discounts, and offers will not be retroactively applied to past purchases. This website is updated on a regular basis, and, while We try to make accurate statements in a timely and effective manner, We cannot guarantee that all materials and related media contained herein are entirely accurate, complete, or up to date. You expressly acknowledge and understand that any information or knowledge You gain as a result of using this website is used at Your own risk. If You should see any errors or omissions and would like to let Us know, please email Us at: info@terrihitt.com . Advertisements We do not necessarily endorse or recommend any of the goods or services advertised on or through our websites. We do not necessarily endorse or recommend any affiliates using our services. Earnings Disclaimer Company makes no income/financial/consequential claims nor guarantees of any kind that can be generated through Our website, communications, or Your participation in the purchase of any of Our products. Past results presented on the website are not an indication or promise of Your results. Your outcomes are dependent solely on You and Your actions or non-actions. Affiliates This site may use affiliate links/codes to sell certain products or services. We disclaim any and all liability as a result of Your purchase through one of these links/codes. We will use reasonable efforts to notify You when and where We have placed affiliate links/codes in addition to this disclaimer located in these Terms & Conditions. You accept express liability for any and all consequences or benefits of clicking the affiliate links or using any affiliate codes contained on this website or related communications. Termination If at any time Company feels You have violated these Terms and Conditions, Company shall immediately terminate Your use of Our website and any related communications as We deem appropriate. It is within Company’s sole discretion to allow any user’s access of Our website, and We may revoke this access at any time without notice, and, if necessary, block Your IP address from further visits to Our site(s). Entire Agreement The information contained herein constitutes the entire agreement between site users and Our company relating to the use of this website. Severability & No Waiver If any part of these Terms and Conditions of Use is deemed unlawful and/or unenforceable, all other provisions contained herein will remain in full force and effect. Any failure by Company to enforce a provision of these Terms and Conditions of Use shall not constitute a waiver of any other portion or provision of these Terms and Conditions of Use. Headings Headings and titles are provided in these Terms and Conditions of Use for convenience only and will not be construed as part of the legal terms. Venue & Jurisdiction These Terms and Conditions of Use and Our Privacy Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Kansas, including all matters of construction, validity, performance, and enforcement, and without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. You agree that any dispute or lawsuit arising out of, or concerning, this Agreement that is not first resolved by arbitration shall be resolved exclusively in a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction located in Johnson County, Kansas. You and Company assume responsibility for their own collection costs and legal fees incurred should enforcement of these conditions become necessary. Mediation Before initiating any arbitration proceedings, Company and You agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions of Use, including the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation, or validity thereof, through good faith mediation. Mediation will be conducted in Shawnee, Kansas, with a mutually agreed-upon mediator, or if no agreement is reached, a mediator appointed by the parties. If the matter is not resolved through mediation within [thirty (30)] days of the initial request for mediation (or a longer period if agreed to by the parties), then the dispute shall be decided by arbitration in accordance with the procedural rules of the American Arbitration Association. Company and You agree to be bound by the decision of the arbitrator(s). The arbitration proceeding shall take place in Johnson County, Kansas. The cost and expenses of the arbitrators shall be shared equally by the parties. Each party shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses in presenting the dispute for arbitration. Questions If You require any more information or have any questions about these Terms and Conditions of Use or Our Privacy Policy, please contact Us by email at: info@terrihitt.com PRIVACY POLICY Last Updated on: August 2, 2025 By using this website as a user (hereinafter “You”), You agree to the following Privacy Policy. Please read this Policy carefully before using this website. This website is owned and operated by a Kansas company (hereafter “Our,” “We,” “Us,” or “Company”). Our principal place of business is located in Shawnee, Kansas. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 16023 Shawnee, KS 66203 For any privacy-related questions, you can reach Us at: info@melaneandco.com . General We at Terri Hitt Co. LLC respect Your privacy. This Privacy Policy is designed to explain how We collect, use, share, and protect the personal information You provide to Us when You access Our website, purchase Our goods or services, or engage with Us on social media, as well as Your own rights to the information We collect. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. We may change Our Privacy Policy from time to time, and at Our sole discretion. We will alert You to any changes to this Policy by changing the “last updated” date at the top of this Policy and/or via email notification. Any changes become effective immediately upon publication on Our website, and You waive specific notice of any changes to the Policy by continuing to use and access Our site(s). We will not reduce Your rights under this Privacy Policy without Your consent in accordance with applicable law. We encourage You to review this Privacy Policy periodically, when You use Our website for any purpose or engage with Us on social media. You are deemed to have accepted any changes to any revised Privacy Policy by Your continued use of Our website after the revised Privacy Policy is posted. Information Collected We collect a variety of information from You when You visit Our website, make purchases, subscribe to emails, or interact with Us on social media. By accepting this Privacy Policy, You are specifically consenting to Our collection of the data described below, to Our use of the data, to the processing of this data, and to Our sharing of the data with third-party processors as needed for Our legitimate business interests. The information We collect may include: Personal Data: Personal Data is information that can be used to identify You specifically, including Your name, shipping address, email address, telephone number, or demographic information like Your age, gender, or hometown. You consent to giving Us this information by providing it to Us voluntarily on Our website or any mobile application. You provide some of this information when You register with or make purchases from Our website. You may also provide this information by participating in various activities associated with Our site, including, but not limited to, responding to blogs, contacting Us with questions, participating in training(s), etc. Your decision to disclose this data is entirely voluntary. You are under no obligation to provide this information, but Your refusal may prevent You from accessing certain benefits from Our website or from making purchases. Derivative Data: Derivative data is information that Our servers automatically collect about You when You access Our website, such as Your IP address, browser type, the dates and times that You access Our website, and the specific pages You view. If You are using a mobile application, Our servers may collect information about Your device name and type, Your phone number, Your country of origin, and other interactions with Our application. Financial Data: Financial data is data that is related to Your payment methods, such as credit card or bank transfer details. We collect financial data in order to allow You to purchase, order, return, or exchange products or services from Our website and any related mobile apps. We store limited financial data. Most financial data is transferred to Our payment processors, [Shopify, ThriveCart, Stripe, Paypal, and Apple Pay], and You should review these processors’ Privacy Policies to determine how they use, disclose, and protect Your financial data. Social Networking Data: We may access personal information from social networking sites and apps, including [Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest], or other social networking sites or apps not named specifically here, which may include Your name, social network username(s), location, email address, telephone number, age, gender, profile picture(s), and any other public information. If You do not want Us to access this information, please go to the specific social networking site and change Your privacy settings. Mobile Device Data: If You use Our website via a mobile device or app, We may collect information about Your mobile device, including device ID, model and manufacturer, and location information. Other Data: On occasion, You may give Us additional data in order to enter into a contest or giveaway or to participate in a survey. You will be prompted for this information and it will be clear that You are offering this kind of information in exchange for an entry into such a contest or giveaway. Use of Information Your information allows Us to offer You certain products and services, including the use of Our website, to fulfill Our obligations to You, to customize Your interaction with Our company and Our website, and to allow Us to suggest other products and services We think might interest You. We generally store Your data and transmit it to a third-party for processing. However, to the extent We process Your data, We do so to serve Our legitimate business interests (such as providing You with the opportunity to purchase Our goods or services and interact with Our website). Specifically, We may use the information and data described above to: Create and administer Your account; Deliver any products or services purchased by You to You; Correspond with You; Process payments or refunds; Contact You about new offerings that We think You will be interested in; Interact with You via social media; Send You a newsletter or other updates about Our company or website; Deliver targeted advertising; Request feedback from You; Notify You of updates to Our product and service offerings; Resolve disputes and troubleshoot any problems; Administer contests or giveaways; Generate a profile that is personalized to You, so that future interactions with Our website will be more personal; Compile anonymous statistical data for Our own use or for a third-party’s use; Assist law enforcement as necessary; Prevent fraudulent activity on Our website or mobile app; and Analyze trends to improve Our website and offerings. Disclosure of Information We may share Your information with third-parties in certain situations. In particular, We may share Your data with third-party processors as needed to serve Our legitimate business interests, which include administration of Our website, administration of Your account, entering into contracts with You, communicating with You, taking orders for goods or services, delivering Our goods and services, identifying trends, protecting the security of Our company and website, and marketing additional goods and services to You. The legal basis for Our disclosure of Your data is both Your Consent to this Privacy Policy and Our own right to protect and promote Our legitimate business interests. The following are specific reasons why We may share Your information: Third-Party Processing: We may disclose Your information to third-parties who assist Us with various tasks, including payment processing, hosting services, email delivery, mobile messaging delivery, and customer service. For more information, see the “Other Third-Parties” Section, below. By Law: We may share Your data as required by law or to respond to legal process, including a subpoena, or as necessary to protect the rights, property, and safety of others. This includes sharing information with other parties to prevent or address fraud and to avoid credit risks. To Protect Our Company: We may use Your information to protect Our company, including to investigate and remedy any violations of Our rights or policies. We may also disclose Your information as reasonably necessary to acquire and maintain insurance coverage, manage risks, obtain financial or legal advice, or to exercise or defend against legal claims. Advertisers: We may use third-party advertising companies to run and manage Our ads to produce ads that appear when You visit Our Website or mobile app. These companies may use information about Your visit to Our website and other websites that are contained in web cookies (as described below) to offer You personalized advertisements about goods and services that might interest You. We cannot control the activities of such other advertisers or websites. You should consult the respective Privacy Policies of these third-party advertisers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. Other Third Parties: We may share information with advertisers, Our investors, or other third-parties for the purpose of conducting general business analysis. If We do so, We will make reasonable efforts to inform You if required by law. Sale or Bankruptcy: In the event that Our company is sold, goes out of business, or enters bankruptcy, Your information may be an asset that is transferred to a third-party successor. Such a successor is not bound by Our Privacy Policy and may have its own. You will be notified in the event Our Company is sold, goes out of business, or enters bankruptcy. Interaction with Others: If You interact with others on Our website, such as participating in a group chat or a group online course, other users may have access to some of Your data, including Your name, profile picture, and Your history of interaction with Our website, such as prior comments or posts. Online Postings: When You post online or provide other postings on the website, such as a product review, photograph, video, or other comments, Your posts, submissions, and comments may be viewed by others, and We may distribute Your posts, submissions, and comments outside the website. External Links: Our website may include hyperlinks to other websites not controlled by Us. We suggest You exercise caution when clicking on a hyperlink. Although We use reasonable care in including a hyperlink on Our own web page, We do not regularly monitor the websites of these third-parties, are not responsible for any damage or consequences You suffer by using these hyperlinks. We are not bound by the Privacy Policies of any third-party website that You access by a hyperlink, nor are they bound by Ours. We encourage You to read the Policies of those third-party websites before interacting with them or making purchases. They may collect different information and use different methods than We do. With Your Consent: We may disclose Your personal information for any other purpose with Your consent. Other Purposes: We may disclose Your personal data as necessary to protect Your interests or the vital interests of others or Our company. Tracking Technologies Cookies, Log Files, and Web Beacons: Like many other websites, We make use of log files. These files merely log visitors to the site – usually a standard procedure for hosting companies and a part of hosting services’ analytics. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. This information is used to analyze trends, administer the site, track users’ movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable. We also use cookies—small text files sent to Us by Your computer—and web beacons to store certain information. We may use cookies to authenticate Your identity, to determine if You are logged onto Our website, for personalization, for security, for targeted advertising, or for analysis of the performance of Our website and services. For example, cookies allow Us to recommend blog posts to You based on what You have read on Our site in the past. We use cookies that are not specific to Your account but unique enough to allow Us to analyze general trends and use and to customize Your interaction with Our website. Most browsers are set to accept cookies by default. By continuing to use Our website and not disabling cookies on Your browser, You are consenting to Our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this Policy. In addition, We may use third-party software to post advertisements on Our website or mobile app to oversee marketing or email campaigns, mobile messaging campaigns, or manage other Company initiatives. This third-party software may use cookies or similar tracking technology. We have no control over these third-parties or their use of cookies. For more information on opting out of interest-based ads, visit the Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out Tool or Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out Tool. Website Analytics We may partner with third-party analytic companies, including, but not limited to, Google Analytics. The analytic companies may also use cookies or other tracking technologies to analyze visitors’ use of Our website or mobile app to determine the popularity of the content and better understand online activity. We do not transfer personal information to these third-party vendors. Processing Your Information In most circumstances, We do not process Your information in-house but give it to third-party processors for processing. For example, when PayPal takes Your payment information, they are a third-party payment processor. They process Your payment and remit the funds to Us. We may, from time to time, process Your data internally for legitimate business interests. Our purposes in processing this information are to administer, maintain, and improve Our website and offerings, to enter into contracts with You, to fulfill the terms of those contracts, to keep records of Our transactions and interactions, to be able to provide You with goods and services, to comply with Our legal obligations, to obtain professional advice, and to protect the rights and interests of Our company, Our customers (including You), and any third-parties. We may process the following data: Data associated with Your account, such as Your name, address, email address, telephone number, and payment information; Data about Your usage of Our website, such as Your IP address, geographical information, and how long You accessed Our website and what You viewed; Data related to Your personal profile, such as Your name, address, profile picture, interests and hobbies, or employment details; Data that You provide Us in the course of using Our services; Data that You post on Our website, such as comments or responses to blogs; Data that You submit to Us when You make an inquiry regarding Our website or offerings; Data related to Your transactions with Us, including Your purchase of Our goods or services. This information may include contact details and payment information; Data that You provide to Us when You subscribe to Our emails, mobile or SMS messaging, or newsletters, including Your email address, telephone number, and contact information; Data that You submit to Us via correspondence, such as when You email Us with questions; and Any other data identified in this Policy, for the purpose of complying with Our legal obligations, or to protect the vital interests of You or any other natural person. Data Retention We retain personal data as long as it is needed to conduct Our legitimate business purposes or to comply with Our legal obligations, or until You ask Us to delete Your data. For example, We will retain certain personal information indefinitely for the purposes of maintaining Your account, unless and until You delete Your account. Data that We gather for a specific and particular purpose, such as assisting law enforcement or analyzing trends, will not be kept for longer than is necessary for that particular purpose. Data that is no longer needed by Us for any of the purposes listed above will be permanently deleted. You may request that We delete Your data at any time. However, note that We cannot control the retention policies of third-parties. If You wish to have any third-parties, including those to whom We’ve transmitted Your data, delete that data, You will need to contact those third-parties directly. You may request from Us a list of all third-parties to whom We have transmitted Your data. Minors Our website is intended solely for users who can form legally binding contracts under applicable law and are of legal age of majority in their place of residence. By using the site, You represent and warrant that You can form a legally binding contract under applicable law and are of legal age of majority where You reside, and that You agree to abide by all of the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy. This website is not designed for use by children under the age of 13, and We do not knowingly solicit personal data from anyone under the age of 13. If You are under the age of 13, do not access or use Our website or related products or services. If You become aware that We have collected data of anyone under the age of 13, please contact Us so that We may delete that data. Your Rights You have certain rights with respect to Your personal data, as outlined within this Privacy Policy. We may charge You a reasonable fee for actions that You ask Us to take with respect to Your data. We also reserve the right to request that You provide Us with evidence of Your identity before We take any action with respect to the exercise of Your data rights. Further, Your rights may be restricted or nullified to the extent they conflict with Our compelling business interests, the public interest, or the law. Update Account Information: You have the right to update or change any information You have provided to Us. To update or delete Your information, please contact Us at: info@terrihitt.com Confirm Personal Data and Its Use: You have the right to request that We confirm what data We hold about You, and for what purposes. You also have the right to confirm whether We process Your data or deliver Your data to third-party processors, and for what purposes. We will supply You with copies of Your personal data, unless doing so would affect the rights and freedoms of others. Change Consent: You have the right to change Your consent to Our use of Your information. In such cases, We may require You to delete Your account with Us, as described above, and You may not have full access to Our website. Request a Copy of Data: You have the right to request a digital copy of the data that We hold about You. Your first request for a copy of Your personal data will be provided free of charge; subsequent requests will incur a reasonable fee. Transfer Your Data: You have the right to request that We gather and transfer Your data to another controller, in a commonly used and machine-readable format, unless doing so would cause Us an undue burden. Delete All Data: You have the right to request that We delete all data that We hold about You, and We must delete such data without undue delay. There are exceptions to this right, such as when keeping Your data is required by law, is necessary to exercise the right of freedom of expression and information, is required for compliance with a legal obligation, or is necessary for the exercise or defense of legal claims. Such a request may result in a termination of Your account with Us and You may have limited or no use of Our website. Marketing Communications: You may opt-out of receiving any third-party marketing communications or having Your personal information used for marketing purposes. Processing: In some circumstances, You may restrict the processing of Your data, such as when You contest the accuracy of Your data or when You have objected to processing, pending the verification of that objection. When processing has been restricted, We will continue to store Your data, but will not pass it on to third-party processors without Your consent, or as necessary to comply with legal obligations or protect Your rights or those of others or Our company. In addition, You may opt-out of any processing of Your data altogether. Doing so may result in the termination of Your account and loss of access to Our website. Newsletters and Email Marketing You may volunteer certain information to Us that is used for email marketing purposes, such as newsletters and other promotional emails. This information includes, but is not limited to, Your name and email. You can unsubscribe from any future communications via email, but We reserve the right to maintain a database of past email subscribers. We reserve the right to use this information as reasonably necessary in Our business and as provided by law. Your information may be shared with reasonably necessary parties for the ordinary course of conducting Our business. Data Breach Procedures We take all reasonable steps to protect Your personal data and keep Your information secure. We use recognized online secure payment systems and implement generally accepted standards of security to protect against personal data loss or misuse. However, no security measure is foolproof, and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against interception or misuse. We cannot guarantee complete security of any information You transmit to Us. By consenting to this Privacy Policy, You acknowledge that Your personal data may be available, via the internet, around the world. We cannot prevent the use or misuse of Your data by other parties. In the unlikely event customer data has been lost, stolen, or potentially compromised, Our practice is to alert Our customers via email no later than 72 hours after Our Company becomes aware of the event. We will also report such incidents to any required data protection authority. We will work closely with any customers affected to determine next steps such as any end-user notifications, needed patches, and how to avoid any similar event in the future. Notice to California Residents[TLP9] Residents of California may have certain rights regarding Your personal information under the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). If applicable, Company will provide You with the categories of personally identifiable information that is collected through this website and the categories of third-party entities with whom such personal information may be used at Your request. California law allows You to control who We can and cannot share your personal information with. To obtain any information You are entitled to under California law, please send a request by email to: info@terrihitt.com . There is no charge for requesting this information from Company. International Privacy and GDPR Disclaimer This website’s servers are located within the United States. Thus, if You are visiting this website from outside the United States, You agree that You are sending information to the United States. If you are a member of the EU, Your data is protected by appropriate safeguards, namely the EU-US Privacy Shield and GDPR. We are dedicated to remaining compliant with GDPR regulations when it comes to individuals it applies to. We will not track, sell, or otherwise use Your information unless You have opted-in to do so. You have the right to object to the processing of Your data at any time. Your information will not be shared with any third-parties in the EU. Your personal data is primarily used to provide You with the services and products You opt into. It may also be used to comply with legal obligations We are subject to or to fulfill Our legitimate interests, such as to develop and improve Our services or to detect illegal activities, or through contractual necessity. With Your prior consent, it may also be used to send You custom offers and promotions. You have several rights, including the right to request access to, change, or remove and delete Your personal data, or to change Your marketing preferences. To obtain any information You are entitled to under the GDPR, please send a request by email to: info@terrihitt.com . There is no charge for requesting this information from Company. How To Contact Us For any questions, or to request further information regarding this Privacy Policy or Our use and disclosure of collected personal information or data, please contact Us at: info@terrihitt.com

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #066 – Praying Scripture With Children Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Thank you for joining me for this conclusion to the prayer series this month. This final episode was actually unplanned, but I strongly felt the Lord urging me to add specific scripture verses to be prayed with children. Letting your child hear your heartfelt, genuine, and loving prayers lifted to God on their behalf coupled with them seeing you live a life that honors and praises God, despite the storm, while visibly seeking Him through His word daily has a mighty effect that lasts for eternity. I get several questions from mothers, often from parents of teens. The absolute best advice I can give is to begin teaching our children about Jesus from the instant you have them. Pray for them before they arrive, and never stop praying, even after they are grown. My heart yearns to help every mother see her need for Christ and encourage her deepen her personal walk with Him in such an obvious, intentional way that He overflows into the heart of her children. I want to impress the importance of shaping the heart and mind of our children and grandchildren so that they naturally chose Jesus over culture. Last week we learned verses and prayers crafted for us to pray for our family, spouse, and children. We discussed the truth that as we live with eternal perspective, our heart must beat in unison with God’s, stirring the hearts of our precious family members to do the same. The verses and prayers we discussed in Parts 2 and 3 of this series also help us to humbly approach God with reverence and honor. As I said in previous episodes, it is extremely important that we regularly and faithfully pray for our spouse and children. I sincerely desire that the verses and prayers mentioned in the preceding episodes will be used as is or as a framework for you to design prayers from your own heart. It is also my hope that the prayers crafted in this episode will be of eternal value for you and your family. There is absolutely nothing more important than shepherding our child to Christ. Through a loving lifestyle of maturing our walk with Him and exhibiting a faithful, growing relationship with Jesus, we are modeling an eternity-based mindset and instructing our children or grandchildren to rely on Him for all needs. We also show them how to build a healthy sense of esteem based on Christ and His purpose and desires for them. Praying scripture verses with our children or grandchildren builds awareness of God’s holy word and thought patterns and instills a healthy knowledge on which to build godly esteem. Let’s examine God’s promises and instructions through examination of His beautiful and holy words, but before we begin, I want to add a reminder that God’s word is perfect. Flawless. We do not want or need to add anything to it. What we are doing is using specific verses from God to use as the foundation of our prayers. This week we pray with our child present and participating in bowing before the Lord to petition for what He built in and desires for them. Repeating this practice of praying for our child with our child allows them the experience of hearing God’s word prayed over them and learning the importance of praying for others with God’s word. Our Father’s holy words become stitched into their spirit, binding the fabric of their emotions and feelings, thoughts and words, actions and desires with His truths. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” Let’s study several verses and use example prayers to lift to God with His words as the foundation. These are beautiful prayers to speak with your child present to hear the cries of our heart for him or her. Of course, you may add their name in the prayer in place of “he” or “she.” Father God, You alone are perfect. Your word is flawless. Help my child to seek You above all else in this world. I pray he understands that You are his refuge in this weary and broken world. Help him to rely on You. Just as we did in the earlier praying scripture episodes, think of qualities you feel the Lord calling you to specifically pray for your child. As every person is unique, each child has special gifts and talents, flaws and fears. You have been blessed with the exact children you have and as we know, God does not make mistakes. The Lord is calling you to surrender ego and pride as you kneel to Him to show you the way to the heart of your child. Allow God to guide you in discipling your child or grandchild for Jesus. Petition our Heavenly Father to show you the needs of your child and the ways you can pray. Eternity will arrive before any of us realize and the molding of your child’s soul is one of your most important responsibilities. Take each moment captive with all you can do to shepherd your child to God. Praying for specific areas and needs is of extreme importance. Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.” Most productive habits develop through daily or lifelong routines. After being established, we usually don’t even think of them as they become a necessary part of our life. Make this habit one that you do ponder as you continue maturing yourself to be the guide pointing your child to the perfect role model, Jesus. No prayers we release for our child will be a waste of time. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Father God, Your word is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, joint and marrow. Please use Your holy words to expose the innermost thoughts of my child and I. Show us where we need to release selfish desires and reveal to us how to do it. Make us alive with fresh hearts that seek Your ways and give You great joy. Let’s examine several prayers to be used for any child. 1 John 2:5 says, “But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him.” Dear Heavenly Father, Your perfect word tells me that those who obey it truly show You how completely You are loved. Show my child and I that we are authentically living in You. Give us a passion to please You and help us remain steadfast to a lifestyle of honor for You. John 8:47 says, “Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” Father, may my child gladly listen to You because he is a child of Jesus. Please help him commit his life to You and steadfastly remain in Your hands because his faith is strong and courageous. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” Father God, may my child always do his best to present himself as one approved by and for You. May he be a worker without shame as he obediently and faithfully handles Your word of truth in every area of his life. As I shared earlier, God knows the exact needs our children have. He yearns for us to run to Him for advice and direction. As our Heavenly Father desires for us to shepherd our precious children back to Him, He calls for us to allow Him to shepherd us. I encourage you to make a list for each of your children or grandchildren of the needs you know they have. Perhaps they need more confidence, a more godly heart, more courage, more understanding of God’s word, esteem built on God’s opinion of and design for him, etc. These will be the first verses you will want to lift to the Lord. An overarching general theme of spiritual needs will be next, as were the verses and prayers we spoke earlier. A few examples of prayers for specific qualities could be as follows: Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gracious Heavenly Father, there is none like You. Through Your merciful gift of Jesus and the Holy Spirit for all who believe in You, You have allowed us to live with the fruit of the Spirit. Please allow my child to possess a deep faith in You with an obedience and trust that allows them to carry love, joy, peace, and patience, as well as kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that comes from You alone. John 15:10-11 says, “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” Father, in Your goodness, You desire that I have Your joy. Please help my child to remain in Your love by keeping Your commandments with a loving, purposeful heart that desires You. Allow him to attract, treasure, and maintain Your joy always. Psalm 120:2 says, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.” Dear Heavenly Father, You are truth. Your holiness demands truth from Your people. Father, please guide my child in truth. May his lips flee from deceit. May his heart and mind desire truth as You do. Psalm 119:9-11 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Gracious Heavenly Father, please equip my child to keep his way pure by seeking You with his whole heart and guarding it according to Your holy and perfect word. Do not let him stray from Your commandments. May he never desire to sin against You for his faith is true and his devotion to You deep and pure. James 2:22 says, “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” Father God, our Gracious, Holy, Heavenly Father, by Your word we see that faith alone can justify us, yet faith never remains alone. Faith that is true always exists with acts. When our faith is true, we demonstrate it by the works You spur in our life. We understand that works do not save, but they are a loving and obedient response to the love and faith we have for You. Please enable my child to have a faith that multiples and is exhibited by works that please You in their purity and joy. Help my child to believe in and follow You more each day. I pray that these examples are a starting point for you to craft a lasting legacy of prayer with and for your child. I’d love to hear what you design specifically for your home and children or grandchildren. Together, we can all grow in depth and width of faith and devotion for our Lord. There is strength in believing the power of God’s holy words and promises to us. Gift your child with a mature faith that models the way Jesus showed us to live. Allow him to see the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit growing within you and permit them the honor of praying over them daily in their presence. It will become a sweet time of shared fellowship and a direct line to the throne of God you will both treasure. Titus 2:7-8 says, “In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed to have nothing bad to say about us.” Father God, please, in everything show me how to be an example of You for my children and grandchildren. Through your perfect words and Jesus’s model for us, may I show integrity, dignity, and wholesome speech that is above reproach so that my children and grandchildren are attracted to Your beauty and transforming power. May I never lead them astray. In Your precious name I pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this last podcast episode regarding praying scripture. I truly pray that it is a help to you in crafting a prayer life worthy of our perfect and holy Heavenly Father. I invite you to visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 066 Praying Scripture With Children Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #066 – Praying Scripture With Children Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Thank you for joining me for this conclusion to the prayer series this month. This final episode was actually unplanned, but I strongly felt the Lord urging me to add specific scripture verses to be prayed with children. Letting your child hear your heartfelt, genuine, and loving prayers lifted to God on their behalf coupled with them seeing you live a life that honors and praises God, despite the storm, while visibly seeking Him through His word daily has a mighty effect that lasts for eternity. I get several questions from mothers, often from parents of teens. The absolute best advice I can give is to begin teaching our children about Jesus from the instant you have them. Pray for them before they arrive, and never stop praying, even after they are grown. My heart yearns to help every mother see her need for Christ and encourage her deepen her personal walk with Him in such an obvious, intentional way that He overflows into the heart of her children. I want to impress the importance of shaping the heart and mind of our children and grandchildren so that they naturally chose Jesus over culture. Last week we learned verses and prayers crafted for us to pray for our family, spouse, and children. We discussed the truth that as we live with eternal perspective, our heart must beat in unison with God’s, stirring the hearts of our precious family members to do the same. The verses and prayers we discussed in Parts 2 and 3 of this series also help us to humbly approach God with reverence and honor. As I said in previous episodes, it is extremely important that we regularly and faithfully pray for our spouse and children. I sincerely desire that the verses and prayers mentioned in the preceding episodes will be used as is or as a framework for you to design prayers from your own heart. It is also my hope that the prayers crafted in this episode will be of eternal value for you and your family. There is absolutely nothing more important than shepherding our child to Christ. Through a loving lifestyle of maturing our walk with Him and exhibiting a faithful, growing relationship with Jesus, we are modeling an eternity-based mindset and instructing our children or grandchildren to rely on Him for all needs. We also show them how to build a healthy sense of esteem based on Christ and His purpose and desires for them. Praying scripture verses with our children or grandchildren builds awareness of God’s holy word and thought patterns and instills a healthy knowledge on which to build godly esteem. Let’s examine God’s promises and instructions through examination of His beautiful and holy words, but before we begin, I want to add a reminder that God’s word is perfect. Flawless. We do not want or need to add anything to it. What we are doing is using specific verses from God to use as the foundation of our prayers. This week we pray with our child present and participating in bowing before the Lord to petition for what He built in and desires for them. Repeating this practice of praying for our child with our child allows them the experience of hearing God’s word prayed over them and learning the importance of praying for others with God’s word. Our Father’s holy words become stitched into their spirit, binding the fabric of their emotions and feelings, thoughts and words, actions and desires with His truths. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” Let’s study several verses and use example prayers to lift to God with His words as the foundation. These are beautiful prayers to speak with your child present to hear the cries of our heart for him or her. Of course, you may add their name in the prayer in place of “he” or “she.” Father God, You alone are perfect. Your word is flawless. Help my child to seek You above all else in this world. I pray he understands that You are his refuge in this weary and broken world. Help him to rely on You. Just as we did in the earlier praying scripture episodes, think of qualities you feel the Lord calling you to specifically pray for your child. As every person is unique, each child has special gifts and talents, flaws and fears. You have been blessed with the exact children you have and as we know, God does not make mistakes. The Lord is calling you to surrender ego and pride as you kneel to Him to show you the way to the heart of your child. Allow God to guide you in discipling your child or grandchild for Jesus. Petition our Heavenly Father to show you the needs of your child and the ways you can pray. Eternity will arrive before any of us realize and the molding of your child’s soul is one of your most important responsibilities. Take each moment captive with all you can do to shepherd your child to God. Praying for specific areas and needs is of extreme importance. Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.” Most productive habits develop through daily or lifelong routines. After being established, we usually don’t even think of them as they become a necessary part of our life. Make this habit one that you do ponder as you continue maturing yourself to be the guide pointing your child to the perfect role model, Jesus. No prayers we release for our child will be a waste of time. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Father God, Your word is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, joint and marrow. Please use Your holy words to expose the innermost thoughts of my child and I. Show us where we need to release selfish desires and reveal to us how to do it. Make us alive with fresh hearts that seek Your ways and give You great joy. Let’s examine several prayers to be used for any child. 1 John 2:5 says, “But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him.” Dear Heavenly Father, Your perfect word tells me that those who obey it truly show You how completely You are loved. Show my child and I that we are authentically living in You. Give us a passion to please You and help us remain steadfast to a lifestyle of honor for You. John 8:47 says, “Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” Father, may my child gladly listen to You because he is a child of Jesus. Please help him commit his life to You and steadfastly remain in Your hands because his faith is strong and courageous. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” Father God, may my child always do his best to present himself as one approved by and for You. May he be a worker without shame as he obediently and faithfully handles Your word of truth in every area of his life. As I shared earlier, God knows the exact needs our children have. He yearns for us to run to Him for advice and direction. As our Heavenly Father desires for us to shepherd our precious children back to Him, He calls for us to allow Him to shepherd us. I encourage you to make a list for each of your children or grandchildren of the needs you know they have. Perhaps they need more confidence, a more godly heart, more courage, more understanding of God’s word, esteem built on God’s opinion of and design for him, etc. These will be the first verses you will want to lift to the Lord. An overarching general theme of spiritual needs will be next, as were the verses and prayers we spoke earlier. A few examples of prayers for specific qualities could be as follows: Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gracious Heavenly Father, there is none like You. Through Your merciful gift of Jesus and the Holy Spirit for all who believe in You, You have allowed us to live with the fruit of the Spirit. Please allow my child to possess a deep faith in You with an obedience and trust that allows them to carry love, joy, peace, and patience, as well as kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that comes from You alone. John 15:10-11 says, “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” Father, in Your goodness, You desire that I have Your joy. Please help my child to remain in Your love by keeping Your commandments with a loving, purposeful heart that desires You. Allow him to attract, treasure, and maintain Your joy always. Psalm 120:2 says, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.” Dear Heavenly Father, You are truth. Your holiness demands truth from Your people. Father, please guide my child in truth. May his lips flee from deceit. May his heart and mind desire truth as You do. Psalm 119:9-11 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Gracious Heavenly Father, please equip my child to keep his way pure by seeking You with his whole heart and guarding it according to Your holy and perfect word. Do not let him stray from Your commandments. May he never desire to sin against You for his faith is true and his devotion to You deep and pure. James 2:22 says, “You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” Father God, our Gracious, Holy, Heavenly Father, by Your word we see that faith alone can justify us, yet faith never remains alone. Faith that is true always exists with acts. When our faith is true, we demonstrate it by the works You spur in our life. We understand that works do not save, but they are a loving and obedient response to the love and faith we have for You. Please enable my child to have a faith that multiples and is exhibited by works that please You in their purity and joy. Help my child to believe in and follow You more each day. I pray that these examples are a starting point for you to craft a lasting legacy of prayer with and for your child. I’d love to hear what you design specifically for your home and children or grandchildren. Together, we can all grow in depth and width of faith and devotion for our Lord. There is strength in believing the power of God’s holy words and promises to us. Gift your child with a mature faith that models the way Jesus showed us to live. Allow him to see the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit growing within you and permit them the honor of praying over them daily in their presence. It will become a sweet time of shared fellowship and a direct line to the throne of God you will both treasure. Titus 2:7-8 says, “In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed to have nothing bad to say about us.” Father God, please, in everything show me how to be an example of You for my children and grandchildren. Through your perfect words and Jesus’s model for us, may I show integrity, dignity, and wholesome speech that is above reproach so that my children and grandchildren are attracted to Your beauty and transforming power. May I never lead them astray. In Your precious name I pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this last podcast episode regarding praying scripture. I truly pray that it is a help to you in crafting a prayer life worthy of our perfect and holy Heavenly Father. I invite you to visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 091 - Ten Ways to Get Your Child to Listen Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 091 – Ten Ways to Get Your Child to Listen Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children, equipping you to become a set-apart woman and mother. I often repeat myself when I talk to my youngest daughter if she’s not wearing her hearing aid. Because she’s deaf in one ear and almost deaf in the other, that hearing aid is a necessity. For a very long time, my daughter didn’t want to wear it. Finally, she realized how much it helps her to hear, understand, and respond to life much more easily. However, sometimes children can clearly hear , but don’t listen . There are various reasons your children may fail to respond when you speak, but I’ll share four of the most common. 1. Kids like the feeling of being in control . When they purposely don’t listen, they’re likely asserting control. The ability to “shut you out” gives them that feeling of control. 2. Kids are often too busy . What they value more than your directives are the thoughts pressing in their mind. 3. Kids can be overscheduled . When schedules are tight, focus on you is limited or divided. 4. Kids move fast . If you have a busy family with lots of coming and going, it can be difficult to catch what you say. Now that I’ve shared some of the most common reasons your children may not listen , I’ll share ten ways to attract their attention and help them hear what you say. 1. Responsibility –Parents often make demands instead of directing their children in the way they desire them to act. Instead of hurriedly tossing words your child perceives as a demand, make your directives clear, but respectful. When the task is something your child should know to do, yet isn’t consistent, ask your child what their plan is for the chore they need to complete. Kids appreciate the opportunity to share their thoughts and accept responsibility. Giving them an option for the order of duties or a time limit on the task allows them to have some control and accept responsibility for the action. 2. Comprehension – Humans, whether young or old, need a chance for our brain to comprehend what we have been instructed. When you stop to ask your children to narrate back what you have required of them, you help them build stronger brain pathways and ensure they hear and understand your instructions. 3. Eye Contact – When you purposely connect with eye contact, you ensure your children notice you are speaking to them . Stand at a level you can meet their eyes and touch their shoulder or arm as you speak. 4. Trust – When you make requests, show that you trust they will complete your instructions by thanking your child in advance. Thank them again after the chore is completed. 5. Keep it Short – Don’t set your children up to fail by shooting ten commands at them at one time. Keep requests simple and age appropriate. Offer your directives clearly by using the points already mentioned in this episode. Depending on the age of your children, chore lists may also be used. 6. Options – When the tables are turned and your child is asking you for something, don’t automatically respond with a “no” that sets your child up to become frustrated and stop listening. Instead, make a suggestion that allows them to participate in planning and also gives them a feeling of control. “That doesn’t work today, but how about Sunday?” or “We’ve already made plans for today, but that sounds like something fun. Would you rather do that Friday or Saturday?” are good options . Use what works best in your family and with your children. 7. Clarity – Instead of saying, “Don’t leave your dirty clothes on the floor again,” you can give a directive such as, “I put the hamper in your room for those dirty clothes.” Your reminder will clearly come across without resorting to nagging. 8. Be Quiet – If you want your child to hear, sometimes you need to speak more quietly . When you yell commands, you automatically set your child up for a negative feeling and response. A quiet voice offers respect and should receive the same with practiced use. 9. Kindness – Instead of saying, “you always,” or “you never,” treat your children as you desire to be treated. Set them up to succeed with joy and connection to you and the family. 10. Praise – When you child completes the tasks you have assigned, praise them for listening well and obeying you with respect. It is my hope that some of these suggestions will enable your child to develop better listening skills and for your communication together to be stronger . Isn’t it humbling to know that the closer we become to God through our walk with Christ, the stronger our parenting skills become? Let God be the leader in your home and heart as you prayerfully and purposely raise each child to know and honor Him. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your lovingkindness. Thank you for the hope and joy You give us through the children You have entrusted to us. You are the Great I Am, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, yet You know each of us personally and love us with an everlasting love. Help us to heed Your whispers in our spirit as we raise our children in ways that honor You. Help them to listen and obey us with respect and joy because they love, honor, and obey You. Fill our hearts with godly insight for each child in our care. Help us to see and love them as You do. Make our homes a place of rest and respect. Thank you that we are always welcome in Your mighty presence. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face. That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will deepen your walk with Christ. You’ll learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. Send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a no obligation, strategic 15 minute call to chat about your needs to see if the program is a right fit for you. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. If you’re ready to invest in the future of your children, contact me at info@terrihitt.com for more details or visit terrihitt.com/setapart. Because you are a podcast listener, let me know you heard about the special price I’m offering you. I seriously want you to experience results and live a set-apart life with a set-apart family. Instead of a $997 value, I’ll give you a discount code that enables you to pay only $247. If you are serious about parenting with eternal perspective and raising children to chase Christ over culture, I’m making this very affordable and easy to do. If you appreciated this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference in whether people are able to find the podcast. Also, you and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so please choose a friend to recommend the show to. Imagine the changes we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #037 – Time For a Meltdown Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Four years ago today, my precious youngest daughter underwent her second open heart surgery. Because she has a unique heart that holds several defects in the physical way it works, this surgery was the only procedure she could have. Although it did not heal her heart, she gained more time and a greater quality of life on this earth. This past weekend I was remembering a time we went shopping not long before she was to be admitted for this life-changing operation. We had done our best to prepare our sweet girl, but since she had only been with us one year, there were still gaps in communicating information. As usual, we used words, pantomimes, and drawings to get information across to her, which worked most of the time, but understanding the depth of what she was about to undergo was difficult. Plus, she only had her first experience in China to compare to. It was not the best experience. On that particular day, I dropped Marissa off at dance, then drove to the nearest Target to run a needed shopping errand I wanted to complete before it was time to return for her. We were on a tight schedule and I told Brooklyn what we were doing because when time is tight, she appreciates the warning. She always balked when plans were not clear to her, but was very accommodating when she knew what was going to happen next. Brooklyn seemed perfectly fine with our plan, and asked if we could look at the toys while we were in the store. She liked that I usually shopped for the needed items first, then let her peruse the toy section before leaving. “Sure,” I told her. “We’ll look before we go back to get Marissa.” Letting Brooklyn look around the toy department is usually not a problem, and everything went well in the store until she found a toy she liked. She knows we don’t purchase toys at every visit to the store, and she usually doesn’t ask for things, but on this day, a Nerf-styled dart gun caught her attention and she did not want to put the item down. I reminded her that we were not going to buy a toy that day. Plus, it was something she didn’t usually ask for. Legos are her style, and she didn’t even give them much attention that day. No reasoning with her or denials penetrated her desire for the cheap piece of plastic that would end up on our floor at home, forgotten and neglected. This gun, a weapon of destruction in battles was forming a war between mother and child and I could see that neither of us would escape without wounds. Now in tears, my girl very hesitantly went with me to the check-out lane to purchase our items and get back to dance to pick up Marissa on time. I knew deep in my heart that this meltdown was not about a dart gun. Fear was boiling up from her carefully controlled exterior. Her surgery was a few days away and she was looking for any sense of control that she could find. My youngest cried all the way to get her sister and on the way home afterwards. Because of the tight schedule we were on, I did not have time to stop and stay in the parking lot to cradle or talk to her. After picking her sister up, I just wanted to get home, get out of the car, and comfort her. I can remember taking time to try to talk a little when we got in the car at Target, but she was too keyed up at the time. We had to wait to get home. By then, she had cried long enough that she could finish at home and begin to regulate as the cycle began to break. I remember later rocking with her and talking about the real reason she was so upset and how we were going to handle those big, scary emotions and fears about the upcoming surgery. How brave she was. How trusting. At the time she did not know Jesus as her Savior. She had heard about Him through the past year with us, but was just learning, step by step as a toddler would, about the man who now helps guide her thoughts and actions. She did not yet have the reassurance and faith to give her cares to Him. How often we each find ways to cope with struggles inside us without fully releasing them to the only One who can bring us true peace or healing. We hide fears and other emotions that eventually affect our relationships with others, as well as hindering our faith journey. How large our fears and anxiety can grow when we carry it alone. We have a way to leave our burdens elsewhere. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Matthew 10:29-31 says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” God cares about absolutely everything weighing on our heart and in our life. He simply calls for us to humble ourselves and come before, leaving our pains and stresses, our worries and anxieties at His feet and in His hands. He truly is working in ways we cannot see or hear, cannot think of or comprehend. The depth of God’s love, so immeasurable that he sent His only Son for us cannot be understood by our human mind. Yet, when we think of the width and depth of the love we carry for our children or spouses, we can begin to understand a portion of what God feels for us. I don’t know what weights drag you down or cause you suffering or grief, but God does. I can only tell you how sorry I am for what you have and are experiencing. The pain of this world is horrendous. But God has offered us an escape for eternity and in this moment. Jesus weeps when we weep. He dances with joy when we experience delight. He has experienced every emotion we feel and understands every single thought. We are never alone. Verses from Song of Solomon 8:6-7 remind me of His exceedingly great love. “Set me as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it.” A most vehement flame cannot be extinguished. True love penetrates beyond feelings, cannot be washed away, is not scared away, and never leaves us. When we stand face to face with Christ one day, love will remain. His love will bring us home to a place He designed for us in heaven. 1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” When we are living with Jesus one day, we will see Him face-to-face and will no longer live with faith as we do here, for we will eternally be with Him. Hope will cease as we realize all we hoped for is in front of and with us. Love will remain as we live with Jesus daily without the stain or taint of sin that corrupts the world we are now in. Love is the greatest virtue, and our Heavenly Father has given, and modeled perfect, everlasting love for us. This year has been so unsure for most. Despite the struggles our family has faced through unexpected changes, it has also been a mighty blessing. Every obstacle is an opportunity to lift up our heart to heaven in new ways and let God have the freedom to work His way in our life. Instead of seeing this year as cruel, as filled with doom, I see it as one of the best years I’ve seen. We each have the choice to measure the blessings or the hardships as greater. Which do you want to guide your life? Just as my precious, frightened girl feared the unknown she couldn't escape, we each have hardships and triggers that cause us to choose panic and fear over our life journey or to lift our gaze to the only One who can offer release and peace. Remember Jesus as you face challenges and let His love be refreshed in you this week. Seek Him. Find Him. Rejoice in Him. Allow God to help you see the meaning in, or to simply trust Him for what happens in your life. Moment by moment. Despite circumstances swirling in the media and our culture or society today, persist in looking Up and be guided and calmed by Him. None of what we do matters in this world, unless it is done with and for Him. Thrust your faith roots deeper into the fertile soil God is crafting in your heart. May we all have a meltdown in our thoughts and heart as we allow ourselves to loosen earthly binds and remove shackles we place on ourselves. Let us release our ties to the nonsense of this world. May we crave what Jesus calls for us and please Him more and more as we lift our eyes and intentions to Him, seeking and grasping what only He can offer. Father God, we thank You for every trial and hardship we have faced as individuals and as a nation this year. We praise You for Your perfect timing and know that as we trust in and rely more on You that You will turn our nation into a country of believers who set our eyes and intentions on following Your commandments. Grow our desire to be more like Jesus. Let us shine You in this increasingly darker world, Lord, attracting others to You, not ourselves. Turn our hearts toward You and help us to love You, Father, with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. Help us to keep and treasure Your words in our hearts, thoughts, and intentions. May we teach them diligently to our children, and talk of them when we sit in our house, walk by the way, lie down, and when we rise up. Thank you for patiently waiting for us to allow You to handle our burdens just as You care for the sparrows. One need at a time. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 037 Time For A Meltdown Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #037 – Time For a Meltdown Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Four years ago today, my precious youngest daughter underwent her second open heart surgery. Because she has a unique heart that holds several defects in the physical way it works, this surgery was the only procedure she could have. Although it did not heal her heart, she gained more time and a greater quality of life on this earth. This past weekend I was remembering a time we went shopping not long before she was to be admitted for this life-changing operation. We had done our best to prepare our sweet girl, but since she had only been with us one year, there were still gaps in communicating information. As usual, we used words, pantomimes, and drawings to get information across to her, which worked most of the time, but understanding the depth of what she was about to undergo was difficult. Plus, she only had her first experience in China to compare to. It was not the best experience. On that particular day, I dropped Marissa off at dance, then drove to the nearest Target to run a needed shopping errand I wanted to complete before it was time to return for her. We were on a tight schedule and I told Brooklyn what we were doing because when time is tight, she appreciates the warning. She always balked when plans were not clear to her, but was very accommodating when she knew what was going to happen next. Brooklyn seemed perfectly fine with our plan, and asked if we could look at the toys while we were in the store. She liked that I usually shopped for the needed items first, then let her peruse the toy section before leaving. “Sure,” I told her. “We’ll look before we go back to get Marissa.” Letting Brooklyn look around the toy department is usually not a problem, and everything went well in the store until she found a toy she liked. She knows we don’t purchase toys at every visit to the store, and she usually doesn’t ask for things, but on this day, a Nerf-styled dart gun caught her attention and she did not want to put the item down. I reminded her that we were not going to buy a toy that day. Plus, it was something she didn’t usually ask for. Legos are her style, and she didn’t even give them much attention that day. No reasoning with her or denials penetrated her desire for the cheap piece of plastic that would end up on our floor at home, forgotten and neglected. This gun, a weapon of destruction in battles was forming a war between mother and child and I could see that neither of us would escape without wounds. Now in tears, my girl very hesitantly went with me to the check-out lane to purchase our items and get back to dance to pick up Marissa on time. I knew deep in my heart that this meltdown was not about a dart gun. Fear was boiling up from her carefully controlled exterior. Her surgery was a few days away and she was looking for any sense of control that she could find. My youngest cried all the way to get her sister and on the way home afterwards. Because of the tight schedule we were on, I did not have time to stop and stay in the parking lot to cradle or talk to her. After picking her sister up, I just wanted to get home, get out of the car, and comfort her. I can remember taking time to try to talk a little when we got in the car at Target, but she was too keyed up at the time. We had to wait to get home. By then, she had cried long enough that she could finish at home and begin to regulate as the cycle began to break. I remember later rocking with her and talking about the real reason she was so upset and how we were going to handle those big, scary emotions and fears about the upcoming surgery. How brave she was. How trusting. At the time she did not know Jesus as her Savior. She had heard about Him through the past year with us, but was just learning, step by step as a toddler would, about the man who now helps guide her thoughts and actions. She did not yet have the reassurance and faith to give her cares to Him. How often we each find ways to cope with struggles inside us without fully releasing them to the only One who can bring us true peace or healing. We hide fears and other emotions that eventually affect our relationships with others, as well as hindering our faith journey. How large our fears and anxiety can grow when we carry it alone. We have a way to leave our burdens elsewhere. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Matthew 10:29-31 says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” God cares about absolutely everything weighing on our heart and in our life. He simply calls for us to humble ourselves and come before, leaving our pains and stresses, our worries and anxieties at His feet and in His hands. He truly is working in ways we cannot see or hear, cannot think of or comprehend. The depth of God’s love, so immeasurable that he sent His only Son for us cannot be understood by our human mind. Yet, when we think of the width and depth of the love we carry for our children or spouses, we can begin to understand a portion of what God feels for us. I don’t know what weights drag you down or cause you suffering or grief, but God does. I can only tell you how sorry I am for what you have and are experiencing. The pain of this world is horrendous. But God has offered us an escape for eternity and in this moment. Jesus weeps when we weep. He dances with joy when we experience delight. He has experienced every emotion we feel and understands every single thought. We are never alone. Verses from Song of Solomon 8:6-7 remind me of His exceedingly great love. “Set me as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it.” A most vehement flame cannot be extinguished. True love penetrates beyond feelings, cannot be washed away, is not scared away, and never leaves us. When we stand face to face with Christ one day, love will remain. His love will bring us home to a place He designed for us in heaven. 1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” When we are living with Jesus one day, we will see Him face-to-face and will no longer live with faith as we do here, for we will eternally be with Him. Hope will cease as we realize all we hoped for is in front of and with us. Love will remain as we live with Jesus daily without the stain or taint of sin that corrupts the world we are now in. Love is the greatest virtue, and our Heavenly Father has given, and modeled perfect, everlasting love for us. This year has been so unsure for most. Despite the struggles our family has faced through unexpected changes, it has also been a mighty blessing. Every obstacle is an opportunity to lift up our heart to heaven in new ways and let God have the freedom to work His way in our life. Instead of seeing this year as cruel, as filled with doom, I see it as one of the best years I’ve seen. We each have the choice to measure the blessings or the hardships as greater. Which do you want to guide your life? Just as my precious, frightened girl feared the unknown she couldn't escape, we each have hardships and triggers that cause us to choose panic and fear over our life journey or to lift our gaze to the only One who can offer release and peace. Remember Jesus as you face challenges and let His love be refreshed in you this week. Seek Him. Find Him. Rejoice in Him. Allow God to help you see the meaning in, or to simply trust Him for what happens in your life. Moment by moment. Despite circumstances swirling in the media and our culture or society today, persist in looking Up and be guided and calmed by Him. None of what we do matters in this world, unless it is done with and for Him. Thrust your faith roots deeper into the fertile soil God is crafting in your heart. May we all have a meltdown in our thoughts and heart as we allow ourselves to loosen earthly binds and remove shackles we place on ourselves. Let us release our ties to the nonsense of this world. May we crave what Jesus calls for us and please Him more and more as we lift our eyes and intentions to Him, seeking and grasping what only He can offer. Father God, we thank You for every trial and hardship we have faced as individuals and as a nation this year. We praise You for Your perfect timing and know that as we trust in and rely more on You that You will turn our nation into a country of believers who set our eyes and intentions on following Your commandments. Grow our desire to be more like Jesus. Let us shine You in this increasingly darker world, Lord, attracting others to You, not ourselves. Turn our hearts toward You and help us to love You, Father, with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. Help us to keep and treasure Your words in our hearts, thoughts, and intentions. May we teach them diligently to our children, and talk of them when we sit in our house, walk by the way, lie down, and when we rise up. Thank you for patiently waiting for us to allow You to handle our burdens just as You care for the sparrows. One need at a time. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 088 - The Truth About Affirmations Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 088 – The Truth About Affirmations Thank you for taking time to share your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children. I have some questions for you to ponder as we start the episode today. What do you do when you desire change in your life? Where is the first place you seek to find direction? What gives you strength? Where do you find hope that change can occur? Many people turn to a popular source of hope for change. Affirmations are often used in today’s society. Many coaches, speakers, and influencers recommend their use for daily life and business success. You may wonder what affirmations are. I think an easy description is that affirmations are a method that some people use to change beliefs or behaviors. Affirmations can be written or spoken and are to be used as if they are “already happening.” Some examples would be: “I am successful in my career” or “I attract wealth.” As people use affirmations they create or choose, the written or spoken word is meant to “reprogram” the mind, encourage, and change beliefs or actions about self, life, business, finances, and so on. Affirmations are believed to alter thoughts and actions as they attract what the user desires. Affirmations may be popular, but as I describe them, do you think they sound biblical? As you listen, can you see that they actually sound secular? A word like “attract” is more often a “New Age” term and should alert believers to beware. As we continue this episode, ask God to give you discernment as to whether you should be using affirmations. I’ll show you why I think He calls us to another source. Scripture is very clear that Christians don’t carry transformative power, except for that of the Holy Spirit alive within us. So why would we believe that speaking affirmations that are simply words and thoughts coming from human experiences, beliefs, and desires would be worth repeating in an effort to manifest change ? Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it ?” Romans 8:7 says, “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so .” Some proponents of speaking affirmations believe that using them “raises vibrations” or “channels abundance.” Again, this is stepping into New Age terminology and beliefs that are in opposition to God and His Word. Others in favor of using affirmations may believe they’re using positivity to create changes within themselves. They use the affirmations as visual reminders of their goals, prompts to remember goals, encouragement to get there, or inspiration to promote change. When you begin to use affirmations, you learn that there are guidelines – or rules as to how to correctly apply affirmations, such as when and how to use them. As followers of Christ, we have been set free of worldly rules of this type. In fact, we must remember that Scripture offers the best guide for creating desired changes in words, behavior, actions, and successes. You don’t need to chant or write words a certain number of times or get caught up in remembering to recite those affirmations daily. Users of affirmations insist they seem to work. I think the mind is pliable and feeds from the positivity and consistency. However, I also believe that affirmations pose a danger in swaying a person to rely on self instead of Savior . The Bible clearly warns believers against self-reliance. As users repeat the practice of claiming affirmations there is increasing reliance on self and decreasing dependance on God. That is not a safe place for any Christian. Let’s back up a bit and start as I often do by finding the meaning of the word affirm . The word is used “to state or assert positively .” Another definition is to “maintain a true .” Simply making a statement and believing it to be true isn’t as impactful or lasting as prayerful consideration of what God calls you to do - or relying on Him to shift your thoughts, actions, reactions, or circumstances. If you’re a user of affirmations, please don’t shut out what I am saying. Would you please prayerfully consider the message I am delivering? As believers, Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight .” Rely on God to “affirm” you, your future, and what you can or should do. Scripture is clear that you are instructed to take thoughts captive for Christ. In fact, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ .” Scripture is both your offense and defense . We know from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is the source of the Word . 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ” You can trust God’s powerful, holy Word. Through it, you are equipped for every good work. Just what is a good work ? What you discern from following God through a maturing walk with Jesus and prayerful consideration of His voice and will . 2 Peter 1:20-21 says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit .” Scripture proves that not even prophets could trust self. They were merely humans who spoke from God as the Holy Spirit moved within them. The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is Truth , as God is Truth . The Holy Spirit always works in accordance with Scripture, never contradictory. Since the Word comes from the Source of the Holy Spirit it is the very breath and life of God. Spoken word (and breath) was used by God to create the world, the universe, you and me. Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible .” What power comes from God and His word! In Ephesians 6:17 , we read, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God .” Using this image of the sword of the Spirit, we better understand that the strength we hold comes directly from God . As Ephesians speaks of the sword, remember that this is a deadly weapon used in war. The imagery used in this verse reminds us again of the mightiness of God and His Word. Proverbs 18:21a says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue .” Great good or destructive harm can be achieved through the tongue. When you speak affirmations you are choosing to affirm life or death. Anything not based on God’s truth is speaking death. Anything based on power of self over Savior carries deception and death. Do you remember Jesus’s reaction when confronted by Satan in the desert? Scripture was the weapon He used with strength and success . Jesus didn’t bargain with the devil or speak positive affirmations. He went straight to the source of wisdom and power. God’s Holy Word . The best defense you and I can employ in this world is to use Scripture as Jesus did. Our Savior didn’t need to fight or look to self. The Word did all He needed. Just as it does for you and me. Our offense is also the Word. As Scripture is used in preaching, coaching, and counseling we recognize power purposed by our sovereign and holy Heavenly Father as He prepares us to rely on His strength and skill. In a culture increasingly falling away from Christ, we must recognize and resist the pull to affirm self . Dare to deepen your faith and consistently proclaim God’s Word as the foundation of Truth on which to build your basis of identity, morality, or change. As you stand on the Word of God as foundational for your thoughts, dreams, and desires and speak His Words as truth over situations, Satan gains zero foothold over your mind, words, or actions. Instead, you move ever closer to the One who created you, defines you, and loves you with an everlasting source of love, hope, and truth. Seek more of Him and less of self, regardless of what this world may instruct. You will begin to recognize the dreams He planted deep within you when you were created. You will accomplish much more than you can imagine or hope for. How can we think that our words hold power to transform? It is nothing more than pride . Do you see the obedience and power in using God’s Word? When people rely on affirmations made by self , they fall victim to this verse from 2 Corinthians 4:4 which says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Instead believer, remember John 1:3 which says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” God is the expert on you. He knows the dreams built within you that you may not have even discovered yet. Build your walk with Him through Christ and seek His thoughts on what to affirm in your life through His holy Word, through prayer, and through relationship with Him. Allow Scripture, not affirmations, to be the force that rewires your brain pathways and changes your outlook, desires, and actions . Using Scripture is easy. Start with several verses from the Bible. Turn those lines into words you can use to affirm truth, power, and strength from God in your life. First, I’ll read the Scripture as it is in the Bible, then using inspiration from that verse, I’ll craft biblical affirmations of God’s truth as examples for you to use and to begin building additional statements for you to use. I love calling these Scripture Statements . 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God .” Statement : God is my comforter through any tribulation. He gives me assurance and ability to comfort others in trouble using the comfort and strength He gives to me. 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God .” Statement: Through God I am competent to claim excellence. Psalm 116:1-2 says, “I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. ” Statement: God hears every one of my prayers. Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart .” Statement: I delight in the Lord! He knows the true desires of my heart and will give me all I need. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble .” Statement: God is my refuge and strength. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You .” Statement: I have no fear, because I trust in the Lord. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus .” Statement: God’s peace is far above my understanding, and He is the one guarding my heart and mind. Colossians 2:10 says, “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Statement: I am complete in every way through God, the head of all principality and power. 2 Corinthians 12:10 says, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong .” Statement: Because of Christ, I delight in weaknesses and difficulties because my strength is complete in Him. Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland .” Statement: No matter my past, I am renewed through Christ! Through God, I have a new way of life and desires. Psalm 94:19 says, “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my sou l.” Statement: God comforts and delights my heart and soul. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight .” Statement: I don’t care what this world brings. I live by faith in the Lord, not by sight. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go .” Statement: I am strong and courageous because the Lord is with me wherever I go. Do you see the power God gives you through His Word and the Holy Spirit within you? Don’t disobediently rely on man-made words to attempt change in your life. Instead, seek God first and use the power He has gifted you in supernatural, holy ways. Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are! We praise You for giving us the gift of Your Holy Word and the strength and guidance You provide to us through it. Father, help us remember to rely on Scripture rather than self. Help us to call on our Savior over self. Help us have your discernment and wisdom. Enable us to discern with Your insight when we are moving away from You or following worldly methods. Bring us back to You and Your will and ways. Help us utilize Your Word as the foundation for our beliefs and identity. Help us craft change in our life because we rely on Scripture and call on Your mighty power. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you’re a working mom inside or outside the home and need an easy way to begin teaching your babies, toddlers, or preschoolers about Jesus, send me an email at info@terrihitt.com . I’m currently working on a devotional to bring your children to the feet of Jesus early. Let me know you’re interested, and I’ll let you know how to receive a copy. Also, you may have heard me talk about the Set-Apart Collective often in this podcast. Why do I share it so often? I know the program works. Through 8 weeks of one-on-one and group coaching, along with Scripturally-based materials I provide, you will complete 8 steps that include the following: Seek God First, Establish Identity, Teach Truth, A Set-Apart Woman, Parent Set-Apart Kids, Arm for Battle, Relationships, and Training. What you learn and solidify in your personal life will directly affect the way you serve God and parent for Him. It will help you construct godly confidence and esteem through Christ in your children. Whether you’re expecting or your kids are out of the house, I guarantee that the work you do in this collective will carry you closer to Christ and your children. If you’re ready to invest in the future of yourself and your children, contact me at info@terrihitt.com for more details or visit terrihitt.com/setapart. Because you are a podcast listener, let me know you heard about the special price I’m offering you. I seriously want you to experience results and live a set-apart life with a set-apart family. Instead of a $997 value, I’ll give you a discount code that enables you to pay only $247. If you are serious about parenting with eternal perspective and raising children to chase Christ over culture, I’m making this very affordable and easy to do. Why? Because supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. If you’ve decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child and you desire to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, the Set-Apart Collective, will deepen your walk with Christ. You’ll learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective is open now. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a 15 minute call to see whether it would be a good fit for you. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, it only takes a minute to leave a rating and review. I’m asking you to please do that. It makes it easier for others to find the podcast. Since you and I know that the most trusted recommendations are by word of mouth, would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 130 - Are You Living With Eternal Perspective? Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 130 – Are You Living With Eternal Perspective? Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom so you can BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you’ll be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode that poses an important question: Are you living with eternal perspective? 1 John 2:25 says, “And this is the promise that He made to us—eternal life .” Eternal life. Forever Alive. No death. It’s impossible for our human mind to grasp the depth, the mercy, or the holiness of this promise. We cannot comprehend all that God has in store for those of us who humbly love Him, and follow Him with humble faith, love, and obedience. So many believers hear the words eternity, eternal life, or live with eternal perspective and have a moment of gratitude for the gift God promises. Yet, how many of us actually grasp those words and apply them to daily living? What does it even mean to purpose to live with a perspective beyond self and this world? 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life .” When many people imagine the end of their life, they hope for something good. Christians can be certain of life with Christ in eternity, but we only have our limited human understanding of what it might be like. In fact, 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Some people don’t want to dwell long on thoughts about life after death because they begin to feel depressed or anxious. But hallelujah ! Because of Jesus, we can be assured of life eternal with Him and that it will be far beyond our miniscule expectations. The promise I read from 1 Corinthians 2:9 isn’t based on how we feel or what we hope for, but on God’s truth . If you have confessed and committed your life to Christ, you can rest in assurance through faith that you will have eternal life with Jesus. How beautiful that life will be…more exquisite than words can convey when you sit and really soak that promise in and take it to heart. As a long-time believer, I thought I was living with eternal perspective when my oldest daughter passed away. I already had a close, maturing relationship with God through Jesus. I loved Him, served Him, honored, and obeyed Him. Yet, when my beautiful child died unexpectedly at the age of twenty-nine, my life was forever altered. Suddenly one of my children was gone. She was living somewhere else - without me. She was in another place – somewhere I couldn’t go to visit her. She had moved into her eternal home. Never again would I see her gorgeous, light up a room smile. I’d never get to hug her again. I’d never share another conversation, listen to her musical laugh, and I’d never hear her witty jokes, funny thoughts, or get to offer her advice. Because I was so young when I had my firstborn, we used to tease that we’d grow old together. My heart squeezed with pain that she was gone before me and I wasn’t able to say an intentional last goodbye and hold her so tightly God would let her stay. My precious daughter was simply immediately gone . It was then that I understood living with one foot here on earth, and one firmly planted in Heaven. This is where God has me for now. One day it will be my time to go to be with Him forever in eternity. Right after my hug from Jesus, I want to see and hug my girl. Her death made me realize with surety that everything in this life is temporary, and begin to live like it. With one foot here and one foot creating a bridge to where my Jesus and my Jaime reside, I immediately changed my thought and living patterns. I don’t waste moments – each one carries a lesson or opportunity to grow in Him or nurture another for Him. Each moment is captive for Christ. I’m still far from perfect, but seek His perfect guidance moment by moment as I rest and abide in the Father’s arms. Are you living like I used to? Do you think you’re experiencing each moment with a perspective beyond this world? Or are you going through the motions of life just “believing in eternity” without the effects of seeing how thin the veil between worlds is? Are you living without intention that shows the Father you’re using the time He’s allotted for you with purpose for Him? There are four beautiful verses that offer hope, truth, and assurance for us now and in the future. Let me share them now. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few .” Jesus stressed that He knows how difficult it is to stay focused on following Him. Represented by the two gates are the two choices each person must face. Will you purpose to faithfully and intentionally follow Jesus or something else? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ” This verse captures truth about God’s plan. Who would sacrifice their beloved son? But God’s plans are never what we expect, yet somehow they are exactly what we need, even before we know or carry the ability to understand. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them .” Believers are not saved by our works, but we have been saved for the good works He will accomplish through us. As we mature our personal relationship and grow a godly lifestyle through maturing our Christian walk, the works are an outgrowth, an extension of Christ within us as He works through our humble, obedient spirit. John 14:1-3 says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also .” In these precious words from Jesus, we find assurance that our way to eternal life is secure . If your hope and faith are in Him, you can trust that He has personally prepared your way to and in life eternal. Jesus didn’t give specific details, but with faith, we don’t need them. Our trust is in Him and our future is with Him . Obviously, the promise of eternal life isn’t based on our works, but on His Word and His sacrificial act. Why wait for eternity to begin claiming this gift? You and I can live for eternity in the present. Right now. In ways that honor and please Christ. Jesus lived with His heart and mind fixed on eternity – not this world. This place was a temporary holding ground that enabled Him to fulfill the purpose God held for Him. How do you view this world? Do you live for fleshly desires or to fulfill God’s will? Do you live with your eyes fixed above, knowing Jesus could return at any moment? Do you live with a heart that longs to please your Heavenly Father? Do you live with a mind that honors and dwells on thoughts pleasing to God? Or are you getting through each day without grasping the significance of the moments you’ve been granted? Are you holding moments loosely and allowing the Father to craft them into the purpose He desires? Are you teaching your children to do the same as they watch the way you honor the life you’ve been given with such great cost? No matter the suffering Jesus faced, He never faltered. He never failed, because Jesus carried a godly and righteous view of eternity . Jesus lived backwards according to the way most humans live on earth. The Lord looked to the end of His earthly days to plan out what He did as He relied on, honored, and obeyed God fully. His life was defined by His longing for obedience under God and eternity with Him . When we live with Jesus’s mindset, we carry His mind and strength to cleanse our life of the sin that pulls us away from our Heavenly Father. It is only by His grace and Spirit within us that we can begin to understand and desire a life focused beyond this world. Then we can allow our relationship with Jesus to dictate our earthly walk and fellowship with Him and others. We can allow Him to show us what to count as important or worthy of attention. We consider what our life should look like under God and strive to live in ways so that others may detect His presence within us and be drawn to Him because of it. Especially our spouse and children. Would you like to know ways to ensure you live for eternity now? 1. Cling to Jesus – with an intentionally intimate and deepening relationship. Abide in the Father’s arms and live in the fullness of Christ’s sacrifice and with His mind and heartset. 2. Connect with prayer – Through intimate conversation with the Father throughout each day, set times to pray, scriptural prayers, and heartfelt musings, and remain connected to the Father through this lifeline to Him. Listen for His responses and guidance. Keep an open conversation and set times for deeper praise and petition. 3. Read, study, and share God’s word – Mature your walk and share Him and your testimony with others, whether they be friends, family, or strangers, not only through words, but in your actions, reactions, desires, and integrity. The way we present ourselves must be in alignment with how we live and how we treat family members, friends, and strangers. Our lifestyle must be in alignment with God’s Word. 4. Love the Lord - with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and expose Him through words, actions, reactions, and desires. 5. Find and follow God’s will – Following and obeying the Lord, studying His word, and conversing through prayer, listening for His voice and direction, and heeding sound biblical advice are ways to find and follow the Lord. 6. Raise children to know and honor Him – As we draw nearer to Him, our children are drawn closer, as well. The same is true for your spouse. As you hear this list, does it seem overwhelming? I promise it’s not. As you seek the Father through relationship with Jesus and seek time with His Word daily, then converse with prayer and worship, you will find more and more time to continue. He begins to take priority over worthless tasks or time-suckers you may be wasting time on right now. Through this transformation, you will be centered on Christ most of all. As He flows through all that you are, you become more like Him. You view the world more as He does, and realize more of the desires God crafted within you. So often we scan the library and bookstores to find the perfect books to improve and change us or to change others. Books challenge and develop us, but not always in the ways God desires. The Bible is the single most important book ever written, yet so often we pass it by as we seek the newest fad or forget the true wisdom it holds. The keys to healthy, joyful living and the secrets to living with eternal perspective are written in every book the Bible contains. As a book lover and a reader, I understand the value of reading books with godly values, but please don’t overlook the most important and influential book. Don’t place it to be read last or when you think you have time. Make sure to read it first, then include other quality books that align with God’s morals and directives. The focus of your heart behind the desire to change or improve as a believer should be what directs and propels you to act. Place Christ at the forefront of daily thinking and witness the changes He makes in and through you. This self-development is the most important change you can make because the results matter for eternity. 1. Search the Scriptures 2. Humbly submit to Christ 3. Honor the Father 4. Serve how He calls 5. Witness the changes He makes in you and others because of your obedience Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others .” As you draw nearer to God through Scriptures, prayer, and relationship, your faith becomes a deeper love. It becomes one that humbles you to receive what Christ desires to accomplish within and through you. Are you using and truly believing the power of God’s Word? Luke 9:23 says, “And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me .” Dying to self is not something we can accomplish on our own. By trusting Jesus more each day as you grow your walk with Him, looking upward toward the eternal plan He has established, toward the eternity you will have with Him, you will be drawn to allow Him more access to your heart and home. Galatians 5:22-26 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another .” Living with eternal perspective takes the sting out of disappointments as we trust the Father. This eternal-driven mindset takes the competition out of daily life. We trust that our personal life holds a purpose no one else has. Likewise, we recognize that the lives of others are unique and purposed by the same Hand that crafted each individual with intention. The fruits we receive from the Holy Spirit thriving and growing within us become focused on serving others over self. Intentionally developing godly character qualities honors the Father who intentionally crafted each one of us with purpose. Jesus placed others before self, yet allowed God full reign over His life. Each step we take toward following Christ moves us closer to eternity as we live for it in the present. Grow in Him. Inhale Christ so you can exhale Him on your family. In time you will see a difference in your connection with Jesus and those you love. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit .” Dear Great and Glorious Heavenly Father, help us in Your Sovereign love for us, to view this world through Your eyes. May our treasures be placed under You because they are what You have deemed worthy of praise. Help us to decrease as we allow You to be increased within us. Lord, You tell us that if we hate our life in this world we will keep it for eternity. May we follow You as faithful servants yearning to honor and please You. May our minds be sober and our intentions pure as we cling to Your promises of tomorrow today. Help our life to be so transformed that the lives in our families are as well. May Your glory and grace be so evident in us that it shines through the lives of our spouse and children. May that cycle continue for generations. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you’re ready to become the godly mom God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource. If you’re ready to be more intentional - to be purposed in preparing your children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ, contact me at info@terrihitt.com . I think you’ll be interested in my Set-Apart summer renewal for $197. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. Remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #048 – Preparing for Christ – Part 2 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. As it is the end of the year, many worthy organizations are looking for end of year support, and I want to take a moment again today to mention one of my favorite local charities in Kansas City, the “Who Is Carter Foundation.” Did you know that they have established a worldwide project to provide support, treatment options, and resources to those supporting exceptional children with neurological conditions? That project can be found at thebrainpossible.com, and you can learn more about the foundation at whoiscarter.org. Or you can visit either on Instagram. We have personally worked with this organization and truly appreciate their mission and the support they offer. I encourage you to visit their websites to learn more and please, pass the info on to a friend or family member who might benefit from their various services. Last week’s podcast was done in a different format and I am pleased to slow down this week, as well, and read more scripture with you, reflecting on the goodness and qualities of Christ as we continue to prepare our heart and mind to celebrate Jesus this holiday. I pray we continue maturing in new ways and never return to our previous way of daily living as we let the holiness of the season linger and abide in our spirit. Each day is meant to be a new experience that draws us nearer to the Lord, allowing Him to extract more out of us, so that those cleaned areas in our life will be filled by Jesus. As we hear God’s words, I pray that the scriptures will help us consciously stretch ourselves farther, allowing for His holy eternal perspective to rule us daily. Because of Jesus, we can hear the words of God and experience joy, peace, hope, and true love. Without Jesus, there would be no light in this world. God’s love is explained through His One and Only Son. May the delight God sees and shows in His son, with whom He is well-pleased, permeate our hearts as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and may His light embrace and mold us anew as we absorb the words into our spirit. May each day in the next year, and those to come, be a celebration of Jesus. As we allow Him to work within us and grow our love and obedience for Him, rejoicing in Who He is, and following Him, allowing Him to flow through us becomes a joy we cannot release. Jesus isn’t our Savior. He becomes our everything, as we breathe Him in and exhale His fragrance to the world around us. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” What good, pleasing, and perfect plans God has for each of us, His children! His desire is for us to be transformed by renewing our minds through Him. As followers of Jesus, we are called to conform not to this world, but to Christ. It is then that we will joyfully allow ourselves to be living sacrifices for Him daily as we follow His will and ways and discover God’s new and joyous life for us. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” God calls us to remain unpolluted by the world by following Him closely and caring for what He does. As we allow Christ access to our mind and heart, we begin to follow His ethical and moral order instead of the value system of this world. True faith carries us to the Father’s heart as we desire and lovingly value and care for what He does. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." God judges by faith and character, not outward appearance. Only He can accurately judge us because He sees straight into our heart and motives. We must do all we can to improve our inward self so that we fill God with joy when He looks upon us. Psalm 37:23-24 says, “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.” Oh, to give God joy by delighting in Him! If we desire God to protect our steps, it is imperative that we trust and follow Him, then pursue His ways by doing His will with joy. Seek Him before stepping out and heed His warnings and advice. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” God deeply desires to counsel us with His infinite wisdom. His words and Holy Spirit show us the absolute best ways to live and navigate life in this world. Humbly allow Him to instruct and teach with His abiding love and counsel, rather than learning through discipline or heartache from following your own path. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” God has blessed us with life! He wants us to enjoy it and make plans. However, our Father wants us to remember that He has specifically created each of us and placed us here with a beautiful purpose that God wants to complete through us. We must allow Him to direct our heart and mind as we cling to Him in a personal relationship that seeks to know and follow Him more closely daily. Psalm 33:4-5 says, “For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.” God can be trusted all the time and His words are upright and true. People are unreliable, God is not. Our Heavenly Father never changes His character or words, and His promises are always fulfilled in His perfect timing. Proverbs 2:1-6 says, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” We can each access wisdom is one of two ways. Either we have a God-given gift to be used for glorifying and honoring Him and others or we humbly desire and seek it from Him. Wisdom is just the beginning of understanding God’s ways and living in them. After wisdom, we can receive insight and understanding through a close relationship and His word. As we cling to God and consistently request His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, He will allow us pieces of Him through the gifts. What a reward to be gifted in such areas as the Lord carries! How far we are from Him, yet our access to Him is eternal and living inside us through the Holy Spirit. John 17:1-26 says, “When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed. “I have manifested Your name to the people whom You gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that everything that You have given Me is from You. For I have given them the words that You gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know You, I know You, and these know that You have sent Me. I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” Such beautiful words from Jesus through this passage are the focal point of the Bible and history! How exciting that we have them within our grasp to access and absorb. In John 17, the entire first chapter is compiled of Jesus praying. Through His prayerful words, we hear that the world we live in is a fierce and godless battleground beneath Satan’s power that is at odds with those of us who follow Jesus. Satan and his forces are out to destroy us, but here we see Jesus’s concern as He prays for His disciples and us, His followers. Jesus prayed for our safety, and for God to set us apart so that we can be made pure and holy through Him. In this passage of loving prayer, Jesus clearly shows us again how to obtain eternal life. Through Him. An eternal life with God is given through a personal relationship with Jesus. By admitting our sin and turning away from it, then seeking forgiveness and relationship with Jesus, we obtain the gift of the Holy Spirit within us to guide and mature us daily. Although it is beyond our comprehension, Jesus was one with God before He came to live on this earth as a man. Now, in this passage, we see Jesus as His earthly mission is almost complete, and His sovereignty is shown in His word as He asks God to restore Him to His original place of honor and authority with Him. These beautiful words are packed with so much truth and guidance. We see Jesus yearning for God to protect the disciples and we also see Him pray for us, the believers now living. So much of the world follows Satan’s plans and visions, and Jesus pleads for God to protect us and sanctify us by God’s word of truth. Jesus did not ask God to take us out of the world, but to use us here. We are each supposed to be salt and light, not avoiding relationships with non-Christians, and not succumbing to the ways of the world, either. Knowing that Jesus prayed for us and that the Holy Spirit still intercedes for us, should strengthen our faith and determination to be in God’s word to arm us with what we need and to protect us as we wrestle with the powers threatening to swallow us daily. Jesus has already had the victory and we have all we need to remain in the battle, allowing God to fight for us. Jesus has made the Father known. He has shown us the clear path to Him and has prayed in advance for the care we will need to encounter life in this fallen world. Make unity with Christ and fellow believers a natural extension of your walk with Christ so that the world will see His glory and light through us. This Christmas season I want to list some glorious reminders that are backed by scripture in the Bible. I won’t read each reference now, but they will be listed in the transcripts of this episode on my website at terrihitt.com. Remember, when you belong to Jesus, your true identity is finally found. Because of Jesus: We are justified (declared not guilty of sin). Romans 3:24 No condemnation will await us. Romans 8:1 We become free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 We are sanctified and made acceptable in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:2 We become righteous and holy in Christ 1 Corinthians 1:30 We will be made alive at the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:22 We become a new creation! 2 Corinthians 5:17 We receive God’s righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 We are one in Christ with other believers. Galatians 3:28 We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Jesus Ephesians 1:3 We are holy and blameless; covered by God’s love. Ephesians 1:4 We are adopted as God’s children. Ephesians 1:5, 6 Our sins are removed; we are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7 We are brought under the headship of Jesus Ephesians 1:10, 11 We are marked as belonging to God by the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13 We have been raised up to sit with Christ in glory. Ephesians 2:6 We are God’s work of art. Ephesians 2:10 We have been brought near to God. Ephesians 2:13 We share in the promise of Christ. Ephesians 3:6 We can come into God’s presence with freedom and confidence Ephesians 3:12 We become members of Christ’s body, the church. Ephesians 5:29, 30 We have been given fullness in Christ Colossians 2:10 We are set free from our sinful nature Colossians 2:11 We will have eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10 Jesus is a precious gift we are allowed to choose whether or not we will receive. It is by God’s glorious grace that we are saved. We are His beautiful workmanship and are created to do good works, which God has prepared for us in advance. If God considers us a piece of preciously crafted workmanship, we can believe that we are of extremely high value. Choose to live with His opinion of you stamped in your mind and remember to cling to the promise of eternity with Him. Allow Him to work through you to bring as many people into His glorious kingdom as possible. Dear Jesus, how we love You, but our love is nothing compared to what You have for us. Thank you for Your merciful work on the cross and within us. We praise You and offer our humble gratitude. Please continue to cleanse and renew us daily, Lord, moment by moment. Show us Your face, Your heart, Your mind, and Your hands so that we are certain of the example You set for us to follow. Help us to complete the purpose You have set for us and may we do it with Your humble compassion, wisdom, love, and obedience. May we seek You in a deeper way this holiday season and let that love, awe, wonder, and respect remain embedded within us in a new and more meaningful way as we head into the new year. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice for us. May we honor You with the way we live. You are so good. In Your precious and holy name we pray. I deeply desire to allow God to cultivate a strong community of women through the work He has given me. I pray you will be better equipped to live with an eternal perspective and encouraged to influence children for Jesus. Future episodes and resources will be geared toward the important duty we have as parents and grandparents to guide and guard children for Jesus. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to my new website at terrihitt.com, where you can access all the podcasts housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to blog posts, transcripts, and additional free resources that are added to regularly. Thank you for listening. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find for new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 048 Preparing for Christ Part 2 Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #048 – Preparing for Christ – Part 2 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. As it is the end of the year, many worthy organizations are looking for end of year support, and I want to take a moment again today to mention one of my favorite local charities in Kansas City, the “Who Is Carter Foundation.” Did you know that they have established a worldwide project to provide support, treatment options, and resources to those supporting exceptional children with neurological conditions? That project can be found at thebrainpossible.com, and you can learn more about the foundation at whoiscarter.org. Or you can visit either on Instagram. We have personally worked with this organization and truly appreciate their mission and the support they offer. I encourage you to visit their websites to learn more and please, pass the info on to a friend or family member who might benefit from their various services. Last week’s podcast was done in a different format and I am pleased to slow down this week, as well, and read more scripture with you, reflecting on the goodness and qualities of Christ as we continue to prepare our heart and mind to celebrate Jesus this holiday. I pray we continue maturing in new ways and never return to our previous way of daily living as we let the holiness of the season linger and abide in our spirit. Each day is meant to be a new experience that draws us nearer to the Lord, allowing Him to extract more out of us, so that those cleaned areas in our life will be filled by Jesus. As we hear God’s words, I pray that the scriptures will help us consciously stretch ourselves farther, allowing for His holy eternal perspective to rule us daily. Because of Jesus, we can hear the words of God and experience joy, peace, hope, and true love. Without Jesus, there would be no light in this world. God’s love is explained through His One and Only Son. May the delight God sees and shows in His son, with whom He is well-pleased, permeate our hearts as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and may His light embrace and mold us anew as we absorb the words into our spirit. May each day in the next year, and those to come, be a celebration of Jesus. As we allow Him to work within us and grow our love and obedience for Him, rejoicing in Who He is, and following Him, allowing Him to flow through us becomes a joy we cannot release. Jesus isn’t our Savior. He becomes our everything, as we breathe Him in and exhale His fragrance to the world around us. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” What good, pleasing, and perfect plans God has for each of us, His children! His desire is for us to be transformed by renewing our minds through Him. As followers of Jesus, we are called to conform not to this world, but to Christ. It is then that we will joyfully allow ourselves to be living sacrifices for Him daily as we follow His will and ways and discover God’s new and joyous life for us. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” God calls us to remain unpolluted by the world by following Him closely and caring for what He does. As we allow Christ access to our mind and heart, we begin to follow His ethical and moral order instead of the value system of this world. True faith carries us to the Father’s heart as we desire and lovingly value and care for what He does. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." God judges by faith and character, not outward appearance. Only He can accurately judge us because He sees straight into our heart and motives. We must do all we can to improve our inward self so that we fill God with joy when He looks upon us. Psalm 37:23-24 says, “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.” Oh, to give God joy by delighting in Him! If we desire God to protect our steps, it is imperative that we trust and follow Him, then pursue His ways by doing His will with joy. Seek Him before stepping out and heed His warnings and advice. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” God deeply desires to counsel us with His infinite wisdom. His words and Holy Spirit show us the absolute best ways to live and navigate life in this world. Humbly allow Him to instruct and teach with His abiding love and counsel, rather than learning through discipline or heartache from following your own path. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” God has blessed us with life! He wants us to enjoy it and make plans. However, our Father wants us to remember that He has specifically created each of us and placed us here with a beautiful purpose that God wants to complete through us. We must allow Him to direct our heart and mind as we cling to Him in a personal relationship that seeks to know and follow Him more closely daily. Psalm 33:4-5 says, “For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.” God can be trusted all the time and His words are upright and true. People are unreliable, God is not. Our Heavenly Father never changes His character or words, and His promises are always fulfilled in His perfect timing. Proverbs 2:1-6 says, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” We can each access wisdom is one of two ways. Either we have a God-given gift to be used for glorifying and honoring Him and others or we humbly desire and seek it from Him. Wisdom is just the beginning of understanding God’s ways and living in them. After wisdom, we can receive insight and understanding through a close relationship and His word. As we cling to God and consistently request His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, He will allow us pieces of Him through the gifts. What a reward to be gifted in such areas as the Lord carries! How far we are from Him, yet our access to Him is eternal and living inside us through the Holy Spirit. John 17:1-26 says, “When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed. “I have manifested Your name to the people whom You gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that everything that You have given Me is from You. For I have given them the words that You gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know You, I know You, and these know that You have sent Me. I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” Such beautiful words from Jesus through this passage are the focal point of the Bible and history! How exciting that we have them within our grasp to access and absorb. In John 17, the entire first chapter is compiled of Jesus praying. Through His prayerful words, we hear that the world we live in is a fierce and godless battleground beneath Satan’s power that is at odds with those of us who follow Jesus. Satan and his forces are out to destroy us, but here we see Jesus’s concern as He prays for His disciples and us, His followers. Jesus prayed for our safety, and for God to set us apart so that we can be made pure and holy through Him. In this passage of loving prayer, Jesus clearly shows us again how to obtain eternal life. Through Him. An eternal life with God is given through a personal relationship with Jesus. By admitting our sin and turning away from it, then seeking forgiveness and relationship with Jesus, we obtain the gift of the Holy Spirit within us to guide and mature us daily. Although it is beyond our comprehension, Jesus was one with God before He came to live on this earth as a man. Now, in this passage, we see Jesus as His earthly mission is almost complete, and His sovereignty is shown in His word as He asks God to restore Him to His original place of honor and authority with Him. These beautiful words are packed with so much truth and guidance. We see Jesus yearning for God to protect the disciples and we also see Him pray for us, the believers now living. So much of the world follows Satan’s plans and visions, and Jesus pleads for God to protect us and sanctify us by God’s word of truth. Jesus did not ask God to take us out of the world, but to use us here. We are each supposed to be salt and light, not avoiding relationships with non-Christians, and not succumbing to the ways of the world, either. Knowing that Jesus prayed for us and that the Holy Spirit still intercedes for us, should strengthen our faith and determination to be in God’s word to arm us with what we need and to protect us as we wrestle with the powers threatening to swallow us daily. Jesus has already had the victory and we have all we need to remain in the battle, allowing God to fight for us. Jesus has made the Father known. He has shown us the clear path to Him and has prayed in advance for the care we will need to encounter life in this fallen world. Make unity with Christ and fellow believers a natural extension of your walk with Christ so that the world will see His glory and light through us. This Christmas season I want to list some glorious reminders that are backed by scripture in the Bible. I won’t read each reference now, but they will be listed in the transcripts of this episode on my website at terrihitt.com. Remember, when you belong to Jesus, your true identity is finally found. Because of Jesus: We are justified (declared not guilty of sin). Romans 3:24 No condemnation will await us. Romans 8:1 We become free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 We are sanctified and made acceptable in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:2 We become righteous and holy in Christ 1 Corinthians 1:30 We will be made alive at the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:22 We become a new creation! 2 Corinthians 5:17 We receive God’s righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 We are one in Christ with other believers. Galatians 3:28 We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Jesus Ephesians 1:3 We are holy and blameless; covered by God’s love. Ephesians 1:4 We are adopted as God’s children. Ephesians 1:5, 6 Our sins are removed; we are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7 We are brought under the headship of Jesus Ephesians 1:10, 11 We are marked as belonging to God by the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13 We have been raised up to sit with Christ in glory. Ephesians 2:6 We are God’s work of art. Ephesians 2:10 We have been brought near to God. Ephesians 2:13 We share in the promise of Christ. Ephesians 3:6 We can come into God’s presence with freedom and confidence Ephesians 3:12 We become members of Christ’s body, the church. Ephesians 5:29, 30 We have been given fullness in Christ Colossians 2:10 We are set free from our sinful nature Colossians 2:11 We will have eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10 Jesus is a precious gift we are allowed to choose whether or not we will receive. It is by God’s glorious grace that we are saved. We are His beautiful workmanship and are created to do good works, which God has prepared for us in advance. If God considers us a piece of preciously crafted workmanship, we can believe that we are of extremely high value. Choose to live with His opinion of you stamped in your mind and remember to cling to the promise of eternity with Him. Allow Him to work through you to bring as many people into His glorious kingdom as possible. Dear Jesus, how we love You, but our love is nothing compared to what You have for us. Thank you for Your merciful work on the cross and within us. We praise You and offer our humble gratitude. Please continue to cleanse and renew us daily, Lord, moment by moment. Show us Your face, Your heart, Your mind, and Your hands so that we are certain of the example You set for us to follow. Help us to complete the purpose You have set for us and may we do it with Your humble compassion, wisdom, love, and obedience. May we seek You in a deeper way this holiday season and let that love, awe, wonder, and respect remain embedded within us in a new and more meaningful way as we head into the new year. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice for us. May we honor You with the way we live. You are so good. In Your precious and holy name we pray. I deeply desire to allow God to cultivate a strong community of women through the work He has given me. I pray you will be better equipped to live with an eternal perspective and encouraged to influence children for Jesus. Future episodes and resources will be geared toward the important duty we have as parents and grandparents to guide and guard children for Jesus. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to my new website at terrihitt.com, where you can access all the podcasts housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to blog posts, transcripts, and additional free resources that are added to regularly. Thank you for listening. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find for new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #134 – You’ve Trusted God With Eternity - What About Today? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. The absolute best day in the life of a believer in Christ should be the day we humbly submit our life to Him. While filled with many emotions and feelings, most of us wonder with amazement at what the rest of our life will be like with Jesus at our side. However, one of the best revelations or lessons a follower of Christ can realize is that Jesus does not ever belong by our side. The Lord of All, Prince of Peace, Author and Perfecter of our Faith, and the Alpha and Omega holds out His strong and capable arms, ready for us to rest in them. This means He isn’t behind or beside us, but should be the One carrying and sustaining through every disturbance, disruption, and delight. One of the most basic, but challenging questions in the personal life of a believer is: How can I choose to trust Jesus for eternity, but not for each moment? I believe that if we study the story shared about Peter in Matthew 14, we learn valuable insight. Matthew 14:22-33 says, “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” What a decision Peter made! He chose to step out of the boat and into the choppy, stormy waters to walk toward Jesus. While His eyes and mind were centered on Jesus, Peter actually walked on the water! When his focus slipped away from Christ and fell to self and surroundings, Peter experienced fear, panic, and difficulties. Jesus had not moved; He had not changed. Jesus remained centered on Peter and ready to care for him. Peter’s mind moved away from Jesus and he began to sink. Focus marks the distinction between faith and fear. Are you choosing to focus on self, the world and those around you, or Jesus? While it is easy to blame Peter and belittle his faith, he was willing to be the one who walked toward Jesus. Peter was willing to leave the other disciples, leave what he knew, and venture alone into the turbulent waters toward Jesus. The other men remain unchanged and unmoving inside the boat while Peter took the risk of trusting Christ. Why did the others remain in the boat? Why didn’t they walk with Peter? Why is it so difficult to place and keep our mind, heart, and focus on Christ? What do people struggle to trust God with each occasion and stage of life? There are actually multiple reasons. Let’s look at what the most common causes are and how we can turn to Scripture to battle them. 1. Trust – It can be difficult to trust or believe in what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” John 20:29 says, “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Psalm 40:4 says, “Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” 2. Worry/Anxiety – It’s easy to imagine what might happen and allow our thoughts to spiral out of control. Matthew 19:26 says, “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you.” Matthew 6:31-34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” 3. Control – We don’t want to relinquish our perceived control. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Psalm 138:8 says, “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” 4. Doubt – When things don’t go the way we desire or think they should or if we begin to wonder why there is hardship and evil in the world, doubt can begin to creep in. Hebrew 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” James 1:6 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” Matthew 6:30 says, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” 5. Sinfulness – I also like to call this selfishness. When we don’t want to give up sin, we are choosing self over Christ. We’re also choosing self over those we love or are in our life. Personal sin always affects those who love us. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Romans 7:22-23 says, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” 6. Arrogance/Pride – Pride rears up in each of us through different ways. Whether it be entitlement, perfectionism, bragging, if we think we are superior to someone or deserve something more than another, the root of each thought ties back to arrogance or pride. Isaiah 2:12 says, “For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low.” James 4:6 says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 16:5 says, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” 7. Unworthiness – Each of us was bought with a price. The life of Jesus was exchanged so that we could begin to understand our great worth to God. Isaiah 43:18 says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.” Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Psalm 56:8 says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.” Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” 8. Fear – When fear creeps in, I believe it is because we have taken our mind and eyes off of God and centered them on self or surroundings. Every time I have felt fear even begin to touch me I stop and focus on Jesus (and in my mind I actually picture blinders on my face that force my vision upwards on God). As I rest in His presence and pray to Him about the situation I am fearing, He takes the burden and calms any fears. It is said that God leaves the message “Do not fear” 365 times in the Bible. I'm not sure whether that is an accurate count, but I trust that the Lord gives us the command as many times as needed. He knows our thoughts can easily be distracted and move from His sovereign holiness and perfect provision and protection. Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.” Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 94:19 says, “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 115:11 says, “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.” Psalm 118:6 says, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” 9. Faith – Perhaps our belief doesn’t feel real or big enough. Maybe difficult times in the past, unanswered prayers, or present hardships may cause us to feel like God has forsaken us or that He isn’t real. Each of the points we discussed can arguably return back to the thought of faith that is too little. But remember, God’s Word tells us all we need is a faith the size of a mustard seed. Plant that seed and let it grow and mature through Christ. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” We each know how easy it can be to allow self or situations to distract us and move our eyes off Christ. Being aware of this offers us the opportunity to purposely prepare to be ahead of our next season of trials. Intentionally living in ways that set us up to trust God gives us assurance that our focus will not be easily swayed this moment or tomorrow. How can we live in ways that set us up to trust God for eternity and the everyday? 1. Know Jesus through a personal relationship. 2. Read and study God’s word. 3. Prayer – speak to God and listen for God. 4. Pursue close relationship with God daily. 5. Invite and allow Christ to transform your life. Take your thoughts captive for Christ and see the difference He makes to a surrendered soul. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Psalm 56:3-4 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 2 Corinthians 1:10 says, “He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 says, “Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” As you study God’s Word and think about or pray about the verses we read today, ponder the following questions: 1. What does this verse promise? 2. What does this verse command? 3. Where do I need to apply this in my life? Ask God to carry your cares and deepen your faith and trust. He alone is able to reach the crevices of your body and spirit and remedy what troubles you. Dear Heavenly Father, Your love for us is so great! Your glory fills the earth and yet we fail to experience Your love and power as You desire. Help us to see You clearly as Your word instructs and to love us with a love that fills us in the deep and dark spaces of need we each carry. Thank you for loving us first and for making a way straight to You through Jesus. Help our faith to be full, alive, and active. Enable us to cling to You through every moment we face and trust in Your provision and protection despite what happens in the world around us. Fix our eyes and our heart on You. In the precious name of Your Holy Son, Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 134 - You've Trusted God with Eternity - What About Today? Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #134 – You’ve Trusted God With Eternity - What About Today? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. The absolute best day in the life of a believer in Christ should be the day we humbly submit our life to Him. While filled with many emotions and feelings, most of us wonder with amazement at what the rest of our life will be like with Jesus at our side. However, one of the best revelations or lessons a follower of Christ can realize is that Jesus does not ever belong by our side. The Lord of All, Prince of Peace, Author and Perfecter of our Faith, and the Alpha and Omega holds out His strong and capable arms, ready for us to rest in them. This means He isn’t behind or beside us, but should be the One carrying and sustaining through every disturbance, disruption, and delight. One of the most basic, but challenging questions in the personal life of a believer is: How can I choose to trust Jesus for eternity, but not for each moment? I believe that if we study the story shared about Peter in Matthew 14, we learn valuable insight. Matthew 14:22-33 says, “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” What a decision Peter made! He chose to step out of the boat and into the choppy, stormy waters to walk toward Jesus. While His eyes and mind were centered on Jesus, Peter actually walked on the water! When his focus slipped away from Christ and fell to self and surroundings, Peter experienced fear, panic, and difficulties. Jesus had not moved; He had not changed. Jesus remained centered on Peter and ready to care for him. Peter’s mind moved away from Jesus and he began to sink. Focus marks the distinction between faith and fear. Are you choosing to focus on self, the world and those around you, or Jesus? While it is easy to blame Peter and belittle his faith, he was willing to be the one who walked toward Jesus. Peter was willing to leave the other disciples, leave what he knew, and venture alone into the turbulent waters toward Jesus. The other men remain unchanged and unmoving inside the boat while Peter took the risk of trusting Christ. Why did the others remain in the boat? Why didn’t they walk with Peter? Why is it so difficult to place and keep our mind, heart, and focus on Christ? What do people struggle to trust God with each occasion and stage of life? There are actually multiple reasons. Let’s look at what the most common causes are and how we can turn to Scripture to battle them. 1. Trust – It can be difficult to trust or believe in what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” John 20:29 says, “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Psalm 40:4 says, “Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” 2. Worry/Anxiety – It’s easy to imagine what might happen and allow our thoughts to spiral out of control. Matthew 19:26 says, “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you.” Matthew 6:31-34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” 3. Control – We don’t want to relinquish our perceived control. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Psalm 138:8 says, “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” 4. Doubt – When things don’t go the way we desire or think they should or if we begin to wonder why there is hardship and evil in the world, doubt can begin to creep in. Hebrew 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” James 1:6 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” Matthew 6:30 says, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” 5. Sinfulness – I also like to call this selfishness. When we don’t want to give up sin, we are choosing self over Christ. We’re also choosing self over those we love or are in our life. Personal sin always affects those who love us. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Romans 7:22-23 says, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” 6. Arrogance/Pride – Pride rears up in each of us through different ways. Whether it be entitlement, perfectionism, bragging, if we think we are superior to someone or deserve something more than another, the root of each thought ties back to arrogance or pride. Isaiah 2:12 says, “For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low.” James 4:6 says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 16:5 says, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” 7. Unworthiness – Each of us was bought with a price. The life of Jesus was exchanged so that we could begin to understand our great worth to God. Isaiah 43:18 says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.” Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Psalm 56:8 says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.” Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” 8. Fear – When fear creeps in, I believe it is because we have taken our mind and eyes off of God and centered them on self or surroundings. Every time I have felt fear even begin to touch me I stop and focus on Jesus (and in my mind I actually picture blinders on my face that force my vision upwards on God). As I rest in His presence and pray to Him about the situation I am fearing, He takes the burden and calms any fears. It is said that God leaves the message “Do not fear” 365 times in the Bible. I'm not sure whether that is an accurate count, but I trust that the Lord gives us the command as many times as needed. He knows our thoughts can easily be distracted and move from His sovereign holiness and perfect provision and protection. Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.” Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 94:19 says, “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” Psalm 115:11 says, “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.” Psalm 118:6 says, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” 9. Faith – Perhaps our belief doesn’t feel real or big enough. Maybe difficult times in the past, unanswered prayers, or present hardships may cause us to feel like God has forsaken us or that He isn’t real. Each of the points we discussed can arguably return back to the thought of faith that is too little. But remember, God’s Word tells us all we need is a faith the size of a mustard seed. Plant that seed and let it grow and mature through Christ. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” We each know how easy it can be to allow self or situations to distract us and move our eyes off Christ. Being aware of this offers us the opportunity to purposely prepare to be ahead of our next season of trials. Intentionally living in ways that set us up to trust God gives us assurance that our focus will not be easily swayed this moment or tomorrow. How can we live in ways that set us up to trust God for eternity and the everyday? 1. Know Jesus through a personal relationship. 2. Read and study God’s word. 3. Prayer – speak to God and listen for God. 4. Pursue close relationship with God daily. 5. Invite and allow Christ to transform your life. Take your thoughts captive for Christ and see the difference He makes to a surrendered soul. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Psalm 56:3-4 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 2 Corinthians 1:10 says, “He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 says, “Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” As you study God’s Word and think about or pray about the verses we read today, ponder the following questions: 1. What does this verse promise? 2. What does this verse command? 3. Where do I need to apply this in my life? Ask God to carry your cares and deepen your faith and trust. He alone is able to reach the crevices of your body and spirit and remedy what troubles you. Dear Heavenly Father, Your love for us is so great! Your glory fills the earth and yet we fail to experience Your love and power as You desire. Help us to see You clearly as Your word instructs and to love us with a love that fills us in the deep and dark spaces of need we each carry. Thank you for loving us first and for making a way straight to You through Jesus. Help our faith to be full, alive, and active. Enable us to cling to You through every moment we face and trust in Your provision and protection despite what happens in the world around us. Fix our eyes and our heart on You. In the precious name of Your Holy Son, Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #035 – Dark Pain Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Yum! I was eating a plum just a few moments ago and it was sweet, juicy, and flavorful! It’s very common to buy a batch of fruit at the store and not really get any pieces that are tasty. Then every so often you can pick up a batch that comes in at the right time and we know that God certainly created the fruit for our pleasure. This plum was perfection! As I ate it, I was reminded of the verse from Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Living with eternal perspective draws us to find the Lord in all things. This lifestyle shift propels us to examine all we see and do with eyes and a heart that recognizes the majesty of God and His provisions in all areas. This mindset prepares us for eternity with Him and draws those we come into contact with to make that journey with us. Christian relationship and growth must start with the basics of milk, just as a newborn baby drinks, but stretches us through adolescent years and carries us into maturity. Where are you on your journey? The number of years we have known the Lord doesn’t matter. It is the walk, the road we have and are traveling that counts. It is the living “in the trenches” with our faith, allowing and trusting God to supply and protect, to sustain and grow us and maturing in and through Him as He does so. Life can be exquisitely beautiful. Or our lives can be incredibly painful. After we’ve been hurt by the battles in this world, trusting that God is good can be extremely difficult. Where was He when the bad things happened? Is He really with me now? Can He really carry me? Des He truly care? No one is immune to the destruction and evil this world can bring. Believers and non-believers experience hardships and tragedies. Some experience pure evilness. Yet, when we read about creation in Genesis, we see that God said what He made was good. After He added man and woman, God said that what He created was “very good.” Even after the fall of creation, and sin was conceived in the world through disobedience, God remained faithful to His creation. He did not abandon us or wipe away what He had made. God already knew what would happen before He created us. Some ask, “Why trust a God who allows such horrendous activities to happen?” The Bible tells us that God did not create evil. But He does allow it. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10a This fact has caused some to doubt His existence or fail to trust God. Yet, from the very beginning of creation, He has set boundaries. Adam and Eve chose to disobey. God gives His creation free will. Although He sets guidelines for us, He never forces us to follow them. We each choose daily whether to sin or obey God’s commands. Just as ripples in a pond affect the surrounding water, my sin affects others. Most often, those I cherish and would never desire to hurt. What we need to remember is that while we feel that some acts of disobedience are more horrendous than others, God sees all sin the same. Consequences of trespasses affect us personally, just as our sin affects people we know and even some we don’t. The sins we choose (or turn away from) today affects future generations. It touches the way we act and react, to those we love, molding our relationships. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 warns us, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” God allows us free choice, yet He still enables the Holy Spirit to restrain the full force of the evil that exists in this world. Satan and evil are real. From the time sin entered the world, mankind and nature have felt the brutal effects of our disobedience. Yet, God still loves us. He never wanted this choice for us. In fact, He even made a way for us to be relieved from sin through Jesus. Even His son was not immune to the evil in this world. Jesus warned us of what to beware of. “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 When we have been deeply hurt by sin, especially in an act committed by another, our natural inclination can be to curl into ourselves. Or to lash out at others. Sometimes we get angry at God or turn away from Him for not stopping the event. While these can be considered natural reactions to the pain and suffering, none of the responses help us or resolve the deep emotional, physical, or mental wounds we endured or now carry. But Only God can heal. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 God does keep His promises. We cannot always comprehend God’s ways, or what He allows. Faith is not total understanding, but a complete confidence or a strong belief. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19 God never wanted sin to enter our world, but He knew it would. He uses it, without controlling our free will, to draw us nearer to Him, when we allow Him access to our pain through faith, trust, and hope in Him. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 He also allows and equips us to minister to others through our experiences. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 God’s promises are certain. He wants His people to believe and claim His promises. He desires to be the Lord of our lives. But God waits for us to invite Him to be the center of everything we are and do. Call upon Him, so He can respond. Allow Him to create beauty where there were ashes, as only He can. Trust. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God. to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 He will heal you. “I have come that they may have life, and that may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b Open your heart and let Him. Pray for Him to do the same with others. Today I want to continue reading where we left off on the podcast last week. I’ll share 1 John 3:1-24, which says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” As we examine the verses I just read from 1 John 3, we see that humans will always struggle with sin. So much of what we see in the culture of the United States, and actually, the world right now reflects empty hearts which do not follow the Lord. Many sin in ignorance, because they do not know Jesus or God’s word. They will still be held accountable, but here I want to focus on those who intentionally and consciously violate what God says in His word and they live a lifestyle of sin that disregards or defies God’s will and commands. We are not concentrating on the struggle our human flesh has with sin, but on the practice of sin. We are each very vulnerable to being led astray, even when we profess to know Jesus as our personal Savior, as we see so clearly at this moment in time. False teachers, organizations and corporations that appear to be for the good and are backed by values contrary to God’s commands, and leaders who stand for practices that God condemns, should alert us to the importance of our need to place God first on our personal list of daily priorities. We must crave God and His word and know Him so well that we instantly recognize what is not in check with the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Do not be deceived! The devil does prowl among us, seeking whom he may devour. Satan twists and manipulates everything, using a small bit of truth to catch us in his snare. Once the evil net is upon us, we get pushed farther down with more deceit piling atop us. When we embrace sin or lawlessness and look at others with hatred or distaste, placing only our own needs and desires first, every time we think we cannot disagree with someone and still be civil, or that someone who does not believe in the same way must be wrong and we treat with dishonor or distaste instead of compassion, or we chose not to extend grace to another because our feelings may be hurt, we limit our ability to allow God to shine through us and we place a wedge between ourselves and God. Remember, We cannot serve ourselves and God. Jesus did not agree with what was contrary to God’s word and teachings, but He did not react with hatred or violence. He was able to speak into the heart of the person and pinpoint their issue with heart and loving compassion. We obviously do not have the same gifts that God’s Son carries, but as we grow more and more like Him through learning His word and mindset, our ability to react should mirror His more and more. I am appalled by the violence, hatred, and disrespect in our country. Especially when it is directed toward innocent people. I cannot help but mention the brave men and women in our country who place themselves in the line of danger every single time they go to work, and now, even in their off-duty hours. I stand behind our police officers and the sacrifices, they and their families make daily. Just as not all teachers, coaches, priests, pastors, parents, and others are not evil, not all police officers are bad. Most of them make sacrifices we could never make. I am incredibly thankful for the officers I have met and I have been helped by their ability to do the job we expect them to without bias. May God bless and protect them and their families, as well as weed out the ones who are corrupt, just as I wish that for every other profession. As Jesus exemplified, love is sacrificial. Sometimes even unto death. Many of the officers I know are Christians who want to make a difference and willingly serve each day, knowing it could be their last. As Christians, we must serve the Lord and continue growing and deepening our walk, maturing it so that we do not vote by a political party, but by the values and love that the Holy Spirit convicts us with. We should not look at the person, but the policies and practices they promote. Are they following what God calls us to support in His Holy word or are they dividing and pulling in the opposite direction? When we, as a nation, are on our knees and in the word of God, I believe things will change. God answers prayer. Not always on our timetable, or in the ways we desire, but He always answers. As we grow the right relationship and deepen in moral character reflective of Him, we will begin to pray with hearts attuned to His and expectations that align more closely with what is good and pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Only then will the dark pain that comes from sin and lawlessness evaporate and allow us to freely walk in grace and love with one another. Our children and the generations after us deserve to receive an inheritance of hope, love, faith, and grace. Then we will truly be living with a focus on eternal values and perspective. We will all taste and see that the Lord is good. He and He alone fills us with the peace and joy, the hope and light we all desperately seek. Father, God, I thank you for your Holy word to guide us and show us your heart and commands. Father, thank you for sending your son, fully God and fully man to live among us, showing the way to You and the way to live. God, we are so far away from where You desire us, from where You created us to be. I humbly beg you, please help us. Carry us back to You. We need to recognize our need for You, Please help us to do so and to admit our sin and surrender it to you. You have already paid the price. Help us to please You with the way we treat each other, what we stand for, and the way we live. We need You more than we know. Help us to find You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 035 Dark Pain Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #035 – Dark Pain Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Yum! I was eating a plum just a few moments ago and it was sweet, juicy, and flavorful! It’s very common to buy a batch of fruit at the store and not really get any pieces that are tasty. Then every so often you can pick up a batch that comes in at the right time and we know that God certainly created the fruit for our pleasure. This plum was perfection! As I ate it, I was reminded of the verse from Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Living with eternal perspective draws us to find the Lord in all things. This lifestyle shift propels us to examine all we see and do with eyes and a heart that recognizes the majesty of God and His provisions in all areas. This mindset prepares us for eternity with Him and draws those we come into contact with to make that journey with us. Christian relationship and growth must start with the basics of milk, just as a newborn baby drinks, but stretches us through adolescent years and carries us into maturity. Where are you on your journey? The number of years we have known the Lord doesn’t matter. It is the walk, the road we have and are traveling that counts. It is the living “in the trenches” with our faith, allowing and trusting God to supply and protect, to sustain and grow us and maturing in and through Him as He does so. Life can be exquisitely beautiful. Or our lives can be incredibly painful. After we’ve been hurt by the battles in this world, trusting that God is good can be extremely difficult. Where was He when the bad things happened? Is He really with me now? Can He really carry me? Des He truly care? No one is immune to the destruction and evil this world can bring. Believers and non-believers experience hardships and tragedies. Some experience pure evilness. Yet, when we read about creation in Genesis, we see that God said what He made was good. After He added man and woman, God said that what He created was “very good.” Even after the fall of creation, and sin was conceived in the world through disobedience, God remained faithful to His creation. He did not abandon us or wipe away what He had made. God already knew what would happen before He created us. Some ask, “Why trust a God who allows such horrendous activities to happen?” The Bible tells us that God did not create evil. But He does allow it. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10a This fact has caused some to doubt His existence or fail to trust God. Yet, from the very beginning of creation, He has set boundaries. Adam and Eve chose to disobey. God gives His creation free will. Although He sets guidelines for us, He never forces us to follow them. We each choose daily whether to sin or obey God’s commands. Just as ripples in a pond affect the surrounding water, my sin affects others. Most often, those I cherish and would never desire to hurt. What we need to remember is that while we feel that some acts of disobedience are more horrendous than others, God sees all sin the same. Consequences of trespasses affect us personally, just as our sin affects people we know and even some we don’t. The sins we choose (or turn away from) today affects future generations. It touches the way we act and react, to those we love, molding our relationships. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 warns us, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” God allows us free choice, yet He still enables the Holy Spirit to restrain the full force of the evil that exists in this world. Satan and evil are real. From the time sin entered the world, mankind and nature have felt the brutal effects of our disobedience. Yet, God still loves us. He never wanted this choice for us. In fact, He even made a way for us to be relieved from sin through Jesus. Even His son was not immune to the evil in this world. Jesus warned us of what to beware of. “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 When we have been deeply hurt by sin, especially in an act committed by another, our natural inclination can be to curl into ourselves. Or to lash out at others. Sometimes we get angry at God or turn away from Him for not stopping the event. While these can be considered natural reactions to the pain and suffering, none of the responses help us or resolve the deep emotional, physical, or mental wounds we endured or now carry. But Only God can heal. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 God does keep His promises. We cannot always comprehend God’s ways, or what He allows. Faith is not total understanding, but a complete confidence or a strong belief. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19 God never wanted sin to enter our world, but He knew it would. He uses it, without controlling our free will, to draw us nearer to Him, when we allow Him access to our pain through faith, trust, and hope in Him. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 He also allows and equips us to minister to others through our experiences. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 God’s promises are certain. He wants His people to believe and claim His promises. He desires to be the Lord of our lives. But God waits for us to invite Him to be the center of everything we are and do. Call upon Him, so He can respond. Allow Him to create beauty where there were ashes, as only He can. Trust. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God. to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 He will heal you. “I have come that they may have life, and that may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b Open your heart and let Him. Pray for Him to do the same with others. Today I want to continue reading where we left off on the podcast last week. I’ll share 1 John 3:1-24, which says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” As we examine the verses I just read from 1 John 3, we see that humans will always struggle with sin. So much of what we see in the culture of the United States, and actually, the world right now reflects empty hearts which do not follow the Lord. Many sin in ignorance, because they do not know Jesus or God’s word. They will still be held accountable, but here I want to focus on those who intentionally and consciously violate what God says in His word and they live a lifestyle of sin that disregards or defies God’s will and commands. We are not concentrating on the struggle our human flesh has with sin, but on the practice of sin. We are each very vulnerable to being led astray, even when we profess to know Jesus as our personal Savior, as we see so clearly at this moment in time. False teachers, organizations and corporations that appear to be for the good and are backed by values contrary to God’s commands, and leaders who stand for practices that God condemns, should alert us to the importance of our need to place God first on our personal list of daily priorities. We must crave God and His word and know Him so well that we instantly recognize what is not in check with the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Do not be deceived! The devil does prowl among us, seeking whom he may devour. Satan twists and manipulates everything, using a small bit of truth to catch us in his snare. Once the evil net is upon us, we get pushed farther down with more deceit piling atop us. When we embrace sin or lawlessness and look at others with hatred or distaste, placing only our own needs and desires first, every time we think we cannot disagree with someone and still be civil, or that someone who does not believe in the same way must be wrong and we treat with dishonor or distaste instead of compassion, or we chose not to extend grace to another because our feelings may be hurt, we limit our ability to allow God to shine through us and we place a wedge between ourselves and God. Remember, We cannot serve ourselves and God. Jesus did not agree with what was contrary to God’s word and teachings, but He did not react with hatred or violence. He was able to speak into the heart of the person and pinpoint their issue with heart and loving compassion. We obviously do not have the same gifts that God’s Son carries, but as we grow more and more like Him through learning His word and mindset, our ability to react should mirror His more and more. I am appalled by the violence, hatred, and disrespect in our country. Especially when it is directed toward innocent people. I cannot help but mention the brave men and women in our country who place themselves in the line of danger every single time they go to work, and now, even in their off-duty hours. I stand behind our police officers and the sacrifices, they and their families make daily. Just as not all teachers, coaches, priests, pastors, parents, and others are not evil, not all police officers are bad. Most of them make sacrifices we could never make. I am incredibly thankful for the officers I have met and I have been helped by their ability to do the job we expect them to without bias. May God bless and protect them and their families, as well as weed out the ones who are corrupt, just as I wish that for every other profession. As Jesus exemplified, love is sacrificial. Sometimes even unto death. Many of the officers I know are Christians who want to make a difference and willingly serve each day, knowing it could be their last. As Christians, we must serve the Lord and continue growing and deepening our walk, maturing it so that we do not vote by a political party, but by the values and love that the Holy Spirit convicts us with. We should not look at the person, but the policies and practices they promote. Are they following what God calls us to support in His Holy word or are they dividing and pulling in the opposite direction? When we, as a nation, are on our knees and in the word of God, I believe things will change. God answers prayer. Not always on our timetable, or in the ways we desire, but He always answers. As we grow the right relationship and deepen in moral character reflective of Him, we will begin to pray with hearts attuned to His and expectations that align more closely with what is good and pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Only then will the dark pain that comes from sin and lawlessness evaporate and allow us to freely walk in grace and love with one another. Our children and the generations after us deserve to receive an inheritance of hope, love, faith, and grace. Then we will truly be living with a focus on eternal values and perspective. We will all taste and see that the Lord is good. He and He alone fills us with the peace and joy, the hope and light we all desperately seek. Father, God, I thank you for your Holy word to guide us and show us your heart and commands. Father, thank you for sending your son, fully God and fully man to live among us, showing the way to You and the way to live. God, we are so far away from where You desire us, from where You created us to be. I humbly beg you, please help us. Carry us back to You. We need to recognize our need for You, Please help us to do so and to admit our sin and surrender it to you. You have already paid the price. Help us to please You with the way we treat each other, what we stand for, and the way we live. We need You more than we know. Help us to find You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #145 – How to Know Truth in a Mixed-Up World of Pride Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. I can’t believe it’s already June! I have always loved summer! When I was a little girl, I always secretly wished that my birthday was in June instead of November. Now I have a grandson and a daughter with June birthdays. Guess what? Ironically, my youngest daughter wishes she could trade with me and have a November birthday. Why did I want the June birthday? Well, I highly dislike cold. Winter is my least favorite time of year. Although I can honestly say that I try to honor God and appreciate the beauty of snow falling and covering the ground in fluffy white silence, He and I both know I would trade that beauty for a warm summer day in a microsecond! I love the weather, the carefree summer days, the ease of dressing and going out without cumbersome coats, boats, gloves, and having to drive slowly in inclement weather. I even dislike the color of the November birthstone and have always been an admirer of creamy pearls that grace the birthstone of June. Summer flowers, scents, and activities are favored over any in cold months one, too. Well, I think I’ve given enough evidence for why I highly favor June, the month that ushers in summer. In current society, however, the month of June has been overtaken with a new meaning injected by 21st century culture. Instead of a time that brings freedom for kids as they move into warm weather adventures, they are bombarded with daily Pride Month agendas and advertisements. It’s not enough to indoctrinate publicly ran educational institutions, now kids are hit when watching television, listening to music, playing games, and shopping. In this mixed-up world of agendas that seek to break apart and redefine what family is, God is unheard and pushed away. No matter what society attempts, God cannot be erased, and He certainly will not be mocked. Proverbs 16:1-7 says, “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” I find it curious that those who developed Pride Month chose the name they did. As believers, we know that Scripture says, “pride goes before a fall.” Throughout Biblical history, we have learned that pride deceives, pride steals, and pride divides. This is certainly so of the LGBTQ alphabet soup of letters agenda and all that flows from it. Love has been redefined and questioned by deceitfulness, identities have been stolen, and families have been divided. In this sinful world, God’s Word remind us of the truth in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Hearts have been shattered and lives have been altered by LGBTQ pride teachings and beliefs. People say that “love is love.” But that doesn’t make all love Biblical or defined by God. Humans can love each other without agreeing or accepting what another person’s definition of love is, just as God loves each one of us without condoning the sin we allow ourselves to entertain or wallow in. He sees us in what He defines as sin, and calls us to come out of it, not “come out” for people to accept what is done against His commands simply because someone “feels” a certain way. In Proverbs 8:12-14, God’s Word says, “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.” God’s Word is very clear on the subject of same sex marriage or relationships. In our sinful world, where people are angry and dismissive if they are living outside of the boundaries God has set, and someone doesn’t agree with their decision to do so, they direct the anger on the one they believe is judging them. While that is common, I suppose that even more hurtful, cruel anger must be subjected to themselves and God. It cannot be joyful or peaceful to live against what God calls, even when one doesn’t profess to know or follow Him. Proverbs 8:32-36 says, “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” As believers, we must strive to know, love, and honor Christ, growing in wisdom and discernment daily as our relationship with Jesus matures. While we cannot expect those who do not know Him to understand why Christians do not agree with specific lifestyles, we should strive to believe as the Bible states, which means we need to be in it – studying it daily. God’s Words are like nonsense to those who do not know Christ. I do believe that believers can love others involved in compromising lifestyles without compromising God’s truths or Word, and we can use discernment without being judgmental. Each of us sins in some way daily, whether we follow Jesus or not. Those who do not know Christ in a deep relationship believe that Jesus came in love, but believers know that Jesus came with Truth. He loved without compromise, but was clear about teaching God’s Word and commands and He uncompromisingly lived them every moment. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says, “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” God’s Word is Truth. Scripture is Holy - formed and given by God. The Bible is not simply words written by men. What we believe does not matter. What we feel does not matter in the context of truth. Why? Truth comes from and is defined by God. God’s Word carries power - Holy power that: Saves Teaches Trains Guides Counsels Revives Restores Warns Rewards Nourishes Judges Sanctifies Frees Enriches Protects Strengthens Wisens Rejoices Prospers Psalm 19:7-11 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” In this month where culture and the cross collide in such blatant ways, rest in His truth. Love without judgement, yet seek to make Him known without compromise. None of us are without sin, but we should never attempt to draw others into what goes against God’s commands and teachings. For a group that demands respect, I have not seen any given to those who disagree. For a group that commands that others allow them to express themselves, I do not understand why it must be done to the detriment of others. If one does not want to hear about my God, I should be able to say that I do not wish to see them mock and ridicule Him without retaliation. If love is love, I’d like to see a passionate, affectionate respect for those who do not agree with the agenda or the movement. I believe a sex life should be lived behind closed doors, and should not influence my children or feed them with messages they are too young to understand. I believe we as Christians should not judge, yet I do not want to be inundated with beliefs that attempt to force me to accept a lifestyle that goes against God’s Word just because someone else desires to live in that way. I would compare it to a non-believer not wanting me to publicly proclaim a month of Christianity that would shove the Bible at them day after day. Just as God gives each of us free will to live the way we desire, I respect each person’s right to choose. I also believe that it is my right to not want to hear about the LGBTQ agenda and transitioning every day. It is my right to teach my children God’s Word and values. It is my right to teach my family about God’s view of sexuality and purity, not the group with the loudest voice. The truest love was quiet, yet forceful when needed and never strayed from God’s Word or commands. Mothers, what you believe, say, and do makes a difference. Know the Word, study the Word, and speak the Word over your children, with your children, and to others. If you are not set-apart for Christ, your child most likely will not be. Confusion and pride are not from Christ. He provides true and lasting joy and peace. Without Him, the Holy Spirit will not reside inside and pride and deceit will overtake wisdom and truth. Dear Heavenly Father, We love you. As we seek You, You fill our heart with greater desire for You, just as You promise. How great You are, how merciful, forgiving, and wise. Thank you for Your Holy Word that guides and provides, protects and nourishes our lives. We need You so much more than we understand or imagine. Be with each of us; those who know You and those who don’t. Help believers to speak up where needed, where You command. Help us to be compassionate like Christ, yet fearless and Holy. Give us the words You desire we speak and the heart needed to show You clearly and point others to You in the ways You desire in a darkening world. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 145 - How to Know Truth in a Mixed-Up World of Pride Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #145 – How to Know Truth in a Mixed-Up World of Pride Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. I can’t believe it’s already June! I have always loved summer! When I was a little girl, I always secretly wished that my birthday was in June instead of November. Now I have a grandson and a daughter with June birthdays. Guess what? Ironically, my youngest daughter wishes she could trade with me and have a November birthday. Why did I want the June birthday? Well, I highly dislike cold. Winter is my least favorite time of year. Although I can honestly say that I try to honor God and appreciate the beauty of snow falling and covering the ground in fluffy white silence, He and I both know I would trade that beauty for a warm summer day in a microsecond! I love the weather, the carefree summer days, the ease of dressing and going out without cumbersome coats, boats, gloves, and having to drive slowly in inclement weather. I even dislike the color of the November birthstone and have always been an admirer of creamy pearls that grace the birthstone of June. Summer flowers, scents, and activities are favored over any in cold months one, too. Well, I think I’ve given enough evidence for why I highly favor June, the month that ushers in summer. In current society, however, the month of June has been overtaken with a new meaning injected by 21st century culture. Instead of a time that brings freedom for kids as they move into warm weather adventures, they are bombarded with daily Pride Month agendas and advertisements. It’s not enough to indoctrinate publicly ran educational institutions, now kids are hit when watching television, listening to music, playing games, and shopping. In this mixed-up world of agendas that seek to break apart and redefine what family is, God is unheard and pushed away. No matter what society attempts, God cannot be erased, and He certainly will not be mocked. Proverbs 16:1-7 says, “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” I find it curious that those who developed Pride Month chose the name they did. As believers, we know that Scripture says, “pride goes before a fall.” Throughout Biblical history, we have learned that pride deceives, pride steals, and pride divides. This is certainly so of the LGBTQ alphabet soup of letters agenda and all that flows from it. Love has been redefined and questioned by deceitfulness, identities have been stolen, and families have been divided. In this sinful world, God’s Word remind us of the truth in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Hearts have been shattered and lives have been altered by LGBTQ pride teachings and beliefs. People say that “love is love.” But that doesn’t make all love Biblical or defined by God. Humans can love each other without agreeing or accepting what another person’s definition of love is, just as God loves each one of us without condoning the sin we allow ourselves to entertain or wallow in. He sees us in what He defines as sin, and calls us to come out of it, not “come out” for people to accept what is done against His commands simply because someone “feels” a certain way. In Proverbs 8:12-14, God’s Word says, “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.” God’s Word is very clear on the subject of same sex marriage or relationships. In our sinful world, where people are angry and dismissive if they are living outside of the boundaries God has set, and someone doesn’t agree with their decision to do so, they direct the anger on the one they believe is judging them. While that is common, I suppose that even more hurtful, cruel anger must be subjected to themselves and God. It cannot be joyful or peaceful to live against what God calls, even when one doesn’t profess to know or follow Him. Proverbs 8:32-36 says, “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” As believers, we must strive to know, love, and honor Christ, growing in wisdom and discernment daily as our relationship with Jesus matures. While we cannot expect those who do not know Him to understand why Christians do not agree with specific lifestyles, we should strive to believe as the Bible states, which means we need to be in it – studying it daily. God’s Words are like nonsense to those who do not know Christ. I do believe that believers can love others involved in compromising lifestyles without compromising God’s truths or Word, and we can use discernment without being judgmental. Each of us sins in some way daily, whether we follow Jesus or not. Those who do not know Christ in a deep relationship believe that Jesus came in love, but believers know that Jesus came with Truth. He loved without compromise, but was clear about teaching God’s Word and commands and He uncompromisingly lived them every moment. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says, “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” God’s Word is Truth. Scripture is Holy - formed and given by God. The Bible is not simply words written by men. What we believe does not matter. What we feel does not matter in the context of truth. Why? Truth comes from and is defined by God. God’s Word carries power - Holy power that: Saves Teaches Trains Guides Counsels Revives Restores Warns Rewards Nourishes Judges Sanctifies Frees Enriches Protects Strengthens Wisens Rejoices Prospers Psalm 19:7-11 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” In this month where culture and the cross collide in such blatant ways, rest in His truth. Love without judgement, yet seek to make Him known without compromise. None of us are without sin, but we should never attempt to draw others into what goes against God’s commands and teachings. For a group that demands respect, I have not seen any given to those who disagree. For a group that commands that others allow them to express themselves, I do not understand why it must be done to the detriment of others. If one does not want to hear about my God, I should be able to say that I do not wish to see them mock and ridicule Him without retaliation. If love is love, I’d like to see a passionate, affectionate respect for those who do not agree with the agenda or the movement. I believe a sex life should be lived behind closed doors, and should not influence my children or feed them with messages they are too young to understand. I believe we as Christians should not judge, yet I do not want to be inundated with beliefs that attempt to force me to accept a lifestyle that goes against God’s Word just because someone else desires to live in that way. I would compare it to a non-believer not wanting me to publicly proclaim a month of Christianity that would shove the Bible at them day after day. Just as God gives each of us free will to live the way we desire, I respect each person’s right to choose. I also believe that it is my right to not want to hear about the LGBTQ agenda and transitioning every day. It is my right to teach my children God’s Word and values. It is my right to teach my family about God’s view of sexuality and purity, not the group with the loudest voice. The truest love was quiet, yet forceful when needed and never strayed from God’s Word or commands. Mothers, what you believe, say, and do makes a difference. Know the Word, study the Word, and speak the Word over your children, with your children, and to others. If you are not set-apart for Christ, your child most likely will not be. Confusion and pride are not from Christ. He provides true and lasting joy and peace. Without Him, the Holy Spirit will not reside inside and pride and deceit will overtake wisdom and truth. Dear Heavenly Father, We love you. As we seek You, You fill our heart with greater desire for You, just as You promise. How great You are, how merciful, forgiving, and wise. Thank you for Your Holy Word that guides and provides, protects and nourishes our lives. We need You so much more than we understand or imagine. Be with each of us; those who know You and those who don’t. Help believers to speak up where needed, where You command. Help us to be compassionate like Christ, yet fearless and Holy. Give us the words You desire we speak and the heart needed to show You clearly and point others to You in the ways You desire in a darkening world. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 069 - Interview with Marissa Hitt/CEO Melane & Co. The transcript of this interview is available on Apple Podcast. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #013 – Change Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. As I prepare this podcast, what I consider the most beautiful time of year is unfolding outside. As spring draws near, I make time to look out the window in my master bathroom, in anticipation of seeing blooms bursting free from winter slumber on a nearby neighbor’s tree in their front yard. Always the first in my area to awaken, it gives me great joy when I view the tiny blooms release. I observe it daily just to see the progression of spring unfold in elapsed time. In contrast, my next-door neighbor has a tree that is last to arouse to new life and thus, their tree has the very last leaves to drop away in the fall. As you can see, I am an observer of seasons and I always have a deep and bittersweet sense of lost love every year when it’s time to say goodbye to spring and summer months. Nothing God does is by chance. The seasons He created represent how our lives constantly change. All of creation was intelligently formed with wisdom only God possesses and is tied together in a subtle, perfect fashion, just as the changes I described and that we all experience are, although they don’t always feel good or positive in the moment. God has blessed me with plenty of opportunities to rely on Him to get me through transitions in life. Let me list just the highlights, meaning this is not everything, of what God has enabled us to rely on Him for over during just the last fourteen years. I quit my job to stay home, we brought home our infant daughter from China, began an extremely difficult journey as my mother battled Alzheimer’s, our oldest daughter battled health issues and passed away unexpectedly, placed my mother in a nursing home for better care, visited my mother daily and managed her bills and care team instructions, helped my father navigate health care as he received news that he had terminal lung cancer, suffered through my husband’s job loss of almost two years, lost my father, lost my mother, adopted a nine year-old daughter with significant health and special needs from China, lost my father-in-law to cancer, helped my youngest through many surgeries and procedures as she adjusted to living with a family in a new country, helped our daughter through her second open-heart surgery, and became a strong advocate for her health care. These are just the highlights that chronicle the time span mentioned. As excruciatingly hard as moments were, I never forgot that God is in control. It didn’t always make the struggles easier, but it shaped my faith deeper and wider. What does that mean? My faith was strong because I already had a relationship with Christ, however, the trials we endured thrust the roots of my relationship farther into deeper fertile ground and spread those roots across the soil of my life. It implanted my feet solidly on living with eternal perspective and spread around me to attempt to allow Him to shine. I am always aware of the fact that others are watching to see how Christ works in the life of a believer. I want them to experience the joy He brings and understand the difference He makes in the life of one trusting Him. One lesson God has taught me is that no matter what I am living through, no matter how easy or difficult the situation or trial may be at the time, I am to look up to Him. Most definitely, it is a beautiful thing when friends and family are around to help and comfort us, but He has proven to me that I am not to rely on the strength of another human to do what He can. While He gives loved ones to us, we are not to find our identity or strength through them. They are a blessing in our life for other purposes. One way in particular that God strengthened my endurance to look to Him was years ago when our oldest daughter showed the first sign of the seriousness of her health condition. It was New Year’s Eve, 2001. Just a few hours before 2002 rang in, I received a phone call. I had just stepped out of the shower. My husband was extremely sick with the flu and could not move anywhere but to the toilet. In fact, he was laying on the floor near it. When I got home from work, I expected to shower and watch a movie, then go to bed. When I heard the phone ringing as I stepped out of the bathtub, I wrapped a towel around myself and quickly ran to answer it. It was a police officer. He told me our daughter had experienced a seizure. The only information she could give him was our phone number. She was 22 years old and living in an apartment about four blocks from our house. A friend was in town from Texas and they had been sitting in the apartment drawing while they figured out where to go for dinner when our daughter’s hand began to tremble, and her body reacted with a full-blown seizure. That is when her friend called 911. I told the officer where to take her and after quickly getting dressed, I raced to tell my husband what had happened, then left for the hospital. I remember thinking how terrible it was that I had to go to the hospital alone. I desperately wanted my husband with me. I felt like it seemed that major events in my life happened when I had to handle things by myself. My thoughts started shooting to several memories as I grew upset. As soon as I thought the words and began the mental movie, I felt God’s firm assurance and reprimand that I had never been alone. I grew calmer as I prayed for Him to take care of Jaime and to guide the doctors. A few years later when police officers came to our home to tell us that our daughter had passed away, my husband was at work. In a time I wanted him home with me, God was my refuge and strength. The way it should be. Because He planned for each of us before we were even formed in the womb, God knows exactly what each of us needs. He doesn’t waste anything that happens to us. Everything we endure or enjoy is a gift from our Heavenly Father. All is designed to reach us in ways nothing else would for specific purposes only He understands fully. My husband and I are very close, and God may know that it would be easy for me to rely on my husband, instead of Him. I trust that the way events occur and the timing with which they happen is as it should be. Thankfully, my Heavenly Father sees the whole picture, not the small snapshot I do. Nothing stays constant in life. Life is fluid, always shifting, bringing highs and lows that I could not survive without God. Yet, while some who do not know Jesus might believe I am weak because of my reliance on Him, I know that I am strong, but in the right ways. In the best ways. On my own, I am a naturally strong person, but the strengths this world reveres is not the quality that gives fullness of life. Before I knew Christ as my Savior, I would describe my personality as stubborn, and prideful, yet with low confidence. After releasing myself to Jesus and submitting to Him, I have become persistent, yet not stubborn because I know I can do all things through Christ. I am becoming humbler daily as I look to Him and His examples, and my confidence has grown, not in self, but through Him and His mighty works through me. I don’t have to look to self for definition or endurance, strength, wisdom, or provisions. He is enough. God is my everything. I remember feeling extremely concerned for my middle daughter when she was younger because she was living her formative childhood years under such pressured days. I wanted to raise her for God and deeply desired smooth, easy days to teach her about Him. God, in His infinite wisdom, knew what was in store for us. I trust that He holds all details in His hands and that what we walk through, as devastating as it feels during the moment, serves a great purpose, not just for us, or those around us, but for eternity. I prayed diligently every day for Him to use what we were enduring for good for His purposes. I pleaded with God not to let Satan get a foothold in her life because the days were so painful, and I could recognize attacks on our family. What I’ve learned (and each of us must remember) is that changes that arrive at our doorstep invite us to lay a welcome mat for Jesus to enter our hearts, minds, and spirits to guide us and carry us in His capable arms, if we choose to let Him through each moment. Remember, absolutely nothing in life is exempt from change. Often, instead of embracing that fact, we dread it. Routines are so important to human nature. We like the expected in daily life. We want our routines and schedules to flow exactly the way we desire. Why do we live with a false sense of control? It makes us feel secure. False security feels better than facing the knowledge that nothing is permanent. Why do we fear change? It is unpredictable. We cannot control it or anticipate it. Change can cause fear, resentment, anxiety, anger or bitterness. God already knows every change we will ever encounter. In fact, He wants to work all things for good for all who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He is already steps ahead of us, paving the way if only we will allow Him to pick us up to carry us over the stumbling steps we experience when walking on our own. Everything in life serv es a purpose and has its time. As it is said in Ecclesiastes 3, “to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Although we have the head knowledge of these truths, we still sometimes find it hard to embrace Him when situations call for it. Hebrews 13:8 offers the hope, assurance, and promise we need. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” When life swirls around us and we feel as though everything is different or frightening and that we are alone or without hope, why is it so difficult to remember the words from Joshua 1:9? Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Or this promise from Psalm 18:2-3, “I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in Whom I will trust, My Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, My Stronghold, I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.” It becomes difficult to remember and call upon the promises of God in troubled times because we are so prone to falling back to reliance on self. As with everything else of great importance in deepening our dependence on, and our abidance in God, we remember hope if we shift our mindset and heart to view life as an evolving gift from Him that is intended to grow and deepen our walk. Our life is not meant to be what we have made it in our fallen world. Our life was meant to be one of intimate and pure communion with God. It is still meant to be that way. We are not meant to abide in Him during troubled times. We were created for permanent residency in and with Him. I enjoy imagining what God originally designed this world and our relationships to be. When we study Eve in the book of Genesis we can begin to understand the perfect love, grace, and provision God extended to her and Adam. They truly lived in God-created paradise without anxiety, bitterness, jealousy, strife, misunderstandings, guilt, hurt, or envy. None of the hurtful, hateful, harmful emotions, words, or actions so strong in our present world existed. Change was probably not a word in their vocabulary or thoughts. Life was perfect. Stop for a moment and ponder the ways our world was so different from what we now experience. If none of us had ever lived under the crushing pain of betrayal, abuse, neglect, or any of the terrible truths of this current world, our hearts, minds, actions, and lives would not suffer from the horrendous effects of such abuse. No wonder change can be so terrifying. We are undoubtedly prone to sin and failure when we shift our attention from God for even a moment. Our lives were meant for complete submission and reliance on Him. Not in an ugly, twisted enslaved way, but in a beautifully complete provisional and intimate exchange of love and reliance on Him because we recognize His authority and attention to us personally. God planned and created each of us for a specific purpose. He deeply desires to provide for us and simply love us. Life is so complicated because of the prominent sin we invited into this world. It was never the way God intended for us to live. I know the separation we feel is so profoundly undesired by God, who created us for such deep intimacy with Him. Thankfully, Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” As I studied chapters in Luke this past week in preparation for Easter, I read a verse that touched me in a new way as I was also preparing this podcast. Although I have read the verse before, it never captured my attention the way that it did this time. As it is written in God’s Holy Bible in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The Bible holds such unique power through God’s word, truths, and will that enables us to be reached through different verses and stories at just the right time in our life for His good purposes. Luke 22:32a states, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.” These words were spoken by Jesus to Simon Peter as the Lord warned his disciple that Satan had requested to sift the follower as wheat. Instead of heeding Jesus’ warning, the always zealous and over-confident Peter ignored the meaning behind Jesus’ words. He told Jesus He was ready to go with the Lord to prison and to death. Jesus replied that Simon would deny Him three times that day. What strikes me in this passage as so vitally important to remember is that we know Satan must request permission to tempt us. Job 1:12 shows us that God granted the devil certain access to Job. “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’” We also know that God already knows everything that will happen in each of our lives. He knows who Satan will target and when that will happen. The verse from Luke 22 proves that we are prayed for before the events occur. The Lord Himself prays for and intercedes for us, strengthening us with His mighty power when we need it most. What could be more effective than a prayer spoken for us by Jesus? This is our reminder that no change comes to us that God has not authorized. This gives me such hope and peace when things around me swirl with uncertainty. It fills me with mighty strength and trust in Him. Change may bring uncertainty and make us uncomfortable, but we don’t have to stay in those feelings. Human emotions are beautiful and I’m so thankful God allows us to experience such complex thoughts and feelings. Yet, He never intended us to remain fixed in or paralyzed by emotions. His desire has always been for us to look and turn to Him for every need. Jesus modeled ultimate obedience for us when He went to the cross. As He prayed in the garden before His arrest, He was aware of the biggest change in His life about to come. Jesus had such a love for us and for His Heavenly Father that He could not deny His purpose. As He knelt in prayer, he spoke these words from Luke 22:42, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done.” Jesus knew what change was coming. He carried such severe emotional and physical stress that He actually produced sweat, and if that isn’t hard enough to imagine, the sweat looked like great drops of blood. Jesus knew what had to be done. He faced tremendous change with courage found through His relationship with His Heavenly Father. He did not rely on self, but was diligently prayerful and intensely focused above. Jesus knew He could not face the coming change alone. He looked to the Only One who could carry Him. Jesus modeled perfect love and obedience for us. Fixing His trust and focus on God is the only way He would be able to do what was written for Him. Jesus left us with the perfect example of how to handle anything we ever endure. Isaiah 26:3 is a reminder for all of us. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Change is a fact of life for all of us. Change will continue to happen. Sometimes it arrives as a joyful surprise, sometimes with tragedy, with hardship, or because of disobedience, or simply because we live in a broken world. No matter the cause, we know that it is no surprise to the Lord, who is already praying for us and ready to shoulder our burden. Change means to “give up something in exchange for something else.” Jesus sacrificed His life for us to receive eternal life through Him. Change means to “make or become different.” Through Jesus, we are a new creation. Change means to “make or become a different substance entirely; transform.” When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit resides in us to transform us to be more like Jesus moment by moment. Change means “the act or instance of becoming different.” Every time we experience something different in our life, we can let it be the catalyst that prompts us to embrace it as another opportunity to draw nearer to God and rely on Him to work new miracles in our life. Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. I would also appreciate it if you would share this podcast with a friend. Tag me if you share it on social media. I want everyone to hear the messages Jesus lays on my heart so they will find encouragement from Him and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 013 Change Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #013 – Change Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. As I prepare this podcast, what I consider the most beautiful time of year is unfolding outside. As spring draws near, I make time to look out the window in my master bathroom, in anticipation of seeing blooms bursting free from winter slumber on a nearby neighbor’s tree in their front yard. Always the first in my area to awaken, it gives me great joy when I view the tiny blooms release. I observe it daily just to see the progression of spring unfold in elapsed time. In contrast, my next-door neighbor has a tree that is last to arouse to new life and thus, their tree has the very last leaves to drop away in the fall. As you can see, I am an observer of seasons and I always have a deep and bittersweet sense of lost love every year when it’s time to say goodbye to spring and summer months. Nothing God does is by chance. The seasons He created represent how our lives constantly change. All of creation was intelligently formed with wisdom only God possesses and is tied together in a subtle, perfect fashion, just as the changes I described and that we all experience are, although they don’t always feel good or positive in the moment. God has blessed me with plenty of opportunities to rely on Him to get me through transitions in life. Let me list just the highlights, meaning this is not everything, of what God has enabled us to rely on Him for over during just the last fourteen years. I quit my job to stay home, we brought home our infant daughter from China, began an extremely difficult journey as my mother battled Alzheimer’s, our oldest daughter battled health issues and passed away unexpectedly, placed my mother in a nursing home for better care, visited my mother daily and managed her bills and care team instructions, helped my father navigate health care as he received news that he had terminal lung cancer, suffered through my husband’s job loss of almost two years, lost my father, lost my mother, adopted a nine year-old daughter with significant health and special needs from China, lost my father-in-law to cancer, helped my youngest through many surgeries and procedures as she adjusted to living with a family in a new country, helped our daughter through her second open-heart surgery, and became a strong advocate for her health care. These are just the highlights that chronicle the time span mentioned. As excruciatingly hard as moments were, I never forgot that God is in control. It didn’t always make the struggles easier, but it shaped my faith deeper and wider. What does that mean? My faith was strong because I already had a relationship with Christ, however, the trials we endured thrust the roots of my relationship farther into deeper fertile ground and spread those roots across the soil of my life. It implanted my feet solidly on living with eternal perspective and spread around me to attempt to allow Him to shine. I am always aware of the fact that others are watching to see how Christ works in the life of a believer. I want them to experience the joy He brings and understand the difference He makes in the life of one trusting Him. One lesson God has taught me is that no matter what I am living through, no matter how easy or difficult the situation or trial may be at the time, I am to look up to Him. Most definitely, it is a beautiful thing when friends and family are around to help and comfort us, but He has proven to me that I am not to rely on the strength of another human to do what He can. While He gives loved ones to us, we are not to find our identity or strength through them. They are a blessing in our life for other purposes. One way in particular that God strengthened my endurance to look to Him was years ago when our oldest daughter showed the first sign of the seriousness of her health condition. It was New Year’s Eve, 2001. Just a few hours before 2002 rang in, I received a phone call. I had just stepped out of the shower. My husband was extremely sick with the flu and could not move anywhere but to the toilet. In fact, he was laying on the floor near it. When I got home from work, I expected to shower and watch a movie, then go to bed. When I heard the phone ringing as I stepped out of the bathtub, I wrapped a towel around myself and quickly ran to answer it. It was a police officer. He told me our daughter had experienced a seizure. The only information she could give him was our phone number. She was 22 years old and living in an apartment about four blocks from our house. A friend was in town from Texas and they had been sitting in the apartment drawing while they figured out where to go for dinner when our daughter’s hand began to tremble, and her body reacted with a full-blown seizure. That is when her friend called 911. I told the officer where to take her and after quickly getting dressed, I raced to tell my husband what had happened, then left for the hospital. I remember thinking how terrible it was that I had to go to the hospital alone. I desperately wanted my husband with me. I felt like it seemed that major events in my life happened when I had to handle things by myself. My thoughts started shooting to several memories as I grew upset. As soon as I thought the words and began the mental movie, I felt God’s firm assurance and reprimand that I had never been alone. I grew calmer as I prayed for Him to take care of Jaime and to guide the doctors. A few years later when police officers came to our home to tell us that our daughter had passed away, my husband was at work. In a time I wanted him home with me, God was my refuge and strength. The way it should be. Because He planned for each of us before we were even formed in the womb, God knows exactly what each of us needs. He doesn’t waste anything that happens to us. Everything we endure or enjoy is a gift from our Heavenly Father. All is designed to reach us in ways nothing else would for specific purposes only He understands fully. My husband and I are very close, and God may know that it would be easy for me to rely on my husband, instead of Him. I trust that the way events occur and the timing with which they happen is as it should be. Thankfully, my Heavenly Father sees the whole picture, not the small snapshot I do. Nothing stays constant in life. Life is fluid, always shifting, bringing highs and lows that I could not survive without God. Yet, while some who do not know Jesus might believe I am weak because of my reliance on Him, I know that I am strong, but in the right ways. In the best ways. On my own, I am a naturally strong person, but the strengths this world reveres is not the quality that gives fullness of life. Before I knew Christ as my Savior, I would describe my personality as stubborn, and prideful, yet with low confidence. After releasing myself to Jesus and submitting to Him, I have become persistent, yet not stubborn because I know I can do all things through Christ. I am becoming humbler daily as I look to Him and His examples, and my confidence has grown, not in self, but through Him and His mighty works through me. I don’t have to look to self for definition or endurance, strength, wisdom, or provisions. He is enough. God is my everything. I remember feeling extremely concerned for my middle daughter when she was younger because she was living her formative childhood years under such pressured days. I wanted to raise her for God and deeply desired smooth, easy days to teach her about Him. God, in His infinite wisdom, knew what was in store for us. I trust that He holds all details in His hands and that what we walk through, as devastating as it feels during the moment, serves a great purpose, not just for us, or those around us, but for eternity. I prayed diligently every day for Him to use what we were enduring for good for His purposes. I pleaded with God not to let Satan get a foothold in her life because the days were so painful, and I could recognize attacks on our family. What I’ve learned (and each of us must remember) is that changes that arrive at our doorstep invite us to lay a welcome mat for Jesus to enter our hearts, minds, and spirits to guide us and carry us in His capable arms, if we choose to let Him through each moment. Remember, absolutely nothing in life is exempt from change. Often, instead of embracing that fact, we dread it. Routines are so important to human nature. We like the expected in daily life. We want our routines and schedules to flow exactly the way we desire. Why do we live with a false sense of control? It makes us feel secure. False security feels better than facing the knowledge that nothing is permanent. Why do we fear change? It is unpredictable. We cannot control it or anticipate it. Change can cause fear, resentment, anxiety, anger or bitterness. God already knows every change we will ever encounter. In fact, He wants to work all things for good for all who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He is already steps ahead of us, paving the way if only we will allow Him to pick us up to carry us over the stumbling steps we experience when walking on our own. Everything in life serv es a purpose and has its time. As it is said in Ecclesiastes 3, “to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Although we have the head knowledge of these truths, we still sometimes find it hard to embrace Him when situations call for it. Hebrews 13:8 offers the hope, assurance, and promise we need. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” When life swirls around us and we feel as though everything is different or frightening and that we are alone or without hope, why is it so difficult to remember the words from Joshua 1:9? Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Or this promise from Psalm 18:2-3, “I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in Whom I will trust, My Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, My Stronghold, I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.” It becomes difficult to remember and call upon the promises of God in troubled times because we are so prone to falling back to reliance on self. As with everything else of great importance in deepening our dependence on, and our abidance in God, we remember hope if we shift our mindset and heart to view life as an evolving gift from Him that is intended to grow and deepen our walk. Our life is not meant to be what we have made it in our fallen world. Our life was meant to be one of intimate and pure communion with God. It is still meant to be that way. We are not meant to abide in Him during troubled times. We were created for permanent residency in and with Him. I enjoy imagining what God originally designed this world and our relationships to be. When we study Eve in the book of Genesis we can begin to understand the perfect love, grace, and provision God extended to her and Adam. They truly lived in God-created paradise without anxiety, bitterness, jealousy, strife, misunderstandings, guilt, hurt, or envy. None of the hurtful, hateful, harmful emotions, words, or actions so strong in our present world existed. Change was probably not a word in their vocabulary or thoughts. Life was perfect. Stop for a moment and ponder the ways our world was so different from what we now experience. If none of us had ever lived under the crushing pain of betrayal, abuse, neglect, or any of the terrible truths of this current world, our hearts, minds, actions, and lives would not suffer from the horrendous effects of such abuse. No wonder change can be so terrifying. We are undoubtedly prone to sin and failure when we shift our attention from God for even a moment. Our lives were meant for complete submission and reliance on Him. Not in an ugly, twisted enslaved way, but in a beautifully complete provisional and intimate exchange of love and reliance on Him because we recognize His authority and attention to us personally. God planned and created each of us for a specific purpose. He deeply desires to provide for us and simply love us. Life is so complicated because of the prominent sin we invited into this world. It was never the way God intended for us to live. I know the separation we feel is so profoundly undesired by God, who created us for such deep intimacy with Him. Thankfully, Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” As I studied chapters in Luke this past week in preparation for Easter, I read a verse that touched me in a new way as I was also preparing this podcast. Although I have read the verse before, it never captured my attention the way that it did this time. As it is written in God’s Holy Bible in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The Bible holds such unique power through God’s word, truths, and will that enables us to be reached through different verses and stories at just the right time in our life for His good purposes. Luke 22:32a states, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.” These words were spoken by Jesus to Simon Peter as the Lord warned his disciple that Satan had requested to sift the follower as wheat. Instead of heeding Jesus’ warning, the always zealous and over-confident Peter ignored the meaning behind Jesus’ words. He told Jesus He was ready to go with the Lord to prison and to death. Jesus replied that Simon would deny Him three times that day. What strikes me in this passage as so vitally important to remember is that we know Satan must request permission to tempt us. Job 1:12 shows us that God granted the devil certain access to Job. “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’” We also know that God already knows everything that will happen in each of our lives. He knows who Satan will target and when that will happen. The verse from Luke 22 proves that we are prayed for before the events occur. The Lord Himself prays for and intercedes for us, strengthening us with His mighty power when we need it most. What could be more effective than a prayer spoken for us by Jesus? This is our reminder that no change comes to us that God has not authorized. This gives me such hope and peace when things around me swirl with uncertainty. It fills me with mighty strength and trust in Him. Change may bring uncertainty and make us uncomfortable, but we don’t have to stay in those feelings. Human emotions are beautiful and I’m so thankful God allows us to experience such complex thoughts and feelings. Yet, He never intended us to remain fixed in or paralyzed by emotions. His desire has always been for us to look and turn to Him for every need. Jesus modeled ultimate obedience for us when He went to the cross. As He prayed in the garden before His arrest, He was aware of the biggest change in His life about to come. Jesus had such a love for us and for His Heavenly Father that He could not deny His purpose. As He knelt in prayer, he spoke these words from Luke 22:42, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done.” Jesus knew what change was coming. He carried such severe emotional and physical stress that He actually produced sweat, and if that isn’t hard enough to imagine, the sweat looked like great drops of blood. Jesus knew what had to be done. He faced tremendous change with courage found through His relationship with His Heavenly Father. He did not rely on self, but was diligently prayerful and intensely focused above. Jesus knew He could not face the coming change alone. He looked to the Only One who could carry Him. Jesus modeled perfect love and obedience for us. Fixing His trust and focus on God is the only way He would be able to do what was written for Him. Jesus left us with the perfect example of how to handle anything we ever endure. Isaiah 26:3 is a reminder for all of us. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Change is a fact of life for all of us. Change will continue to happen. Sometimes it arrives as a joyful surprise, sometimes with tragedy, with hardship, or because of disobedience, or simply because we live in a broken world. No matter the cause, we know that it is no surprise to the Lord, who is already praying for us and ready to shoulder our burden. Change means to “give up something in exchange for something else.” Jesus sacrificed His life for us to receive eternal life through Him. Change means to “make or become different.” Through Jesus, we are a new creation. Change means to “make or become a different substance entirely; transform.” When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit resides in us to transform us to be more like Jesus moment by moment. Change means “the act or instance of becoming different.” Every time we experience something different in our life, we can let it be the catalyst that prompts us to embrace it as another opportunity to draw nearer to God and rely on Him to work new miracles in our life. Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. I would also appreciate it if you would share this podcast with a friend. Tag me if you share it on social media. I want everyone to hear the messages Jesus lays on my heart so they will find encouragement from Him and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #070 – Refining Time Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. This week I purchased a gift for a baby shower. Out of all the various gifts listed on the registry, I chose something very simple. A bottle warmer. Why did I choose that item? A bottle warmer certainly isn’t glamorous or exciting. Yet, the simplicity spoke to my heart because of the purpose behind it. The warmer made me recall the days I had babies in the house. My precious memories of that time brought back cherished moments that now seem so far in the past, yet also feel like yesterday at the same time. Have you ever heard older mothers pass on advice about being in the moment? Appreciate the times with your children while they are young. People always say in hindsight that the days are long, but the years are short. How true the words are. As an older mom who has had the unique gift of raising one family and starting again with a baby, the words stir me very deeply. Although it saddens me, I realize the slight differences between the early years with my first two and my last two. I admit that my love for each of my children is the same and very deep and strong, yet I have a deeper appreciation for my time with the younger set because of the wisdom gained during the years I aged in between. That insight allowed me to understand what a gift our children are and how purposely unique each one is. I always knew they were more precious than gold, but when I was young, my attention was split between chasing dreams and gaining the worldly treasures I thought we needed, instead of realizing my blessed role of raising my children for Jesus. Now I have learned that resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father, appreciating what He has given me, whether it be a long session with a crying child or a quiet time of reflection as I gaze at my infant who never knew attention before, rejoicing as she maintained eye contact for the first time, I am blessed. I bought that bottle warmer for a shower gift because I hope the mother will quietly sit with her baby, appreciating every single moment and will desire to be the one holding and feeding her beloved gift from God. Just as it takes intentional time to bond and attach with our child, we must purpose to mature our relationship with God. Have you ever noticed that some people seem to cultivate a deep relationship with the Lord effortlessly? Yet, the truth is that appearances truly are deceiving. Deep relationships, whether experienced with our Heavenly Father or our loved ones on earth, are strengthened through a wise use of time and attention. Wise believers will implement each moment given with a heart focused on eternity. God has no favorites; He gives each of us the same amount of time and love. We are the ones who vary our attention to and devotion for Him. Unless we realize that the time allotted to us is a valuable resource, we never prioritize what we want our life and our future to hold. If we desire our eternity to hold more treasures than what we could accumulate in this temporary life, we will make a faith-fueled decision that heavenly wealth is more precious and meaningful than worldly possessions. Next, our actions must match what we believe, because in reality, most people, with time and focused effort, can obtain all or much of what their heart yearns for. A life spent merely acquiring belongings can never be returned to us, even after we realize that we wasted those moments chasing temporary, worthless trappings. Purpose now to view eternity with Jesus as wealth. Value the time you have on this earth with a heart and mindset that places relationship with Jesus at the top of goals to achieve. People must stop saying we hope to mature our walk with Christ when we find more time. Get on your knees now, pray for guidance and wisdom, then open your Bible and your heart to what He desires to reveal to you. Relationship with Jesus is “free,” yet priceless, but costs in ways we cannot imagine when we decide to follow Him. 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 promises, “Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Rather, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.” Just as we hope, plan, and dream about our future daily here on earth, we must make more time to contemplate our eternal future. Our beliefs and the focus of our actions and moments in this world form our eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” What season are you in? Where is God calling you to change the time you spend for and with Him? Let’s focus on some truths about time to see where we should pivot how we use it. Remember, you don’t need to keep notes. You can easily read and print these suggestions at terrihitt.com in the podcast transcripts area. 1. How we spend time directly affects all areas of our life, most directly, our eternity. 2. Who we spend time with affects and shapes our values and actions. 3. Time can either soothe and heal or cause pain, bitterness, and jealousies to multiply. 4. Time is more valuable than currency; we cannot retrieve more once it has been spent. 5. We do not know how much time we have been gifted. Are you utilizing the time you have been allotted in ways that God would find pleasing? Let’s examine ways we can deliberately use our time for God. 1. Make God a priority. It’s easier to sit on the couch and watch television or scroll through our phone than it is to pick up our Bible. Why? What we discover about God and the life-changing power His word and obedience to Him bring are much more impactful than a movie or sitcom will ever be. 2. Learn the word. Memorization can be hard. If you feel it is an impossible task, allow yourself to read God’s word. Reading His truths bring knowledge, faith, love, joy, peace, and so much more into your life. Write His words. Speak His words. Pray His words. Absorb His words. Read them over and over so they become the wind lifting you confidently through life. 3. Obey the word. As we begin to know the Father’s heart, His desires become ours. We long to obey and please Him as His truths penetrate our heart and mind. 4. Communicate with God. Prayer is the lifeline God blessed us with. How often do you think of prayer as a gift? How often are you distracted when praying? We fail often at such a simple task, yet God is faithful and allows us to continue to step into His glorious and holy presence time after time. Experience the reminder of His righteousness and holiness as you pray His words of truth to Him. 5. Listen to God. Once we continue to communicate with the Lord through prayer, we begin to develop ears to hear. As our walk matures, we hear His still, small voice and His booming commands. Both are important. 6. Repent to God. When we open our heart and confess our sins, He is faithful to listen and forgive. He is able to carry our loads and change our habits. 7. Express gratitude. Just as the Lord longs to hear us repent, He desires to hear sincere thankfulness. When we are grateful during the hard and easy times, the joys or disappointments, we grow our trust and dependence on Him and show Him through contented faith that He is enough and we are thankful for His gift of eternal life and His presence in our life. 8. Plan fun activities with God. God delights in knowing that we look forward to spending time with Him! Whether we long to talk to Him throughout our day, sharing secret thoughts or thankfulness, or whether we pray to Him at a special time every morning or night because we long to share that quality time together, or we look forward to reading His word, drawing for Him, singing for Him, or sharing His truths with others, God sees and knows our heart. Think of new ways to authentically bring delightful obedience to the heart of our Father. 9. Give God good gifts. We know we can never outgive God. With a heart full of love for Him, we can give pleasingly when we use what He has given us to further His kingdom on earth. Money, time, and talents all make beautiful gifts to Him that last for eternity. 10. Value and share God’s wisdom. Making time for Him in all the ways I mentioned prove that we are intentionally bowing in humble submission to God. As we practice deepening our walk and desire for Him, we come to value every aspect of God. Our Heavenly Father, I AM WHO I AM, the God who sanctifies, provides, is all powerful, holy and righteous, the God of peace, the Redeemer, and Truth. Allow Him to penetrate all of you and shine through you for all to see His majesty and glory. Just as a secure and healthy attachment is the foundation that allows your child to freely explore the world, trusting that they have a safe anchor to hold them steady, the time we invest in attaching to our Heavenly Father will allow us to organize and adjust our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, actions, and goals through godly methods because we trust the One who created and knows us best. He knows the plans He has for you, to prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you a future, and a hope. Look to the Lord for care, guidance, and comfort as an infant seeks His primary caregiver. Just as with a baby, attachment is essential to long-term emotional, financial, spiritual, mental, and physical health. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 10:38-42 says, “As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Precious Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your gracious gift of an eternal future with You. Thank you for making the way to You so clear through Jesus and for the ultimate sacrifice You offered to bring us into eternity with You. Cause us to see each moment through Your eternal mind and heart-set. May we please You with our willingness and desire to know You more deeply. Allow us to rest in Your presence without a distracted heart or mind. What we have here is nothing in light of what You offer us in our eternal home with You. Help us to fully realize that truth and grant us inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys because we have sought You with a heart of devotion through sacrifice and priority, just as You do for us. In Your holy name we pray, Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 070 Refining Time Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #070 – Refining Time Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. This week I purchased a gift for a baby shower. Out of all the various gifts listed on the registry, I chose something very simple. A bottle warmer. Why did I choose that item? A bottle warmer certainly isn’t glamorous or exciting. Yet, the simplicity spoke to my heart because of the purpose behind it. The warmer made me recall the days I had babies in the house. My precious memories of that time brought back cherished moments that now seem so far in the past, yet also feel like yesterday at the same time. Have you ever heard older mothers pass on advice about being in the moment? Appreciate the times with your children while they are young. People always say in hindsight that the days are long, but the years are short. How true the words are. As an older mom who has had the unique gift of raising one family and starting again with a baby, the words stir me very deeply. Although it saddens me, I realize the slight differences between the early years with my first two and my last two. I admit that my love for each of my children is the same and very deep and strong, yet I have a deeper appreciation for my time with the younger set because of the wisdom gained during the years I aged in between. That insight allowed me to understand what a gift our children are and how purposely unique each one is. I always knew they were more precious than gold, but when I was young, my attention was split between chasing dreams and gaining the worldly treasures I thought we needed, instead of realizing my blessed role of raising my children for Jesus. Now I have learned that resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father, appreciating what He has given me, whether it be a long session with a crying child or a quiet time of reflection as I gaze at my infant who never knew attention before, rejoicing as she maintained eye contact for the first time, I am blessed. I bought that bottle warmer for a shower gift because I hope the mother will quietly sit with her baby, appreciating every single moment and will desire to be the one holding and feeding her beloved gift from God. Just as it takes intentional time to bond and attach with our child, we must purpose to mature our relationship with God. Have you ever noticed that some people seem to cultivate a deep relationship with the Lord effortlessly? Yet, the truth is that appearances truly are deceiving. Deep relationships, whether experienced with our Heavenly Father or our loved ones on earth, are strengthened through a wise use of time and attention. Wise believers will implement each moment given with a heart focused on eternity. God has no favorites; He gives each of us the same amount of time and love. We are the ones who vary our attention to and devotion for Him. Unless we realize that the time allotted to us is a valuable resource, we never prioritize what we want our life and our future to hold. If we desire our eternity to hold more treasures than what we could accumulate in this temporary life, we will make a faith-fueled decision that heavenly wealth is more precious and meaningful than worldly possessions. Next, our actions must match what we believe, because in reality, most people, with time and focused effort, can obtain all or much of what their heart yearns for. A life spent merely acquiring belongings can never be returned to us, even after we realize that we wasted those moments chasing temporary, worthless trappings. Purpose now to view eternity with Jesus as wealth. Value the time you have on this earth with a heart and mindset that places relationship with Jesus at the top of goals to achieve. People must stop saying we hope to mature our walk with Christ when we find more time. Get on your knees now, pray for guidance and wisdom, then open your Bible and your heart to what He desires to reveal to you. Relationship with Jesus is “free,” yet priceless, but costs in ways we cannot imagine when we decide to follow Him. 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 promises, “Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Rather, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.” Just as we hope, plan, and dream about our future daily here on earth, we must make more time to contemplate our eternal future. Our beliefs and the focus of our actions and moments in this world form our eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to count as lost, a time to keep and a time to discard, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” What season are you in? Where is God calling you to change the time you spend for and with Him? Let’s focus on some truths about time to see where we should pivot how we use it. Remember, you don’t need to keep notes. You can easily read and print these suggestions at terrihitt.com in the podcast transcripts area. 1. How we spend time directly affects all areas of our life, most directly, our eternity. 2. Who we spend time with affects and shapes our values and actions. 3. Time can either soothe and heal or cause pain, bitterness, and jealousies to multiply. 4. Time is more valuable than currency; we cannot retrieve more once it has been spent. 5. We do not know how much time we have been gifted. Are you utilizing the time you have been allotted in ways that God would find pleasing? Let’s examine ways we can deliberately use our time for God. 1. Make God a priority. It’s easier to sit on the couch and watch television or scroll through our phone than it is to pick up our Bible. Why? What we discover about God and the life-changing power His word and obedience to Him bring are much more impactful than a movie or sitcom will ever be. 2. Learn the word. Memorization can be hard. If you feel it is an impossible task, allow yourself to read God’s word. Reading His truths bring knowledge, faith, love, joy, peace, and so much more into your life. Write His words. Speak His words. Pray His words. Absorb His words. Read them over and over so they become the wind lifting you confidently through life. 3. Obey the word. As we begin to know the Father’s heart, His desires become ours. We long to obey and please Him as His truths penetrate our heart and mind. 4. Communicate with God. Prayer is the lifeline God blessed us with. How often do you think of prayer as a gift? How often are you distracted when praying? We fail often at such a simple task, yet God is faithful and allows us to continue to step into His glorious and holy presence time after time. Experience the reminder of His righteousness and holiness as you pray His words of truth to Him. 5. Listen to God. Once we continue to communicate with the Lord through prayer, we begin to develop ears to hear. As our walk matures, we hear His still, small voice and His booming commands. Both are important. 6. Repent to God. When we open our heart and confess our sins, He is faithful to listen and forgive. He is able to carry our loads and change our habits. 7. Express gratitude. Just as the Lord longs to hear us repent, He desires to hear sincere thankfulness. When we are grateful during the hard and easy times, the joys or disappointments, we grow our trust and dependence on Him and show Him through contented faith that He is enough and we are thankful for His gift of eternal life and His presence in our life. 8. Plan fun activities with God. God delights in knowing that we look forward to spending time with Him! Whether we long to talk to Him throughout our day, sharing secret thoughts or thankfulness, or whether we pray to Him at a special time every morning or night because we long to share that quality time together, or we look forward to reading His word, drawing for Him, singing for Him, or sharing His truths with others, God sees and knows our heart. Think of new ways to authentically bring delightful obedience to the heart of our Father. 9. Give God good gifts. We know we can never outgive God. With a heart full of love for Him, we can give pleasingly when we use what He has given us to further His kingdom on earth. Money, time, and talents all make beautiful gifts to Him that last for eternity. 10. Value and share God’s wisdom. Making time for Him in all the ways I mentioned prove that we are intentionally bowing in humble submission to God. As we practice deepening our walk and desire for Him, we come to value every aspect of God. Our Heavenly Father, I AM WHO I AM, the God who sanctifies, provides, is all powerful, holy and righteous, the God of peace, the Redeemer, and Truth. Allow Him to penetrate all of you and shine through you for all to see His majesty and glory. Just as a secure and healthy attachment is the foundation that allows your child to freely explore the world, trusting that they have a safe anchor to hold them steady, the time we invest in attaching to our Heavenly Father will allow us to organize and adjust our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, actions, and goals through godly methods because we trust the One who created and knows us best. He knows the plans He has for you, to prosper you, and not to harm you, to give you a future, and a hope. Look to the Lord for care, guidance, and comfort as an infant seeks His primary caregiver. Just as with a baby, attachment is essential to long-term emotional, financial, spiritual, mental, and physical health. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 10:38-42 says, “As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Precious Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your gracious gift of an eternal future with You. Thank you for making the way to You so clear through Jesus and for the ultimate sacrifice You offered to bring us into eternity with You. Cause us to see each moment through Your eternal mind and heart-set. May we please You with our willingness and desire to know You more deeply. Allow us to rest in Your presence without a distracted heart or mind. What we have here is nothing in light of what You offer us in our eternal home with You. Help us to fully realize that truth and grant us inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys because we have sought You with a heart of devotion through sacrifice and priority, just as You do for us. In Your holy name we pray, Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 007 - Parenting Styles Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #007 – Parenting Styles Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. Eighteen years ago my husband and I were leaving the local library when the most adorable little Asian boy of about 3 or 4 years old held open the door for us and waved as we passed through. Why do I remember this particular snapshot in time so well? This child represented the beginning of a special unfolding journey of obedience and a step back into parenting after raising two children. After leaving the library, my husband and I compared stories, and found that God had been speaking to me through a vision at the very time He did the same thing with my husband. We knew God was telling both of us that we had a daughter in China. One of the first things we did (after praying together daily for God to guide us and make His desires known) was to talk seriously about what we wanted to do differently this time. How many times do parents get the opportunity to “reparent” or shift their style as they have matured and grown in the Lord and as a person? We’d already raised one set of children who were out of the house. Although we deeply loved our older children, we hadn’t experienced “empty nest syndrome,” and desired to start raising children again. This was proving to be a specific journey God had chosen for us. We couldn’t escape the clarity with which God was working to let us know He had much larger plans for us and a very different future than we had ever imagined. We were both eighteen when we had our first child, a daughter. We were 21 when our son was born, and we were used to being the youngest parents in any group. By the time we knew God was calling us to begin a parenting journey for the second round, we were in our early 40’s and feeling like we would be ancient compared to the couples just beginning to parent. Let me tell you; it’s much more common to see older first-time parents now than it was 18 years ago. God was so gracious to us. I remember long prayerful spans of time spent alone with my Heavenly Father during this special time. At the time my husband worked at an international firm and was often out of the country. Although it was lonely at times, I realized God was offering me special time for just Him and I. I was able to connect with Jesus in new ways of humble dependency and recognition of His personal relationship with me. Just kneeling at His feet, sharing my innermost dreams made me feel so much closer as I humbly appreciated that the Lord of Heaven and Earth would see fit to allow us the sacred privilege of raising another child. My heart was full of ways I wanted to mother differently and I pictured the life of my child in new ways I had never considered the first time around. I was no longer the young woman who learned as she went or parented the way others told me to. I finally had a confident voice that wanted to follow where God led and my deepest desire was to raise my daughter to love and honor Him with whatever unique and special abilities He crafted within her. With all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, I deeply loved the Lord and I desired nothing but mentoring my child the gift of a holy walk with Him. As I spent quiet time in prayer with my husband, and much reflective, humble, and prayerful time with God, I questioned ways I had parented my first two and how I could allow God to alter my mindset and skills to raise this child in ways He would call holy and good. I began deeply examining 5 factors I believed were of utmost importance. 1. What did I want the end of my life to look like? 2. What were our previous parenting challenges and joys? 3. What were the best ways to influence my child’s life for God? 4. What did I want the end of my child’s life to look like? 5. What did I need to continue or change in my walk with God? I was on a journey to discover exactly what type of parent I had been and what type I would be in the future, not through what I thought or by comments others made to me, but by judging against what scripture says. Seeking God with a purposed heart and actively maturing and deepening my personal walk with Him through relationship with Jesus, led me to discover a deeper, eternal perspective parenting style. Perhaps you would like to consider the ways you parent now and what you might like to change in the future. One of the blessings in life is that we are not supposed to be the same person from day to day. We have the ability to desire and implement change inevery area of our life . As I continued to develop a mature walk with Christ, it opened the power of the Holy Spirit within and grew me in spiritual ways that overflowed into all areas of my life. I know that with intention, the same will happen for you if it is what you desire and are willing to call on Him. As we examine parenting styles, let’s start by looking at the top 5 methods of parenting: 1. Uninvolved – This parent is busy. Perhaps they work a demanding job or have overextended themselves with responsibilities. They don’t make time for involvement with their child. Student friends, academic pursuits, homework, sports, or extracurricular activities aren’t part of their life. Their child must learn to manage them alone or suffers from the loss of them. The parent feels they don’t have time to be involved or choose not to be. They expect their child to raise themselves with little input from them and they don’t spend time nurturing their child. 2. Permissive – This parent sets rules and expectations, but rarely enforces them. It’s easy for the child to persuade the parent to cave on punishments. The parent will listen to their child’s desires and opinions and allow changes because they act like more of a friend than a parent. 3. Authoritarian – This parent is obedience-driven. Kids are seen, but not heard. Feelings are not taken into consideration. Rules are dictated by the parent and consequences are upheld. 4. Hovering – This parent is also commonly called the “helicopter parent.” Almost unable to control herself, this parent will complete tasks that should fall to the child, such as finishing homework to ensure a good grade, step in to rescue their child from consequences, force their child to accept their help when it is not needed, make decisions instead of allowing the child to mature, and shield their child instead of allowing him to learn from mistakes. 5. Authoritative – This parent is connected to their child. Feelings are heard and validated. Although the parent and child are bonded and share attachment, the parent doesn’t try to be a best friend. She sets rules, as well as enforces consequences when needed. This parent also attempts to prevent problems before they begin. Once we understand the type of parenting we employ, we can work to ensure that we make needed changes that allow us to become better attuned to Christ as we connect with Him and our child. I believe strong attachment needs to be made through the heart. What we hold in our heart affects the way we think, act, and how we react to life. The same is true for our children. Unless we begin our parenting mindset connected to and growing in our walk with Jesus, we are parenting with the standards and values the world advertises, chases, or "falls into" as we deal with life and all the busyness surrounding us. Your child deserves intentional, Christ-centered parenting that builds and strengthens a faith foundation every day. We’ve looked at the top 5 basic methods of parenting. Now let’s consider scriptural methods of parenting. As we purposely mature our walk and allow Christ to perfect His work within us, our parenting is naturally affected. God leads and guides us as to how to mentor our children as we prayerfully submit ourselves and our children to Him. God, the perfect parent infuses us with His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding for His child that He has entrusted to us for the short period we are blessed to have them. I can’t begin a list until I share one of my favorite passages of scripture. If you’ve listened to many of my podcast episodes, either Live With Eternal Perspective or Purposed Parent/Connected Child, you will have heard me share this passage before. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 says, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.” I believe it is vital to remember that when Jesus was asked which of the commandments was the greatest, He responded with Deuteronomy 6, verse 5, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength .” I find it interesting that in Hebrew, the word “love” isn’t confined to feelings. So as we remember that we are to love God, we need to remember that the biblical definition of love is in the Hebrew form, which centers on the intellect , sensibilities , and will . When we are instructed to love God, we are actually told to cling to Him alone. The command includes our soul and our strength, meaning with everything in us and in every way. Mark 12:20 adds another very important word in the verse, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” With all of our mind. This is the way we are to respond to God and build our intimate relationship with Him. Think of Him as the air you breathe, remember the Holy Spirit within you, guiding you each moment. It is also the way we are to teach our children to acknowledge and esteem Him. We are to know and show Him so clearly to them that they are taught to be a lover of God. We want to influence them in such ways that their life naturally flows into a worshipper of God. Then they will truly love God with all they are in the ways He designed them to uniquely be and offer Him their heart, soul, mind, strength, talents, time, dreams, gifts, and abilities. So, how do we do that? Consider these following 4 verses to embody scriptural parenting: 1. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” In order for us to lovingly instruct our child to love and uphold a righteous relationship with Christ, we must read, study, and instruct them in God’s word. This verse shows us that we must hold God’s word within us and use it in our parenting mindset, heart, and reactions. 2. Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” In the Bible, this verse takes place when the shepherds visited the baby Jesus and made known what the angels had told to them about the child. All who heard what they said marveled at the meaning of the words they spoke. Mary absorbed all of the experience and the miracle behind it, pondering the meanings in the present and future of her child. This verse shows us that we must share God’s word as we parent, not only by reading the word with our children, but by embodying it in all we are and do, so that they experience and absorb God’s power, goodness, and grace . 3. Psalm 37:31 says, “The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter.” This verse should be looked at as two parts that represent cause and effect. Holding the law of God within our heart and teaching our child to do the same will prevent us and our children from falling away from God or going astray. This verse shows us that we must follow God’s loving truths and be the mentor our children need to see to believe that God is real. He transforms us and can do the same for them as they humbly release self to Him. 4. Psalm 40:8 says, “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart ." As we examine this verse, we must back up to look at the one previous, which says, “Then I said, ‘Behold I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” This verse refers to Jesus, who fulfilled all the prophecies that were written of Him. Jesus delighted in following the will of God and fulfilled a perfect and heroic obedience. Jesus clung to the loving will of our Heavenly Father and fulfilled the purpose for which He came to earth. Through His intimate love with all that was within Him, Jesus’s love for God flowed into worship of and obedience for God, just as we must model for our children to do. This verse shows us that we must parent with delight in obedience to God. Our children will learn God’s word through and with us, but also learn to submit their heart moment by moment and trust that God is in control . Although it is very important to look at the top 5 parenting styles I mentioned at the beginning of this episode, it is more critical that we willingly submit ourselves and our children to God and allow Him to radically alter us moment by moment and allow Him to show us how to parent the specific children He created and purposed to us to protect and guide for Him. God expects us to teach our children of Him and lead them to His heart and feet. We will answer to Him one day for the job we did on this earth. Our children will answer to Him for the life He has given to them. It is imperative that we know and follow our Heavenly Father in godly ways that transform us daily and that we seek His wisdom daily to influence our precious children and raise them for Him. They must be able to live set-apart in this world and carry courage that comes from a strong relationship with God through a personal walk with Jesus . We will explore more about godly, scriptural, attached parenting in future episodes of this podcast. In order to have a close , lasting relationship with our children, we must be parents who connect with God and allow Him to flow through us clearly and lovingly, then into our children. Parenting a second set of children has been an enormous blessing to me. God knew secret desires of my heart that I didn’t realize were there. How good He is to lovingly and intentionally fashion each of us together with beautiful plans for us and our children. What a great joy it gives me to watch His story unfold as I obediently follow where He leads and teach my children to do the same. What might your heart hold? I pray you allow God to complete the perfect plans He has made for your precious family. Proverbs 3:1-12 says, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life. Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.” Dear God, we are blessed that there is none like You, the Great I Am, our Heavenly Father. Thank you for the gift of our precious children, in reality Your children that You have entrusted to us for this time. Help us to direct your children onto the right path so that when they are older they will not leave it, will not leave Your side or Your heart. Help us not to provoke our children to anger, but to raise them in the gentleness and truths of Your great love so that they are raised to honor You and respect us because they love and follow You so greatly. May our mouth be opened with Your wisdom and may we share Your instruction freely because we know You so well. May our children grow up in favor with men, but mostly with You, Lord because they are truthful and courageous with Your strength and honor. May we have great joy because our children walk in Your truths. Lord, we know that You know the measure of our days. Our lifetime is nothing compared to You. May we use our time wisely and influence our children well while we can. May we have nothing to be ashamed of when we meet You face to face because we pursued You greatly and humbly and our children do the same. In the name of Your precious Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. Have you seen my free new resource, “Prayers For My Child?” It’s a helpful ebook you can find at terrihitt.com on the “Resources” page and is designed to guide the heart of your child to the feet of Jesus through scriptural prayers. The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast will soon be available at terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, receive access to blog posts, read transcripts, and find additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence connected children through Him. God knows that we are not capable of successful parenting on our own. As we rely on Him, releasing doubts and expectations, and humbly bow to His guidance and experience, we find greater clarity in parenting and a wondrous walk with our Creator that will extend to our children and those around us for generations . I pray this podcast helps you parent with purpose and deepen your connection to Jesus and your children as you intentionally place Christ above culture or self. Allow Him to work through you for true connection that will draw your children to Him and build a maturing relationship with Christ and your child that lasts for eternity. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 026 - Teach Your Child to Seek and Hear God Like Jesus Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #026 – Teach Your Child to Seek and Hear God Like Jesus Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. I often consider what a precious gift we offer our children when we teach them to seek God and to hear God like Jesus did. How do we teach our children to seek and hear God with joy and purpose like Jesus did? I believe there are two important ways. We must seek and show God and we must teach our children how Jesus sought and heard God. Psalm 78:5-8 says, “He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God .” In just this one passage of Scripture, the Bible clearly tells us that our number one priority as a parent is to lead our child to God. Our Heavenly Father commanded that the stories of His mighty acts and provisions, as well as His laws would be passed to each generation. God commands each parent to diligently remember and honor Him and intentionally set the eyes and heart of their children on Him . Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is .” I believe every Christian parent sets out to raise children to honor the Lord. As honorable as intentions may be though, moments turn into days, days into weeks and months, then months into years. The years we parent our children to adulthood at first glance seem like they will take forever, but then flash away too quickly. Even with great aspirations, life gets messy and problems occur. Unexpected setbacks happen in this world, and sometimes parents lose the importance of focusing on Christ and mentoring the way to Him each day as they deal with life issues that demand immediate attention. Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple .” Do you love the Lord? Are you attempting to grow in likeness of Him daily, to grow closer in relationship with Him? Do you hear His voice and savor the sweet sound of His instructions for yourself and your children? As we read earlier in Psalm 78, God sets standards for each of us to follow in order to have the very best chance of living with His fullness of joy in family and raising children to know, love, and honor Him. In this sinful, imperfect, fallen world, we will never achieve bliss, but through studying and following God’s plan, we will move closer to Him and His good and perfect will. As we move nearer to God, our children see and value our Father and want to do the same. In order for your children to recognize the Father’s voice, you must know the Son through personal relationship as your Savior. The closer you are to Christ, the more the Father will shine through you for your children to adore and seek. As we live in ways that glorify and honor the Father, we desire to follow His commands. We pay close attention to what the Bible instructs. We read and study it regularly for clear and godly understanding of God’s voice, not the voice of the world. Our children see our desire for God and our consistency in finding and walking with Him. Our need for His strength and guidance, which shows them their need, as well. God grants families the privilege of raising children for Him. He desires that we honor Him in the way we raise our children to see Him through us and draw them nearer to Him in all we are and do as we cling even more tightly to Him . That means it is imperative that we know Jesus and that we know and understand God’s Word . Despite what culture adopts or defends, it is not cruel or unloving to read, know, and state what God calls. We should not be unkind in the way we model God’s commands and instructions. As Christians, we are called to know and complete what God desires. Each person has the choice whether to even accept Christ as Savior. As Joshua 24:15b says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD .” As we look to God’s word, we see many examples of ways to mentor our Father to our children. In the book of Exodus, for example, we see how He led His people, the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. I mention this particular story because of the important command God issues when this event occurs. Our loving Heavenly Father instructs the Israelites to teach their children all He had done for them. God, in His sovereignty knows that each generation removed from the story of His provision would rapidly cause a downfall or decline in love and honor for Him and in humble obedience to Him. Without gratitude for God foremost in the minds of the children, future descendants would not follow Him. All parents are given the privilege of raising the children God has entrusted to them. Great privilege precedes great responsibility. This blessing beckons the burden to instill God’s truths, morals, and commands into the lives of our children. This leads us to consider two steps. 1. Parents must disciple. As you intentionally come to know God through personal relationship with Jesus, and move toward Christlike thoughts, words, actions, and reactions each day, you are more prepared to parent with purpose . 2. Parents must discipline. Discipline that is completed with loving intentions for the purpose of teaching and correcting behavior is good and godly. Discipline instilled as punishment may drive your children away from God and you. Parenting, especially godly parenting, is a daily death to self when we desire to know, love, and obey God and to exhibit His qualities and characteristics. This enables and encourages our children to love, honor, respect, follow, and obey Him with intentional pursuit. Psalm 94:12 says, “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law .” When a parent disciplines, they should be doing so in an attempt to make disciples . Ask yourself: Are you disciplining your children to follow your ungodly, fallen ways or are you pursuing Christ and mentoring the way to Him through the way you live and correct with godly love and instruction? Earlier I mentioned we must consider 2 steps. Let’s make that 3. 3. Parents must decide. When we choose to parent with purpose, we make sure to provide our children with opportunities to be around others we know are strong godly influences to mentor and guide our children. We also use our personal influence to guide them in the proper ways regarding art, music, entertainment, language, desires, etc. Who we are on the inside is clearly evident to the children who live with us and constantly examine our every word, action, and reaction. We also read the Bible with them and provide an age appropriate study Bible we help them use so they can seek God in personal time. We remain in the Word so that we can answer questions or help them find the answers to the beautiful questions they pose after being in the presence of God through His Holy Word. We also mentor to our children that we find our life answers through God’s Word. I’d also like to share a list of 5 “T’s” to remember as you travel a journey of parenting for the Lord. Treasure the child or children God hand-chose and entrusted to come to you. Train your child or children to pursue the One who intimately knows and adores them and purposed them for this time. Teach your child or children that nothing in this world compares to the riches of life built on the foundation of Christ. Transform your child or children by modeling godly love, language, and behavior. Take your child or children before the Lord in Bible study and prayer so you may seek and know Him together, find His will, and follow His path. Deuteronomy 11:19 says, “You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ” Now that we’ve focused on what we can do in our individual lives to draw our children nearer to God, let’s examine what Jesus did to ensure He sought and heard the Father. 1. Jesus sought solitude with His Father. Unlike simply meditating to “clear His mind,” as many suggest doing in current culture, Jesus intentionally filled His mind with Scripture and thetruths of God. Jesus directed His mind to dwell on things above as instructed in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth .” 2. Jesus devoted undisturbed time for prayer with His Heavenly Father . Scripture makes the ways Jesus prayed clear. By studying our Savior, each of us may find new ways to cling to Him and draw nearer to God through prayer. Jesus prayed early in the morning. (Mark 1:35), Jesus went to desolate places to be alone with God (Luke 5:16), Jesus prayed without losing heart (Luke 18:1), Jesus honored God first when He prayed – before thanking Him or petitioning Him (Matthew 6:9), Jesus prayed to remain in God’s will (Matthew 26:39), Jesus trusted God to hear and respond (John 11:41, 42), Jesus prayed intensely and without distraction (Luke 22:44). 3. Jesus quoted Scripture . Jesus understood and valued the truth and inerrancy of Scripture. Many times, Jesus quoted Scripture to people and the devil. Just a few of the times are found in Matthew 4:4, 4:7, and 4:10, Matthew 5:17, 18, John 10:35, and John 17:17. God knows we are not perfect. As we intentionally walk with Him, asking for His wisdom, guidance, provision, and protection in guiding His children to Him, He will provide. It doesn’t mean the road will be easy, but Jesus already told us there would be tribulation, but He has already overcome it. God’s word carries the answers to every personal and parenting need we experience. Personal growth will only arrive through personal relationship with Jesus and consistent pursuit of His word and prayerful time together. As your child sees your godly characteristics and behavior modeled, and receive your encouragement to seek the Lord, you will thrive together in the love of Christ and teach your child to seek and hear God just like Jesus. Dear Heavenly Father, glorious is Your name. Your love for us is beyond good and Your ways are perfect. Father, thank you for entrusting Your children into our incapable hands. We know we are not qualified to parent in the ways You desire, yet You give us opportunity to know You more fully and show You more clearly as we raise children in Your name and ways. God, there are so many ways we fail daily, yet Your grace abounds. Help us to know You well by time with You and enable us to mentor the way to You for our children. God, what a beautiful job You have given us. You planned the union of each parent and child! This broken world confuses and frustrates, but Your Word clarifies and simplifies all we should do. May we honor and please You more each day as we grow in wisdom and understanding of Your desires for us and Your children. May we ever remember that our children are gifts from You and are for Your good pleasure and purpose. Thank you for entrusting them to us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast. This and my “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast may be found at terrihitt.com, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts may also now be found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. If you enjoyed this topic, I suggest you listen to Purposed Parent/Connected Podcast Episode #015, “Hearing God’s Voice” or Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #132 “Am I Hearing You, God?” I’d like to know. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? Did you know that when you review my podcasts on Apple, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcasts online so that more people are allowed to find and hear them. Will you please take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Parent and Connect With Eternal Perspective. Previous Next

Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 034 A New Beginning Listen to Episode

I invite you to begin this 31-Day Scripture study designed to equip your mind and heart to shift from being a good mother to become a godly mother. The Scriptures included in this guide are shared for the purpose of drawing you closer to Christ. Good to Godly: A 31 Day Scripture & Prayer Guide I invite you to begin this 31-Day Scripture study designed to equip your mind and heart to shift from being a good mother to become a godly mother. The Scriptures included in this guide are shared for the purpose of drawing you closer to Christ. Download

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 108 - Your Home is the Key to Safeguarding Your Children Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 108 – Your Home is the Key to Safeguarding Your Children Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. You’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode about how your home is the key to safeguarding your children… Home is supposed to be a safe place. Comfortable. Loving. Kind. Christlike. When my youngest came home to be with us at the age of nine, she had no idea what was in store for her. Fear was all she felt when we brought her home to the United States from China. Life was uncomfortable. Our sweet girl wondered what would happen next. Now, praise God! Each night when we say prayers together, she consistently thanks God for one thing first. Night after night she begins her prayers like this, “Dear God. Thank you for my family.” Every single night. Every single prayer. Home. A place that should be a refuge. A place children should lovingly learn about Jesus from godly parents who mentor Christ intentionally with grace, joy, and patience. Yet, parents are human. Life isn’t perfect. Days flash by. Schedules get changed. Emergencies arise. Still, in the midst of tragedies, trials, or triumphs, one thing parents should provide for their children is a home that safeguards . Children deserve to be raised in a home where parents pursue relationship with Jesus and making Christ known to their children. A home that gives them joy, hope, and truth. Meaning God’s truths as written in His Word, the Bible. In fact, God commands parents to take this approach in parenting. He even instructs us in how to accomplish this monumental task. I know you probably already know which passage I’m going to refer to, because I say this often, but one of my favorite verses related to parenting is Deuteronomy 6:5-9 . “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates .” God is very clear in His instructions to parents. There should be no doubt as to how we are to raise the children He has entrusted to us. His children are purposely in our care. If you profess to know and love Jesus, how can you not seek and offer God’s truths? Too many parents are good as by the world’s standards. We must stop being good! We must become godly parents who seek and shine Jesus and the truths of God for our children. If we do not, we risk our children falling for the deceits of this world and losing eternity with God. It’s a sobering fact . More and more kids are turning away from relationship with God. They see a walk with God as religion, not as relationship with Jesus Christ. One of the latest statistics I saw mentioned that about thirty percent of high schoolers reject religion. What if they were never taught to follow religion, but instead, were taught how to develop a close and abiding relationship with Jesus from the youngest possible age? What would that percentage become? I definitely think it would be lower. We must obediently pursue the Lord with love and honor and equip our children to do the same because of a growing love for God, not an obligation they see no need to follow. Be intentional. Every moment counts for eternity. In order to create a home that safeguards your children, there are several actions you must prioritize. 1. Relationship with God through Jesus. Ideally, you and your husband are equally yoked. If not, prayerfully pursue God’s Word and pray for your husband. Show Christ in your personal life. Your words, desires, actions, and reactions must be submitted to Christ. A lasting relationship with Jesus ideally begins in a home where both parents love, honor, and obey God. 2. Build a strong home/family unit . Love , biblical teachings with grace , patience , and joy are cornerstones to building a home that is safe and peaceful. When your child feels safe and loved by you, and they see Christ in you, they are more apt to seek, follow, and obey Him. 3. Godly love . When you know and trust Jesus, when you invite Him to transform your life, you are a magnet of godly love that will also transform the life of your child as you show Christlikeness in your desires, words, actions, and reactions. 4. Communication/Connection . When you create a home that fosters connection and communication, your child feels safe. They feel seen. Heard. Appreciated. Loved. When they feel close to you, as they see you purposely pursue Jesus with passion, they will seek Him, too. 5. Discipleship – not punishment . We will never have perfect kids or families. We are each imperfect adults raising imperfect children. Your kids are kids. Just as you made mistakes, they will. Guide and guard them – direct them to Jesus, and show Christ in your life. Remember that discipline should be discipleship , not punishment. It is critical to parent the heart, not seek to simply eradicate the behavior . 6. Godly mentorship (in actions – not just words). Remember that you are seeking to disciple God’s children who simply reside in your care. As you deepen your walk with Jesus, you are better equipped to mentor how your children can do the same. They see and know more about you than you might think. Little eyes and ears watch and hear. Show them Jesus as they examine you . 7. God’s Word . The way to know the Lord in intimate relationship is through His Word. Help your child see you study it and be in the Word with them. Not because you have to, but because you crave it. The only way for you to develop a taste for God’s Word is to read it. Do it whether or not you want to. Do it whether you feel you have time. Keep doing it. You can make time to read or listen each day. 8. Prayer . How gracious God is to give us a lifeline straight to Him. Use it often and regularly . Teach your children to do the same. Pray Scriptures, pray Scripture-based prayers, pray for yourself, your children, your spouse, those in authority. The list can be endless. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the opportunity to pray, pray for what you know is in alignment with God’s desires. Ask God for guidance in what else He desires you to pray for. If you’d like deeper discussion and training on prayer, you may listen to Purposed Parent Connected Child episodes. Simply go to terrihitt.com/podcasts and click on Purposed Parent Connected Child. Type prayers in the search bar and you can choose between about five episodes on this topic. You may also visit the website and click on Live With Eternal Perspective. Do the same by typing prayer in the search bar and you will see several choices about prayer. 9. Forgiveness . A home filled with the love and joy of Christ follows His model. Forgiveness. As you craft and deepen your walk with God through relationship with Jesus and grow your identity in Christ, you will live with mercy and forgiveness. Teach those characteristics to your children and extend them to your spouse and family. You safeguard your children when you teach them the act of obedience through forgiveness. The nine steps I mentioned are tips to begin building a foundation for Christ that also safeguards your home and children. Begin with these basics. Send me a message if you’d like to hear additional ways in future episodes. A godly home is a gift and blessing you will never regret building for your children. Your home will become one they will return to, one in which they will be able to find close relationship with Jesus and connection with you. Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are to give us Your Son and all the keys to Your heart. Thank you for the truths You teach us, the commands you give us, and the love you shower upon us. You are truly SO good. Work within us to enable us to create homes that lead our families to You. Help our children to be safe, loved, and brought to you because we are diligent to grow our walk with You and show You in ways that delight Your heart. Make our home a place that safeguards the children You have entrusted to us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Because your home is key to safeguarding your children, I want to share a sweet and innocent company that has the same mission to safeguard the hearts and minds of children - Melane & Co. This shop was created by my middle daughter, who is the artist behind the watercolor creations available. Are you disgusted with book illustrations that honor darkness, not light? Have you ever taken your child to a gathering or been in the home of another person who has art hanging on the walls that simply isn’t God-honoring? Whether you’re looking through magazines, visiting a gallery, or a friend’s home, your kids have probably been exposed to artwork that you just wish they hadn’t seen. Has this happened to you? If it hasn’t yet, it probably will. But your home can be a place of refuge. Remember, under God’s command, you are responsible for safeguarding the heart and home of your children. If you’re looking for home décor that your child can grow up with and that won’t cause a flush to spread across your faces, Melane & Co. has gentle, beautiful watercolor prints, cards, and custom floral or pet paintings that bring joy and delight to young and old. Raising children is challenging. Don’t let artwork be another stumbling block. I invite you to visit Melane & Co. at www.melaneandco.com for a variety of pieces to bring a smile to your faces and walls. You’ll find fine quality watercolor cards you can use for gifts to family, friends, or teachers. If your home has a furry family member or two, you’ll also see a way to include them in your décor. A custom portrait of your pet is a timeless way to remember the joy they give so effortlessly daily. Any way you can honor God in your home with classic pieces that are sweet to the eyes and soul help you mentor Christ in beautiful ways. Visit Melane & Co. today. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 112 – Developing Biblical World View Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective. My youngest doesn’t talk about her time in China very often. When she does, I listen carefully, storing away pieces of information and memories in my mind and heart to help her process her past as she is ready to manage it. As much as I wish I could have been with her from the beginning, I wasn’t able to. Instead of focusing on what we cannot change, we trust that there was a reason for the time she was without family and we focus on God’s redemptive power, grace, and love to be thankful for the time we have together now, and to look forward to the future. As her mother though, it is my divine privilege to love and protect her and help her continue to move forward. One of the things I have noticed is that as time presses forward, she loses memories of her life in China. Through what she has already shared, I have pieced together patterns that I believe have helped her to process things that happened to her, cope with it in the best way for her, and move forward. What surprises me, however, is that it is not events that happened there that bother her the most. Instead, it is what did not happen. As she continues to learn more about Jesus, reading her bible, studying bible notes, and sharing in biblical discussions, she has revealed that she is hurt by the fact that no one told her about Jesus and she had no knowledge or information to know how to live in ways that gave her joy and hope. Developing a biblical worldview shapes our identity and belief system, and it becomes an unwavering internal compass that leads our actions and reactions. Sadly, many have not allowed themselves to believe the life-changing effects that a walk with God through relationship with Jesus provides. We see it in society daily. Even some people who profess to be Christian do not rely on the unshakable word of God to lead them in truth that shapes convictions and actions. Ideals for life, what we expect, and how we act and react, must stem from something. God should be our source of trust, integrity, cultural beliefs, and reactions to trials and triumphs. Anything we face in daily life, such as politics, raising children, sanctity of life, marriage, or relationships should seek and adhere to what His holy word teaches and instructs. Unfortunately, our society often values celebrities, politicians, teachers, friends, or political parties before God. What we must realize is that if we are not following Christ, we are following secularism. Any cultural ideal we imagine or use as a solution or guideline in our life is simply secularism when God is absent from the equation. When humanity promotes or idealizes secular beliefs, we are dangerously following self and will pay consequences. God’s word is absolute truth. We don’t need dangerous relative truth, which eventually fails, bringing emptiness, misery, and disaster. When we go astray, I believe it happens because we have not searched and utilized God’s word as our source of light, hope, strength, and guidance. Instead, we often fall back on what is comfortable or easy, or we revert to selfish desires. What we have experienced, what we feel, what we know, or what others say or do often takes control of our flesh and God’s word is forgotten or dismissed. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” When we don’t heed God’s warnings, promises, or instructions, we lose the divine, righteous guidance of our Heavenly Father; we abandon ourselves to our fleshly and sinful desires, as well as the manipulation of others who only look out for self. How can we engage in our culture with the biblical discernment needed as a follower of Christ? God’s thoughts and mindset must govern and direct ours. A biblical worldview comes from knowing and living God’s word; reading, studying, and applying God’s word to every situation. If we ingest God’s word, we will be sustained by His holy truths and principles. 1. Wisdom, insight, and clarity come through walking with God, studying under Him, and allowing Him to mentor me. We develop relationship with God through His word, prayerful reflection, and conversation with Him. 2. Transformation comes when we allow the work of the Holy Spirit to fill and reconstruct our thought processes and responses. 3. Obedience occurs when we step out in faith and trust on what we have learned and what we hear the Holy Spirit within us instructing us to do. If you believe God’s word, carry it as a sacred, guiding counselor within you. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” In order to obtain and maintain a biblical worldview, we must implement the following 5 steps as a lifestyle priority: 1. Regularly read and study God’s word. This means using an excellent study bible and searching for answers. Journaling, or keeping notes helps some; writing or memorizing scripture helps others. Find what works best for you. Make sure you are reading God’s word regularly (that is key) and that you are breaking it down so that you really understand it, and learn to apply it in all areas of your life. Don’t just get your reading completed for the day and move on without meditating on what you have learned. 2. Trust in God’s sovereignty and His word. Each person has to make a choice as to whether we really believe what we say we do about Jesus. If we don’t, that is our choice. God allows us free will. But if we do believe, then we must make our life reflect that belief. Our eternity and the lives of those around us daily depend on it. 3. Depend on God’s word for self-worth and values instead of self or society. There are many agendas in this world that are in direct opposition to God. Among them are the way media portrays values and self-worth. God’s word should be our guiding influence. The God of the Universe cannot lie. Believe what He says about you. Let it penetrate your spirit and senses as you deepen your walk with Jesus, affecting everything about you. 4. Focus on God’s truths; don’t allow worldly influences or Satan to distract or dissuade you from God’s promises or principles. Focusing on the truths and principals of God’s word should be the compass you live by. Make Him your True North and do not allow the deceit and distraction of this world to move you from living steadfastly in His grasp. 5. Look for God in every situation. God isn’t a Sunday morning visitor in our life. He is the core we wrap ourselves around. He is our guide and purpose. Find Him in the ordinary and the exceptional moments of life. He should be the underlying force behind everything we do and are. John 12:25-26 says, “Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” Christians must purpose to know Jesus intimately and follow Him without distraction. Our life in this world will prove what we think and desire, dictating our life after death and in the next world. Those who love this world with a mindset of doing as they wish, chasing what they see here and now will lose what God has purposed for them in this present time, and more importantly, for eternity. We may not see the spiritual realm that is to come, but God’s word makes it clear that this world is not our home. Developing relationship with God through Christ and coming to truly know Jesus through God’s word enables us to mature a love so deep and wide that it creates an eternal bond. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When believers follow what God calls right and good, the world will change. When we steadfastly shine His light in the choices we make, the way we raise our children, influence our grandchildren, and react in the stresses of daily living, He is made real to those who need Him. Dear Heavenly Father, You are so good! We know you have good plans for us. Your plans are not to harm us, but are for the good of Your kingdom. Help us to live with constant gratitude and a heart that seeks You above all things. This world entices us with riches and momentary blessings that we crave, yet You clearly warn us not to fix our eyes or heart on them. You call us to live set apart as a faithful servant for You. Lord, shelter us in the day of Your anger. Help us to be found worthy of what You call for us. Give us a heart that cries for You and Your ways. Allow us to sit at Your feet and enjoy what You call good. We need You so much, Father. Help us to live a steadfast life that honors all You are. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. Would you please also place a rating and review at Apple Podcasts or Spotify to enable others to find each episode? I’m very excited to share that my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” has released! I hope you will look for it, follow it, and share both podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. If we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 112 - Developing Biblical World View Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 112 – Developing Biblical World View Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective. My youngest doesn’t talk about her time in China very often. When she does, I listen carefully, storing away pieces of information and memories in my mind and heart to help her process her past as she is ready to manage it. As much as I wish I could have been with her from the beginning, I wasn’t able to. Instead of focusing on what we cannot change, we trust that there was a reason for the time she was without family and we focus on God’s redemptive power, grace, and love to be thankful for the time we have together now, and to look forward to the future. As her mother though, it is my divine privilege to love and protect her and help her continue to move forward. One of the things I have noticed is that as time presses forward, she loses memories of her life in China. Through what she has already shared, I have pieced together patterns that I believe have helped her to process things that happened to her, cope with it in the best way for her, and move forward. What surprises me, however, is that it is not events that happened there that bother her the most. Instead, it is what did not happen. As she continues to learn more about Jesus, reading her bible, studying bible notes, and sharing in biblical discussions, she has revealed that she is hurt by the fact that no one told her about Jesus and she had no knowledge or information to know how to live in ways that gave her joy and hope. Developing a biblical worldview shapes our identity and belief system, and it becomes an unwavering internal compass that leads our actions and reactions. Sadly, many have not allowed themselves to believe the life-changing effects that a walk with God through relationship with Jesus provides. We see it in society daily. Even some people who profess to be Christian do not rely on the unshakable word of God to lead them in truth that shapes convictions and actions. Ideals for life, what we expect, and how we act and react, must stem from something. God should be our source of trust, integrity, cultural beliefs, and reactions to trials and triumphs. Anything we face in daily life, such as politics, raising children, sanctity of life, marriage, or relationships should seek and adhere to what His holy word teaches and instructs. Unfortunately, our society often values celebrities, politicians, teachers, friends, or political parties before God. What we must realize is that if we are not following Christ, we are following secularism. Any cultural ideal we imagine or use as a solution or guideline in our life is simply secularism when God is absent from the equation. When humanity promotes or idealizes secular beliefs, we are dangerously following self and will pay consequences. God’s word is absolute truth. We don’t need dangerous relative truth, which eventually fails, bringing emptiness, misery, and disaster. When we go astray, I believe it happens because we have not searched and utilized God’s word as our source of light, hope, strength, and guidance. Instead, we often fall back on what is comfortable or easy, or we revert to selfish desires. What we have experienced, what we feel, what we know, or what others say or do often takes control of our flesh and God’s word is forgotten or dismissed. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” When we don’t heed God’s warnings, promises, or instructions, we lose the divine, righteous guidance of our Heavenly Father; we abandon ourselves to our fleshly and sinful desires, as well as the manipulation of others who only look out for self. How can we engage in our culture with the biblical discernment needed as a follower of Christ? God’s thoughts and mindset must govern and direct ours. A biblical worldview comes from knowing and living God’s word; reading, studying, and applying God’s word to every situation. If we ingest God’s word, we will be sustained by His holy truths and principles. 1. Wisdom, insight, and clarity come through walking with God, studying under Him, and allowing Him to mentor me. We develop relationship with God through His word, prayerful reflection, and conversation with Him. 2. Transformation comes when we allow the work of the Holy Spirit to fill and reconstruct our thought processes and responses. 3. Obedience occurs when we step out in faith and trust on what we have learned and what we hear the Holy Spirit within us instructing us to do. If you believe God’s word, carry it as a sacred, guiding counselor within you. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” In order to obtain and maintain a biblical worldview, we must implement the following 5 steps as a lifestyle priority: 1. Regularly read and study God’s word. This means using an excellent study bible and searching for answers. Journaling, or keeping notes helps some; writing or memorizing scripture helps others. Find what works best for you. Make sure you are reading God’s word regularly (that is key) and that you are breaking it down so that you really understand it, and learn to apply it in all areas of your life. Don’t just get your reading completed for the day and move on without meditating on what you have learned. 2. Trust in God’s sovereignty and His word. Each person has to make a choice as to whether we really believe what we say we do about Jesus. If we don’t, that is our choice. God allows us free will. But if we do believe, then we must make our life reflect that belief. Our eternity and the lives of those around us daily depend on it. 3. Depend on God’s word for self-worth and values instead of self or society. There are many agendas in this world that are in direct opposition to God. Among them are the way media portrays values and self-worth. God’s word should be our guiding influence. The God of the Universe cannot lie. Believe what He says about you. Let it penetrate your spirit and senses as you deepen your walk with Jesus, affecting everything about you. 4. Focus on God’s truths; don’t allow worldly influences or Satan to distract or dissuade you from God’s promises or principles. Focusing on the truths and principals of God’s word should be the compass you live by. Make Him your True North and do not allow the deceit and distraction of this world to move you from living steadfastly in His grasp. 5. Look for God in every situation. God isn’t a Sunday morning visitor in our life. He is the core we wrap ourselves around. He is our guide and purpose. Find Him in the ordinary and the exceptional moments of life. He should be the underlying force behind everything we do and are. John 12:25-26 says, “Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” Christians must purpose to know Jesus intimately and follow Him without distraction. Our life in this world will prove what we think and desire, dictating our life after death and in the next world. Those who love this world with a mindset of doing as they wish, chasing what they see here and now will lose what God has purposed for them in this present time, and more importantly, for eternity. We may not see the spiritual realm that is to come, but God’s word makes it clear that this world is not our home. Developing relationship with God through Christ and coming to truly know Jesus through God’s word enables us to mature a love so deep and wide that it creates an eternal bond. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When believers follow what God calls right and good, the world will change. When we steadfastly shine His light in the choices we make, the way we raise our children, influence our grandchildren, and react in the stresses of daily living, He is made real to those who need Him. Dear Heavenly Father, You are so good! We know you have good plans for us. Your plans are not to harm us, but are for the good of Your kingdom. Help us to live with constant gratitude and a heart that seeks You above all things. This world entices us with riches and momentary blessings that we crave, yet You clearly warn us not to fix our eyes or heart on them. You call us to live set apart as a faithful servant for You. Lord, shelter us in the day of Your anger. Help us to be found worthy of what You call for us. Give us a heart that cries for You and Your ways. Allow us to sit at Your feet and enjoy what You call good. We need You so much, Father. Help us to live a steadfast life that honors all You are. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. Would you please also place a rating and review at Apple Podcasts or Spotify to enable others to find each episode? I’m very excited to share that my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” has released! I hope you will look for it, follow it, and share both podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. If we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #002 – Protecting our Thoughts Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. On a previous episode of the Live with Eternal Perspective Podcast, I talked about the condition of our hearts. If you didn’t get a chance to hear it, I recommend listening to Episode #001 soon. Today’s topic stems directly from what we hold in our heart. What goes into our hearts has flowed from our mind before settling there. The thoughts we allow to speak to us ultimately shape who and what we become. What we think is that important. Philippians 4:8 says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” God places the perfect truth and guidance we need in this world in His word. Our Heavenly Father knows our propensity to fixate on various ideas and images. He understands our thought process can go from topic to topic quickly, escalating from indecision or fear to anxiety and doubt without a shred of truth involved. Think of the verse I read from Philippians. We are instructed to fix our thoughts on what is true. Just because we think something doesn’t mean it is authenticated or valid. The verse also tells us to think about what is honorable and right, what is lovely and admirable. That doesn’t mean to obsess over those expensive heels or lovely blouse we saw at the mall. It doesn’t mean to constantly compare ourselves to someone more attractive or to attempt to model ourselves after a celebrity on the cover of the latest magazine, or to beat ourselves up over what we did earlier that day. God wants the absolute best for His children. He desires us to fill our minds with what is excellent and worthy of praise. Listen to another translation of the same verse I read earlier from Philippians. “Finally, bretheren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” The Greek word translated as “meditate” means to ponder, to consider, to give proper weight to. God does not want us to ruminate on anything but the pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy. “Good report” translated from the Greek word means acceptable. God wants what we ponder in our mind to be considered acceptable to Him. Scientists are actually finding more discoveries that confirm scripture. The more intensely God’s word is studied; we find that it stands the test of time, as well as substantiate breakthroughs in medicine, mathematics, and science. Actually, all areas of our life are touched by and affirmed by scripture. The God of the Universe who inspired and created the Bible is the same Creator of the world and everything in it, and He tells us we are made in His image, so it is no wonder that we would be able to connect all things to our mind in miraculous ways. That is why it is absolutely not a surprise to me that neurosurgeons have discovered that our powerful minds are shaped and altered by the thoughts we allow to reside there. Unfortunately, it has created a mass of self-help experts who offer life-affirming chants and quotes that never access the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but promote living our best life by self-reliance. It’s also not uncommon to hear stories of people spiraling into poor health when they live with constant negative thoughts and emotions. Research in the field of neuroscience has uncovered that the influence of every corporal experience within our brain, such as fear, fatigue, happiness, cold, sadness, etc. is working to shape our brains every time we have it. With each sensation, vision, or emotion we experience for the first time, new relationships between more than 100,000 brain cells is supposedly inevitable. Think of the pornography epidemic and how addictive and damaging it is, even when someone accidentally uncovers it on an electronic device. The image is already embedded in their mind, creating harmful and distracting emotions and feelings immediately. Thankfully, this brain pathway phenomenon must have focused and consistent reinforcement. I believe that is one reason God calls us to meditate on what pleases Him. He knows our beautifully created minds need repetitive stimulus. This is a merciful safeguard when our minds have been traumatized or allowed to be filled with the wrong things. Even then, damage takes time and effort to rewire. Romans 12:2 instructs, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” We don’t want our minds deceived by misleading and false messages that attract us with advertisements, shows, books, magazines, electronics, and even some church pulpits. We must know God’s word, digesting it as we converse and spend time with Him, pray to Him, and then listen for His sometimes quiet voice. We need to purposely remove ourselves from distractions that battle for our time and draw us away from the only One who can give peace and joy to our spirit and calm us with truth. We must use our mind like a tool to excavate poisonous thoughts and replace them with the fresh soil of God’s truths. When we brought our younger daughter home at the age of 9, she had lived in relative isolation due to her illness. She didn’t receive the communication or stimulation she needed to properly develop emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually. On top of her heart condition, she had lived with constant ear infections since infancy. When we received her, both eardrums were broken and her ears bled on the plane flight home. Since the infection had festered so long, her already congenitally small bones and nerves were further damaged and dissolved. She is deaf in one ear and suffered almost complete hearing loss in the other. After arriving in America, she had to transition from the way of life she knew in China, to absolutely everything different. Learning a new language, how to live with our family, the foods, the smells, the clothes, learning how to play, countless medical visits, procedures, and surgeries…everything – on top of not hearing correctly, had to be excruciatingly difficult. Yet, little by little, she accepted each challenge with bravery and resilience. After being home with us for four years, she has come incredibly far. It will still take her a very long time to catch up, but she is learning and progressing at her individual pace and she is delighted to learn and grow. I relate her story here, because I think of her when I consider the mind. With all her brain pathways that have been rebuilt and altered, I have seen first-hand how remarkable the human mind is and yet, how difficult it is to imprint lasting change in some areas. I’ve also witnessed the damage that a traumatic past inflicted on an innocent life. Through God’s merciful love, she has seen huge progress, but there are days that show me just how important her positivity and my repetitive teachings are, despite her intelligent mind. I have no doubt that if my daughter had been negative or had not wanted to learn and grow, the challenge would have been overwhelming. I thank God often for her positive attitude and energy. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” He proved that promise to me through Brooklyn’s enduring and joyful spirit and her continuing transformation. The most beautiful part of her story is that she now knows Jesus as her Savior and she relies on Him more and more as she grows her spiritual maturity. As she grows, it is my responsibility to safeguard her mind by protecting what she sees and what she learns to hold in her heart. I want her far from false thoughts or ideas that are counter to scripture. I want her well-acquainted with the freedom God wants for her and that Jesus extends to her through His death and resurrection because God wants us, His believers to model freedom to our children and grandchildren to secure it for future generations. Exodus 34:6b-7 says, “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” If our thoughts, which affect our attitude and actions control our personal lives, then they surely penetrate the mind, attitude, actions, and future of our children and others around us. God word validates what common sense dictates. If we do not live with peace and joy, intentionally surrendering fear, negativity, anxiety, and the host of numerous dispositions and attitudes we carry to Christ in complete surrender, do we really expect our children to? 2 Corinthian 10:5, offers sound advice. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient for Christ.” Only when we take our thoughts captive and surrender them to God does change occur. Be still and know that He is God. Take time to meditate and reflect on Him and His word as He instructs. At times we may feel we are losing freedom by surrendering our precious time to Him, but as we purposely devote ourselves to growing in God and loving Him as He desires, we find that it is only through surrender that we are released from bondage. Allow Him to change behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, and desires. As I raise and train my daughters to hold their thoughts captive and guard their heart, I am attempting to model and teach the following steps: 1. Acknowledge thoughts – We are human. God allowed us the capacity to think and feel with an enormous capacity. We are all unique. Our experiences and histories, the way we are raised, the joys and traumas we experience in life all affect us. We must not sweep away what we think or feel. Allow time to process, but not linger in our feelings. 2. Hold our thoughts against God’s truths - Does what we feel stand true to what God’s word says? Are our emotions in alignment with God’s truth? 3. If they are not in alignment, acknowledge God’s truth – immerse our mind in the truths of God. Read, study and reflect on scripture. Consult Godly counsel, if needed. Pray and meditate. 4. Speak God’s truths – Just as we all learn differently, we each absorb God’s word and truths in unique ways. 5. Write God’s word – scripture writing can reach us consciously and subconsciously and become embedded in our mind, especially if we are very visual. 6. Memorize God’s word – As we write God’s word, it helps with memorization. When negative or contrary thoughts invade our mind, God’s word easily overcomes them. 7. Pray – Prayer, especially using God’s word is especially effective in combating negative thoughts or attitudes. Using God’s own words actually aligns us automatically with Him. What is the best part of relying on scripture? Hebrews 4:12 gives us the answer. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Without God in control, our thoughts, emotions, feelings, and actions that stem from them hold us hostage, driving depression, negativity, fear, loneliness, and isolation, and effectively driving a wedge between us and our Heavenly Father. Psalm 139:23-24 gives perfect instructions for the ending of this podcast. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we will have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 002 Protecting Our Thoughts Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #002 – Protecting our Thoughts Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. On a previous episode of the Live with Eternal Perspective Podcast, I talked about the condition of our hearts. If you didn’t get a chance to hear it, I recommend listening to Episode #001 soon. Today’s topic stems directly from what we hold in our heart. What goes into our hearts has flowed from our mind before settling there. The thoughts we allow to speak to us ultimately shape who and what we become. What we think is that important. Philippians 4:8 says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” God places the perfect truth and guidance we need in this world in His word. Our Heavenly Father knows our propensity to fixate on various ideas and images. He understands our thought process can go from topic to topic quickly, escalating from indecision or fear to anxiety and doubt without a shred of truth involved. Think of the verse I read from Philippians. We are instructed to fix our thoughts on what is true. Just because we think something doesn’t mean it is authenticated or valid. The verse also tells us to think about what is honorable and right, what is lovely and admirable. That doesn’t mean to obsess over those expensive heels or lovely blouse we saw at the mall. It doesn’t mean to constantly compare ourselves to someone more attractive or to attempt to model ourselves after a celebrity on the cover of the latest magazine, or to beat ourselves up over what we did earlier that day. God wants the absolute best for His children. He desires us to fill our minds with what is excellent and worthy of praise. Listen to another translation of the same verse I read earlier from Philippians. “Finally, bretheren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” The Greek word translated as “meditate” means to ponder, to consider, to give proper weight to. God does not want us to ruminate on anything but the pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy. “Good report” translated from the Greek word means acceptable. God wants what we ponder in our mind to be considered acceptable to Him. Scientists are actually finding more discoveries that confirm scripture. The more intensely God’s word is studied; we find that it stands the test of time, as well as substantiate breakthroughs in medicine, mathematics, and science. Actually, all areas of our life are touched by and affirmed by scripture. The God of the Universe who inspired and created the Bible is the same Creator of the world and everything in it, and He tells us we are made in His image, so it is no wonder that we would be able to connect all things to our mind in miraculous ways. That is why it is absolutely not a surprise to me that neurosurgeons have discovered that our powerful minds are shaped and altered by the thoughts we allow to reside there. Unfortunately, it has created a mass of self-help experts who offer life-affirming chants and quotes that never access the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but promote living our best life by self-reliance. It’s also not uncommon to hear stories of people spiraling into poor health when they live with constant negative thoughts and emotions. Research in the field of neuroscience has uncovered that the influence of every corporal experience within our brain, such as fear, fatigue, happiness, cold, sadness, etc. is working to shape our brains every time we have it. With each sensation, vision, or emotion we experience for the first time, new relationships between more than 100,000 brain cells is supposedly inevitable. Think of the pornography epidemic and how addictive and damaging it is, even when someone accidentally uncovers it on an electronic device. The image is already embedded in their mind, creating harmful and distracting emotions and feelings immediately. Thankfully, this brain pathway phenomenon must have focused and consistent reinforcement. I believe that is one reason God calls us to meditate on what pleases Him. He knows our beautifully created minds need repetitive stimulus. This is a merciful safeguard when our minds have been traumatized or allowed to be filled with the wrong things. Even then, damage takes time and effort to rewire. Romans 12:2 instructs, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” We don’t want our minds deceived by misleading and false messages that attract us with advertisements, shows, books, magazines, electronics, and even some church pulpits. We must know God’s word, digesting it as we converse and spend time with Him, pray to Him, and then listen for His sometimes quiet voice. We need to purposely remove ourselves from distractions that battle for our time and draw us away from the only One who can give peace and joy to our spirit and calm us with truth. We must use our mind like a tool to excavate poisonous thoughts and replace them with the fresh soil of God’s truths. When we brought our younger daughter home at the age of 9, she had lived in relative isolation due to her illness. She didn’t receive the communication or stimulation she needed to properly develop emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually. On top of her heart condition, she had lived with constant ear infections since infancy. When we received her, both eardrums were broken and her ears bled on the plane flight home. Since the infection had festered so long, her already congenitally small bones and nerves were further damaged and dissolved. She is deaf in one ear and suffered almost complete hearing loss in the other. After arriving in America, she had to transition from the way of life she knew in China, to absolutely everything different. Learning a new language, how to live with our family, the foods, the smells, the clothes, learning how to play, countless medical visits, procedures, and surgeries…everything – on top of not hearing correctly, had to be excruciatingly difficult. Yet, little by little, she accepted each challenge with bravery and resilience. After being home with us for four years, she has come incredibly far. It will still take her a very long time to catch up, but she is learning and progressing at her individual pace and she is delighted to learn and grow. I relate her story here, because I think of her when I consider the mind. With all her brain pathways that have been rebuilt and altered, I have seen first-hand how remarkable the human mind is and yet, how difficult it is to imprint lasting change in some areas. I’ve also witnessed the damage that a traumatic past inflicted on an innocent life. Through God’s merciful love, she has seen huge progress, but there are days that show me just how important her positivity and my repetitive teachings are, despite her intelligent mind. I have no doubt that if my daughter had been negative or had not wanted to learn and grow, the challenge would have been overwhelming. I thank God often for her positive attitude and energy. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” He proved that promise to me through Brooklyn’s enduring and joyful spirit and her continuing transformation. The most beautiful part of her story is that she now knows Jesus as her Savior and she relies on Him more and more as she grows her spiritual maturity. As she grows, it is my responsibility to safeguard her mind by protecting what she sees and what she learns to hold in her heart. I want her far from false thoughts or ideas that are counter to scripture. I want her well-acquainted with the freedom God wants for her and that Jesus extends to her through His death and resurrection because God wants us, His believers to model freedom to our children and grandchildren to secure it for future generations. Exodus 34:6b-7 says, “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” If our thoughts, which affect our attitude and actions control our personal lives, then they surely penetrate the mind, attitude, actions, and future of our children and others around us. God word validates what common sense dictates. If we do not live with peace and joy, intentionally surrendering fear, negativity, anxiety, and the host of numerous dispositions and attitudes we carry to Christ in complete surrender, do we really expect our children to? 2 Corinthian 10:5, offers sound advice. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient for Christ.” Only when we take our thoughts captive and surrender them to God does change occur. Be still and know that He is God. Take time to meditate and reflect on Him and His word as He instructs. At times we may feel we are losing freedom by surrendering our precious time to Him, but as we purposely devote ourselves to growing in God and loving Him as He desires, we find that it is only through surrender that we are released from bondage. Allow Him to change behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, and desires. As I raise and train my daughters to hold their thoughts captive and guard their heart, I am attempting to model and teach the following steps: 1. Acknowledge thoughts – We are human. God allowed us the capacity to think and feel with an enormous capacity. We are all unique. Our experiences and histories, the way we are raised, the joys and traumas we experience in life all affect us. We must not sweep away what we think or feel. Allow time to process, but not linger in our feelings. 2. Hold our thoughts against God’s truths - Does what we feel stand true to what God’s word says? Are our emotions in alignment with God’s truth? 3. If they are not in alignment, acknowledge God’s truth – immerse our mind in the truths of God. Read, study and reflect on scripture. Consult Godly counsel, if needed. Pray and meditate. 4. Speak God’s truths – Just as we all learn differently, we each absorb God’s word and truths in unique ways. 5. Write God’s word – scripture writing can reach us consciously and subconsciously and become embedded in our mind, especially if we are very visual. 6. Memorize God’s word – As we write God’s word, it helps with memorization. When negative or contrary thoughts invade our mind, God’s word easily overcomes them. 7. Pray – Prayer, especially using God’s word is especially effective in combating negative thoughts or attitudes. Using God’s own words actually aligns us automatically with Him. What is the best part of relying on scripture? Hebrews 4:12 gives us the answer. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Without God in control, our thoughts, emotions, feelings, and actions that stem from them hold us hostage, driving depression, negativity, fear, loneliness, and isolation, and effectively driving a wedge between us and our Heavenly Father. Psalm 139:23-24 gives perfect instructions for the ending of this podcast. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we will have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #131 – An Eternal Perspective Life Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. 1 John 2:25 says, “And this is the promise that He made to us—eternal life.” Eternal life. Forever Alive. No death. It’s impossible for our human mind to grasp the depth of this promise. We cannot comprehend all that God has in store for the ones who humbly love Him, and follow Him with humble faith, love, and obedience. So many believers hear the words eternity, eternal life, or live with eternal perspective and have a moment of gratitude for the gift God promises. How many of us actually grasp those words and apply them to daily living? What does it even mean to purpose to live with a perspective beyond self and this world? 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” When people imagine the end of their life, they hope for something good. Many imagine life with Christ in eternity, but only have our limited human understanding of what it might be like. Many don’t want to dwell long on the thoughts because they begin to feel depressed or anxious. Because of Jesus, we can be assured of life eternal with Him and that it will be far beyond our miniscule expectations. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” This promise isn’t based on how we feel, but on truth. If you have confessed and committed your life to Christ, you can rest in assurance through faith that you will have eternal life with Jesus. I want to share four beautiful verses with you that offer hope, truth, and assurance for us now and in the future. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Jesus stresses that He knows how difficult it is to follow Him. Represented by the two gates are the two choices each person must face. Will you purpose to faithfully and intentionally follow Jesus or something else? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This verse captures more about God’s plan than any other I can think of. Who would sacrifice their beloved son? But God’s plans are never what we expect, but somehow they are exactly what we need, even before we know or carry the ability to understand. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Believers are not saved by our works, but we have been saved for the good works He will accomplish through us. As we mature our personal relationship and grow a godly lifestyle through maturing our Christian walk, the works are an outgrowth, an extension of Christ within us as He works through our humble, obedient spirit. John 14:1-3 says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” In these precious words from Jesus, we find assurance that our way to eternal life is secure. If your hope and faith are in Him, you can trust that He has personally prepared your way to and in life eternal. Jesus didn’t give specific details, but with faith, we don’t need them. Our trust is in Him and our future is with Him. Obviously, the promise of life eternal is not based on our works, but His Word and His sacrificial act. Why wait for eternity to begin claiming this gift? We can live for eternity in the present. Now. In ways that honor and please Christ. Jesus lived with a heart and mind fixed on eternity – not this world. This place was a temporary holding ground that enabled Him to fulfill the purpose God held for Him. How do you view this world? Do you live for fleshly desires or to fulfill God’s will? Do you live with your eyes fixed above, knowing Jesus could return at any moment? Do you live with a heart that longs to please your Heavenly Father? Do you live with a mind that honors and dwells on thoughts pleasing to God? No matter the suffering Jesus faced, He did not falter or fail because He carried a godly and righteous view of eternity. Jesus lived backwards according to the way most humans live on earth. The Lord looked to the end of His earthly days to plan what He did and relied on in His present. His life was defined by His longing for obedience under God and eternity with Him. When we live with Jesus’s mindset, we carry His mind and strength to cleanse our life of the sin that pulls us away from our Heavenly Father. It is only by His grace and Spirit within us that we can begin to understand and desire a life focused beyond this world. Then we can allow our relationship with Jesus to dictate our earthly walk and fellowship with Him and others. We can allow Him to show us what to count as important or worthy of attention. We consider what our life should look like under God and strive to live in ways that others may detect His presence within us and be drawn to Him because of it. What are ways to ensure you live for eternity now? 1. Cling to Jesus – with an intentionally intimate and deepening relationship. 2. Connect with prayer – With intimate conversation throughout each day, set times to pray, scriptural prayers, and heartfelt musings, remain connected to the Father through this lifeline to Him. Listen for His responses and guidance. 3. Read, study, and share God’s word – Mature your walk and share Him and your testimony with others, whether they be friends, family, or strangers, not only through words, but in your actions, reactions, desires, and integrity. The way we present ourselves must be in alignment with how we live and how we treat family members, friends, and strangers. Our lifestyle must be in alignment with God’s Word. 4. Love the Lord - with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and expose Him through words, actions, reactions, and desires. 5. Find and follow God’s will – Following and obeying the Lord, studying His word, and conversing through prayer, listening for His voice and direction, and heeding sound biblical advice are ways to find and follow the Lord. 6. Raise children to know and honor Him – As we draw nearer to Him, our children are drawn closer, as well. How do you begin self-development that prepares for eternity with Christ? Self-care is a huge goal for many women. I understand the foundation for it, but believe it is taken to extremes often in our society, especially in advertisements and through influencers. We need to care for ourselves mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially. What I have learned through years of following Christ is that when I seek His care first, I lose the desire to obsess over or constantly seek self-care. As I rely on Him and deepen my relationship with Him, He handles the cares I have and the needs that occur. Because the Bible tells us that the body is a temple of Christ, and we want to treat it well in all the areas I mentioned, and of course taking care of yourself is essential. Yet, when we release self to Jesus and learn and grow in Him, our goals and attitude change as we move closer and closer to Him and we lose the focus on caring for self obsessively as we serve others in a holier way. As we submit to Christ, we also move into what I call godly-development. It definitely ties to self-care, but in an organic and Christ-driven way. Growing in and through Christ truly is a moment-by-moment process that transforms who and what we desire and are. Through this development we think less of self, and more about others, with thoughts centered on Christ most of all. As He flows through all that we are, we become more like Him. We see the world more as He does, and realize more of the desires He crafted within us. So often we scan the library and bookstores to find the perfect books to improve and change us or to change others. Books challenge and develop us, but not always in the ways God desires. The Bible is the single most important book ever written, yet so often we pass it by as we seek the newest fad or forget the true wisdom it holds. The keys to healthy, joyful living and the secrets to living with eternal perspective are written in every book the Bible contains. As a book lover and a reader, I understand the value of reading books with godly values, but please don’t overlook the most important and influential book. Don’t place it to be read last or when you think you have time. Make sure to read it first, then include other quality books that align with God’s morals and directives. The focus of your heart behind the desire to change or improve as a believer should be what directs and propels you to act. Place Christ at the forefront of daily thinking and witness the changes He makes in and through you. This self-development is the most important change you can make because the results matter for eternity. 1. Search the Scriptures 2. Humbly submit to Christ 3. Honor the Father 4. Serve how He calls 5. Witness the changes He makes in you and others because of your obedience Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” As you draw nearer to God through Scriptures, prayer, and relationship, your faith becomes a deeper love. One that humbles you to receive what Christ desires to accomplish within and through you. Luke 9:23 says, “And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Dying to self is not something we can accomplish on our own. By trusting Jesus more each day as you grow your walk with Him, looking upward toward the eternal plan He has established, toward the eternity you will have with Him, you will be drawn to allow Him more access to your heart and home. Galatians 5:22-26 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.” Living with eternal perspective takes the sting out of disappointments as we trust the Father. This eternal-driven mindset takes the competition out of daily life. We trust that our personal life holds a purpose no one else has. Likewise, we recognize that the lives of others are unique and purposed by the same Hand that crafted each individual with intention. The fruits we receive from the Holy Spirit thriving and growing within us become focused on serving others over self. Intentionally developing godly character qualities honors the Father who intentionally crafted each one of us with purpose. Jesus placed others before self, yet allowed God full reign over His life. Each step we take toward following Christ moves us closer to eternity as we live for it in the present. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Dear Heavenly Father, help us in Your Sovereign love for us, to view this world through Your eyes. May our treasures be placed under You because they are what You have deemed worthy of praise. Help us to decrease as we allow You to be increased within us. Lord, You tell us that if we hate our life in this world we will keep it for eternity. May we follow You as faithful servants yearning to honor and please You. May our minds be sober and our intentions pure as we cling to Your promises of tomorrow today. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. This and my “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast may be found at terrihitt.com, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts may also now be found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 131 - An Eternal Perspective Life Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #131 – An Eternal Perspective Life Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. 1 John 2:25 says, “And this is the promise that He made to us—eternal life.” Eternal life. Forever Alive. No death. It’s impossible for our human mind to grasp the depth of this promise. We cannot comprehend all that God has in store for the ones who humbly love Him, and follow Him with humble faith, love, and obedience. So many believers hear the words eternity, eternal life, or live with eternal perspective and have a moment of gratitude for the gift God promises. How many of us actually grasp those words and apply them to daily living? What does it even mean to purpose to live with a perspective beyond self and this world? 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” When people imagine the end of their life, they hope for something good. Many imagine life with Christ in eternity, but only have our limited human understanding of what it might be like. Many don’t want to dwell long on the thoughts because they begin to feel depressed or anxious. Because of Jesus, we can be assured of life eternal with Him and that it will be far beyond our miniscule expectations. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” This promise isn’t based on how we feel, but on truth. If you have confessed and committed your life to Christ, you can rest in assurance through faith that you will have eternal life with Jesus. I want to share four beautiful verses with you that offer hope, truth, and assurance for us now and in the future. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Jesus stresses that He knows how difficult it is to follow Him. Represented by the two gates are the two choices each person must face. Will you purpose to faithfully and intentionally follow Jesus or something else? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This verse captures more about God’s plan than any other I can think of. Who would sacrifice their beloved son? But God’s plans are never what we expect, but somehow they are exactly what we need, even before we know or carry the ability to understand. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Believers are not saved by our works, but we have been saved for the good works He will accomplish through us. As we mature our personal relationship and grow a godly lifestyle through maturing our Christian walk, the works are an outgrowth, an extension of Christ within us as He works through our humble, obedient spirit. John 14:1-3 says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” In these precious words from Jesus, we find assurance that our way to eternal life is secure. If your hope and faith are in Him, you can trust that He has personally prepared your way to and in life eternal. Jesus didn’t give specific details, but with faith, we don’t need them. Our trust is in Him and our future is with Him. Obviously, the promise of life eternal is not based on our works, but His Word and His sacrificial act. Why wait for eternity to begin claiming this gift? We can live for eternity in the present. Now. In ways that honor and please Christ. Jesus lived with a heart and mind fixed on eternity – not this world. This place was a temporary holding ground that enabled Him to fulfill the purpose God held for Him. How do you view this world? Do you live for fleshly desires or to fulfill God’s will? Do you live with your eyes fixed above, knowing Jesus could return at any moment? Do you live with a heart that longs to please your Heavenly Father? Do you live with a mind that honors and dwells on thoughts pleasing to God? No matter the suffering Jesus faced, He did not falter or fail because He carried a godly and righteous view of eternity. Jesus lived backwards according to the way most humans live on earth. The Lord looked to the end of His earthly days to plan what He did and relied on in His present. His life was defined by His longing for obedience under God and eternity with Him. When we live with Jesus’s mindset, we carry His mind and strength to cleanse our life of the sin that pulls us away from our Heavenly Father. It is only by His grace and Spirit within us that we can begin to understand and desire a life focused beyond this world. Then we can allow our relationship with Jesus to dictate our earthly walk and fellowship with Him and others. We can allow Him to show us what to count as important or worthy of attention. We consider what our life should look like under God and strive to live in ways that others may detect His presence within us and be drawn to Him because of it. What are ways to ensure you live for eternity now? 1. Cling to Jesus – with an intentionally intimate and deepening relationship. 2. Connect with prayer – With intimate conversation throughout each day, set times to pray, scriptural prayers, and heartfelt musings, remain connected to the Father through this lifeline to Him. Listen for His responses and guidance. 3. Read, study, and share God’s word – Mature your walk and share Him and your testimony with others, whether they be friends, family, or strangers, not only through words, but in your actions, reactions, desires, and integrity. The way we present ourselves must be in alignment with how we live and how we treat family members, friends, and strangers. Our lifestyle must be in alignment with God’s Word. 4. Love the Lord - with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and expose Him through words, actions, reactions, and desires. 5. Find and follow God’s will – Following and obeying the Lord, studying His word, and conversing through prayer, listening for His voice and direction, and heeding sound biblical advice are ways to find and follow the Lord. 6. Raise children to know and honor Him – As we draw nearer to Him, our children are drawn closer, as well. How do you begin self-development that prepares for eternity with Christ? Self-care is a huge goal for many women. I understand the foundation for it, but believe it is taken to extremes often in our society, especially in advertisements and through influencers. We need to care for ourselves mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially. What I have learned through years of following Christ is that when I seek His care first, I lose the desire to obsess over or constantly seek self-care. As I rely on Him and deepen my relationship with Him, He handles the cares I have and the needs that occur. Because the Bible tells us that the body is a temple of Christ, and we want to treat it well in all the areas I mentioned, and of course taking care of yourself is essential. Yet, when we release self to Jesus and learn and grow in Him, our goals and attitude change as we move closer and closer to Him and we lose the focus on caring for self obsessively as we serve others in a holier way. As we submit to Christ, we also move into what I call godly-development. It definitely ties to self-care, but in an organic and Christ-driven way. Growing in and through Christ truly is a moment-by-moment process that transforms who and what we desire and are. Through this development we think less of self, and more about others, with thoughts centered on Christ most of all. As He flows through all that we are, we become more like Him. We see the world more as He does, and realize more of the desires He crafted within us. So often we scan the library and bookstores to find the perfect books to improve and change us or to change others. Books challenge and develop us, but not always in the ways God desires. The Bible is the single most important book ever written, yet so often we pass it by as we seek the newest fad or forget the true wisdom it holds. The keys to healthy, joyful living and the secrets to living with eternal perspective are written in every book the Bible contains. As a book lover and a reader, I understand the value of reading books with godly values, but please don’t overlook the most important and influential book. Don’t place it to be read last or when you think you have time. Make sure to read it first, then include other quality books that align with God’s morals and directives. The focus of your heart behind the desire to change or improve as a believer should be what directs and propels you to act. Place Christ at the forefront of daily thinking and witness the changes He makes in and through you. This self-development is the most important change you can make because the results matter for eternity. 1. Search the Scriptures 2. Humbly submit to Christ 3. Honor the Father 4. Serve how He calls 5. Witness the changes He makes in you and others because of your obedience Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” As you draw nearer to God through Scriptures, prayer, and relationship, your faith becomes a deeper love. One that humbles you to receive what Christ desires to accomplish within and through you. Luke 9:23 says, “And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Dying to self is not something we can accomplish on our own. By trusting Jesus more each day as you grow your walk with Him, looking upward toward the eternal plan He has established, toward the eternity you will have with Him, you will be drawn to allow Him more access to your heart and home. Galatians 5:22-26 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.” Living with eternal perspective takes the sting out of disappointments as we trust the Father. This eternal-driven mindset takes the competition out of daily life. We trust that our personal life holds a purpose no one else has. Likewise, we recognize that the lives of others are unique and purposed by the same Hand that crafted each individual with intention. The fruits we receive from the Holy Spirit thriving and growing within us become focused on serving others over self. Intentionally developing godly character qualities honors the Father who intentionally crafted each one of us with purpose. Jesus placed others before self, yet allowed God full reign over His life. Each step we take toward following Christ moves us closer to eternity as we live for it in the present. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Dear Heavenly Father, help us in Your Sovereign love for us, to view this world through Your eyes. May our treasures be placed under You because they are what You have deemed worthy of praise. Help us to decrease as we allow You to be increased within us. Lord, You tell us that if we hate our life in this world we will keep it for eternity. May we follow You as faithful servants yearning to honor and please You. May our minds be sober and our intentions pure as we cling to Your promises of tomorrow today. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. This and my “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast may be found at terrihitt.com, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts may also now be found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #032 – Teachability Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Welcome back to the podcast this week. Do you know what is heavy on my mind right now? I love learning! As our 2020-2021 school year will begin soon, and I am preparing our classroom and studies, I am incredibly thankful to have the freedom to teach my children at home. What a joy homeschool has been for our family! One of the goals I set when I began teaching my children, and one that all parents should have, whether they homeschool or not (in my opinion), is to instill a love of learning. I want my children to adore learning and to have curious minds that study many topics. I also want them to seek the truth of God in each. That desire leads me to the topic of our podcast this week. Teachability. The openness we carry for learning affects everything in our life. Let me ask you a couple of questions. How open are you to learning new things? How open are you to making mistakes? For most people, the first question is probably much easier than the second. Yet, you can’t have one without the other. This is one of the lessons I have repeatedly taught my children – and myself. When I was younger, I never wanted to make mistakes. But as I matured and grew my confidence in and through the Lord, I realized that I didn’t have to fear mistakes. I should embrace them. They don’t define me. Mistakes define how I am progressing. They prove I am a changing and growing human. Just as we are meant to be. This week, I was thinking of a Biblical character who was forced to learn through a very difficult method. It’s a longer set of verses, but right now, I’m going to read from the book of Daniel – Chapter 4:1-37. “King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. “ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— our Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” What methods God had to use to ensure that King Nebuchadnezzar was teachable! King Nebuchadnezzar had proven that he was one of the most arrogant leaders the world had held. God knew the pride living and growing in the king’s heart had to dealt with in the only ways that would personally work for him. Just like He has to do with every one of us. Each of us has moments in which we are anything but pliable and ready for God to use us. Each one of us has been resistant to learning at times and remained stuck where we were. Oh, God, may our hearts and minds be pliant and open to you. May our spirit bend to Your will, instead of our own. In the verses we read, God gave the stubborn and prideful King Nebuchadnezzar a vision of a huge tree that had been chopped down by an angel. Who do you think the tree represented? That’s right. The King. God removed the king from his high position and sent him into the wilderness where he would live as an animal. He ate like all the other animals, his nails grew long and he lived in the dirt and wilderness as an animal. How long did he dwell there? Until the former king was humbled and God knew he had learned to submit to Him. The discipline God chose worked. When the beastly former king returned to the palace and his position, he was a changed man. No longer did he believe he was greatest, but now realized his position and greatness was God-ordained and given to him. He wanted to honor God instead of himself. The king became teachable. King Nebuchadnezzar praised God and acknowledged the sovereignty of the Lord. His sanity was returned, along with honor, splendor, and his reign. Advisors and nobles sought the king and he was even greater than before. King Nebuchadnezzar was a changed man. Humbled, he praised, exalted, and glorified God, proclaiming that He alone is right and just. Lord, may we give you proper glory and honor without the hard lessons. Help us to honor and exalt you because our hearts are willingly softened toward You and Your ways. May we please you and give you joy. What are the lessons from this story that we can grasp and hold in our hearts? 1. Live humbly. Recognize that all we have comes from God. 2. Express genuine gratitude for what we do and don’t possess. 3. Trust God and His timing. 4. Seek to live in ways that honor, please, and glorify God. 5. Allow God to change and grow us with experiences and situations that stretch us. 6. View life with an eternal perspective that includes God and others. God sees directly into our heart. He knows our reasons for each word, thought, and action we have. Seek Him when you awaken, throughout each day, and every night, allowing Him to guide your purposes and behavior in ways that honor Him and attract others to the light only He can place inside us. How do we develop such a love for God? Through Jesus. When we are His and seek to know Him better, we will. 1. Crave Him more than earthly treasures and accolades. 2. Apologize when you have wronged another, even when it is slightly. What we do and say matters greatly to others and to God. 3. Read His word and seek to continue deepening your understanding and relationship. 4. Admit mistakes and keep learning and growing daily. 5. Intentionally influence others by the way you live. Allow them to see your strong and growing connection to Jesus. When they see the difference He makes in your life and understand that He can do the same for them, their eternity is altered. 6. Desire godly change. Father, thank you for allowing us to draw nearer to you and bring others with us by the work You do in and through us. God help each of us crave You more than before, beginning this moment. Help us to seek You in new ways that enlighten us to Your heart. May we honor You with all we are and bring You exceeding joy. Help us to be teachable in Your desires, and influence others to be the same, in this world that does not realize how greatly we thirst for You. Please change that, God, by changing us. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 032 Teachability Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #032 – Teachability Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Welcome back to the podcast this week. Do you know what is heavy on my mind right now? I love learning! As our 2020-2021 school year will begin soon, and I am preparing our classroom and studies, I am incredibly thankful to have the freedom to teach my children at home. What a joy homeschool has been for our family! One of the goals I set when I began teaching my children, and one that all parents should have, whether they homeschool or not (in my opinion), is to instill a love of learning. I want my children to adore learning and to have curious minds that study many topics. I also want them to seek the truth of God in each. That desire leads me to the topic of our podcast this week. Teachability. The openness we carry for learning affects everything in our life. Let me ask you a couple of questions. How open are you to learning new things? How open are you to making mistakes? For most people, the first question is probably much easier than the second. Yet, you can’t have one without the other. This is one of the lessons I have repeatedly taught my children – and myself. When I was younger, I never wanted to make mistakes. But as I matured and grew my confidence in and through the Lord, I realized that I didn’t have to fear mistakes. I should embrace them. They don’t define me. Mistakes define how I am progressing. They prove I am a changing and growing human. Just as we are meant to be. This week, I was thinking of a Biblical character who was forced to learn through a very difficult method. It’s a longer set of verses, but right now, I’m going to read from the book of Daniel – Chapter 4:1-37. “King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. “ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— our Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” What methods God had to use to ensure that King Nebuchadnezzar was teachable! King Nebuchadnezzar had proven that he was one of the most arrogant leaders the world had held. God knew the pride living and growing in the king’s heart had to dealt with in the only ways that would personally work for him. Just like He has to do with every one of us. Each of us has moments in which we are anything but pliable and ready for God to use us. Each one of us has been resistant to learning at times and remained stuck where we were. Oh, God, may our hearts and minds be pliant and open to you. May our spirit bend to Your will, instead of our own. In the verses we read, God gave the stubborn and prideful King Nebuchadnezzar a vision of a huge tree that had been chopped down by an angel. Who do you think the tree represented? That’s right. The King. God removed the king from his high position and sent him into the wilderness where he would live as an animal. He ate like all the other animals, his nails grew long and he lived in the dirt and wilderness as an animal. How long did he dwell there? Until the former king was humbled and God knew he had learned to submit to Him. The discipline God chose worked. When the beastly former king returned to the palace and his position, he was a changed man. No longer did he believe he was greatest, but now realized his position and greatness was God-ordained and given to him. He wanted to honor God instead of himself. The king became teachable. King Nebuchadnezzar praised God and acknowledged the sovereignty of the Lord. His sanity was returned, along with honor, splendor, and his reign. Advisors and nobles sought the king and he was even greater than before. King Nebuchadnezzar was a changed man. Humbled, he praised, exalted, and glorified God, proclaiming that He alone is right and just. Lord, may we give you proper glory and honor without the hard lessons. Help us to honor and exalt you because our hearts are willingly softened toward You and Your ways. May we please you and give you joy. What are the lessons from this story that we can grasp and hold in our hearts? 1. Live humbly. Recognize that all we have comes from God. 2. Express genuine gratitude for what we do and don’t possess. 3. Trust God and His timing. 4. Seek to live in ways that honor, please, and glorify God. 5. Allow God to change and grow us with experiences and situations that stretch us. 6. View life with an eternal perspective that includes God and others. God sees directly into our heart. He knows our reasons for each word, thought, and action we have. Seek Him when you awaken, throughout each day, and every night, allowing Him to guide your purposes and behavior in ways that honor Him and attract others to the light only He can place inside us. How do we develop such a love for God? Through Jesus. When we are His and seek to know Him better, we will. 1. Crave Him more than earthly treasures and accolades. 2. Apologize when you have wronged another, even when it is slightly. What we do and say matters greatly to others and to God. 3. Read His word and seek to continue deepening your understanding and relationship. 4. Admit mistakes and keep learning and growing daily. 5. Intentionally influence others by the way you live. Allow them to see your strong and growing connection to Jesus. When they see the difference He makes in your life and understand that He can do the same for them, their eternity is altered. 6. Desire godly change. Father, thank you for allowing us to draw nearer to you and bring others with us by the work You do in and through us. God help each of us crave You more than before, beginning this moment. Help us to seek You in new ways that enlighten us to Your heart. May we honor You with all we are and bring You exceeding joy. Help us to be teachable in Your desires, and influence others to be the same, in this world that does not realize how greatly we thirst for You. Please change that, God, by changing us. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 029 - Blameless Before Christ Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #029 – Blameless Before Christ Thank you for listening to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast. My prayer is that you and I will parent with purpose and confidently connect with Christ and our children moment by moment. We brought our middle daughter home from China eighteen years ago. I have such beautiful memories of how deeply I longed to raise her for Christ before we ever brought her home. In fact, God began working on my heart years before we even knew we had a baby in China. It’s ironic, because my husband and I were perfectly content that we had raised two children, a son and a daughter. We knew we were entering a new season in our life since they had both graduated from high school. We weren’t sure what it would be like, but we had raised children starting at the age of eighteen and we were still young. Well, you know that saying, “but God?” That definitely applies here. I’ve always been one of those people who critically examines myself. Let me explain. For example, when I was young my parents only had to say, “we are very disappointed in you.” The spankings or groundings that I received when I was in trouble were nothing to compared to a stern look of disapproval or hearing that I had let them down. So after we had raised our first set of children, I would sometimes mentally review our parenting years in my mind. There were so many beautiful memories and times I thought we had done well as parents. There were also recollections of moments I wished I had handled differently. No one is perfect and I didn’t expect my life or parenting skills to be, but I like to learn. I like to grow. Most of all, I desire to mature my walk with Christ moment by moment. Because of the purposed growth I had in my relationship with Jesus by this time, I had become a different person than I was when I had two children by the time I was 21 years old. How deeply I wished I had known Christ in those early precious years. I wish I had given my children a deeper knowledge of Jesus, but I didn’t even know Jesus until I was 22. I yearned to have known Jesus earlier and really matured my walk with Him quickly. Sometimes my mind would wander to tiny thoughts of how I would parent differently if I had a baby at that time in my life. By then I was around 40. It surprised me that I had these wistful urges to parent differently with a deeper connection to Christ. It certainly wasn’t empty nest syndrome. It was more of an awakening that God was stirring within me, not a craving for another child. In my mind, I could see myself with a little girl and I thought of all of the things I would do differently. In hindsight, I now know that God was weaving many details together because He knew the plans He had for us and the plans for our future daughters. He was preparing a heart that thought it was finished parenting for the tasks He would honor my husband and I with. A mother’s heart usually has many longings. As believers, we want our children to have and be the best God intends for them. We all know each day can bring trying times. Our intention may be to start and end the day with sunshine and roses, but events or mishaps occur that challenge or change the plans we made. Life interferes and if we are not eternal minded, we trade opportunities God intended with purpose for cheap versions of a worldly existence. We think it’s good. We can be perfectly happy, but we may not know we are missing a deep joy in our soul that gives God joy and honor. We miss opportunities to lift our child to the Lord and teach them the way to live a blameless life before Christ. I know I was a good mother. But time and relationship with Jesus has taught me how to be a godly mother. There is no comparison. I want to continue to mature in the depth of my skills and wisdom as a mother parenting for the Lord. I desire for you to be a godlier mother, too. Our children desperately need Jesus. The instruction they receive from us is the direct line that will guide them to Him. In the book of Philippians, Paul speaks to the saints in Christ who are in Philippi. His words in Philippians 1:8-11 are beautifully inspiring and I yearn for us as diligent, discerning mothers to listen to what he says. The passage reads as follows, “For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment , that you may approve the things that are excellent , that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ , to the glory and praise of God .” Can you imagine saying these words to your children? Think of the godly power of placing their names individually at the beginning and then reciting this passage to them. Imagine praying these words over them, for them. The power of Christ would be at work to honor this prayer as you strive to parent with eternal meaning. In this passage shared from Paul’s eloquent and loving letter, we hear great wisdom regarding the way we are to live as heirs with Christ. Let’s look more closely at the passage and break down the meaning it still holds for us and our children today. 1. The word “affection” used in this passage is the strongest Greek word for intense emotion, and refers to internal organs, considered to be the parts of the body that hold and react to intense emotion . This word selection indicates a generous, gracious love that encompasses the entire being of a person. Imagine Christ’s power behind you as you purposely raise your children to greatly long for Him and for them to see you doing the same. 2. “In knowledge” is also from a Greek word, depicting absolute, advanced insight, judgement, and understanding. This form of biblical love is deeply rooted and regulated in Scriptural truth. Exactly the type of teaching and training we should purpose to give our children. 3. “Discernment” references moral integrity and insight, as well as effective and efficient utilization of knowledge. This astute attentiveness analyzes and approves what is appropriate or amiss. As 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil .” This deliberate discernment seeks to determine what is good and what is evil. Oh, how we must long for God to give us the discernment we need to parent with these qualities in mind with our eyes, heart, and mind fixed on eternity and centered on building these character qualities with a focus on God in our children. 4. As the passage continues, the phrase, “approve the things that are excellent” allows believers to differentiate what is truly important to Christ and enables the right priorities to be established and endorsed. As we raise our children in this sinful world, we must endorse and endow them with excellence built on a foundation of godly principles and relationship that honors God through Christ. 5. To be “sincere and without offense” is the highest calling for believers to attain. Our lifetime should be spent in an attempt to establish this genuine standing before Christ. A believers and followers of Christ, the integrity we carry in our personal life is the purity others believe comes from Christ. All we are and do reflects Him. This is what we should desire our children to witness within us. As we build our relationship with Jesus, making it stronger day by day, the result should bring us closer to this goal and allow us to be a witness to our children of a goal for them to strive for as well. Our children see and understand what is truly important to us. It is critical that we mirror the character of Christ and the passion He carried for pleasing and honoring the Father. 6. The phrase “fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ” refers to what is produced within believers through our standing with Jesus and the Holy Spirit living within us. As believers, we have have been redeemed and transformed through Jesus and also receive ongoing transformation through the Holy Spirit, which is alive and at work within us. The day our child also accepts Christ as Savior and begins a personal walk with Him is the best day a parent can experience. To see the fruits of the Spirit building fruits of righteousness as they pursue Christ is a miracle we are privileged to see and participate in. 7. To the glory and praise of God” recognizes and highlights Paul’s desire (and what should be our longing) – to glorify our Father in Heaven. That we can help our children do the same is a beautiful blessing. Each of us who claim to be Christians must purposely exercise the same preparation and practiced discipline that Jesus did as He obeyed our Heavenly Father as we live and parent daily. We must establish godly priorities and mentor them to our children so that they can live with true integrity established through relationship with Christ. Our godly mentorship allows our children to discover, desire, and develop a maturing walk with Jesus that will bless them for eternity. Philippians 2:14-16 says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain .” “Blameless and harmless” mean to live above blame or disgrace, a life of purity and dignity that is only found through salvation and relationship with Jesus. Humans tend to relate to other humans and follow the standards or cultural norms accepted, but believing mothers desire that our children follow Jesus as mentor and guide and live in ways that will cause them to be blameless before Jesus each day. This will take the proper attitude from us and our children. As we set the tone and temperament of our household, mentoring Christ as we mature our personal walk with Him, we prayerfully rely on God to work out the salvation of our children as we entrust and lift them to Him. I love the words, “shine as lights in the world.” Before we even brought our middle daughter home as a baby, my husband and I prayed each day that we would raise her in pleasing ways to the Lord, that she would come to know Jesus as her Savior, and that she would be a shining light for Him. Do you know one of the most common compliments we receive for her? People tell us that she is a light. Mothers, as you purpose to raise children who will carry a mind set for eternity with Jesus, pray specific scriptural prayers. Seek His words and pray His words over your children. Pray them for yourself and your spouse. God will honor every prayer that is within His will. God is not willing that any should perish and He deeply desires for your children to love and honor you because they cherish and obey Him. Dear Heavenly Father, Your glorious light has the capacity to shine through us and into the hearts of others. Help us allow You to work through us. We are nothing without You. We thank you for the holiness and mercy You offer us and for the way You love us completely. Help us to see our children through Your eyes and heart. Enable us to carry Your mindset for eternity as we raise and care for them. Help us to stand blameless before You and model the character of Christ to our children and those we interact with. May this world be brighter because You are in us and we are actively and passionately pursuing You moment by moment. Father, thank you for teaching and growing us daily. May we never turn from You and only stay in the center of Your palm, attracting our children to You so that together we may stand blameless before You now and into eternity. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast. This and my “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast may be found at terrihitt.com, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts may also now be found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? Did you know that when you review my podcasts on Apple, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcasts online so that more people are allowed to find and hear them. Will you please take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway them away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Parent and Connect With Eternal Perspective. Previous Next

Do you yearn for greater connection with your child and Christ? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, < Back Episode #001 – Introduction Do you yearn for greater connection with your child and Christ? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Let’s work together now with practical tips and truths crafted to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. I’m Terri Hitt, a believer and follower of Jesus. I’m a wife, mother to four children, (three on earth with one in heaven), grandmother to one, homeschooling mama, online business owner with my middle daughter, and I’m the creator and host of the Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast and now the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast. Have you heard the old saying, “the days are long, but the years are short?” Those true and insightful words apply to parenting . Most of us yearn for more time with our children after they are grown. Sometimes we look back and wish we had done things differently. We hope we’ve instilled godly character and wisdom to withstand the culture and pressures of this world. You might wonder why I care so strongly about purposed parenting. Because my husband and I married right out of high school, had our first child when we were still teens, and I didn’t know Jesus when we married, our parenting style reflected the ways we were parented or things that we made sure to change about the way we were raised instead of seeking and allowing God to guide us in parenting the exact children He sent to us. Since we started so young, both of our children were out of high school and living on their own by the time we were 40 years old. We had no idea that God had another plan for us that involved adoption and a second opportunity to parent with Him at the center and leading the way to honor the relationship we now had with Him. Connection is also very important. Do you yearn for greater connection with Christ and your child? Are you ready to stop reacting to life or stressors and begin an intentional parenting journey? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with an eternal perspective? I can help you learn new ways of viewing your walk with God through relationship with Jesus and equip you to recognize the precious, unique individual entrusted to your care. Just as God has a plan for your life, your child was created for a reason . Let’s submit to the Lord together to enable our children to find and live His purpose as we parent with eternal perspective . As I’ve matured my walk with Jesus, I have experienced the Lord in personal, intimate ways, and I can promise that there is none like Him. Jesus is everything His word proclaims and more . Even though I continue to purposely grow my walk with Him daily, I will never know Him well enough, never reflect Him brightly enough, and never fulfill everything He has for me. Now that I understand the truth that the better I know Him, I realize how far I am from Him, I don’t try to measure my walk. I just try to draw nearer to Him in purposed relationship, continuing to release self, and allow Him to lead and guide me. What joy, hope, peace, and relief I have found through Jesus. There is no need for perfection. No need for worry. As my eyes and heart are fixed on Him, I simply strive to draw nearer, listen, and obey so that I hear Him much more clearly than the loud, warped lies of this world, and clearly show Him to my children. As an older mom who has raised two generations of children, experienced the loss of one, and been blessed with bio and adopted children, I am also an advocate for special health needs and abilities, and I am familiar with parenting through trauma and neglect. I’m a teacher through our homeschool, a business owner with one of my children, a ministry leader, and someone who has learned much from studying God’s word, walking with Jesus, and surrendering my life to Him. I’d treasure walking beside you to educate, equip, encourage, and empower you in your walk with Jesus and your parenting journey. There is no greater legacy to leave your child than an authentic, strong faith that equips and carries them through this life. I truly believe that every answer we need is found in God’s word. Any strength we desire is found through Him . He works miracles in surrendered lives. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates .” In the verse I read, we hear God commanding us to love Him. Not just feel a love for Him, but to passionately care for Him, and deeply desire Him with all our heart, all our soul, and with all our strength. In Hebrew, love is not restricted to just feelings . The word, “heart” is the core of our will , intellect , interests , and emotions . If we understand the word command in that context, we see that when God commands us to love Him, He expects us to surrender and cling to Him completely with our soul, or our spirit essence, meaning the whole of us at the core. God also commands that we love Him with all of our strength , meaning absolutely everything we have. How beautiful it is that God asks us to keep the words in our heart , which directs all of our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. What is within us gets expressed or expelled out, especially in times of stress, heartache, disappointment, or trouble. Did you know that in biblical times, people would carry verses written from Deuteronomy on a small scroll that was placed in two small leather boxes? The boxes were to be attached to the person; one tied onto the forehead and the other wrapped around one hand. Similar boxes were used at gates and doorposts and enabled one to keep the commandments close to remember what God required. Thankfully, we can now read and digest God’s word with greater depth of understanding through our relationship with Jesus. We understand with greater clarity what God expects, and why . We are able to study and memorize His words, to hold them within us to help guide us in our walk and relationship with Him. They help us remember what a weighty responsibility He has granted us when He ordained our responsibility as parents. All that we become, all that we share and show, the way we live, react, and speak is seen, evaluated , and absorbed by our children. With great clarity, they see all we proclaim to be and all we actually are . What we do and show will bring them to the heart of Jesus to sit at His feet or drive them in the other direction. If you are not purposed in allowing God access to everything in your life and intentionally living for Him and teaching His truths to your children daily, the world will erode your dreams of your child walking in submission to Jesus. Our culture makes it extremely difficult for your child to draw nearer to God moment by moment because it is in direct opposition to what God desires for them. When Jesus was asked (in Matthew 22) what the greatest commandment was, he did not respond with one of the Ten Commandments. Instead, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 , “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, will all your soul, and with all your strength .” As Jesus walked this earth, His lifetime was wisely spent teaching the way to Him. As He mentored how we are to think , respond , and react , what we are to seek and find important, Jesus lived the perfect example. As we draw nearer to Him , we find the ways to teach our children how to find, respond, and love God. Every part of our being is to know , seek , honor , and obey the Lord through our attitude , thoughts , words , emotions , hope , trust , purpose , and talents . God’s very image is crafted within each of us, whether we seek and know Him or not. Because of that, we are designed to worship Him. When we do not honor Him in the way God desires, when we do not listen and obey, or sacrifice our time and life to Him, we never find the joy and peace we crave. A sense of purpose and belonging will always be lacking within us. None of us want that outcome for our precious children. I want to share some questions that you might like to ponder. How do you desire to impact the life of your child or grandchild? Is leaving a legacy of faith a priority? God promises that repercussions for certain sins may extend into the third and fourth generations, but that He keeps a promise, a covenant for those who keep His commandments that extends for a thousand generations. Which do you prefer for your family? What is your attitude when teaching your child or grandchild? What habits, words, or actions do you possess that they are or will be mimicking in the future? Is it pleasing to the Lord? Do you follow the whims of your child or respond to their behavior, parent in the moment, or expect to be their best friend? Are you constantly soliciting the opinion of your child or finding your worth through them and their accomplishments instead of in the Lord? Would you like to discover positive, connected parenting instead of resorting to authoritative or reactionary discipline? Children suffer a variety of issues unique to this generation. Only the Lord and a God-directed parent and parenting style will reach their heart and soul. Some of the topics and issues we will discuss in future “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” episodes will include how to: Recognize each child as a unique individual from God (not your “mini me” or bff) Release control Parent under submission to God and for each of your unique children Have relationship with Jesus Enjoy relationship with your child Dig deeper (beyond behavior) with your child Create Connection Express Emotions and help your child to do the same Model Christ (in words, actions, and reactions) Pray for each other and with each other Be a living example of grace Be the mentor for your child that leads to the Master Protect your feelings and emotions (find the reason behind behavior instead of taking everything personally) Correct, not punish Teach obedience, love, and trust for God, and guide your child to love, trust, and obey you Nurture attunement with Jesus , yourself, and your child Avoid gender Confusion Prevent childhood depression Handle cultural trends and the effects on your child I invite you to reach out to me at info@terrihitt.com to let me know what you would like to hear. One of my favorite topics to discuss are ways to recognize and reach the unique individual under your care. God specifically planned that you would parent each of your children. Nothing is a surprise to Him. God knows that we are not capable of successful parenting on our own. As we rely on Him, as we release doubts and expectations, and humbly bow to His guidance and experience, we find greater clarity in parenting and a wondrous walk with our Creator that will extend to our children and those around us for generations. Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You! There is none like You. Thank you for the love You pour on us, even when we don’t feel it or when we doubt or forget You. You are constant. You are steady. Help us to be purposed in our relationship with You. Help us to be the mentor You purpose us to be for our children. Generation to generation can shine or hide You, Father. We have failed in many ways to let our children and grandchildren see and intimately know You. Rectify our mistakes and cleanse our spirit. Renew our intentions for self and our offspring under You. Show us the way to shining You with a pure heart. Allow us to live on guard, with an intense passion for You so that we seek and follow You in visible ways that do not provoke our children or cause them to turn from You, but draw them ever nearer to You with joy and depth. May their character shine You and their heart mimic You. Keep us from turning from You and press us into You with intention and love. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast is available at terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, receive access to blog posts, read transcripts, and find additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence connected children through Him. I pray this podcast helps you parent with purpose and deepen your connection to Jesus and your children. Strive to place Christ above culture or self. Allow Him to work through you for true connection that will draw your children to Him and build a maturing relationship that lasts for eternity. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 113 - Are You Parenting Your Toddlers for the Teen Years? Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 113 – Are You Parenting Your Toddlers for the Teen Years? Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to an important question to consider in this episode…are you parenting your toddlers for the teen years? Parenthood gives mothers such unique abilities to learn about relationships. Not only how to foster relationships, but how to recognize potential issues early in relationships and try to avoid those problems. We see our children up close and personal…and they see us, too. Just as our kids know us well by watching and cataloging our expressions, actions, and words, observant mothers will use everyday opportunities to view and evaluate how well our children listen, obey, and care for others. Do they show kindness, respect, and truth? How well are they responding to the truths of God that we present to them in multiple ways daily? Are you aware that the way you parent your toddlers can help set your teens up for failure or success? Common threads are often uncovered among parents when they chat about navigating the tapestry of the teen years, but for the most part mothers don’t share for fear or judgement, rejection, or embarrassment. I find it interesting that when parents are in the throes of raising toddlers, there’s more levity in what’s shared than when a parent is battling an issue with their teen. When a mother is living hard days with a teen in the home, the entire household can be affected for days or months. Although they need guidance or support, women are reluctant to share such personal struggles, and the actions of a wayward or obstinate teen can cause everyone in the home to struggle. On the flip side, it’s much easier to ignore or distract the behavior of a toddler. For example, when a toddler refuses to wear an article of clothing, a mother learns that the next time she wants her child to get dressed she won’t ask. Instead, the next time she’ll prepare her child with a transition between activities and will give her toddler two choices, both of which she has already picked as options. “It’s time to get dressed. You can wear this dress or this one.” Or “It’s time to get dressed. Today you can wear this shirt or this shirt.” Hold the choices up in front of them or lay them on a bed in front of the toddler and let them choose. Of course, if you don’t have a child who cares about the clothing they wear, you don’t need to start the options phase. Don’t bring challenges into your life. Continue picking out their clothes and move on quickly in your morning routine. However, when you recognize that what your child wears matters to him or her, allow your child the freedom to have autonomy. On the other hand, when your teen refuses to wear something you’ve asked them to, and they begin dressing in ways you don’t approve of, the challenge feels much harder. It is, but the way you prepare your child for the teen years while you parent the toddler years and between will make those teen years much less challenging for both of you. You’ll also ensure you don’t create barriers by reacting in ways totally different than any other time in their life. For example, when your child is young, you make life easier by giving them choices you approve of. As your child grows, their ability to reason grows with them. As you see ways they are changing, you begin to build on groundwork you’ve already poured to make that foundation of your relationship stronger. You offer different choices depending on age and abilities, but you’ve been working with them over the years to help your child learn how to reason logically and biblically and to make wise choices. Remember that every child is as unique as a snowflake. They’ll each develop at their own God-given pace, however, there are ways to predict the most common times children will develop new skills. When we look at phases of human development, we see that in the toddler phase of development, children need to get good sleep, nutrition, stimulation, and need to continue building close bonds with their caregivers. So, using the example of attire, if you don’t want your teen to wear certain clothing, you must nourish your relationship and their decision-making in certain ways. I knew I didn’t want my youngest daughters to wear skimpy clothing when they were teens or adults, so I wanted to instill morals and integrity in them that would teach them to want to dress conservatively. Now, at 18 and 20 years of age, they both dress with reserve, yet are still stylish and choose their own clothing based on personality and interests, while remaining modest and current. Because it was a priority to me to teach my girls to respect their body (and not desire to flaunt theirs the way we see women doing on social media), and because I didn’t want them to wear tight, short spandex dresses that almost look like an article of shapewear, I took purposed steps when they were toddlers. Here are some of the most important ways I planned for my girls to dress in the ways I believed God would approve: First, I didn’t dress in the ways I didn’t want my daughters to dress. Next, I didn’t compliment women who dressed in that way. I drew attention to others who dressed modestly, yet stylishly. Finally, I didn’t purchase that type of clothing for my girls, even when they were small. I didn’t place bikinis on them in public, because I didn’t want them to wear them as teens. Since I believed God would find it more pleasing for my girls to wear a modest one-piece swimsuit, that’s what I dressed them in as toddlers. It’s what they got used to wearing. It’s what I also wore when I put a swimsuit on. I also taught the girls these things to think about attire over the years: Is this outfit right for the climate/weather? Is this outfit appropriate for the event I’m attending? Will I be comfortable in my choice? Will my choice of clothing be respectful of others in attendance? I know attire is one simple example, but the same principle applies to other areas of parenting toddlers so that you lay the groundwork for smoother teen years. There are many ways parenting teens and toddlers compliment each other or leave you with similar challenges, so let’s examine a few of those ways. 1. Parents find raising teens challenging because they feel it is hard to talk about certain topics such as sex with their children. When the kids are young, parents are reluctant to talk about those subjects, even though society today is causing parents to broach those topics at younger and younger ages and phases of childhood. So, the parent, who should be able to use their common and God-given sense to know when to approach topics feels pushed to teach things they’re uncomfortable with or they don’t want to harm their child by discussing. Then, on the flip side, once children are teens, parents might find certain topics embarrassing for them or their children, and become slow to tackle that topic. However, if parents wait too long, they may have a teen who has gotten into trouble because they were too naïve to know to stay away from something, or you may find your teen in a dangerous situation because they were never warned or taught godly morals around that situation. You may also have a young child frightened before it is time to hear of certain topics. At either end, if the timing isn’t right, parents may cause issues that could have been avoided, or they may cause trust issues between them and their children after children see or hear about delicate topics from unsavory or untrustworthy sources. 2. Toddlers and teens both have anger, frustration, or distractions that seem very similar to one another. Remember, the temper tantrums, bossiness, and new skill sets you navigate with your toddler can set up your relationship with your teen to be more closely bonded. 3. Both toddlers and teen are searching for identity. Be sure to teach your child godly identity in Jesus because you have (and continue) to deepen yours with Him. Just knowing the gospel won’t be enough for your child to grasp and construct their own house of faith. Be sure that they see Jesus really is important to you, not just words you speak or actions you take, like religiously going to church every week, then leaving Jesus at the door to your home. 4. Notice the strengths and weaknesses your toddler exhibits and direct those in Christlike ways as he grows. Consider the ways your child reacts to trials and triumphs. Is he easily frustrated or angered as a toddler? Help him by your tone, reactions, words, etc. to teach him how to battle and conquer ways of handlings situations in godly ways. 5. Teach your children godly characteristics like honesty, integrity, love, kindness, patience, etc. from toddlerhood. Root those qualities in God’s truths and show them in your own life. This will set them up to carry those same qualities that have been strengthened over the years, like a muscle that has been exercised. 6. Take note of the gifts, talents, and interests God has purposed in your children. As they grow, help them navigate how to stay true to who God made them to be while remaining rooted in His truths. Help them find how to use the gifts, talents, and interests in ways that honor God and serve His purpose for them. 7. Make time to be with your toddler, not only in everyday care, but in play and relaxation. Go outdoors together. Roll on the floor and laugh together. Play games together. Color or draw together. Play ball. Search for insects outdoors or find beautiful leaves on the trees. Let your inner child be revived as you find ways to spend time together. Use your imagination and creativity, or use theirs, but have fun just being together. When you laugh together when your child is a toddler, you’re more apt to continue that routine as they grow and enjoy fun times together when they become a teen. 8. Be there for your toddler when they’re afraid or hurting. Even when it’s hard, let them see that you love them enough to be brave and present when life is hard. Model how to ask God to carry you all through the hard times and show them a pure faith that doesn’t turn away through hard or easy times. 9. Speak God’s truths and Words to your toddlers and teens through conversations, everyday life, and prayers. Think of how many similarities there are between toddlers and teens. Both ends of your parenting years can have many of the same interests and characteristics. Listen to these qualities and you will recognize that they apply to toddlers and teens. Selfishness, mood swings, and egos that think the world revolves around them, know-it-all attitudes, desire to gather people and friends, the desire to be independent, even if they’re not ready, risky behaviors (as a toddler your child may run into traffic or climb bookshelves and your teen may partake in dangerous or sneaky behaviors such as smoking, sex, drugs, alcohol, driving dangerously, stealing, or lying. Both toddlers and teens may begin these actions when they need more attention or they may have personalities that are impulsive and inquisitive. Either way, your children, both toddlers and teens, need close, loving guidance toward a loving Savior by a parent who lives what they preach. Remember it is key to be building your own strong identity in Christ. If you have questions about how to do that, please connect with me at info@terrihitt.com . Also, love your toddler and your teen in ways they understand and need. You know your children better than anyone else. The Bible and a strong walk with God will be your guiding tools. Connection with other godly individuals sharing experiences will help you when you’re hurting or confused about how to parent. Connect with your children intentionally – connect with them personally, and connect them to Christ. Don’t treat your children as an afterthought. Let them know how important they are to you. Know their body language and love language. You don’t have to pamper or spoil your children, but you do need to prioritize them over selfish needs. Respect your children and teach them to respect you and most importantly, God. Let your children know you are chosen and entrusted by God to raise them for Him. Foster obedience Don’t exasperate Look to God to guide and guard your parenting decisions. Pray. Put God first in your own life. Read the Word daily – and also read and study the Word together. You have time. It’s all in what you prioritize. Find answers together when your kids have questions you don’t know. Discipline to disciple, not punish Be a godly, not good parent Don’t try to be your child’s best friend. They need godly parents. Infuse your home with a genuine, godly atmosphere. Teach integrity. Make your home a safe place. Enjoy your child’s friends – welcome them, get to know them. Help your kids know how to choose godly, faithful friends. Have godly entertainment in your home (music, books, shows, artwork, etc,). I ‘ve included a few Bible verses you may use to pray over your children or to teach them. Use the concept when your children are young, as they mature, teach the full verse. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 2 Timothy 2:22-26 says, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” Ecclesiastes 11:9 says, “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Psalms 119:9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are, our holy Maker of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for your generosity to us. We in no way deserve to be raising Your precious children, yet You entrust them to us. Equip us to be godly parents who chase You over culture and teach our children to do the same. Work within us. Change us. Mold us into the mothers You desire us to be. Give us a thirst for You that nothing else will quench and help our children to thirst for You, too. Please equip us to raise children who come to know, honor, obey, and serve You with humble love and gratitude. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. This is the part of the episode that you usually hear me talk about the Set-Apart Collective. Today I want to share about my new mini program called “Establish Identity.” Why? Your identity is a major force behind what you do. Who you believe yourself to be, and who you find your identity through affects the way you live, parent, love, serve, and discipline. Your identity is one of the lifelines, a pulse point of your home. Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Even if they are grown, your identity affects your child. The way you think, speak, and react is rooted in your identity. Send me a message at info@terrihitt.com if you’d like details or go to terrihitt.com and join my email list. You’ll get updates before anyone else and hear a little about what makes this so important. If you join the email list you’ll also be able to access free resources such as my new Good to Godly: A 31 Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #075 - Make Time for Rest in Him The last two weeks have been extremely busy and difficult at our house as we have dealt with unexpected issues. We are all doing all right, yet I know that God is calling us to rest. Life has been throwing hard moments and decisions that none of us were ready for. Isn’t that the way the world works? In reality, if it were any different, we probably wouldn’t be forced at times to grow very quickly in depth of faith that matures our walk with God through Jesus. I am thankful, and I am praising God for His hand in the hard times that we face, but only for the purpose of growing my depth of reliance in Him and walking in greater obedience. I sense His spirit prompting me to create an upcoming podcast with the details, but for now, I am to rest. In Him. Mark 6:30-32 says, “The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.” Jesus is concerned with each detail of our life as He allows moments that cause us to choose Him despite pain, heartache, and suffering. I am thankful I know and trust Him. Do you trust Jesus? Life is too hard without Him. Jesus even cares about the practicalities of our life. He understands when we are exhausted, hurting, or confused. Our Lord and Savior desires us to rest in Him wholly. Matthew 13:33b says, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” Just as bread must contain leaven to rise, our faith journey must continue to be kneaded into a new form. After being added to the lump of dough, the added yeast will achieve the work it is to do over time. Although the results are not seen and they are not immediate, the leaven is working, eventually affecting our life and those around us. Such is the work of the Lord in and through us. Precious Lord, You are holy. You are sovereign. You are good, despite circumstances. You understand when we are weary. You know when we are hurting. In fact, you move before us to put all things into place for those who trust in You. We know You work all things together for the good of those who love You, for those who are called according to Your purpose. Just as Jesus rested, You call us to abide in You and allow Your Spirit to calm us, to cradle us, to carry us. We need You, Father. Give us Your peace that passes understanding. Allow us to rise up on wings of eagles and soar with renewed strength in Your great name. Cause us to follow wherever You lead with a hope and trust that please You and give You great joy as You delight in us. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. This week I pray you find new ways to rest in Him and cause yourself to cling to Him in deeper ways that test your faith and understanding. Allow Him to bring you to a new level of trust and abandonment of self. I hope you will look at past episodes of Live With Eternal Perspective to help you find ways to seek God with a heart and mind fixed on eternity. Send me a message at info@terrihitt.com if you would like suggestions on specific topics. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 075 Make Time for Rest in Him Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #075 - Make Time for Rest in Him The last two weeks have been extremely busy and difficult at our house as we have dealt with unexpected issues. We are all doing all right, yet I know that God is calling us to rest. Life has been throwing hard moments and decisions that none of us were ready for. Isn’t that the way the world works? In reality, if it were any different, we probably wouldn’t be forced at times to grow very quickly in depth of faith that matures our walk with God through Jesus. I am thankful, and I am praising God for His hand in the hard times that we face, but only for the purpose of growing my depth of reliance in Him and walking in greater obedience. I sense His spirit prompting me to create an upcoming podcast with the details, but for now, I am to rest. In Him. Mark 6:30-32 says, “The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.” Jesus is concerned with each detail of our life as He allows moments that cause us to choose Him despite pain, heartache, and suffering. I am thankful I know and trust Him. Do you trust Jesus? Life is too hard without Him. Jesus even cares about the practicalities of our life. He understands when we are exhausted, hurting, or confused. Our Lord and Savior desires us to rest in Him wholly. Matthew 13:33b says, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” Just as bread must contain leaven to rise, our faith journey must continue to be kneaded into a new form. After being added to the lump of dough, the added yeast will achieve the work it is to do over time. Although the results are not seen and they are not immediate, the leaven is working, eventually affecting our life and those around us. Such is the work of the Lord in and through us. Precious Lord, You are holy. You are sovereign. You are good, despite circumstances. You understand when we are weary. You know when we are hurting. In fact, you move before us to put all things into place for those who trust in You. We know You work all things together for the good of those who love You, for those who are called according to Your purpose. Just as Jesus rested, You call us to abide in You and allow Your Spirit to calm us, to cradle us, to carry us. We need You, Father. Give us Your peace that passes understanding. Allow us to rise up on wings of eagles and soar with renewed strength in Your great name. Cause us to follow wherever You lead with a hope and trust that please You and give You great joy as You delight in us. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. This week I pray you find new ways to rest in Him and cause yourself to cling to Him in deeper ways that test your faith and understanding. Allow Him to bring you to a new level of trust and abandonment of self. I hope you will look at past episodes of Live With Eternal Perspective to help you find ways to seek God with a heart and mind fixed on eternity. Send me a message at info@terrihitt.com if you would like suggestions on specific topics. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #044 –Interview with Alyssa Galios Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Today I am sharing my conversation with Alyssa Galios. This beautiful and busy mother is an author, motivational speaker, social media influencer, and online coach. She is the founder of the #madeforbravemovement and CEO of the Made For Brave Company. Alyssa is known for helping countless people create better lives through faith, family, and fitness. Her life story has been featured on countless media outlets like Yahoo News, Christian Post, Fox News, Huff Post, and Viralized. Alyssa also just introduced “Closer,” a global collective connecting women to valuable resources and a life-changing community to help women deepen faith and bring them closer to God and the person they were created to be. Alyssa and her husband run their business together out of their home office just north of Seattle, where they happily raise their three beautifully brave daughters. I’ll let you listen in as we discuss faith, family, fear, death, and more. I enjoyed our conversation so much and hope you find joy and hope through it. -------INTERVIEW------- I hope you enjoyed getting to know Alyssa and hear her journey of faith and growth in God through Jesus. I invite you to connect with her through social media or on her website at www.alyssagalios.com. I deeply desire to allow God to cultivate a strong community of women through the work He has given me. I pray you will be inspired and equipped to live with an eternal perspective and influenced to raise children with purpose for, and identity in, Jesus. If you enjoy the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast, you might like to hear that the terrihitt.com website has launched! Please visit and subscribe so that you gain access to all episodes housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to transcripts, blog posts, and free resources that will be added to regularly. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to my new website and also plays on Apple Podcast and Spotify. Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 044 Alyssa Galios Interview Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #044 –Interview with Alyssa Galios Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Today I am sharing my conversation with Alyssa Galios. This beautiful and busy mother is an author, motivational speaker, social media influencer, and online coach. She is the founder of the #madeforbravemovement and CEO of the Made For Brave Company. Alyssa is known for helping countless people create better lives through faith, family, and fitness. Her life story has been featured on countless media outlets like Yahoo News, Christian Post, Fox News, Huff Post, and Viralized. Alyssa also just introduced “Closer,” a global collective connecting women to valuable resources and a life-changing community to help women deepen faith and bring them closer to God and the person they were created to be. Alyssa and her husband run their business together out of their home office just north of Seattle, where they happily raise their three beautifully brave daughters. I’ll let you listen in as we discuss faith, family, fear, death, and more. I enjoyed our conversation so much and hope you find joy and hope through it. -------INTERVIEW------- I hope you enjoyed getting to know Alyssa and hear her journey of faith and growth in God through Jesus. I invite you to connect with her through social media or on her website at www.alyssagalios.com . I deeply desire to allow God to cultivate a strong community of women through the work He has given me. I pray you will be inspired and equipped to live with an eternal perspective and influenced to raise children with purpose for, and identity in, Jesus. If you enjoy the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast, you might like to hear that the terrihitt.com website has launched! Please visit and subscribe so that you gain access to all episodes housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to transcripts, blog posts, and free resources that will be added to regularly. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to my new website and also plays on Apple Podcast and Spotify. Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. http://www.alyssagalios.com

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #027 – An Uncomfortable Life Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. One of the greatest perks of being a podcaster is that no one can see me. I can record without wearing makeup, dressed in my shabby “stay home” clothes, and my hair barely finger combed. Nobody at home cares, and my youngest actually prefers this mommy look and attire. If I am just staying at home, dressing this way is ultra-comfortable! Do you have favorite, comfortable attire? Is it what you usually only wear at home? Or do you always dress that way? I admit that I am picky. I don’t like pajamas that twist, sleeping on sheets with wrinkles in them, or socks that slide and pinch my toes with the sock seam. Who can stand anything that binds or pulls? Being comfortable keeps a person cheerful, at ease, and contented, while discomfort is disturbing, even painful at times. When I am extremely uncomfortable, it ends up being all I can think about. There are times, however, when we need to accept discomfort, even welcome it. Distress or displeasure are not feelings we would normally desire, so why would we consider inviting unease or hardship? If we desire to grow in our relationship with God, it is imperative that we learn to embrace feeling uncomfortable and we express gratitude through it. Let’s look to the Bible for some insight. Here’s an easy question. Can you think of any Biblical characters that lived a life of ease? No. Do you know why? You might remember that Jesus forewarned us in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” No one lives without sorrow, unease, persecution, or discomfort. But did you catch the good news? Although Jesus warned us that this world carries tribulation, He also promised us that we could have peace through Him during trials. He also reminded us that He has already overcome the world. In Romans 8:28 we learn this, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Jesus has gone before us, preparing us for trials by warning of upcoming adversity, allowing the Holy Spirit inside us to help us to pray when life gets so complicated that we do not have the words, and encouraging us to learn that for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose, all things will work together for good. After laying such established groundwork for us, He continues strengthening us by revealing that He has already overcome the world. Remember when I mentioned Bible characters earlier? I stated that I couldn’t think of anyone who lived a life without trials or hardship. Just a sprinkling of them were Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, David, John the Baptist, Paul, and, of course, Jesus. None of them could boast of a life of ease, especially not Jesus, yet comfort was never a priority for Him. Jesus’s greatest goal was obedience to God. Affliction and adversity did not distract Him. This world can bring unfathomable pain and suffering. So much is beyond our control. There are many days when I whisper to myself, “Jesus, come. Save us from ourselves.” We understand that we are supposed to accept hardship and pain, but knowing doesn’t make it easy. Abuse, neglect, financial difficulties, marital problems, starvation, temptation, child trafficking, sickness, temptation, pain, anxiety, depression, failure, confusion, betrayal, discouragement, death, and the list can go on and on. Sometimes we are victims to what life brings, other times, we cause our own grief and difficulties. There are times when God must intercede and possibly discipline us by allowing us to experience discomfort. But through everything, God will work it together for good when we love Him and are called according to His purpose. Despite all of it, our lives are intertwined and God allows us to affect and encourage one another through the good, bad, easy, and hard. No matter what we must endure, Jesus does walk through the pain and suffering with us. He knows suffering, the loneliness and hardship, the feeling of betrayal, the pain, and loss. He is waiting for each one of us to personally ask Him to take our load, and wants to encourage us and carry us through. Jesus suffers when we suffer. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” If God, who loves us, allows us to endure adversity, shouldn’t we ask ourselves why? Something positive must come from the difficulty and anguish. Because they certainly don’t feel good and it is tough to understand how they could be for any good. What could the benefits be? 1. We gain empathy – when we experience grief, suffering, or are uncomfortable because of what we have experienced, we are changed. We better understand the thoughts and feelings of others and can actually hurt with and for them in ways never before possible. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” 2. We are humbled – through our experiences, pain, or hardship, we better understand that the world does not revolve around us. We are opened to the sovereignty of God and able to modestly accept the calling of Jesus to place others before ourselves. We realize that all we have, whether great or moderate, is from God’s hand and provision. Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” 3. We see God’s strength and provision – When we suffer, and still praise and trust in Him, we experience God’s provision. How will we know what He can do for us personally (beyond reading His word) unless we witness it? Just as we can never out give God, He will meet us where we are and provide exactly what we need (and sometimes more). Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” And Matthew 6:31-34 says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 4. We rely on God – As we lean more on God, we gain more trust and faith. We release more to Him and continue deepening our walk with and through Him. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 5. We are prepared for eternity – As we mature our relationship with God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit working inside us, we capture each moment for eternity and prepare for our eternity with Him. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 6. We allow God to work through us to affect another for Him. As we are better equipped to live with an eternal perspective, others around us, family, friends, and strangers benefit from the light God projects from our life, which strengthens their walk with the Lord at the same time. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “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.” Christ was uncomfortable. He suffered. We are uncomfortable. We suffer. Romans 8:12-17 says, “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” It is often easier to believe through hindsight that there are blessings in suffering, but the longer we build and deepen our faith, we trust God’s word, and begin to notice signals from the promptings of the Holy Spirit that we need to become uncomfortable. Would we really ever want to feel a spirit of unease? Why in the world would we desire to be annoyed, miserable, or distressed? Hebrews 6:1a says, “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity.” Let’s uncover a few ways we can benefit from feeling uncomfortable. 1. We may need to be made aware of danger. There may be a danger hidden in something we are doing, in someone we know, or in a way only God is aware of. The Holy Spirit guides and prompts, and we must be attentive by being attuned to the stirrings within. Psalm 138:7 says, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” 2. We may need to uncover or remove an ungodly habit. When we belong to Jesus, He relentlessly pursues us to return to Him when we stray. If we possess a habit or desire that does not come from Him, He will alert us with feelings that make us uncomfortable. It is true that if we do not heed those warnings, we can eventually tune His voice out, but He never leaves us and we will never experience peace through those activities. 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 3. We may need to become more aware of others in need. Sometimes the stirrings in our spirit are meant to awaken us to others. We are not meant to live only for ourselves. Matthew 22:37 says, “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” 4. We may need to discover a new way of thinking or doing that is more in alignment with God’s character. If we want to live with eternal perspective, we must crave Jesus and love Him with an intensity that propels us to mature each day, allowing Him to transform and mold us to be more like Him. Ephesians 2:3 says, “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” 5. We may need to learn how to think or process feelings or emotions in a way that honors and models Jesus. The fruits of the spirit do not come naturally. We are so far from where Jesus desires us to be. His ways are so much higher and purer. Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 6. We may need to be stretched in order to become capable of handling greater responsibilities through the Lord. God may be calling you to speak out or to stay silent. He may be calling you to begin or end something. He may be calling us to forgive or to love someone. Through our maturation process in the Lord, we have to expect to be stretched beyond what we can imagine fulfilling in our own strength so we can fully experience His. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." Psalm 138:3 says, "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul." 7. We may need to develop a stronger reliance on God. If we run from or neglect to build or mature our relationship with God, we will always have distress somewhere in our soul. Nothing on this earth will ever fulfill or aid us as He can. Psalm 63:1 says, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” There may be additional purposes for the uneasiness God allows in our spirit. Jeremiah 16:19 says, “Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.” We may need to be corrected, restrained, or purified. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” If we desire to follow Jesus more closely and develop a heart like His, there are certain questions we should ask ourselves when discomfort settles in our spirit and we are not sure why it is there. 1. Do my family and friends know I follow Jesus? Do they recognize Him in me? 2. Do I only rely on a Sunday sermon to grow my walk and mature my relationship with Jesus? 3. Do I feel challenged? The gospel should pull us in directions that run opposite to this world. Our flesh wants to satisfy self, so the words and direction from God should stretch us throughout our life. We will never complete Christian maturity in this lifetime. 4. Do my family and friends continue see new and positive differences in me since I committed my life to following Christ? 5. Do I live with gratitude or do I feel entitled to what I have and always look for more? 6. Do I turn blind eyes toward something that God would like me to see as He does? 7. Do I find my identity in Christ and reflect that knowledge in the way I live? 8. Do I constantly complain and fault others instead of allowing Christ to work to change me? We must allow ourselves to feel discomfort. In a society that quickly wants to alleviate and cover anything that doesn’t satisfy or feel good now, we sometimes have to force ourselves to stop and experience the feelings and emotions. Acknowledge the pain, distraction, anxiety, doubts, fears, and heartache. Let go of ego or pride and humbly turn to Him. He is waiting. Take your needs to God and give them to Him to carry them. Ask Him to uncover your heart and motives. Notice what is causing your emotions and feelings. What are your habits? What are your triggers? As you dig deeper into these things and work backwards to find out more about what they were caused by and are causing in your life, you will find how they affect your beliefs and your relationships with God, as well as with others. Lift those burdens to Him. Surrender. Ask the One who created you and who knows everything about you, for His perfect guidance, direction, wisdom, insight, and clarification. Do not hide your discomfort or pain. Don’t run from it. Continue praying through the difficulties and immerse yourself in scripture. Trust that there is a purpose for what you have or are enduring. Continue praying and listening for Him. Remain obedient to what He calls. Live with gratitude, despite the obstacles that come from deciphering what you are going through. Remember that there are many seasons in life. Nothing will last forever, despite how it feels right now. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Where do you want to change? Who do you want to become? Mark 14:33 says, “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.” Jesus, while in the Garden of Gethsemane, felt such profound and intense emotions. The bible says He was troubled, exceedingly sorrowful, and deeply distressed. Our Savior described Himself as overwhelmed with sorrow, even to the point of death and was so afflicted that He sweat blood. The anguish He felt is nothing we have ever experienced. Through it all, what was His constant state? He sought His Father. He continued looking Up. He desired obedience and remained fixed on eternity and what the Father needed Him to do. Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” We do not know when heartache will crush us. There are not always warnings before disaster hits, but as Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Yet, sometimes we do know adversity will come because we have not dealt with something we need to or we have neglected our walk with the Lord. Many reasons could apply, but God is faithful. Psalm 43:5 says, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God.” The most significant action we can take at any time is to worship and praise God. Do not forget to focus on and keep your gaze lifted toward Him. Regardless of whether we feel angry, fearful, sad, overlooked, confused, or distraught, He is always present and waiting. He understands and desires our devotion and adoration. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” God please help us allow You to make us uncomfortable. Help us welcome the uneasiness that you sometimes use to call our attention to what matters in Your heart. Pursue us until we can no longer resist You, so that we yearn for You, Father above all else and we actively follow You with a passion to be more like You daily, looking forward to eternity and striving to already live like we are there. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 027 An Uncomfortable Life Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #027 – An Uncomfortable Life Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. One of the greatest perks of being a podcaster is that no one can see me. I can record without wearing makeup, dressed in my shabby “stay home” clothes, and my hair barely finger combed. Nobody at home cares, and my youngest actually prefers this mommy look and attire. If I am just staying at home, dressing this way is ultra-comfortable! Do you have favorite, comfortable attire? Is it what you usually only wear at home? Or do you always dress that way? I admit that I am picky. I don’t like pajamas that twist, sleeping on sheets with wrinkles in them, or socks that slide and pinch my toes with the sock seam. Who can stand anything that binds or pulls? Being comfortable keeps a person cheerful, at ease, and contented, while discomfort is disturbing, even painful at times. When I am extremely uncomfortable, it ends up being all I can think about. There are times, however, when we need to accept discomfort, even welcome it. Distress or displeasure are not feelings we would normally desire, so why would we consider inviting unease or hardship? If we desire to grow in our relationship with God, it is imperative that we learn to embrace feeling uncomfortable and we express gratitude through it. Let’s look to the Bible for some insight. Here’s an easy question. Can you think of any Biblical characters that lived a life of ease? No. Do you know why? You might remember that Jesus forewarned us in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” No one lives without sorrow, unease, persecution, or discomfort. But did you catch the good news? Although Jesus warned us that this world carries tribulation, He also promised us that we could have peace through Him during trials. He also reminded us that He has already overcome the world. In Romans 8:28 we learn this, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Jesus has gone before us, preparing us for trials by warning of upcoming adversity, allowing the Holy Spirit inside us to help us to pray when life gets so complicated that we do not have the words, and encouraging us to learn that for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose, all things will work together for good. After laying such established groundwork for us, He continues strengthening us by revealing that He has already overcome the world. Remember when I mentioned Bible characters earlier? I stated that I couldn’t think of anyone who lived a life without trials or hardship. Just a sprinkling of them were Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, David, John the Baptist, Paul, and, of course, Jesus. None of them could boast of a life of ease, especially not Jesus, yet comfort was never a priority for Him. Jesus’s greatest goal was obedience to God. Affliction and adversity did not distract Him. This world can bring unfathomable pain and suffering. So much is beyond our control. There are many days when I whisper to myself, “Jesus, come. Save us from ourselves.” We understand that we are supposed to accept hardship and pain, but knowing doesn’t make it easy. Abuse, neglect, financial difficulties, marital problems, starvation, temptation, child trafficking, sickness, temptation, pain, anxiety, depression, failure, confusion, betrayal, discouragement, death, and the list can go on and on. Sometimes we are victims to what life brings, other times, we cause our own grief and difficulties. There are times when God must intercede and possibly discipline us by allowing us to experience discomfort. But through everything, God will work it together for good when we love Him and are called according to His purpose. Despite all of it, our lives are intertwined and God allows us to affect and encourage one another through the good, bad, easy, and hard. No matter what we must endure, Jesus does walk through the pain and suffering with us. He knows suffering, the loneliness and hardship, the feeling of betrayal, the pain, and loss. He is waiting for each one of us to personally ask Him to take our load, and wants to encourage us and carry us through. Jesus suffers when we suffer. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” If God, who loves us, allows us to endure adversity, shouldn’t we ask ourselves why? Something positive must come from the difficulty and anguish. Because they certainly don’t feel good and it is tough to understand how they could be for any good. What could the benefits be? 1. We gain empathy – when we experience grief, suffering, or are uncomfortable because of what we have experienced, we are changed. We better understand the thoughts and feelings of others and can actually hurt with and for them in ways never before possible. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” 2. We are humbled – through our experiences, pain, or hardship, we better understand that the world does not revolve around us. We are opened to the sovereignty of God and able to modestly accept the calling of Jesus to place others before ourselves. We realize that all we have, whether great or moderate, is from God’s hand and provision. Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” 3. We see God’s strength and provision – When we suffer, and still praise and trust in Him, we experience God’s provision. How will we know what He can do for us personally (beyond reading His word) unless we witness it? Just as we can never out give God, He will meet us where we are and provide exactly what we need (and sometimes more). Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” And Matthew 6:31-34 says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 4. We rely on God – As we lean more on God, we gain more trust and faith. We release more to Him and continue deepening our walk with and through Him. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 5. We are prepared for eternity – As we mature our relationship with God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit working inside us, we capture each moment for eternity and prepare for our eternity with Him. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 6. We allow God to work through us to affect another for Him. As we are better equipped to live with an eternal perspective, others around us, family, friends, and strangers benefit from the light God projects from our life, which strengthens their walk with the Lord at the same time. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “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.” Christ was uncomfortable. He suffered. We are uncomfortable. We suffer. Romans 8:12-17 says, “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” It is often easier to believe through hindsight that there are blessings in suffering, but the longer we build and deepen our faith, we trust God’s word, and begin to notice signals from the promptings of the Holy Spirit that we need to become uncomfortable. Would we really ever want to feel a spirit of unease? Why in the world would we desire to be annoyed, miserable, or distressed? Hebrews 6:1a says, “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity.” Let’s uncover a few ways we can benefit from feeling uncomfortable. 1. We may need to be made aware of danger. There may be a danger hidden in something we are doing, in someone we know, or in a way only God is aware of. The Holy Spirit guides and prompts, and we must be attentive by being attuned to the stirrings within. Psalm 138:7 says, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” 2. We may need to uncover or remove an ungodly habit. When we belong to Jesus, He relentlessly pursues us to return to Him when we stray. If we possess a habit or desire that does not come from Him, He will alert us with feelings that make us uncomfortable. It is true that if we do not heed those warnings, we can eventually tune His voice out, but He never leaves us and we will never experience peace through those activities. 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 3. We may need to become more aware of others in need. Sometimes the stirrings in our spirit are meant to awaken us to others. We are not meant to live only for ourselves. Matthew 22:37 says, “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” 4. We may need to discover a new way of thinking or doing that is more in alignment with God’s character. If we want to live with eternal perspective, we must crave Jesus and love Him with an intensity that propels us to mature each day, allowing Him to transform and mold us to be more like Him. Ephesians 2:3 says, “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” 5. We may need to learn how to think or process feelings or emotions in a way that honors and models Jesus. The fruits of the spirit do not come naturally. We are so far from where Jesus desires us to be. His ways are so much higher and purer. Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 6. We may need to be stretched in order to become capable of handling greater responsibilities through the Lord. God may be calling you to speak out or to stay silent. He may be calling you to begin or end something. He may be calling us to forgive or to love someone. Through our maturation process in the Lord, we have to expect to be stretched beyond what we can imagine fulfilling in our own strength so we can fully experience His. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." Psalm 138:3 says, "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul." 7. We may need to develop a stronger reliance on God. If we run from or neglect to build or mature our relationship with God, we will always have distress somewhere in our soul. Nothing on this earth will ever fulfill or aid us as He can. Psalm 63:1 says, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” There may be additional purposes for the uneasiness God allows in our spirit. Jeremiah 16:19 says, “Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.” We may need to be corrected, restrained, or purified. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” If we desire to follow Jesus more closely and develop a heart like His, there are certain questions we should ask ourselves when discomfort settles in our spirit and we are not sure why it is there. 1. Do my family and friends know I follow Jesus? Do they recognize Him in me? 2. Do I only rely on a Sunday sermon to grow my walk and mature my relationship with Jesus? 3. Do I feel challenged? The gospel should pull us in directions that run opposite to this world. Our flesh wants to satisfy self, so the words and direction from God should stretch us throughout our life. We will never complete Christian maturity in this lifetime. 4. Do my family and friends continue see new and positive differences in me since I committed my life to following Christ? 5. Do I live with gratitude or do I feel entitled to what I have and always look for more? 6. Do I turn blind eyes toward something that God would like me to see as He does? 7. Do I find my identity in Christ and reflect that knowledge in the way I live? 8. Do I constantly complain and fault others instead of allowing Christ to work to change me? We must allow ourselves to feel discomfort. In a society that quickly wants to alleviate and cover anything that doesn’t satisfy or feel good now, we sometimes have to force ourselves to stop and experience the feelings and emotions. Acknowledge the pain, distraction, anxiety, doubts, fears, and heartache. Let go of ego or pride and humbly turn to Him. He is waiting. Take your needs to God and give them to Him to carry them. Ask Him to uncover your heart and motives. Notice what is causing your emotions and feelings. What are your habits? What are your triggers? As you dig deeper into these things and work backwards to find out more about what they were caused by and are causing in your life, you will find how they affect your beliefs and your relationships with God, as well as with others. Lift those burdens to Him. Surrender. Ask the One who created you and who knows everything about you, for His perfect guidance, direction, wisdom, insight, and clarification. Do not hide your discomfort or pain. Don’t run from it. Continue praying through the difficulties and immerse yourself in scripture. Trust that there is a purpose for what you have or are enduring. Continue praying and listening for Him. Remain obedient to what He calls. Live with gratitude, despite the obstacles that come from deciphering what you are going through. Remember that there are many seasons in life. Nothing will last forever, despite how it feels right now. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Where do you want to change? Who do you want to become? Mark 14:33 says, “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.” Jesus, while in the Garden of Gethsemane, felt such profound and intense emotions. The bible says He was troubled, exceedingly sorrowful, and deeply distressed. Our Savior described Himself as overwhelmed with sorrow, even to the point of death and was so afflicted that He sweat blood. The anguish He felt is nothing we have ever experienced. Through it all, what was His constant state? He sought His Father. He continued looking Up. He desired obedience and remained fixed on eternity and what the Father needed Him to do. Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” We do not know when heartache will crush us. There are not always warnings before disaster hits, but as Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Yet, sometimes we do know adversity will come because we have not dealt with something we need to or we have neglected our walk with the Lord. Many reasons could apply, but God is faithful. Psalm 43:5 says, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God.” The most significant action we can take at any time is to worship and praise God. Do not forget to focus on and keep your gaze lifted toward Him. Regardless of whether we feel angry, fearful, sad, overlooked, confused, or distraught, He is always present and waiting. He understands and desires our devotion and adoration. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” God please help us allow You to make us uncomfortable. Help us welcome the uneasiness that you sometimes use to call our attention to what matters in Your heart. Pursue us until we can no longer resist You, so that we yearn for You, Father above all else and we actively follow You with a passion to be more like You daily, looking forward to eternity and striving to already live like we are there. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 066 - Specific Steps to Strengthen Connection to My Child and Christ Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 066 Specific Steps to Strengthen Connection to My Child and Christ I love hearing the sweet sounds of my daughter’s voices. Right now I can hear them in the living room as they play checkers together. I know the delight I get from listening to them converse is just a fraction of what God feels when He sees His children getting along and acting in ways that honor Him. While we know all children must learn to connect with respect, love, and grace, sometimes sibling connections are taken for granted. Since my girls weren’t sisters until the ages of 9 and 11, they had to learn to love one another. Their love was born through decisions and purposeful connection . Much like what we should do as parents. Although most of us automatically love our children before they are even in our arms, we still need to make choices that build meaningful and godly connection through the lifetime of our relationship. In the last Purposed Parent Connected Child Episode we discussed the importance of strong connection to your child. This is obviously a crucial step in parenting, but I believe the most important reason a parent should want strong connection with their child is simple. You want to be your child’s godly main influence in this loud and crazy world. No one is going to care about your child like you – as a loving, Christ-following parent. If you are a Bible-believing mother who desires your child to follow Jesus, you must be determined and prepared to stand against this world and the ungodly messages feeding into your child. Let’s face it, those messages are faster, louder, and sometimes a lot more attractive than how you quietly influence at home. That’s why building connection with your children must begin as early as you have them. In fact, I believe with all my heart that the best connection begins then because you are starting from the ground up. You’ve hopefully prepared the soil, which in this instance is what you carry in your mind and heart. Your thoughts and beliefs are what your child’s relationship with Christ will be built upon . You have to possess what you desire your child to have . Next, choose the materials you will build with. These will be your character, the mindset work you are completing through Christ’s truths, the plans you have made to raise this child for God, your relationship with your spouse, and your personal walk with Christ). Does that mean you’re out of luck if you don’t know Christ as Savior until your child is older? Absolutely not! But it does mean that you have a lot of work and prayer to accomplish. But then, that’s the definition of parenting! Since our last episode spoke about the importance of being connected to your child, we’ll use this episode to talk about different ways to build connection to your child. There is no way to capture every way of constructing strong connection in one podcast episode, but I’ll share some of my favorite ways with you. Have you ever stopped to ponder how much more influential you are in leading your child to Jesus when you share a solid connection with each other? I always enjoy sharing connection and relationship tips, because connection with children is a beautiful gift from the Father for the Father . Let’s start with ways to connect with a younger child. I’ll share some of my personal favorites. From the time my middle daughter was a baby, I enjoyed Bible lessons with her. Those lessons consisted mostly of singing short songs which were made up lyrics of Bible truths or songs set to familiar tunes like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or Happy Birthday. We also played a lot of Bible music CD’s for children or classical instrumental music. I also regularly read “The Story of Jesus” to my baby, and it was the key to silencing her crying on the first night we brought her home from China at ten months of age. I also read the Bible aloud, so she was used to hearing Scripture. I prayed for her, but also when I was with her, I prayed over her, so she could hear the prayers. When she was one, I began sharing Bible verses with her. I would say the verse in a soft voice used for talking to babies and clap my hands or sway with movement to the verse. Motion and movement always kept her attention and the sound of my voice was soothing to her, making the verses more interesting. Of course, she can’t remember those days, but I know the seeds of faith were already being implanted in the soil of her heart. Because she was adopted when she was almost one year old, I was very concerned about ensuring that we bond and attach well. Everything I did was purposed , to connect her to me and to Jesus . I knew the first ten months of her life were deprived of emotional, mental, and spiritual stimuli. It was my job as a loving parent to stimulate her brain and help it connect neural pathways. Looking at connection through an eternal perspective, I knew that the work I was doing for my daughter and I ultimately translated to work for the Lord . Intentionally positioning her with confidence that I was safe and always there for her as I responded to needs also built a foundation for her that God was also safe. I spent many years doing art projects with her, playing with Play-Doh, dancing, singing, playing outside, using play kitchens, playing with dolls and stuffed animals, doing role plays, going on walks outdoors, and exploring nature together. Anything I could think of to increase time together and give us opportunities to talk and laugh was welcome. Most of our daily conversations would be directed back to God in some way, Praise, worship, stories of His love, stores of His provisions, Bible stories, any way God could be brought into the conversation and honored or thanked was grafted into our time together. Of course, homeschooling was a plus at our house. I’ll never regret the years we spent in our schoolroom together. They were absolutely some of the hardest, easiest, and most rewarding bonding times with my children. One of the best methods of building a strong connection with your child of any age is simply being present. I don’t mean sitting at home with them, but being engaged – with your attention , voice , reactions , and body language . Finding activities to do with your teen that are reflective of their interests or are common interests between the two of you, even activities that may build new interests are important to share together. Often teens will open up at night or when you are driving them in the car. Honestly, preteens or teens usually open up at the least convenient time for you, but remember how important those moments are for connection . To help a reluctant preteen or teen confide feelings, emotions, or thoughts, you may also take walks together, share a day trip, trade writing journals, play games, or do physical activities together, such as bowling, skating, basketball, or many other ideas. Another thing to mention is that all you do with younger children establishes the groundwork that will later bear the values and morals learned through the small and large interactions throughout their life . As your child approaches the teen years, their critical thinking skills sharpen and you will see thinking, morals, and values mesh. Good morals such as respecting elders, not cheating, lying, or stealing, as well as values such as integrity and kindness sink deeper into the soil of your child’s developing critical thinking skills. On the flip side, so do bad morals and values. Now let’s examine some strong ways to connect with an older child. I don’t know whether you think this way, but I’ve always felt that in some ways a child entering the teen years is almost like a toddler. Toddlers and teens can both whine, throw tantrums, not want to go to bed, be messy and selfish, and want independence, yet still need you. Both the toddler and teen find ways to express their needs, and they aren’t always what you would consider acceptable methods. Knowing your individual child is important. You are best able to decipher whether your child or teen needs food, whether they are tired, stressed, overworked, scared, or lonely. You will notice when behavior is ordinary or out of character and when it is worth investigating deeper. Just as when your child was a baby, your teen will show in various ways whether they feel their needs are being met. When your teen feels that needs are being met by you, trust and attachment occurs, and the cycle is repeated and strengthened. When children enter the teen years, it is harder for some parents than others. As a parent of four children, I can say that each of mine reacted differently to the process of maturing. However, the children I worked hardest to have a Christlike connection with are the ones who never exhibited “typical” teen behavior or attitudes. As we parent our growing child, it is very important to help them know who they are in Christ, even before they know Him as Savior. Self-esteem is a term we hear often, but I like to refer to it as “godly esteem.” Godly esteem focuses on Who created us, Who we belong to, and the God-given purpose we carry on this earth. Building godly esteem is critical for raising children who become productive, well-adjusted, loving adults who honor and obey God . If your teen exhibits many behaviors many in this world write off as “typical,” that is a definite red flag in my opinion, meaning there is connection work to do. You can listen to the Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast episode #063 – Stop Raising Typical Teens for my opinion in that area. My goal was always to step in sync with my child when they were young so that the later years would be an extension of the relationship we worked for earlier. Just like your walk with God develops intentionally over time, your child deserves attention and understanding. We need to parent in ways that help us see their unique, God-given talents and interests, then parent to help them see and strengthen what God has uniquely entrusted to them. Another aspect to consider is that every mother carries individual experiences that shape her and the way she loves, listens, laughs, and raises children. It is extremely important for a woman to evaluate her past, present, and future through a godly lens, comparing her experiences and beliefs against what Scripture, the ultimate source of truth teaches . A mother securely attached to Christ will better parent her child with connection through the difficulties of maturing, whether it be emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially. One of the most effective pieces of my Set-Apart Collective is the Motherhood Mindset Model that enables women to be cognizant of how they have been shaped by their past and how their thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and beliefs line up against God’s truths. As they work through the Mindset Model, they are able to become the mother and wife He created them to be as they allow God to transform their mind and thought patterns. Being an adoptive parent solidified another connection truth for me. Just because a child behaves a particular way doesn’t mean you understand the “why” behind the behavior. For example, when a child exhibits difficult behavior or has a sudden change in behavior, we need to stop and consider two things. One, what is my child conveying (or saying) with this behavior? Two, what is my child asking for through the behavior? Remembering these two points helps build solid connection. Instead of berating, ignoring, or punishing the child, a connected parent deciphers behavior and uses the opportunity to draw nearer to their child, to reach the heart of her child . Just because a mother works to construct connection, it doesn’t mean she babies or spoils her child. Finding the reason behind behavior doesn’t mean letting your child “walk all over you,” instead it simply means you are attuned and responsive . When I raised my last two, I also told them from the time they were young that we would need to be purposed in growing and maintaining a close relationship with God and each other . Every relationship takes work . When you let each other know you are willing to invest in each other with time, words, actions, love, grace, and respect, you are letting your child know they are important to you . It also shows them it is essential to be even more purposed at having a close relationship with God. You have also imparted to them the knowledge and desire to work at connected relationships . The most important factor in the close connection I have with my children has been God’s Word. Having the goal of reading the Bible together and praying together daily has cemented our faith and family connection. What beautiful work God does in families who commit to connection with Him and each other. I have many resources on prayer. If you’d like more information, please contact me. In the last podcast episode, “How to Strengthen Connection to My Child and Christ,” I stated that I believe children have replaced attachment with mom and dad for attachment to peers . That’s a concerning thought, because when parents lose the status of mentor or influencer in the life of their children, the home, then in turn, the world, is altered. That’s the result we are seeing in America today. Cultural (meaning society) influences have a stronger attraction than traditional family values and is more important to many teens. As kids follow kids, traditions, morals, values, and relationships suffer. Most importantly, parents lose the blessing of teaching their child the way Deuteronomy 6:5-9 , instructs, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates ." This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible and one I have taken to heart as a mother. In it, God gives specific instructions on how to make Him known to our children. It also offers beautiful, godly insight into how to build a firm foundation under our children and how to continue constructing a heart of faith and obedience to Christ for a lifetime. As you study the words in Deuteronomy 6:5-9, examine your mind and heart. Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart? Are there areas in your mind or heart that are closed off from God? Do you carry hurt or shame that needs to be worked out with God so that you can live fully present in the freeness and mercy of His agape love? Did you notice that God commands us to love Him with all of our heart , soul , and might ? This commandment means unreserved love with the whole heart. Agape love is committed to a humble connection with God. When we love like this, we freely obey God’s laws. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 also instructs us to keep the words God commanded in our heart . That means to hold them as a precious , sacred gift . All you and I think and do is directed by the condition of our heart . As we hold God’s words dear to our heart, we will meditate on them, absorb them in our thoughts, beliefs, feelings, actions, and reactions . Our obedience then flows from love and holy reverence rather than a formal need to follow God’s laws. As we read on in the passage, we notice God’s command to teach His words diligently to our children. As you go about your day, your love for God, your reverence, respect, and humble submission should be evident in your speech, attitude, and desires. His teachings should be on your lips as they flow from your mind and heart from the moment you rise and think of Him until you lay down to sleep with Him on your mind. Thoughts of God, prayers to Him, and obedience to Him should be as effortless as breathing. At the end of this passage in Deuteronomy, you see God instruct “to bind His words and teachings as a sign on the hand and as frontlets between the eyes.” He was instructing the Israelites to continue meditating on and also be directed by His commandments . In Biblical times, God’s instructions in this passage were taken quite literally as the Israelites wore boxes containing verses to their hands and foreheads. How does this speak to you and me regarding connecting with our children? It serves as a reminder to keep God’s Words foremost in our mind and to carry them out daily. It reminds us to allow the life-changing power of God’s truths to penetrate our own heart and mind so that we are living examples of Him to our children. It reminds us to carry out the love of God and allow Him to transform us moment by moment for our children to see and emulate. It binds us to God as we remember His mercy and grace and enables us to trust Him to extend that same mercy and grace to us as we parent the beautiful gifts He has allowed us to raise for Him. Dear Heavenly Father, Your sovereign, holy presence in our life is so needed. Thank you for drawing nearer to us as we draw nearer to You. I pray that You will help each person listening to this podcast to experience Your presence with their children in new ways as they purposely pursue passionate connection together under You. Help us as women to long for You as the deer longs for streams of water. May our spirit thirst for You and find what we need in Your arms. May we mentor that desire to our children and shine You in ways that bring them to You for eternity. Press Your commandments into our heart and mind so that we do not sin against You or cause our children to walk in ways that dishonor You. Help us model Christ with beauty and grace from You because we love and follow You so closely. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Do you have questions, comments, or suggestions for me to add in an upcoming podcast? Please feel free to let me know at info@terrihitt.com . Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Would you like to deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan? I want to share special news with my podcast listeners. The Set-Apart Collective wait list is open now. Send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information and a special code to receive a discount if you find you’d like to join the collective. It’s time for mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? The best reviews are by word of mouth, so if you would also choose a friend to recommend the show to, imagine the change we could see in the way mothers parent for Christ. Please tell others that this podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #130 – Practicing Gratitude While Life Happens Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Have you ever wondered what God thinks when He hears your inner thoughts? What about your spoken words? Are you ever embarrassed by or ashamed of what resides in your mind or comes out of your mouth? Our Heavenly Father surely evaluates the intentions of what we say or think with a different perspective than we do. In fact, we know He views what we think and say, (especially the grumbles and attitudes we carelessly let slip out) with a much higher standard and purpose than we can imagine. Think about times you verbalize or imagine complaints or dissatisfaction each day. I bet each of us have much more than we realize. To our Holy and Perfect God, those thoughts and words sound far worse than the scratch of fingernails on a chalkboard. Here ae some examples from my own life: When I think: “Every time I sit in my desk chair while wearing my warm blanket, the arm hole cut-outs grab the back of the arm rests on the chair and I become trapped until I stand to remove the blanket.” God probably says: “I blessed Terri with a sturdy, ergonomic chair for her workspace and a warm blanket to wear on cold days since I know she does not appreciate cold weather.” When I think: “Most of the time when I throw something away, I miss the trashcan and I have to get up to throw the trash away before my dog eats it.” God probably says: “I blessed Terri and her family with a new puppy when they lost their beloved dogs last year. What a joy it must be to have a new puppy to train.” When I think: “As I lay in bed and try to sleep at night, I always feel the tiniest wrinkle in the sheet and I can’t fall asleep until it is smooth.” God probably says: “I blessed Terri with a special level of sensitivity.” When I think:” Sometimes I leave my mug in the microwave too long and my cup of tea is too hot to carry.” God probably says: “Terri is blessed to have that mug that is so special to her and I’m sure she appreciates the ease of quickly and easily heating tea to enjoy.” When I say: “Every time I clean, the house is already dusty again the next day.” God probably says: “What a blessing I gave my children. The house they are in is everything they prayed for at one time and although the forest around them makes the house get dusty quickly, I’m sure they appreciate the joy of living in the midst of my beautiful creation.” When I say: “When we had trees removed from our yard, the tree service workers accidentally shattered my front storm door.” God probably says, “If the workers hadn’t shattered the door, Terri’s family would have had to purchase a brand new door when they had their house resided. Instead, they are having it replaced by Me.” When I say, “The workers putting on our new siding this summer have taken a lot longer to complete the job than we thought it would take.” God probably says: “I have enjoyed the process of watching the siding job I provided take longer than expected. I ordained the meeting of the workers with the Hitt’s. Many blessings have come from knowing the workers and sharing the stories of My love and provision and the experience has grown Terri’s awareness of me in even smaller details.” Like me, what are the things you can choose to grumble about or show gratitude for? How can you change the way you do it? I wonder whether God will have a list for us to view when we meet Him in heaven. Can’t you imagine documents that reflect an attitude or gratitude? Delays, disappointments, and demands that we complained about or grew bitter about may be what saved a life, brought an unexpected blessing down the road, or caused another to come to or fall away from Jesus by the way we reacted. Do you practice gratitude during the events of each day? Do you live life with an expectation that what happens is for your good and the betterment of His kingdom? It takes humble, intentional actions and true thankfulness to adjust our mindset to live with the high level of gratitude God desires. Have you noticed that when you tend to pout or complain about something, it’s much harder to feel grateful? Instead, when you immediately look to the Lord in all circumstances and give praise, whether situations are good or bad, exciting or disappointing, thankfulness causes an uplift to your spirit and joy is sustained or grown. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says,” Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. “ The joy in our life should not be dictated by circumstance. It’s challenging not to let what happens around us, or sometimes what doesn’t happen, affect our mental or emotional state, but prayers and thankfulness don’t have to be tied to feelings. If we look at the verse I just read from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 with a heart to seek what God desires, we notice that we are given three commands. 1. Be joyful 2. Pray continually 3. Give thanks Every time we make the decision to follow what pleases God, we begin to view life with His perspective – an eternal perspective. Each time we follow His commands, especially with gratitude, we find it becomes easier to live with true joy and thankfulness. The truth is that when we complain, whether it be in thought, word, action, or reaction, we are choosing to place self over situation. We are silently voicing the fact that we what we want is more important than what is happening around us, or what God has allowed in our life. Each time we criticize, we place our idea of what should occur or what we should receive over the process of perfection. When we trust God to provide, we understand and appreciate that He is in control. Knowing that His perfect timing, guidance, provisions, and protection are far better than what we can envision allows joy to replace the bitterness, disappointment, and anger that threaten deeper relationship with Him. 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 says, “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Trials and disappointments help to work all things for God as promised in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.” Even small inconveniences may be used to strengthen our faith and trust. Without hardship could we really understand true joy and gratitude for the protection and provisions of God? Conforming to the image of Christ comes with cost. Our human flesh will always find cause to complain. In contrast, the Holy Spirit living within believers recognizes and appreciates the redeeming, unselfish cost of grace and the joy of living within the protection of abundant gratitude. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Because of the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit residing within, believers have the ability to see their inner self changed. Our moral and ethical behavior, as well as the way we view the inconvenient challenges in life can be shaped into the image of the mind of Christ. As we set our mind and heart on things above, we shift the way we view daily occurrences and begin to see them with eternal eyes instead of through selfish or temporal viewpoints. This different and eternal perspective allows room for gratitude to grow and be expressed far more readily than dissatisfaction or disappointment as we look at events through the eyes of Jesus and the heart of God. Colossians 3:1-2 says, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Dear Heavenly Father, You alone are good. You alone are Holy. You alone can lift us from the depths of selfish sin and desires and hold us close to the desires of Your heart. Lord, as we grow closer to You and allow You to shine more brightly through us, help us to change, help our gratitude to expand, overtake our selfish hearts, and craft the beauty of thankfulness within us. May the mystery of the resurrection sweep over us and change our fleshly hearts into the beauty of Christ’s. May we please and honor You with our appreciation for the good, the easy, the tears, and the joys of living the life You gave to us. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding abide within us and guard our hearts, and multiply our appreciation. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 1 Chronicles 16:34 says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.” Lord, may our gratitude fill You with thanksgiving and praise! Thank you for listening to this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Additional episodes may be heard at terrihitt.com, but the podcast is also a part of the Spark Media Network. Now the podcast may also be found on the Edifi app, where you can find thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed this podcast on Apple Podcasts yet? If you haven’t, would you please consider doing so? When you review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Have you listened to my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” yet? I hope you will listen to this new podcast, especially if you are raising children or influencing grandchildren. Please follow and share both of my podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 130 - Practicing Gratitude While Life Happens Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #130 – Practicing Gratitude While Life Happens Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Have you ever wondered what God thinks when He hears your inner thoughts? What about your spoken words? Are you ever embarrassed by or ashamed of what resides in your mind or comes out of your mouth? Our Heavenly Father surely evaluates the intentions of what we say or think with a different perspective than we do. In fact, we know He views what we think and say, (especially the grumbles and attitudes we carelessly let slip out) with a much higher standard and purpose than we can imagine. Think about times you verbalize or imagine complaints or dissatisfaction each day. I bet each of us have much more than we realize. To our Holy and Perfect God, those thoughts and words sound far worse than the scratch of fingernails on a chalkboard. Here ae some examples from my own life: When I think: “Every time I sit in my desk chair while wearing my warm blanket, the arm hole cut-outs grab the back of the arm rests on the chair and I become trapped until I stand to remove the blanket.” God probably says: “I blessed Terri with a sturdy, ergonomic chair for her workspace and a warm blanket to wear on cold days since I know she does not appreciate cold weather.” When I think: “Most of the time when I throw something away, I miss the trashcan and I have to get up to throw the trash away before my dog eats it.” God probably says: “I blessed Terri and her family with a new puppy when they lost their beloved dogs last year. What a joy it must be to have a new puppy to train.” When I think: “As I lay in bed and try to sleep at night, I always feel the tiniest wrinkle in the sheet and I can’t fall asleep until it is smooth.” God probably says: “I blessed Terri with a special level of sensitivity.” When I think:” Sometimes I leave my mug in the microwave too long and my cup of tea is too hot to carry.” God probably says: “Terri is blessed to have that mug that is so special to her and I’m sure she appreciates the ease of quickly and easily heating tea to enjoy.” When I say: “Every time I clean, the house is already dusty again the next day.” God probably says: “What a blessing I gave my children. The house they are in is everything they prayed for at one time and although the forest around them makes the house get dusty quickly, I’m sure they appreciate the joy of living in the midst of my beautiful creation.” When I say: “When we had trees removed from our yard, the tree service workers accidentally shattered my front storm door.” God probably says, “If the workers hadn’t shattered the door, Terri’s family would have had to purchase a brand new door when they had their house resided. Instead, they are having it replaced by Me.” When I say, “The workers putting on our new siding this summer have taken a lot longer to complete the job than we thought it would take.” God probably says: “I have enjoyed the process of watching the siding job I provided take longer than expected. I ordained the meeting of the workers with the Hitt’s. Many blessings have come from knowing the workers and sharing the stories of My love and provision and the experience has grown Terri’s awareness of me in even smaller details.” Like me, what are the things you can choose to grumble about or show gratitude for? How can you change the way you do it? I wonder whether God will have a list for us to view when we meet Him in heaven. Can’t you imagine documents that reflect an attitude or gratitude? Delays, disappointments, and demands that we complained about or grew bitter about may be what saved a life, brought an unexpected blessing down the road, or caused another to come to or fall away from Jesus by the way we reacted. Do you practice gratitude during the events of each day? Do you live life with an expectation that what happens is for your good and the betterment of His kingdom? It takes humble, intentional actions and true thankfulness to adjust our mindset to live with the high level of gratitude God desires. Have you noticed that when you tend to pout or complain about something, it’s much harder to feel grateful? Instead, when you immediately look to the Lord in all circumstances and give praise, whether situations are good or bad, exciting or disappointing, thankfulness causes an uplift to your spirit and joy is sustained or grown. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says,” Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. “ The joy in our life should not be dictated by circumstance. It’s challenging not to let what happens around us, or sometimes what doesn’t happen, affect our mental or emotional state, but prayers and thankfulness don’t have to be tied to feelings. If we look at the verse I just read from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 with a heart to seek what God desires, we notice that we are given three commands. 1. Be joyful 2. Pray continually 3. Give thanks Every time we make the decision to follow what pleases God, we begin to view life with His perspective – an eternal perspective. Each time we follow His commands, especially with gratitude, we find it becomes easier to live with true joy and thankfulness. The truth is that when we complain, whether it be in thought, word, action, or reaction, we are choosing to place self over situation. We are silently voicing the fact that we what we want is more important than what is happening around us, or what God has allowed in our life. Each time we criticize, we place our idea of what should occur or what we should receive over the process of perfection. When we trust God to provide, we understand and appreciate that He is in control. Knowing that His perfect timing, guidance, provisions, and protection are far better than what we can envision allows joy to replace the bitterness, disappointment, and anger that threaten deeper relationship with Him. 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 says, “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Trials and disappointments help to work all things for God as promised in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose.” Even small inconveniences may be used to strengthen our faith and trust. Without hardship could we really understand true joy and gratitude for the protection and provisions of God? Conforming to the image of Christ comes with cost. Our human flesh will always find cause to complain. In contrast, the Holy Spirit living within believers recognizes and appreciates the redeeming, unselfish cost of grace and the joy of living within the protection of abundant gratitude. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Because of the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit residing within, believers have the ability to see their inner self changed. Our moral and ethical behavior, as well as the way we view the inconvenient challenges in life can be shaped into the image of the mind of Christ. As we set our mind and heart on things above, we shift the way we view daily occurrences and begin to see them with eternal eyes instead of through selfish or temporal viewpoints. This different and eternal perspective allows room for gratitude to grow and be expressed far more readily than dissatisfaction or disappointment as we look at events through the eyes of Jesus and the heart of God. Colossians 3:1-2 says, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Dear Heavenly Father, You alone are good. You alone are Holy. You alone can lift us from the depths of selfish sin and desires and hold us close to the desires of Your heart. Lord, as we grow closer to You and allow You to shine more brightly through us, help us to change, help our gratitude to expand, overtake our selfish hearts, and craft the beauty of thankfulness within us. May the mystery of the resurrection sweep over us and change our fleshly hearts into the beauty of Christ’s. May we please and honor You with our appreciation for the good, the easy, the tears, and the joys of living the life You gave to us. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding abide within us and guard our hearts, and multiply our appreciation. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. 1 Chronicles 16:34 says, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.” Lord, may our gratitude fill You with thanksgiving and praise! Thank you for listening to this podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Additional episodes may be heard at terrihitt.com, but the podcast is also a part of the Spark Media Network. Now the podcast may also be found on the Edifi app, where you can find thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed this podcast on Apple Podcasts yet? If you haven’t, would you please consider doing so? When you review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Have you listened to my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” yet? I hope you will listen to this new podcast, especially if you are raising children or influencing grandchildren. Please follow and share both of my podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 078 - Does Upbringing Affect Motherhood: Understanding the Influences of Past Experiences Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 078 – Does Upbringing Affect Motherhood: Understanding the Influence of Past Experiences When you’re a child, you look at the world and the adults in it through eyes of innocence and trust. Children see parents, especially their primary caregiver, which is usually their mother, as someone they trust and love. A mother is usually the first window to the world. Because of her vast experience and devotion, a mother carries great importance and influence over her children. Whether it be affection, character, actions, reactions, words, education, or faith, what the mother believes and lives will adhere to her children and usually become their governing beliefs and convictions. Because I’ve been blessed to parent two sets of children over two generations, I’ve experienced the difference a strong walk with Christ makes when parenting. If you’ve listened to the podcast for long, you probably know I often speak of being a godly mother over a good one. That’s because when I raised my first set of children, I loved Christ, but ignorantly and unknowingly parented more in my strength than I have during the second round of parenting. Deepening my relationship with Jesus has been the strength I’ve used to craft strong ties with my children and God. The Lord has been merciful with me. Through God, Scripture, and the gift of the Holy Spirit residing within me, I have been transformed moment by moment and continue to be. Praise God! When I was a child, I never wanted to grow up and become a mother. I didn’t have a great relationship with mine. We had a dysfunctional home, and my mother loved me, I know. But she had heavy things on her mind and heart and it was hard to break that shell surrounding her. By God’s grace, I did eventually become a mother, and am in awe that He chose me for this holy privilege and blessing. Somehow, God saw fit to bless me with not one, but four of His children. One of the things I always focused on as I raised every one of my children was developing a close relationship with them. How beautiful that God desires strong relationship with each of us. Motherhood allows women the honor to lead children to the Lord and see them mature in Him as they utilize gifts and talents bestowed to them by and for their Heavenly Father. As a child, my gifts and interests weren’t nurtured for God. I knew what I liked to do, but my parents rarely complimented my talents or encouraged my desires, and never in ways that gave glory to God. I’m not faulting them, but they were involved in their own lives and didn’t understand how to do so. When I got married, insecurities came with me to my marriage. Beliefs about how all men must be were finally erased by the difference in my husband. Thankfully, he patiently loved me and showed me that he saw gifts and beauty in me that I couldn’t recognize myself. He led me to follow the dreams God crafted in me when I was formed. It was a gift to build our family with my husband. Together, we looked for the abilities God gave our children and encouraged them to follow those passions. Although I had found Jesus as my Savior after having children, I wasn’t discipled well, and it wasn’t until years later that I looked upon my first parenting journey and saw cracks in the life we built. Although we were a Christian family, many of the things we did came more from the world than what God would call. Movies we watched, books we read, and songs we listened to were part of that, but more importantly, our attitude – what resided in our heart and mind was more of self rather than full dependence on Christ. Our first years of parenting weren’t bad. We were very good parents. But we weren’t focused on being godly parents, as called by God. That is His desire for every family. Believing parents shouldn’t be able to look back on years and say that they were good rather than godly. Of course, we draw closer to godly actions and desires as we draw nearer to Christ, but our daily goal should be to show Him with increasing ability as we live the honor of loving and following Jesus. Did my husband and I love Jesus? Absolutely! However, humbling submitting to Christ moment by moment and yearning to be more like Him day after day, looking at the world through a heart and mind set on seeing it as He did, and placing Scripture and prayer as a leading guide for godliness in your home was not a priority as it is now. We thought we were following Jesus, but the closer I am to Him, the more I see how far away we were. We loved Jesus, but didn’t humbly submit moment by moment as we now strive to do. I wasn’t raised in a Christian home, but came to know Jesus as Savior later. I can look back on all of the mistakes I made in ignorance. Every parent comes from different backgrounds and homes. When you look back on your years as a child, what events shaped you? Were you in a religious family? Or were you in a godly home that prioritized relationship with Christ? Did your family know and humbly follow Jesus? Was your family secretly dysfunctional? There is so much that happens when a person is growing up that forms character and beliefs. Can a child grow up to forge their own way to Christ? Definitely. But wouldn’t you rather build a relationship with Jesus early and form that foundation for your child to do the same? A set-apart woman intentionally deepens her walk with Christ moment by moment. Love propels her through excuses or set-backs. She remembers others may come to, or walk away from Jesus, based on what they see of Him in her. You may have heard me share about the Set-Apart Collective™ on this podcast. Today I want to uncover a little more of what I teach. One of my favorite components of the group is the Motherhood Mindset Model™. This piece of the collective trains your mind, heart, and mouth to react with godly responses. The model was created to be a helpful tool that identifies areas in which you can work to submit to Christ, God’s Word, and invite holy transformation, so you will be increasingly pleasing to God. No matter the past experiences you lived, no matter what hardships you face today, there is freedom and peace in Christ. You can live with joy despite circumstances. Do you realize that your daily actions carry holy importance? Actions stem from what resides in your heart and mind. Your words, activities, and responses expose whether you are a faithful or unfaithful witness of Christ. They will form the ways your child sees God and the importance they may come to place on knowing Christ as Savior. What you lived in the past when you were growing up or even last week can be transformed through Christ. Romans 8:5 says, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires .” Do you recognize that each of us need transformation? Are you able to recognize some of the ways you need to be transformed? 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ” Your thoughts, beliefs, emotions, responses, and behaviors will affect or infect people in your life . Being a wife and mother stretches you. As you grow in Christ these roles expose your heart in ways that you may never have realized without the assignment. God has not placed your children with you for the purpose of becoming their best friend or because He thinks you are worthy of being a parent. He hasn’t given you a spouse because you deserve the relationship. Many reasons play into what God purposes. Although I can’t pretend to know all the reasons God does the things He ordains, I do believe that He places our children under our stewardship because of the divine objective He desires to work through us and in them. God is molding parent and child, as well as families together as He guides and grows and works through you at the same time. Parenting, or relationships for that matter, are not about or strictly for us. God has gifted each of us in the roles to allow participation in an eternal purpose with far greater significance than we can see or imagine. He is entrusting His precious minors in your care so that you will lift them up to Him as you seek His wisdom and guidance. He is using your past, the hard, bad, ugly, and beautiful to help you seek and serve Him as you submit, inviting His redeeming work in you and your family. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the Lord protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain .” Another important aspect of your walk with Christ and parenting journey is covered in The Set-Apart Collective™. In order to leave the trash of your past, you must first reflect on, strengthen , and respect your holy position to parent for God. That begins with the importance of crafting your identity through Christ. Before you can become a godly spouse or parent, the circumstances of your past must be reconciled with the Truth of your present and your eternity . 1. Where do you find and shape your identity? 2. Where do you find your hope, peace, and joy? 3. How do you define yourself? 4. Where do you find success? 5. Who or what do you rely on? 6. How do you plan to mold the mindset of your children? 7. What is your parenting objective? Without you fully accepting and moving past circumstances of your past and allowing Jesus to craft your present and eternal future, your children most likely will not be able to receive the spiritual foundation they need to flourish. Christ calls for every aspect of your children’s experiences with you and your life together to press them into His arms . 3 John 1:4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth .” Jesus is calling you to be His Truth . As you allow relationship with Jesus to sculpt the pains and mistakes of your past into secure salvation, your children will learn of an eternal future with Jesus. The foundation of your child’s eternity is your responsibility. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates .” As you release hurts, misunderstandings, trials, pain, and heartache to Jesus as Savior, you will find that God’s wisdom and provisions are enough. Your future is secure in His hands. Your child’s future is secure in His hands when you trust in Him to fill, transform, and guide you in leading them to Him. In the passage we read from Deuteronomy 6, we see that God has given very specific instructions. 1. Know and keep His words as a treasure in your heart. 2. Teach His Words to your children through relationship and mentorship. 3. Discuss the Lord and His ways. 4. Ponder Him and His teachings. 5. Fix your thoughts on Him. 6. Talk to God throughout your day as your Father and your friend. 7. Remember God’s faithfulness and promises and make sure to teach them to your children. 8. Show God to your children and to others through the way you live. In Matthew 22:36 Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is. He answered with a verse found in Matthew 22:37 and in Deuteronomy 6:5. In Matthew 22:37 , Jesus relays the following words. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind .” The heart, soul, and mind are representative of an entire person – our heart, brain, and spirit. We are to cherish, know, love, and serve God, to represent and seek Him with all we are. When we do that, we allow Him to naturally flow from us and into others, especially our children. But we must also purposely teach and model God to them. How? By making time to read, know, understand, and respect the Word of God. His words are to be in our heart. We don’t simply read and gain head knowledge without heart acceptance. We seek God, savor His Word, ponder, and reflect His wisdom and guidance as we allow Him to transform us. We purposely reflect the work God is completing within us to our children. We draw attention to the changes God is making within us, giving Him the glory. We also demonstrate the characteristics our changed life has brought. We draw attention to Him in creation, in daily activities, and in the works He completes in our families and lives. Nothing you have been through in the past or are going through now is too far from the power of transformation through God. Nothing you have said or done is too hard for Him to love. But our perfect, sinless God doesn’t want us to stay where we are. He made a way through Christ for us to be reconciled, and healed, forgiven, and transformed. Relationship with Christ isn’t a one-time occurrence where we accept Him as Savior and continue living the way we desire. It is a humble release of self that allows us to see life through an eternal lens with a perspective defined by God. We trust and believe that all things, good, bad, hard, easy, surprising, or unexpected are opportunities to cleave to Him and draw others to Him. As we speak, our words are scripted by Him, our actions formed as we become more like Him moment by moment. He is as much a part of us, flows as naturally from us as taking our next breath. In fact, did you know that in Hebrew the term, “love ” doesn’t only refer to feelings or emotions ? The word, “heart ,” as Jesus uses it, focuses on the intellect , affection , and inclinations or desires of the person. Jesus is commanding us all to cling to God with devotion in every way and at every moment . Jesus is calling us to seek God in everything, to ponder His requirements of us, His sacrifice for us, to live within His guidelines for us, to seek His heart instead of our own, and to model a life for our children that does not strictly follow laws, but the heart of Jesus. We are to lovingly teach our children to desire God through Christ and a pattern of His love and Word represented in our lives. That doesn’t mean following our whims, succumbing to our past experiences, or listening to thoughts that pop up. It doesn’t mean following others because majority rules. It means reading the Word of God and discerning it through the Holy Spirit inside and through prayerful communication with and requests to your Heavenly Father. The culture we live in, our experiences, desires, thoughts, emotions, and feelings are not accurate gauges. Only God alive within us through relationship with Jesus should lead the way you live and influence your children for Him. Your children are not saved by following your authority. They are saved through submitting to His. Your are the bridge they will travel to Him. Don’t remain in your past. Don’t let trials or tragedies shape the future of your child. There is hope and redemption through Christ. He is a Master at relationships. Craft yours with Him so you can help the lives of your children be transformed. Dear Heavenly Father, You are so good to us. Thank you for Your everlasting love and the gift of Jesus. You desire that all our children be taught by You. You give us the tools and the hope we need to bring our children to a saving knowledge of You. Prepare their hearts and our tongues. Examine our motives and desires so that they are pleasing to You. Bring the results You desire. Allow our families to shine for You. Show us the way to change. Help us to know that when we belong to You, our past is forgiven and forgotten. It is washed new. Help us be pleasing to You and help our children to do the same. Show us where we must humbly bow before You in all areas of our life. We need You so much. Thank you for rescuing us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective is open now. The next group of women is forming. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 051 Interview With Marissa Hitt, Co-Founder, Melane & Co. What an honor this episode is for me! Why? It begins the second season of the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast! My family members have been such strong supporters of my desire to follow God in new ways through Live With Eternal Perspective and have patiently helped in any way needed to bring the podcast to fruition each week. I cannot think of a better person to bring on as a guest this week than one of my biggest encouragers, my daughter, Marissa. I hoe you will be delighted to listen to us share and converse and that our dialogue allows you to see God in new ways and rest in Him. _____INTERVIEW_____ Thank you for listening to this episode. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to blog posts, transcripts, and additional resouces designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence children with love and purpose through Him. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. www.melaneandco.com instagram.com/marissa_hitt instagram.com/melaneandco facebook.com/melaneandco Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 051 Interview with Marissa Hitt, Co-Founder, Melane & Co. Listen to Episode Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 051 Interview With Marissa Hitt, Co-Founder, Melane & Co. What an honor this episode is for me! Why? It begins the second season of the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast! My family members have been such strong supporters of my desire to follow God in new ways through Live With Eternal Perspective and have patiently helped in any way needed to bring the podcast to fruition each week. I cannot think of a better person to bring on as a guest this week than one of my biggest encouragers, my daughter, Marissa. I hoe you will be delighted to listen to us share and converse and that our dialogue allows you to see God in new ways and rest in Him. _____INTERVIEW_____ Thank you for listening to this episode. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to blog posts, transcripts, and additional resouces designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence children with love and purpose through Him. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. www.melaneandco.com instagram.com/marissa_hitt instagram.com/melaneandco facebook.com/melaneandco You can also find Marissa at https://www.instagram.com/marissa_hitt/ and https://www.instagram.com/melaneandco/ http://www.melaneandco.com

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 122 - Do You Know How to Play With Your Kids? Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 122 – Do You Know How to Play With Your Kids? Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode that raises an important question…Do you Know How to Play With Your Kids? My Grandma Smith had the greatest ability to make me laugh. I remember going to her house was a treat I looked forward to. I always knew she’d do something funny or sit on the floor and tickle me. She simply acted like a kid while still maintaining authority. I always felt safe and loved with her. I often think of Grandma when I play with my kids. I have to ask…have you played today? One of the perks of being a mom is recognizing and cherishing the ability to keep childlike qualities – or rediscover the inner child alive in our heart. As for me, I’ve never lost the ability to intertwine the little girl still living inside with the adult me. Maybe it’s because God created me with a strong imagination, but I also like to think that I just enjoy connection. Like Grandma seemed to with me. After parenting two sets of children over two generations, I’ve had an extended period of playtime. In fact, my siblings were five and six years younger than me, and I had a lot of experience playing with my sister before I ever became a mom at the age of eighteen. Numerous memories are easily brought to mind when I think back over the years I’ve enjoyed playing with kids. When my first child, my daughter Jaime was almost two, I was at a local park with her and two children I cared for at the time. With three children under two years old, I had to be creative in the way I kept them all together and entertained. On that particular day in the park, we mastered the slide over and over. The kids were gleeful as I had them lined up in front of me, each securing their little arms around the waist of the child in front of them. My legs were wrapped around everyone as we slid towards the bottom. When my first set of kids were growing up, I remember playing baseball with my son. Now I have to state that I’m one of the most athletically-challenged people in the world. Athleticism is not a gift God chose for me. So when I say I played baseball, please know that it shows the depth of love I have for my boy. It also shows his patience with me. I remember times of throwing pitches for Brandon to practice hitting, then switching places and letting him practice pitching to me. That was a sacrifice! I’ve never been able to catch any ball, whether it be small like a baseball or a large kickball. Instead of spreading my arms out to gracefully receive the ball, I usually duck my head and scream. But guess what? Playing ball with my son was such a joy. In fact, he’s the only person who can throw a pitch I can hit. Somehow, he knew exactly how to throw that ball in a way I trusted and could connect with. I hope he felt as special as I did in those moments. There were also other play times with my kids using typical childhood toys, as well as playing dress-up, Play Doh, drawing or coloring, dancing, and acting. What are some of the ways you play with your children? Or your grandchildren? My youngest daughter and I still have a date for play time daily. It’s what she looks forward to most each day. When I keep my word to place her above anything else during the time we spend together, joy radiates from her eyes and movements. If you are actively pursuing play as a way to teach and connect, I applaud you. Then I say, “keep on.” When we enjoy playing with our children, we understand that we are building connection that can’t be created any other way. The benefits of playing with our children are high. As I stated earlier, not only do we experience a deeper bonding and attachment experience, but our children receive benefits such as a wider vocabulary, patience, trust, resilience, strengthened social skills, and higher cognitive development. Despite the love of electronics in this day and age, I say ditch those and find other ways to play such as the following: Toys – From the earliest of time with your child, you can play with toys together. I’m also going to place books and music in this category, and for every age group. Lullabies and Christian music are especially sweet. Books are a means of making time together special Sitting together as you read lends a special closeness and connection from an early age, plus reaps many of the benefits I spoke of earlier. Reading to your child often and regularly also helps them to be better prepared and more eager to read to you as time progresses. Letting yourself simply have fun with baby toys and age-appropriate toys with your child will expand creativity for you both. Physical Play – While building relationship and connection, you’re also building muscles, coordination, and strength. Outdoor Play – This can include physical play, as well as walks and nature studies. These activities allow both parent and child to experience fresh air, sunshine, appreciation, curiosity, imagination, and time together. Pretend Play – Even more imagination abounds with pretend play, which also builds curiosity, connection, and joy. Enjoy yourself. Let yourself be whatever age your child is. Or let yourself become an imaginary friend, creature, or whatever the situation calls for. Simply have fun. Through play, children learn, reduce stress, build connection with you, release fears, and work out problems. Through this process, parents are often alerted to thoughts and interests they may not have been made aware of yet. As my daughter and I play, I can tell things she’s concerned about or thinking. I also see how she responds to those thoughts or feelings through the way she has characters respond and react. Children are wired to play. So were you once. In fact, I bet you still are, even if you don’t realize it. When kids are able to play in early years, essential neural pathways are created that impact future learning. When kids experience sensory rich play and creative exploration, their time spent playing with you becomes more than recreation, and should be recognized as an investment in a critical piece of childhood development. For a more joyful childhood and future adult life, invest in playtime with your children. Mind, body, and spirit are transformed through such a simple act. If you think you don’t have time, I say you can’t afford to neglect making the time. If you’re not used to playing, let me list a few suggestions you might enjoy. Hearing them might spur your mind to come up with even more. Reading is very important at any age. Reading together, even when your kids are older is a fabulous bonding experience. As a homeschool mom, this is one of my favorite tips. Even when my girls were teens we read together. We still do daily when we sit to read the Bible together. Walking is also an easy activity to enjoy together. My middle daughter and I enjoy this activity year round. We’re outside together unless the weather makes it impossible. Through this simple act, we share so many stories and plans. We share our heart, give and hear advice, and simply enjoy one another. Our laughter is so full we’re often doubled over, barely able to walk, and that incredible connection strengthens our bond. You can also observe nature with your children. This activity is an easy way to begin conversations and talk about the Lord as you observe His creation, the seasons, or the weather. If you’re looking for more age-based suggestions, I’ll list a few. Again, this is a short list to get you thinking about what might be enjoyed together in your home. Six months – Recite short rhymes, prayers, condensed Bible stories, sing, play Peek-A-Boo, Pat-A-Cake, find your ears, nose, etc. Cover toys with a cloth or blanket and uncover to find. Nine months – Play imitation and “find it” games Twelve months – Fill containers or play instruments (anything from a pot and lid to an empty paper towel roll can become an instrument or you may invest in age appropriate instruments. Eighteen months – Memory games with music, cards, or toys. Sorting or matching games are also fun. Two to Three years – Music with movement, silly dances, Follow the Leader, Dress-up, Dolls, Play Doh Four to Seven Years – Simon Says, Climbing activities (yes, you can climb, too), Parks, play house, dolls, or ball. Eight to Twelve Years – Puzzles, mazes, word finds, crossword puzzles, strategy games, physical games Thirteen to Seventeen – Musical Instruments, Dancing, Acting, Sports All of these are activities that you can do with your child, not just watch them participate. Throughout the lifetime of your child, play is one of the best investments you can make for both of you. Skills, mental and emotional health, and connection are shaped grown, and maintained through this remarkably simple activity. You know your children. Find what they enjoy and jump in with them. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your mighty presence in this world, our lives, and in our heart through the Holy Spirit alive in us. We need Your guidance and leadership. Help us to shine You. Help us to connect with our children in ways that merge the beautiful interests and talents You crafted into them and all You have purposed within us. Help us enjoy the youthfulness, imagination, and love You have placed within us. Let us recognize all the gifts You have in store for us as we invest in time with You and our family. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face. That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with professionals who care about making Jesus known to their children. Are you a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible. Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity. Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior. Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #102 – Resolution or Reflection Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Let’s talk about anticipation. I consider it one of the gifts we have in this life. Have you ever experienced the joy of planning a vacation or special event, awaited a holiday or birthday, perhaps a visit from or a surprise for a loved one? Each event carries the anticipation of what we hope for. Half of the fun is in the planning and anticipation. What if we carry that expectation into the new year in regards to our walk with Jesus? Each year people make New Year Resolutions. Sometimes they stick. Most of the time they’ve disappeared within days or weeks. What would you like your walk with Jesus to look like in the new year? What would you like it to be like at the end of your life? What do you want others to see in you? Do you desire a reflection of the Lord to shine for all to see and be drawn to Him? Over the last two years, through this podcast, I have shared interviews with many people who have spoken of their God stories about how the Lord has, or is, working in their life. I’ve shared practical tips and advice on deepening your walk with God through a personal relationship with Jesus, and how to continue growing the depth and width of your walk. Nothing gives me as much joy as finding ways to experience the fullness of joy that Christ has for each one of us Right now we are each sandwiched between Christmas and New Year’s. For some, it is business as usual as they continue their schedule without change or much thought. For others, they are in that glorious time of year in which they are off work and able to stay home before heading back off to work next week. For others, like me, it is a special time of year in which we are out of school until after the beginning of January and we are each busy getting things we normally don’t have time to do accomplished. I also use this time to think of the upcoming year. Each morning we awaken is a gift. Gratefulness abounds for me the moment I open my eyes. Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” I don’t want to journey into the new year without pondering with great anticipation what the Lord has for me. What work does God request that I allow Him to accomplish through me? I challenge each of us to look not for resolutions for the new year, but to sit with our Bible and in prayer as we seek the Lord and reflect on what He speaks in the silence. Which will deepen and mature your walk with Jesus? Resolution or Reflection? What will draw you nearer to God so that He will draw nearer to you? Resolution or Reflection? Think of what areas you need change or results in life. Will making a resolution help? Maybe. But with certainty, I promise that if you hand it to God and seek Him for guidance and reflection, He will show you the way to a true and lasting resolution. Not just a New Year’s resolution. How should you reflect with the Lord? Simply. 1. Find a quiet space 2. Sit alone with God 3. Seek Him 4. Converse in prayer 5. Listen 6. Respond When we ask for God to intervene and take control, to guide us in His will and ways, He does. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait patiently for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the Lord!” Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.” No matter what you are facing in this moment or hour, God is present. He knows your situation and is waiting on you to turn to Him and continue to rely on His strength and wisdom. Heavenly Father, thank you for this moment in time. You are our lighthouse, our strong and mighty fortress. Thank you for allowing us to turn to You, dear Father, our Jehovah-Jireh. There is none like You. Our Great Provider. May we not focus on our trials, but accept Your provision, even when it is not what we expect. Help us to trust You more and more each moment. May we focus on a life with You that extends beyond the world that we can see and taste. Help us to crave eternity with You and our eternal home each day, as we continue to widen our hope and trust in You. We pray that You come quickly, dear Lord. Rescue us from this world that is farther from You than we even understand. We need You so much. May the new year bring us to our knees in search of greater relationship with You. May we experience Your mighty grace and compassion, may Your hand move in this land and in our hearts and homes as we resolve to reflect You in solitude and through our thoughts, attitude, words, and actions. Shine from us, Father because we seek and desire You above all else. Let us reflect on You, reflect Your nature, and resolve to mentor the way to You for others. May we live with anticipation of the glorious ways we will see you at work within and around us daily. In the precious and holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to help others find the podcast. Please share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. You can share my website, terrihitt.com and let others know that on it they will be able to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature their walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage them to raise or influence children and grandchildren to choose Christ over culture. I also invite you to listen to the top ten downloaded episodes of 2021. Is your favorite among them? Simply go to the link in the transcript of this episode (on my website and in the podcast notes) to see who made the list. I’d appreciate it if you would share the link with friends who may like to discover the podcast, too. Thank you for making God known in new and eternal ways. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2KsuvrYwl4uP34lJmU5b0g I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 102 Resolution or Reflection Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #102 – Resolution or Reflection Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Let’s talk about anticipation. I consider it one of the gifts we have in this life. Have you ever experienced the joy of planning a vacation or special event, awaited a holiday or birthday, perhaps a visit from or a surprise for a loved one? Each event carries the anticipation of what we hope for. Half of the fun is in the planning and anticipation. What if we carry that expectation into the new year in regards to our walk with Jesus? Each year people make New Year Resolutions. Sometimes they stick. Most of the time they’ve disappeared within days or weeks. What would you like your walk with Jesus to look like in the new year? What would you like it to be like at the end of your life? What do you want others to see in you? Do you desire a reflection of the Lord to shine for all to see and be drawn to Him? Over the last two years, through this podcast, I have shared interviews with many people who have spoken of their God stories about how the Lord has, or is, working in their life. I’ve shared practical tips and advice on deepening your walk with God through a personal relationship with Jesus, and how to continue growing the depth and width of your walk. Nothing gives me as much joy as finding ways to experience the fullness of joy that Christ has for each one of us Right now we are each sandwiched between Christmas and New Year’s. For some, it is business as usual as they continue their schedule without change or much thought. For others, they are in that glorious time of year in which they are off work and able to stay home before heading back off to work next week. For others, like me, it is a special time of year in which we are out of school until after the beginning of January and we are each busy getting things we normally don’t have time to do accomplished. I also use this time to think of the upcoming year. Each morning we awaken is a gift. Gratefulness abounds for me the moment I open my eyes. Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” I don’t want to journey into the new year without pondering with great anticipation what the Lord has for me. What work does God request that I allow Him to accomplish through me? I challenge each of us to look not for resolutions for the new year, but to sit with our Bible and in prayer as we seek the Lord and reflect on what He speaks in the silence. Which will deepen and mature your walk with Jesus? Resolution or Reflection? What will draw you nearer to God so that He will draw nearer to you? Resolution or Reflection? Think of what areas you need change or results in life. Will making a resolution help? Maybe. But with certainty, I promise that if you hand it to God and seek Him for guidance and reflection, He will show you the way to a true and lasting resolution. Not just a New Year’s resolution. How should you reflect with the Lord? Simply. 1. Find a quiet space 2. Sit alone with God 3. Seek Him 4. Converse in prayer 5. Listen 6. Respond When we ask for God to intervene and take control, to guide us in His will and ways, He does. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait patiently for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the Lord!” Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.” No matter what you are facing in this moment or hour, God is present. He knows your situation and is waiting on you to turn to Him and continue to rely on His strength and wisdom. Heavenly Father, thank you for this moment in time. You are our lighthouse, our strong and mighty fortress. Thank you for allowing us to turn to You, dear Father, our Jehovah-Jireh. There is none like You. Our Great Provider. May we not focus on our trials, but accept Your provision, even when it is not what we expect. Help us to trust You more and more each moment. May we focus on a life with You that extends beyond the world that we can see and taste. Help us to crave eternity with You and our eternal home each day, as we continue to widen our hope and trust in You. We pray that You come quickly, dear Lord. Rescue us from this world that is farther from You than we even understand. We need You so much. May the new year bring us to our knees in search of greater relationship with You. May we experience Your mighty grace and compassion, may Your hand move in this land and in our hearts and homes as we resolve to reflect You in solitude and through our thoughts, attitude, words, and actions. Shine from us, Father because we seek and desire You above all else. Let us reflect on You, reflect Your nature, and resolve to mentor the way to You for others. May we live with anticipation of the glorious ways we will see you at work within and around us daily. In the precious and holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to help others find the podcast. Please share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. You can share my website, terrihitt.com and let others know that on it they will be able to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature their walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage them to raise or influence children and grandchildren to choose Christ over culture. I also invite you to listen to the top ten downloaded episodes of 2021. Is your favorite among them? Simply go to the link in the transcript of this episode (on my website and in the podcast notes) to see who made the list. I’d appreciate it if you would share the link with friends who may like to discover the podcast, too. Thank you for making God known in new and eternal ways. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2KsuvrYwl4uP34lJmU5b0g I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #144 – Life Lessons Through my Dog Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Job 12:7-10 says, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Last week our Golden Retriever had surgery. Because of this, he isn't allowed to jump, run, or be very active for about 10 days. Of course, he doesn't understand why he's suddenly restricted from doing everything he is accustomed to doing. In fact, not only has he lost these expected privileges, but he's also made to wear a humiliating bodysuit so he can't lick or scratch himself in the surgical area! Since my dog actually acts more like a cat sometimes, (and loves to jump up to the highest positions he can lay in), some of his favorite places are blocked off with bean bags and chairs. As I watched him eyeing one of his usual lounging areas, I could see displeasure reflected in his eyes when he could not get to it. Resigned, he walked over to a small bean bag on the floor and curled himself into a tight ball to fit. His reactions remind me how humans usually react. We often take much for granted, assuming we have the right to continue the same patterns, habits, and expectations. When something changes or we feel it has been taken away, we don't understand and sometimes get angry, frustrated, disappointed, or stressed. Although my dog was disappointed, he resigned himself to finding another spot. Even though he didn't understand why I wasn't letting him continue routine events, he didn't cry or fuss. He simply found another solution to what bothered him, still trusting that he would be loved and cared for. If only humans could react the same way. Each day brings such blessings. What we have isn't guaranteed for another moment. Living with eternal perspective means so much more than thinking we will be in Heaven one day if we know Christ. Living with our eyes, mind, and heart focused above is a constant, humble lifestyle. Seeing the simplicity of life through the eyes of an animal God allows us to care for is a reminder of how much excess we have. How much we assume and expect. I hope that as life changes, we can embrace the losses as much as we grab the gifts we recognize. Losses stretch us beyond what we imagine we can endure, allowing us the opportunity to reach a new level of understanding our Lord...if we allow ourselves to focus on Him instead of our desires. As disappointments, failures, mistakes, regrets, or hardships tug at your confidence or emotions, don’t allow them to affect your relationship with Christ. Instead, let them draw you nearer to Him. Seek God for how you can allow His transformation to flow through you because of what happened or is happening to you. As much as we love answers, as much as we want pain or hardship to cease, we must learn to follow Him and allow His work to penetrate where we need it. Think of how gracious God is to provide us with insight, reassurances, and wisdom through His creation. Not only does He teach and influence us through animals, but all of what He has made. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word tells us that the heavens declare Your glory and the skies proclaim the work of Your hands. You teach us that day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Help us to see Your glory revealed through creation. Help us to recognize the beauty and majesty of Your hands. Help us to learn the lessons You sometimes present so simply if we only open our eyes and heart. Help us to study Your Word so we know and recognize You in all the beautiful ways You reveal Yourself to us with a holy and unsurpassed love. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. This summer I am working on a very special women and mother collective. You can visit terrihitt.com to learn more or send me a message at info@terrihitt.com. During the summer months, as I work on this special assignment I believe God is calling me to, I will have some shorter podcasts and may replay some treasured episodes from time to time. It is my prayer that you will find time to rest in the Lord as you listen and mature your walk with Him. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 144 - Life Lessons Through my Dog Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #144 – Life Lessons Through my Dog Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Job 12:7-10 says, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Last week our Golden Retriever had surgery. Because of this, he isn't allowed to jump, run, or be very active for about 10 days. Of course, he doesn't understand why he's suddenly restricted from doing everything he is accustomed to doing. In fact, not only has he lost these expected privileges, but he's also made to wear a humiliating bodysuit so he can't lick or scratch himself in the surgical area! Since my dog actually acts more like a cat sometimes, (and loves to jump up to the highest positions he can lay in), some of his favorite places are blocked off with bean bags and chairs. As I watched him eyeing one of his usual lounging areas, I could see displeasure reflected in his eyes when he could not get to it. Resigned, he walked over to a small bean bag on the floor and curled himself into a tight ball to fit. His reactions remind me how humans usually react. We often take much for granted, assuming we have the right to continue the same patterns, habits, and expectations. When something changes or we feel it has been taken away, we don't understand and sometimes get angry, frustrated, disappointed, or stressed. Although my dog was disappointed, he resigned himself to finding another spot. Even though he didn't understand why I wasn't letting him continue routine events, he didn't cry or fuss. He simply found another solution to what bothered him, still trusting that he would be loved and cared for. If only humans could react the same way. Each day brings such blessings. What we have isn't guaranteed for another moment. Living with eternal perspective means so much more than thinking we will be in Heaven one day if we know Christ. Living with our eyes, mind, and heart focused above is a constant, humble lifestyle. Seeing the simplicity of life through the eyes of an animal God allows us to care for is a reminder of how much excess we have. How much we assume and expect. I hope that as life changes, we can embrace the losses as much as we grab the gifts we recognize. Losses stretch us beyond what we imagine we can endure, allowing us the opportunity to reach a new level of understanding our Lord...if we allow ourselves to focus on Him instead of our desires. As disappointments, failures, mistakes, regrets, or hardships tug at your confidence or emotions, don’t allow them to affect your relationship with Christ. Instead, let them draw you nearer to Him. Seek God for how you can allow His transformation to flow through you because of what happened or is happening to you. As much as we love answers, as much as we want pain or hardship to cease, we must learn to follow Him and allow His work to penetrate where we need it. Think of how gracious God is to provide us with insight, reassurances, and wisdom through His creation. Not only does He teach and influence us through animals, but all of what He has made. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word tells us that the heavens declare Your glory and the skies proclaim the work of Your hands. You teach us that day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Help us to see Your glory revealed through creation. Help us to recognize the beauty and majesty of Your hands. Help us to learn the lessons You sometimes present so simply if we only open our eyes and heart. Help us to study Your Word so we know and recognize You in all the beautiful ways You reveal Yourself to us with a holy and unsurpassed love. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. This summer I am working on a very special women and mother collective. You can visit terrihitt.com to learn more or send me a message at info@terrihitt.com . During the summer months, as I work on this special assignment I believe God is calling me to, I will have some shorter podcasts and may replay some treasured episodes from time to time. It is my prayer that you will find time to rest in the Lord as you listen and mature your walk with Him. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #023 – Discouragement and Disappointment Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. When I was a little girl I felt like I had so many disappointments that caused me to begin expecting less out of life. Like all of us, I learned that nothing is guaranteed. Instead of using that fact to prompt me to appreciate what I did have, I withdrew and became more introverted. I was already attending my second or third elementary school by the time I entered first grade. We were also living in a new state. I remember my dad taking me to my first day in that new school. The year had already started. Even at that age, I understood that meant everyone already had their friend groups and everyone would be staring at the new girl. In my mind, I still see my dad and I outdoors on the playground on that early morning as he knelt next to me. I cried, pleading with him to let me stay home. I didn’t want to go inside that school. Like parents usually do, he promised me that everything would turn out okay. I knew he couldn’t really promise that, but I also understood I had to go in. My personality was already shutting down, knowing that even if I made any new friends, I’d just have to leave them when we moved again and I wasn’t willing to keep investing the time and energy it took to develop and nurture relationships. Aren’t you glad God isn’t like that? Despite the ways we unknowingly or purposely sabotage our lives, push Him away, or live in disobedience to His callings and purposes for us, He remains faithful and merciful. He craves intimate relationship with each one of us and desires that we spend eternity with Him. Revelation 21:3-4 is a beautiful reminder of what is to come for those of us who choose a personal relationship with God through Jesus. “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Life gets bumpy, even when we know and try to please Him, but for true followers of Jesus, there is no way but straight through the disappointment and/or discouragement, allowing the Lord to carry and comfort us. As a child, I did not know Him and could not call upon His help. As an adult, I’m filled with gratitude for the ways I now recognize that He understands and provides for all of my needs. Even when the answers I receive are not at all what I desire, I do recognize and appreciate the way God works out every detail in the circumstances of my life, giving me opportunities to choose whether I will use them to draw nearer to Him and influence others for Him. I remember when our oldest daughter had her first set of seizures. She was in her early twenties and living in her own apartment near us. My husband was sick with a flu virus, and I had worked all day. After showering, I planned to watch television and go to bed. Instead, when I stepped out of the shower and into a towel, the phone rang and I had to head to the hospital. There was no way my husband could go with me, and he remained sick for a couple of days after she was admitted to the hospital. I was disappointed and scared to be caring for our daughter alone. I missed my husband and some of the details of her illness were very serious. I wanted to be able to rely on his wisdom and suggestions. God, in the way He crafts personal relationships with each one of us, knows the intricate ways we are all intertwined with one another and how connected we are to Him. He understands just what is needed for us to draw nearer to Him and He offers opportunities through the events in our lives. As I leaned into the support of God through the terrible illness my daughter suffered, I experienced intimate peace and trust and my faith deepened through the events. If my husband had been present, I do not think my walk would have grown as significantly as it did during that time. God, in His intimate, loving way, knew exactly how I needed to grow in those moments. The Bible offers a variety of life accounts about people who lived before us, providing a catalog of historical and biblical events that enable us to be a spectator viewing the way God warned, promised, cared for, and disciplined His people before us. As I purposely attempt to live each day with more eternal perspective, I appreciate the value in studying the ways God reached out to them before, during, and after each moment in their life, just as He does for us now. God is always present, whether or not we choose to acknowledge Him. Living with hindsight, especially drawn from watching mistakes, setbacks, disappointments, failures, and discouragement experienced by others should be the easiest way to learn. Many times, however, we choose the hardest way to grow, which is from our personal mistakes. Before we fall into traps, lies, or heartaches, we would do well to remember those who left lessons we can all benefit from and avoid hardships and pain to ourselves and others in our lives. The very first human disappointment recorded in the Bible was Eve’s. Disappointment and discouragement can stem from several reasons. Eve must have allowed pride and lust to birth disappointment that she could not eat of the fruit God forbade in the garden. After allowing herself to be deceived by the serpent (Satan), she had to have felt deep despair at the outcome of her disobedience. Her life, as well as Adam’s, were negatively impacted and altered by the actions they chose to take. When discouragement hits so deep, it is sometimes difficult to continue past it. This is where many fall victim to deeper discouragement and disappointment, allowing the feelings to fester and grow into more disobedience. Let’s look at Old Testament Joseph. He did not disobey God, like Adam and Eve. Instead, despite a series of hardships occurring over several years, Joseph continued to look to God through every circumstance and misfortune as they continued to affect him. Recognizing blessings disguised as adversity allows us to focus our perspective on eternity. Joseph understood that this life is not for our pleasure and that God uses everything for His good purposes. What we are allowed to be a part of in this short time on earth, has bigger picture consequences. Without struggle, we cannot develop spiritually in broad or profound ways and others will also miss the opportunity to be reached for and by God through us. Joseph shows us that we must never lose sight of the hidden meanings and plans that God can work through our obedience. Job lived a blameless, upright life, fearing God and shunning evil. In fact, his life was so pious that Satan begged to touch it, believing that Job lived with a shallow, self-serving devotion to God. The Lord allowed Satan to upset Job’s life, with restrictions, because He knew Satan would be proven wrong and that spiritual warfare would not harm the relationship God and Job shared. Job allows us to see that there can be godly purposes at work when we suffer, and that they can be unrelated to punishment or sin in our lives. If we allow disappointment and/or discouragement to rule our emotions and actions, our personal walk with the Lord is damaged and we never see the underlying work He is creating though what we cannot see. Paul, a Pharisee who once hated, punished, and murdered Christians, was shocked, and his life totally transformed when he met Jesus on a road to Damascus. The intensity with which he once massacred Christians then turned into a passion for sharing the gospel and serving others, drawing them to Jesus and helping them to draw nearer to Him. Paul allows us to glimpse the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our gracious Heavenly Father as we study how Jesus shattered the evil life he followed, and the way God forgave Paul, allowing him the opportunity to reach others for Him. Paul obediently and faithfully stepped through treacherous and painful sufferings and events, proving that the law doesn’t provide freedom. Only grace through the shed blood of Jesus offers us eternity and the forgiveness and transformation we desire and need. Are you able to recognize the types of disappointment and/or discouragement that usually pull us away from God or that causes us to stumble in our walk with Him? How do you define it? To avoid letting disappointment or discouragement from gaining a grip on us, we must recognize when it threatens us. Anything unexpected or unpleasant, whether personal, spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, or financial can affect a change that causes us to be discouraged or disappointed. Those feelings can also be triggered by someone or something. The most common are as follows: 1. Disappointments – Life will carry adversity. 2. Burnout – Trying to please everyone instead of relying only on what the Lord is calling us to do and not releasing our burdens to Him sparks the flame of burnout. 3. Lack of confidence – Relying on self causes false security and fake confidence that will crumble. True confidence comes only from knowing and believing our worth through God. 4. Expectations – Maturing in the Lord means releasing what we want and accepting a higher plan. 5. Comparisons – Not keeping our gaze fixed above and comparing ourselves to those around us is toxic. 6. Timing (delays) – Our timing is never the same as what God follows. 7. Criticism – Constantly viewing life as negative is contrary to God’s plan. Whether it comes from us or others, it never benefits us. 8. Job – Stresses from jobs can be extreme. 9. Family – Relationships are difficult. 10. Friends – Again, relationships can be difficult. 11. Judgement – Just like comparisons, judgements are not something we are meant to do. 12. Spiritual warfare – Satan is out to get everyone of us, especially those who love Jesus. 13. Lethargy – Not standing for something or doing anything causes boredom and gives us time to do nothing but complain and look for things to be disappointed about. To avoid falling victim to disappointment and discouragement we must actively engage in purposing to keep our hearts and minds fixed on God. Always remember to look Up to Him, not around us, and certainly not within ourselves. Exodus 6:8-9 says, “And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord. Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” Do not allow yourself to focus on the negative. Wait for what God is working behind the scenes of our vision and understanding . Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Circumstances in our lives will change. Practice gratitude by enjoying what you appreciate while you have it. Nothing will ever stay the same. Circumstances, joys, and heartaches will ebb and flow just like the sea. Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Don’t remember the former things; don’t dwell on things past. Watch! I’m about to carry out something new! And now it’s springing up don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the wilderness and paths in the desert.” The Lord is making a way. We must trust and wait with expectation despite circumstances. I will list practical steps to follow to actively combat disappointment and/or discouragement when they threaten to take root. 1. Get enough rest. Everything looks and feels better when we are well-rested. Eat properly. Proper and regular hydration and nutrition affect our minds and body. Exercise. Our bodies were meant to be active and our minds were meant to be challenged. Both need proper exercise. Proverbs 3:5-8 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” 2. Heed your thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 3. Pay close attention to attitude. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 4. Notice the way you interact with others, the words you use, the way you treat others. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” When we trust the Lord and release the loads we carry to Him, we are free to truly live the way He desires. 5. Exercise gratitude despite circumstances. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” 6. Read the Bible! God’s words are a medicine and balm for all that occurs in this life. The closer we press to Jesus, the more we respect and appreciate the wisdom contained in God’s Holy word. The Holy Spirit works inside us to communicate and decipher the very intentions and words God gave to us, allowing us more clarity, insight, and understanding. Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Romans 15:4-5 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” 7. Communicate with God through prayer and actively listening for His guidance and direction. Psalm 55:11 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 8. Rely on God, not self, and not earthly friends. Friends, especially godly ones, are true blessings, but do not replace God with a human He created. Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 9. Shift your viewpoint of occurrences to one of eternal perspective. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” 10. Trust God. Let go of personal expectations and follow God’s plan and purposes for your life. Learn to enjoy what happens, instead of what you think should happen or you want to happen. Ephesians 4:27 says, “And do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” 11. Model godly disappointment for our children and grandchildren. When they see us handle discouragement, discontent, or defeat with our heart and mind fixed above, it teaches and encourages them to build the same spiritual strengths. Let them appropriately know your feelings when you are dissatisfied and let them see you pray (or pray with them) about it. Teach them to carry everything to God and share with them as He answers or shifts your heart to the perspective He desires. Remember (and teach our children and grandchildren) Jeremiah 29:11 which says, “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” And Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” When we forget or refuse to seek Him and instead fixate on what has disillusioned or disenchanted us, we automatically lose sight of a blessing, joy, or lesson that God has allowed or purposed for our life. Eternal perspective living is born from lifting our gaze above any obstacle this earth gives and allowing that annoyance, setback, failure, defeat, or blow to push us into the arms and care of Jesus. What I call heartitude is revealed when disappointments arise. If we continue worshipping the Lord and living with gratitude despite setbacks and frustrations, we submit to God’s sovereignty over our life. Satan wants Christians discouraged and defeated, hoping that it will cause us to disobey God, not trust God, make wrong decisions, stop believing in God, or cause fear and anxiety. Depression can also stem from discouragement and/or disappointment, draining us of all hope and chipping away at the foundation of our trust and hope in God. When we allow our mind and spirit to become discouraged or depressed, our spiritual life, personal life, prayer life, and obedience suffer. Satan wants to till the soil of our spiritual life and rip away roots of trust to replace them with nettles of distrust and disappointment. He will plant seeds of doubt where the discouragement settled and drip waters of discontent until strong, thorny weeds choke out faith and leave us languishing without hope and filling our mind with lies. Our inner thoughts whisper trash that would never enter God’s thoughts. Satan writes the same dialogue for anyone weak enough to accept the lying words. “God’s not real.” “God is not good.” “If He loved you, He wouldn’t let this happen.” “You aren’t enough for even God to love.” “Christianity is a sham.” “You’re not really a Christian or this wouldn’t have happened.” “God is a liar.” John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Purpose to draw nearer to God if you feel even a stab of discouragement. Remember emotions you experience when you follow His loving guidelines, read His word, or worship Him in song. Expect that life will bring heartache and uncertainty, but it will also shift again. Jesus warned us that in this world we would experience sorrow and troubles. John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Do not allow Satan, this world, or your pride and selfishness keep you from viewing discouragement or disappointment through an eternal lens. God’s word offers the perfect hope, promise, or comfort for any event or experience and for any one of us. The following verses are perfect for memorizing, writing out, praying over, or carrying with you to read when needed to counter the lies this world offers. God’s word truly is the solution this hurting world needs. Romans 5:5 says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Remember the Israelites and the discouragement and dissatisfaction they suffered on their journey to the promised land and how it prolonged their disappointment, leading to disobedience, and misery? They certainly did not remember God’s past faithfulness to them or the spectacular miracles they had seen Him perform. How different could their journey and life have been if they had remained faithful to trusting and obeying Him? Our discouragement actually proves our spiritual and relational need for God. No one can fill our emotions, heart, and mind as well as the One who created us. Not even ourselves. Only God. We must read His word to know Him and recognize His voice and promptings. We must pray to Him, and make time to seek, talk, and listen to Him. Why? Because that is the only way to nourish and flourish any relationship. What bond is more important than a personal one with the Creator of the universe? Let’s close this episode with the following beautiful verse. Psalm 34:1-7 “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.” Do you enjoy this podcast? If so, would you please make time to leave a review and rating for the show? I pray you find value in our weekly topics. In order for others to be able to hear about Jesus through Live With Eternal Perspective, I need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift this podcast higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Right now, because the podcast is new and the following is small, listeners won’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. Can you think of a friend who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them so that they will also find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 023 Discouragement and Disappointment Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #023 – Discouragement and Disappointment Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. When I was a little girl I felt like I had so many disappointments that caused me to begin expecting less out of life. Like all of us, I learned that nothing is guaranteed. Instead of using that fact to prompt me to appreciate what I did have, I withdrew and became more introverted. I was already attending my second or third elementary school by the time I entered first grade. We were also living in a new state. I remember my dad taking me to my first day in that new school. The year had already started. Even at that age, I understood that meant everyone already had their friend groups and everyone would be staring at the new girl. In my mind, I still see my dad and I outdoors on the playground on that early morning as he knelt next to me. I cried, pleading with him to let me stay home. I didn’t want to go inside that school. Like parents usually do, he promised me that everything would turn out okay. I knew he couldn’t really promise that, but I also understood I had to go in. My personality was already shutting down, knowing that even if I made any new friends, I’d just have to leave them when we moved again and I wasn’t willing to keep investing the time and energy it took to develop and nurture relationships. Aren’t you glad God isn’t like that? Despite the ways we unknowingly or purposely sabotage our lives, push Him away, or live in disobedience to His callings and purposes for us, He remains faithful and merciful. He craves intimate relationship with each one of us and desires that we spend eternity with Him. Revelation 21:3-4 is a beautiful reminder of what is to come for those of us who choose a personal relationship with God through Jesus. “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Life gets bumpy, even when we know and try to please Him, but for true followers of Jesus, there is no way but straight through the disappointment and/or discouragement, allowing the Lord to carry and comfort us. As a child, I did not know Him and could not call upon His help. As an adult, I’m filled with gratitude for the ways I now recognize that He understands and provides for all of my needs. Even when the answers I receive are not at all what I desire, I do recognize and appreciate the way God works out every detail in the circumstances of my life, giving me opportunities to choose whether I will use them to draw nearer to Him and influence others for Him. I remember when our oldest daughter had her first set of seizures. She was in her early twenties and living in her own apartment near us. My husband was sick with a flu virus, and I had worked all day. After showering, I planned to watch television and go to bed. Instead, when I stepped out of the shower and into a towel, the phone rang and I had to head to the hospital. There was no way my husband could go with me, and he remained sick for a couple of days after she was admitted to the hospital. I was disappointed and scared to be caring for our daughter alone. I missed my husband and some of the details of her illness were very serious. I wanted to be able to rely on his wisdom and suggestions. God, in the way He crafts personal relationships with each one of us, knows the intricate ways we are all intertwined with one another and how connected we are to Him. He understands just what is needed for us to draw nearer to Him and He offers opportunities through the events in our lives. As I leaned into the support of God through the terrible illness my daughter suffered, I experienced intimate peace and trust and my faith deepened through the events. If my husband had been present, I do not think my walk would have grown as significantly as it did during that time. God, in His intimate, loving way, knew exactly how I needed to grow in those moments. The Bible offers a variety of life accounts about people who lived before us, providing a catalog of historical and biblical events that enable us to be a spectator viewing the way God warned, promised, cared for, and disciplined His people before us. As I purposely attempt to live each day with more eternal perspective, I appreciate the value in studying the ways God reached out to them before, during, and after each moment in their life, just as He does for us now. God is always present, whether or not we choose to acknowledge Him. Living with hindsight, especially drawn from watching mistakes, setbacks, disappointments, failures, and discouragement experienced by others should be the easiest way to learn. Many times, however, we choose the hardest way to grow, which is from our personal mistakes. Before we fall into traps, lies, or heartaches, we would do well to remember those who left lessons we can all benefit from and avoid hardships and pain to ourselves and others in our lives. The very first human disappointment recorded in the Bible was Eve’s. Disappointment and discouragement can stem from several reasons. Eve must have allowed pride and lust to birth disappointment that she could not eat of the fruit God forbade in the garden. After allowing herself to be deceived by the serpent (Satan), she had to have felt deep despair at the outcome of her disobedience. Her life, as well as Adam’s, were negatively impacted and altered by the actions they chose to take. When discouragement hits so deep, it is sometimes difficult to continue past it. This is where many fall victim to deeper discouragement and disappointment, allowing the feelings to fester and grow into more disobedience. Let’s look at Old Testament Joseph. He did not disobey God, like Adam and Eve. Instead, despite a series of hardships occurring over several years, Joseph continued to look to God through every circumstance and misfortune as they continued to affect him. Recognizing blessings disguised as adversity allows us to focus our perspective on eternity. Joseph understood that this life is not for our pleasure and that God uses everything for His good purposes. What we are allowed to be a part of in this short time on earth, has bigger picture consequences. Without struggle, we cannot develop spiritually in broad or profound ways and others will also miss the opportunity to be reached for and by God through us. Joseph shows us that we must never lose sight of the hidden meanings and plans that God can work through our obedience. Job lived a blameless, upright life, fearing God and shunning evil. In fact, his life was so pious that Satan begged to touch it, believing that Job lived with a shallow, self-serving devotion to God. The Lord allowed Satan to upset Job’s life, with restrictions, because He knew Satan would be proven wrong and that spiritual warfare would not harm the relationship God and Job shared. Job allows us to see that there can be godly purposes at work when we suffer, and that they can be unrelated to punishment or sin in our lives. If we allow disappointment and/or discouragement to rule our emotions and actions, our personal walk with the Lord is damaged and we never see the underlying work He is creating though what we cannot see. Paul, a Pharisee who once hated, punished, and murdered Christians, was shocked, and his life totally transformed when he met Jesus on a road to Damascus. The intensity with which he once massacred Christians then turned into a passion for sharing the gospel and serving others, drawing them to Jesus and helping them to draw nearer to Him. Paul allows us to glimpse the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our gracious Heavenly Father as we study how Jesus shattered the evil life he followed, and the way God forgave Paul, allowing him the opportunity to reach others for Him. Paul obediently and faithfully stepped through treacherous and painful sufferings and events, proving that the law doesn’t provide freedom. Only grace through the shed blood of Jesus offers us eternity and the forgiveness and transformation we desire and need. Are you able to recognize the types of disappointment and/or discouragement that usually pull us away from God or that causes us to stumble in our walk with Him? How do you define it? To avoid letting disappointment or discouragement from gaining a grip on us, we must recognize when it threatens us. Anything unexpected or unpleasant, whether personal, spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, or financial can affect a change that causes us to be discouraged or disappointed. Those feelings can also be triggered by someone or something. The most common are as follows: 1. Disappointments – Life will carry adversity. 2. Burnout – Trying to please everyone instead of relying only on what the Lord is calling us to do and not releasing our burdens to Him sparks the flame of burnout. 3. Lack of confidence – Relying on self causes false security and fake confidence that will crumble. True confidence comes only from knowing and believing our worth through God. 4. Expectations – Maturing in the Lord means releasing what we want and accepting a higher plan. 5. Comparisons – Not keeping our gaze fixed above and comparing ourselves to those around us is toxic. 6. Timing (delays) – Our timing is never the same as what God follows. 7. Criticism – Constantly viewing life as negative is contrary to God’s plan. Whether it comes from us or others, it never benefits us. 8. Job – Stresses from jobs can be extreme. 9. Family – Relationships are difficult. 10. Friends – Again, relationships can be difficult. 11. Judgement – Just like comparisons, judgements are not something we are meant to do. 12. Spiritual warfare – Satan is out to get everyone of us, especially those who love Jesus. 13. Lethargy – Not standing for something or doing anything causes boredom and gives us time to do nothing but complain and look for things to be disappointed about. To avoid falling victim to disappointment and discouragement we must actively engage in purposing to keep our hearts and minds fixed on God. Always remember to look Up to Him, not around us, and certainly not within ourselves. Exodus 6:8-9 says, “And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord. Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” Do not allow yourself to focus on the negative. Wait for what God is working behind the scenes of our vision and understanding . Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Circumstances in our lives will change. Practice gratitude by enjoying what you appreciate while you have it. Nothing will ever stay the same. Circumstances, joys, and heartaches will ebb and flow just like the sea. Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Don’t remember the former things; don’t dwell on things past. Watch! I’m about to carry out something new! And now it’s springing up don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the wilderness and paths in the desert.” The Lord is making a way. We must trust and wait with expectation despite circumstances. I will list practical steps to follow to actively combat disappointment and/or discouragement when they threaten to take root. 1. Get enough rest. Everything looks and feels better when we are well-rested. Eat properly. Proper and regular hydration and nutrition affect our minds and body. Exercise. Our bodies were meant to be active and our minds were meant to be challenged. Both need proper exercise. Proverbs 3:5-8 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” 2. Heed your thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 3. Pay close attention to attitude. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 4. Notice the way you interact with others, the words you use, the way you treat others. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” When we trust the Lord and release the loads we carry to Him, we are free to truly live the way He desires. 5. Exercise gratitude despite circumstances. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” 6. Read the Bible! God’s words are a medicine and balm for all that occurs in this life. The closer we press to Jesus, the more we respect and appreciate the wisdom contained in God’s Holy word. The Holy Spirit works inside us to communicate and decipher the very intentions and words God gave to us, allowing us more clarity, insight, and understanding. Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Romans 15:4-5 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” 7. Communicate with God through prayer and actively listening for His guidance and direction. Psalm 55:11 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 8. Rely on God, not self, and not earthly friends. Friends, especially godly ones, are true blessings, but do not replace God with a human He created. Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 9. Shift your viewpoint of occurrences to one of eternal perspective. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” 10. Trust God. Let go of personal expectations and follow God’s plan and purposes for your life. Learn to enjoy what happens, instead of what you think should happen or you want to happen. Ephesians 4:27 says, “And do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” 11. Model godly disappointment for our children and grandchildren. When they see us handle discouragement, discontent, or defeat with our heart and mind fixed above, it teaches and encourages them to build the same spiritual strengths. Let them appropriately know your feelings when you are dissatisfied and let them see you pray (or pray with them) about it. Teach them to carry everything to God and share with them as He answers or shifts your heart to the perspective He desires. Remember (and teach our children and grandchildren) Jeremiah 29:11 which says, “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” And Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” When we forget or refuse to seek Him and instead fixate on what has disillusioned or disenchanted us, we automatically lose sight of a blessing, joy, or lesson that God has allowed or purposed for our life. Eternal perspective living is born from lifting our gaze above any obstacle this earth gives and allowing that annoyance, setback, failure, defeat, or blow to push us into the arms and care of Jesus. What I call heartitude is revealed when disappointments arise. If we continue worshipping the Lord and living with gratitude despite setbacks and frustrations, we submit to God’s sovereignty over our life. Satan wants Christians discouraged and defeated, hoping that it will cause us to disobey God, not trust God, make wrong decisions, stop believing in God, or cause fear and anxiety. Depression can also stem from discouragement and/or disappointment, draining us of all hope and chipping away at the foundation of our trust and hope in God. When we allow our mind and spirit to become discouraged or depressed, our spiritual life, personal life, prayer life, and obedience suffer. Satan wants to till the soil of our spiritual life and rip away roots of trust to replace them with nettles of distrust and disappointment. He will plant seeds of doubt where the discouragement settled and drip waters of discontent until strong, thorny weeds choke out faith and leave us languishing without hope and filling our mind with lies. Our inner thoughts whisper trash that would never enter God’s thoughts. Satan writes the same dialogue for anyone weak enough to accept the lying words. “God’s not real.” “God is not good.” “If He loved you, He wouldn’t let this happen.” “You aren’t enough for even God to love.” “Christianity is a sham.” “You’re not really a Christian or this wouldn’t have happened.” “God is a liar.” John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Purpose to draw nearer to God if you feel even a stab of discouragement. Remember emotions you experience when you follow His loving guidelines, read His word, or worship Him in song. Expect that life will bring heartache and uncertainty, but it will also shift again. Jesus warned us that in this world we would experience sorrow and troubles. John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Do not allow Satan, this world, or your pride and selfishness keep you from viewing discouragement or disappointment through an eternal lens. God’s word offers the perfect hope, promise, or comfort for any event or experience and for any one of us. The following verses are perfect for memorizing, writing out, praying over, or carrying with you to read when needed to counter the lies this world offers. God’s word truly is the solution this hurting world needs. Romans 5:5 says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Remember the Israelites and the discouragement and dissatisfaction they suffered on their journey to the promised land and how it prolonged their disappointment, leading to disobedience, and misery? They certainly did not remember God’s past faithfulness to them or the spectacular miracles they had seen Him perform. How different could their journey and life have been if they had remained faithful to trusting and obeying Him? Our discouragement actually proves our spiritual and relational need for God. No one can fill our emotions, heart, and mind as well as the One who created us. Not even ourselves. Only God. We must read His word to know Him and recognize His voice and promptings. We must pray to Him, and make time to seek, talk, and listen to Him. Why? Because that is the only way to nourish and flourish any relationship. What bond is more important than a personal one with the Creator of the universe? Let’s close this episode with the following beautiful verse. Psalm 34:1-7 “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.” Do you enjoy this podcast? If so, would you please make time to leave a review and rating for the show? I pray you find value in our weekly topics. In order for others to be able to hear about Jesus through Live With Eternal Perspective, I need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift this podcast higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Right now, because the podcast is new and the following is small, listeners won’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. Can you think of a friend who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them so that they will also find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 080 - The Power of Using Scripture in Parenting - A Guide for Christian Parents Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 080 – The Power of Using Scripture in Parenting: A Guide for Christian Parents Oh my goodness! I still clearly remember that day I walked out of the local mall with my one year old screaming at the top of her lungs. I forced myself to casually push the stroller instead of running out like I wanted to. The shrillness and volume of her screams combined with the fact that we’re different races, made me concerned someone might think I was kidnapping her. I expected someone to confront me as I made my way out of the mall, and I wondered how I would convince them I was the mother and my girl was usually very happy. I hoped I had pictures of us together in my purse, as at that time I didn’t own a cell phone that held photos. That afternoon we’d been at the mall play area for quite a while. It was past my daughter’s naptime, but she had such fun playing with other children that I let her stray off schedule. When I told her it was time to go and lifted her into the stroller, she did the one thing I hadn’t yet experienced when raising my first two. She began screaming and stiffening her body so I couldn’t easily get her into the stroller. Once I got her in, I thought she’d calm down when I began pushing her away. Instead, the movement made the screaming worse. She didn’t hear me when I tried to soothe and talk to her. Her cries were now a matter of will and exhaustion. It was like ripping a band-aid off. I needed to get out of that mall quickly. Escape was foremost on my mind. As I drove home, her screams continued. I tried talking to her, singing to her, playing music. Nothing I did stopped her cries. I had already tried to soothe her, so I kept driving. About the time we pulled into the driveway, she fell asleep. After a long nap, she awakened to her usual cheery self. I have never looked at mothers of disobedient children in the same way. There’s now a camaraderie. I know that when I see when her child disobey or cause a scene in public I’m just witnessing a portion of the story. I don’t know the child’s background, what has happened in the past, nothing. I just see that there’s another mother who just wishes her child would obey. Are you wondering why I’m sharing this story? The world teaches you to raise children who are well-behaved, good citizens . Our Heavenly Father calls you to parent with a higher objective. God calls you to raise children who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He calls you to raise godly kids, not good kids. It’s true. Parents want kids who obey. No one likes to be the embarrassed mom everyone is staring at because her children are acting up in public. Somehow, society expects children to be perfect, although we know they’re not. Neither are adults, and we know we were never perfect kids. Of course, children must be lovingly trained in the way they should go, but just as adults still make mistakes or bad decisions, our children are learning and growing, and they will, too. Instead of raising children with the goal of teaching them to perfectly obey us , we must parent with the purpose of raising children who obey the Lord . When your children love and trust Jesus, you will receive a beautiful by-product as they love and obey You, as well. First, however, you must be intentional in raising children to obey God and honor Him . Children need parents who understand they are raising imperfect humans sent from God to be raised for His glory . That means you must remember that the discipline you give is to be crafted with the purpose of molding godly character traits and drawing your children to Christ . Remember, the behavior your children exhibit exposes the condition of their heart. So, how do you cultivate the soil of your child’s heart to be ready for the seeds you will sow for Christ? How do you instill behavior that honors God and you? The answer is simple, but takes dedication and consistency. It’s the way you live for Christ and show Him through your words, desires, actions, and reactions. The way you prioritize Jesus and live a lifestyle of humble love and service to Him , instead of just saying you follow Christ. It’s several purposed steps that build a life that honors Jesus . Using godly discipleship and the Bible as your parenting guide as you build and mature a connection with Christ and your child allows you to address behaviors your children express. As you observe their tendencies, actions, words, and desires, you see a glimpse into the condition of their heart. Use this insight to keep you focused on forming behavior and characteristics that are pleasing to God. Guide your children into His arms as you teach them to also recognize ungodly character traits and grow a relationship with Christ to transform behavior. Would you like to know the most powerful tool to influence your child’s behavior? Scripture. God’s powerful, holy Word cultivates godly character. In yourself and your child. I’ll share three powerful truths to remember as you parent with the purpose of cultivating Christlike character traits in your children. 1. Display the qualities you want your child to possess. 2. Don’t ignore character and behaviors that need to be addressed and corrected. 3. Train your child in God’s truths. This allows you to instill characteristics needed to build a godly foundation for future behaviors and decisions. Scripture has power to guide you and transform each of these areas in your life and the lives of your children. While parenting two sets of children over two generations, God has brought my attention to the importance of using Scripture to influence the behavior of my children. The most memorable and impactful ways I have found are: 1. Bible – Read and know God’s Word so you have a strong foundation to build the godly groundwork for your children to build a house of faith and obedience. Self-help books, parenting guides, advice from others, and punishment are weak in comparison to the wisdom God offers in His holy Word. The Bible addresses every concern a parent carries. Studying God’s Word prepares you, your spouse, and your family for a lifestyle of devotion to Him. As your character is transformed, you are better equipped to disciple the behavior of your children. 2. Song – Even if you’re not a singer, singing God’s Word is a memorable way to teach your children Biblical truths from a young age. The power of Scripture and music combined will trigger another method of memorization in the minds of your children. As they get older, music with Scripturally based-lyrics bring truths they will sing and remember. 3. Prayers – Praying Scripture with and for your children is a powerful blessing. Teaching your children to pray Scripture helps them recognize another way to remember and use God’s Word in ways that honor Him and uses His power in ways they will see and remember. 4. Lifestyle – The way you live, the music you listen to, what you read, what you desire, etc., should all reflect what you say you believe about God. Your words, actions, and reactions should mirror the ways God would call you to act. As you use Scripture to form your personal character and beliefs, your child will see God at work within you and know that you live , not just preach a lifestyle devoted to Jesus . 5. Discussions – Don’t neglect using life moments as they arise. Each day brings moments you can capture and utilize for planting godly seeds and nurturing what you have sown. Keep your ears, eyes, and heart open to opportunities. Let your discussions be personal ways to connect with your child or children and allow God to mold you as He works through them. Don’t make the moments preaching sessions, but a sharing of God in natural ways that will shape their heart and relationship with you and their Heavenly Father. I’ve compiled several Scripture verses and passages to show you the power of using God’s Word in your habits, training, and prayers so you can mold His character and beliefs in your children. If you want your children to have wisdom that comes from God, remember Proverbs 3:7 which says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil .” As you train and correct your children, remember you are discipling them. Teach them that human wisdom falls short of God’s wisdom. As they learn God’s truths and remember that His ways are higher than ours and that wisdom as this world teaches it is opposite of God’s, they will learn to detect what is truly wise with your direction. If you want your children to love like Jesus, remember Deuteronomy 6:5 which says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Teach them to love God first, then others in the ways He loves. If you want your children to live with gratitude that is pleasing to God, remember Psalm 118:24 which says, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it .” Teach them that each moment, each day is a blessing from God. No matter the circumstances, they are to trust and keep faith that God is using their daily happenings for His purposes and for their good if they love Him and are called according to His purpose. If you want your children to live with integrity , remember Proverbs 10:9 which says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out .” Teach them that God is always present. Humans may not know the things others do in secret, but God does. He knows their thoughts, sees their actions, and loves them. Yet, in all His holiness, God doesn’t want them to stay the way they are. He has a better way for them to live. Then live out integrity in ways they see. Talk about decisions you have made to live with integrity pleasing to God, not to make yourself look good, but to show them how God is your guiding source of light and life. Point out times they have made godly choices. Give them scenarios and help them find answers or solutions that are pleasing to God. If your want your children to live with trust in God, remember 1 Peter 5:7 which says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Teach them how God has carried you, your spouse, and the family. Let them know He cares about every detail. He is a personal and intimate God who wants to take care of their every need. If you want your children to live a life of obedience , remember Ephesians 6:1-3 which says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth .” As you train them to love and obey God, they will also love and obey You. As you can see, it is easy to choose Scripture to form character and behavior. As you know and trust God’s Word, you are able to use it as you disciple your child in life and choices. Teach them about these characteristics before situations arise so that godly character is beginning to form inside them before they need to use them. As I share the following verses, remember to look for opportunities to use the verse or teaching behind it in daily life. Communication with God and your children is vital to forming lives pleasing to God. If you want your children to live a life of surrender to God, remember Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” If you want your children to live a life of generosity , remember Luke 6:31 which says, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you .” If you want your children to live a life of abundant love , remember Romans 12:10 which says, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other .” If you want your children to live a life of forgiveness, knowing they are forgiven and forgiving others, remember Ephesians 4:32 which says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you .” If you want your children to live a life of contentedness, remember Philippians 4:11 which says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances .” Here are more Scriptures and the characteristics they can help you to disciple for your children. Think of characteristics you want your children to carry or qualities you observe they need help with. Forbearance - Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Mindset - Ephesians 4:23 says, “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes .” Kindness - Proverbs 11:17 says, “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves .” Faithfulness - Proverbs 20:6 says, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?” Humility - Mark 10:44 says, “And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all .” Godliness - Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law .” Pure Faith - Matthew 15:8 says, “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me .” Teachable - Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son .” Endurance - Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it .” John 15:5-7 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you .” As you pray for a life that beautifully mentors Jesus to your children and spouse, and humbly ask God for His mercy and guidance to flow from You as you disciple and raise your children for Him, He will honor your prayers in extraordinary ways that will last for eternity. Remember, the world tells us to raise good kids who obey. God calls for you to raise godly children who obey Him. Your walk matters. Relationship with Jesus and a maturing walk with Him makes a difference. Surrender to the Lord so you will mentor Christ to the children He entrusted to you. Use opportunities to discuss the qualities you desire them to carry, such as fruits of the spirit. Use books, movies, school assignments, life situations, sporting events, and more to capture moments you can impress God’s desires for them and the way to develop these life skills. Show them in the way you use the characteristics. Bring attention to times you have to be long-suffering or forgiving. Read Bible stories highlighting characteristics your child exhibits or needs work in. There are many creative ways to pray for, show, and teach your child how to desire and develop godly qualities that will last for a lifetime. You can bet that in the days after our loud mall exit, we began reading specific verses and stories about listening and obeying parents. We prayed together about honoring mother and father. Even before she grasped the full understanding of what I was teaching, she was receiving a message that rooted in her heart. I also remembered not to exasperate my child and be more aware of not exciting and tiring her beyond what she could endure for her age. As you work with your children under God’s sovereign guidance, expect beautiful and godly results for each of you. Dear Heavenly Father, You entrusted Your children to us for this time. You know we are unable to raise children for You without Your strength and direction. Thank you for Your holy Word, which is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Only Your wisdom and love can guide Your children to Your arms. Please lend it to us. We need You so much and humbly bow before You in gratitude and awe. Thank you for depositing the Holy Spirit inside us to lead and love, guide and guard us and our children. Only through You can we become new each moment and show our children the characteristics they need to live a life called by You. Help us to clearly identify the behaviors and traits we must nurture for You and show us the way to mentor You in loving, respectful, and honoring ways. Thank you for entrusting us with sacred responsibility. Help us parent in ways that honor and bless You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective is open now. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a 15 minute call to chat about details. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 020 - Teach Your Children Not to Follow Their Heart Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #020 –Teach Your Children Not to Follow Their Heart Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. Listen to your heart. You’ve probably lost count of the number of songs that have used this line. How many times have you been given this advice? Or maybe you’ve even given it to given it to your child without thinking? Human nature tells us to seek the emotions and thoughts stored inside to lead us. But Galatians 5:17 warns, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want .” I have a personal story that illustrates these thoughts. When I was a child, we moved a lot. In fact, I lived in 8-10 homes by the time I was 12. One of the first things I would do when we settled into our new place was go get a library card. Books were one of the biggest joys of my childhood, as well as the blank spiral notebooks I would use as journals. Every day of my childhood was spent doing some form of reading or writing. Whether it was poetry, short stories, or simply journaling moments, writing helped me process and understand events. Words have always held life for me. They can also hold death. If we aren’t careful, the words we speak or write can become what breaks or makes the confidence, accomplishment, faith, or eternity of another person. Now that I’m older and my walk with Christ is deeper, I understand the necessity of prayerful reliance on God’s direction and timing. Something just as – or more - important as the tongue is our heart. Or I should say the condition of our heart. Words we speak or write to influence do so in ways we may never know. This world constantly fills our mind with the message that we should follow our heart. We should do what feels right or feels good. If I followed my heart, I would probably still be trying to make it as a mainstream fiction writer. By my early forties, I had written a few novels, and dreamed of one day having them accepted and published. Of course, Oprah would have me on her show and my book would be chosen as the book of the month for her popular book club. I wrote what I wanted, although I had no experience or track-record, so no one was interested in even letting me submit sample chapters. Next I wrote what everyone told me would get published. Every moment I lived and invested by working on that romance book I disliked writing affected the words and storyline I wrote and I know it was quite obvious; I didn’t believe the characters or plot. Neither did the agents who allowed me to submit it for consideration. When I began my next novel, a mainstream romantic thriller, it was obvious by my writing history that I had nothing to guide me clearly. Finally, I began the book heavy on my heart. I was working on a Christian mainstream novel and was far into the characterization, plot, and details. I even drew a map of the city I saw in my head so that I could keep storylines consistent. I found characters that resembled the people I saw in my head and cut them out of magazines and kept them on my desk as encouragement to fuel their storylines. A long index box full of the multiple chapters and storylines, as well as every detail I’d need about the individual characters sat on my desk for reference when needed. I knew their fears, successes, body types, birthdays, memories, and motivations. I was probably about one-third of the way through the first draft (plus had all of my plotting and characterization detailing finished) when I clearly knew God was calling me to put the book away. Unfinished. He didn’t want excuses or bargains. He wanted obedience. Immediate obedience. I was sad to let it all go, but I did. Yet, as I released the dreams and promises of the people who existed not only in my head, but lived in my heart as well, I felt the peace of obedience. Do you know what God had for me instead? After that book was put away, my Heavenly Father showed me a different path for my future. One I previously knew nothing about. In a nutshell, He made it clear that my husband and I had a daughter in China. The Lord didn’t want me focusing attention on crafting a book; His plan called for me to disciple a life. My future was at a cross-roads. I could leave the life my heart told me I wanted or trust what God offered. Writing fiction was not the narration of my story, no matter what my heart felt. It wasn’t until a few years later that I began occasionally blogging sweet and encouraging life stories that mostly had to do with my daughter who was about four years old by that time. Then many years passed before I knew God called me to begin crafting the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast and I began posting and blogging about it. I’m sharing this story because it is so easy for each of us to think we know what we want or we are supposed to do. We think our heart is directing us in one direction. Or sometimes we are led by parents who see something in us, just as you probably see the gifts, interests, and talents your child carries. What is important, however, is waiting on the direction and discernment of our Lord. God crafted such intimate and purposed details into every human on this earth. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” If we are not purposed in following God’s direction, we easily distract our children and forfeit the best God has for them. Even when we see that our child has an obvious talent in some area, we must seek direction from God. How does He desire us to guide our child? Don’t be the one who guides your children down a path that is far from what He desires for them. Who knows the mind or plans of God without careful prayer, discernment, and direction from Him? Reliance on following our heart not only keeps us (and our children) from God’s best, but it can also lead to dangerous situations or decisions we later deeply regret. God knows our heart is untrustworthy. In fact, He warned us in Jeremiah 17:9 , which says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This world pushes for us (and our children) to follow self . So many speak of self-care and listening to what our heart tells us. All that does is increase the selfishness already existing inside. 1 John 3:20 says, “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything .” The hardest obstacle to ignore is the language and guidance of this world. Advertisements, books, magazines, movies, television shows, friends, family, teachers, and even strangers love to tell our children to follow their heart. Do what feels right at that time. Our human hearts are fickle and without understanding or discernment from God, our thoughts and feelings are based on what we have experienced in a fallen world. How can this be a moral or godly guideline? Is this what you want for your child to follow or rely on? Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Only through Christ may we acquire a heart that is willing to surrender to God’s purposes. How do we teach our children not to follow their heart? Through the Lords’ strength and Scriptures, we must teach our children 3 important truths. 1. They must seek God’s heart . Deuteronomy 30:6 says, “The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” 2. They must guard their heart . Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” 3. They must purify their heart . 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Only Jesus can shepherd our children away from the futility of following a haughty heart. It is only through the Lord’s strength that we can rely on His wisdom and direction instead of reverting to self and feelings or emotions and carry the ability to teach our children to rely on Christ. If our children follow what they believed their heart said to do, they would carry no values. Three would be no moral compass, no right or wrong by which to discern actions. Selfishness, heartbreak, embarrassment, and regret will cause division from friends, family, and faith. Our children’s’ hearts were crafted by God to desire Him, to be led and directed by Him. As their parent, we are hand-chosen by God to be the one to disciple and direct them to Him. It is our responsibility and privilege to be the one to guide them to His feet and His heart. 2 Thessalonian 3:5 says, “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” As the one in charge of shepherding the hearts of our child to Jesus, we must realize what following heart really means. The words are actually a sentiment with no real substance. The phrase, “follow your heart” is a fluffy, sweet filling that taste good when we swallow it, but causes pain when we live with the consequences of ingesting worldly advice . Dear Heavenly Father, You reign over the heavens and the earth. How great You are. Thank you for Your lovingkindness and grace toward us and the children you have entrusted to us. There is none like You. Help us to follow Your decrees willingly and joyfully. Help us to carefully keep Your laws and never mentor following the human heart. Instead, may our children see us draw near to You, our God, with sincere hearts and with assurance that only faith can bring, teaching that Your will and ways, Your commands and promises offer so much more than we can imagine. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast. This and my “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast may be found at terrihitt.com, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts may also now be found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Parent and Connect With Eternal Perspective. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 120 - How to Train Your Child to Rely on Scripture Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 120 – How to Train Your Child to Rely on Scripture Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode about how to train your child to rely on Scripture. Being a parent is hard. Being a godly parent is impossible! Unless we rest and abide in the arms of the One who entrusted His children to us. Before you became a parent did you realize the depth of skills you’d need? As a mother, you’re most likely the encourager, the peacemaker, the comforter, the chef, and the maid. Keeping the home tidy and well-managed, the children growing and thriving, and your life with your husband flourishing can be challenging. But when those thoughts of inadequacy or overwhelm hit, do you stop to assess why you’re experiencing those feelings? Most often, it’s because we’re relying on self. We try to be perfect, manage it all, and take care of everyone around us. Instead, we should be resting in the Father’s arms and seeking His approval and direction above all else. What’s the best way to accomplish this? Maturing our relationship with Jesus, but not daily - moment by moment. When we emphasize moment by moment growth we must depend on the Holy Spirit within us moment by moment. Once you’ve pursued relationship with Jesus through the gift of salvation, what’s next? Learning the character of God through Scripture. Without your humble submission to the Lord and continued growth through His Word, your personal and family life simply cannot thrive. As believers, we long for our children to know Jesus and follow Him into eternity one day. But the truth is that if you’re not personally mentoring a love for Him that keeps you in the Bible, studying and growing with loving intention, your child isn’t going to see the need. Life only gets busier once you have children! You already think you’re busy, then suddenly you find time to do what needs to be completed to enable you to give the best care to your precious child. What about time with your precious Father in Heaven? Somehow, the most important relationship you can have gets relegated to the back of your mind and heart. Eventually, unless you are intentional, you stop hearing and responding to the Holy Spirit inside. Life gets heavier, messier, and you wonder why you no longer feel peace, joy, or a longing for the Lord. Is this the life you want your children to witness? Is this the life you want them to emulate? Of course not. Believing moms understand this isn’t the life they want for their children. They just struggle to find the time to do all the things. The first step is realizing that you’ll never find enough time. You must make time for what God calls most important. When you strive to follow His desires, prayerfully request that He show you what He desires, then show you how to get that time, He will. If God could part the sea for Israelites to cross, do you believe He can guide you to find time for Him? Once you realize that you have the power to find that time to be in the Word and inhale Christ so you effortlessly exhale Him, you must continue to seek the Father in prayer. Did you know that the most beautiful and effective prayers are Scripturally based? If you practice the art of Scripture-based prayers and allow your children to benefit from hearing you (and being the subject of those prayers), they will seek the Word and learn to craft their own prayers from the Scripture. Just as you teach them how to eat healthy foods, how to dress, how to lovingly and respectfully respond in words and actions, as well as everything else you guide them through as you raise them, your purposed practice of prayer will influence the way your children view prayer and God’s Word. So, what is the best way to train your child to rely on Scripture? Ensure that you are reliant on God’s Word. First, let’s look at Bible verses that equip how you shape your desire for and reliance on Scripure. Philippians 4:9 says, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you .” 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Titus 2:7-8 says, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us .” Matthew 19:14 says, “But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven .” Next, let’s use these verses to craft a prayer that enables us, as women believers and mothers on mission to raise kids who chase Christ over culture to speak biblical truth that will delight the ears and heart of God. Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are. Thank you for allowing me into Your mighty presence to come before You with requests for my life and the lives of the children You have entrusted to my care. Please equip me to see You clearly and be an imitator of You. Help me to learn and receive what I have learned of Jesus, who in all ways exemplifies Your glory. Cause my desires, mind, and heart to show Your integrity, dignity, and speech so that no one can condemn me or be caused to cast blame on You. As You transform me through the power of Your Word and the Holy Spirit within me, please help me to bring my children to You, laying them at Your heart and feet so they won’t be hindered. May all I do and say cause them to come straight to Jesus and enter the kingdom of Heaven for eternity. May they carry wisdom that only comes from You. In His precious name I pray. Amen. Do you see how easily Scripture can be made into prayers that reflect God’s will and purposes? How much easier it is to know God, reflect Him in prayer requests, and speak to His heart in the ways He desires to hear when we have learned His nature and commands through the truths of the Bible. When your children hear your pray with such devotion and Scriptural truths and include them in ways that honor and please God, they will experience the dedicated love of a mother who clearly shines the Lord. God honors Scriptural prayers as you align your words and heart with His. Remember, the book of Proverbs teaches that godly wisdom is critical for creating and maintaining a life pleasing to God. As you lay a foundation of faith for your children to stand on to construct their own relationship with Jesus, you’ll build the rails that also guard and guide them. These rails line the pathway that leads them to Scripture. Without this strong foundation to hold the personal house of faith they will build, your children won’t carry godly insight, wisdom, or judgement that instills and directs this path to navigate life with integrity and insight from God. As you raise your young ones to know, love, honor, and obey God and direct them toward a personal relationship with Jesus, craft prayers to be lifted to God in your personal time with Him and also speak prayers you offer with your children. Lifting prayers in the presence of your children teaches them how to prioritize relationship with God and how to approach Him with reverence, honor and relationship. Whether your children are older, and you’re just now teaching them to rely on God or you’ve been modeling relationship that leads to Jesus over the years, using Scriptural prayers will deepen their hope and trust while leading them closer to our Heavenly Father as you remain committed and consistent. The more you’re in God’s Word and know Him, the better you’re able to pray with Scripture at the forefront of your mind. If you’re unsure how to begin, find verses that are in alignment with how you hope to parent the children God has entrusted to your care. Ask God to direct you to verses that will reach the heart of your children while continuing to deepen your walk with Him in ways that transform your desires, actions, and reactions for your children to witness His life-changing power. The closer you move to God, the more your parenting desires will reflect His will. Start with Scripture that is easy for your children to understand and that will build the basics of a lifelong trust in, and relationship with God, through Jesus. As your pray these prayers consistently with your children, you’ll find that the truth resting in the verses you use will also flow into conversations and guide the lifestyle you establish in your home. Now let’s look at verses about guidance for Godly Parents : Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ” Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it .” Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord .” Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain .” Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged .” Dear Heavenly Father, all my praise goes to You, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. There is none like You. Father, Your Word tells me to love You with all my heart and all my soul, and all my might. Help me to do so in all the way that honor You and bring my children to do the same. Show me the ways You desire me to teach You and Your truths to my children with diligence and steadfast love. Help us effortlessly talk of You in all places and yearn to be with You each day together. Help my husband and I to be in agreement in how to train our children in the ways You say they should go. May we lean on Your truths and strength and follow Your word, not the world. Help the children You’ve entrusted us to raise grow up to love You with an everlasting and widening love that brings joy and light to You. Help our home be one that is built by You and will withstand the troubles of this world or our flesh. May my husband and I never provoke or discourage our children and may we never be a stumbling block that shifts their focus from You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Next, let’s select Scripture for prayerful wisdom . Proverbs 2:6-7 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity .” Proverbs 3:1 says, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep My commandments. ” Dear Heavenly Father, Almighty Father and keeper of my soul. How great You are. Thank you for allowing me into Your holy presence. Father, Your Word tells me that You alone give wisdom. From Your mouth come understanding and You are a shield to those who walk in Your integrity. Help me to be one who fits these requirements. Equip me to show these ways to my watching children and through it, lead them straight to Your arms. May they embrace You and Your ways as truth that guides them throughout their life here and into eternity. Help them to always remember Your teachings and may they keep Your commandments because they strive to love and honor You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Now we’ll look at prayers for peace . Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God .” Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect .” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you .” Dear Heavenly Father, Author of peace. May my life carry the peace only You can give. Thank you for the peace You provide when I keep my mind fixed on You. Help me to exemplify Your peace in all circumstances and model that reliance on You to my children. Help them to embody Your peace that passes understanding because they have heart and minds fixed on You and Your unwavering truths. May we each make requests known to You that are acceptable and perfect in Your eyes and may they be in alignment with Your will and ways because we renew our minds and receive discernment through You. May we always cast all of our anxieties on You, because we trust that You care for us. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen. Now, one last example. Let’s look at Steadfast Faith . Matthew 19:14 says, “But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven .” Proverbs 1:8-9 says, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck .” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Dear Heavenly Father, Gracious Father who fills me with such love and desire for godliness. Thank you for instructing me in Your ways so that I can lovingly mentor my children in Your ways. You say that I should not hinder the little children from coming to You. Show me the way to bring them to You. Help me show Your heart and truths in ways that are lasting in their life. Help my children to appreciate what is taught of you. May they never forsake my teaching or the teachings of their father because we are in alignment with Your will and ways in all things. May my children choose to serve You all the days of their life and long to be pleasing in Your sight. Help them remember all of Scripture is breathed by You and will train, correct, and equip them for every good work. May they always delight in delighting You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen. Can you see how easy it is to know God through His Word and find Scripture that brings your desires and words into alignment with His will? I urge you to seek Him through the Bible today. Find Scripture that will help you craft the prayers you want to lift to the Great I Am. Your diligence and dedication will bring godly blessings and connection to your children and family. Scriptural prayers are another powerful tool to keep your heart and the heart of your family in alignment with God. These prayers offer protection and guidance in a world of confusion. As you continue to pray from God’s Word, your desires and actions are transformed into the image of Christ that will attract your children as you become a godlier woman and parent. Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face. That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with professionals who care about making Jesus known to their children. Are you a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible. Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity. Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior. Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 127 - How to Be a Godly Mom Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 127 – How to Be a Godly Mom Goodness! I can’t believe school is about to end and my favorite time of year has arrived! The first blooms of spring have already fallen, making way for additional foliage to emerge. Summer is right around the corner, pushing out the comfortable cooler weather and bringing in blasts of air that feel like a furnace. No matter how hot it gets, I much prefer summer over winter and I’m sure I always will. Since nothing lasts forever, seasons are a beautiful reminder of why we need to live with eternal perspective. Have you had days, weeks, or years of life that you want to last forever? Or maybe right now you feel the opposite. Do you wonder how much longer you have to endure the season you are experiencing? Change can be good. Especially when we aren’t aware that we’re not living in ways God desires for us. Change can become the catalyst that moves us to be in sync with the next transformation God has for us. I distinctly remember a time I wasn’t living in ways that God desires. There was a period in my life before I knew Christ when I wanted to make sure I was a good person. A good woman. A good wife. A good daughter. A good mother. As I found, and purposely began maturing my relationship with Jesus, I understood that limiting myself to “good” was “ungodly.” Why do I say that? Because God wants to richly bless His followers with so much more. He calls us to a much higher standard than good. Good isn’t good enough for God . It’s true that in the beginning when God created, He exclaimed that what He made was good. However, God is proclaiming His creations are good, not that we individually or collectively are. What I mean is that what God created is by His intelligent and perfect design. Anything He makes is good. Yet, in this sinful, fallen world, it didn’t take long for God’s creations to choose sin. Without Christ indwelling us, we continue to move farther from God. Without the Holy Spirit within us, there is no perfection or godliness. In fact, we are unable to claim the status of “good,” let alone “godly.” So how do you and I move from desiring a good life to building godly lives? Only through Christ. Once believers see our need for God, we begin to realize the need for His perfect Son, Jesus to pay the price for our sin. Once we realize the need for a Savior, and accept the free gift Jesus offers, we are able to live with His Holy Spirit within us. We are no longer bound to the world and the sinful temptations. Through relationship with Him, the Holy Word, and prayerful conversations with God, we can experience a shift from good to godly. That is, if we are seeking Him and a humble, obedient, close connection daily. What we desire must be held up to a mirror, so to speak, as we look at how our desires are reflected against what God calls for us in His holy Word. My heart fills with joy when I remember the time between when my first set of children were raised and before my husband and I knew that God was calling us to adopt a sweet baby from China. Before we knew our daughter was waiting for us, I was experiencing deeper growth in my spiritual walk with Christ. Slowly by slowly, I allowed God greater access to me. I wish I could profess to be one of those people who surrender fully in the moment they accept Christ, but the truth is that each of us have varying degrees of surrender throughout our lifetime. We never reach that finish line in this life. We are so very far beneath God, and so far from Him, that our lifetime should be focused on pursuing deeper relationship with Him and continuing to surrender self. As my relationship with Jesus deepened and widened, I thought back to when my husband and I had raised our first two children. I was not a Christian when my first two were born. Although I came to follow Jesus when they were young, I wasn’t well discipled. I wasted so many years thinking I was “good” and not striving to be godly. Would you like to know my deepest regret? Although my children always heard about Jesus, and knew I loved and followed Him, I did not know to intentionally disciple them. I didn’t yet understand that the Christian walk is a beautiful relationship between God and man. I didn’t understand the command in Deuteronomy 6:5-9, which says, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates .” I assumed that what I was doing to teach my children about Jesus was enough. In reality, they were learning my limited faith, and since I was not growing as well as I should have been, they were only able to mimic a portion of my faith and not being discipled well to chase Christ for themselves. By parenting in this manner, I was ignorantly accidentally teaching my children to follow me instead of God. If we parent in this way, we teach our children to find and craft identity in us, not the Father. I didn’t yet realize with my first set of children that in order to be a godly mom, I had to first focus on my growing and deepening my walk with God through Jesus. I had to train my mind to think biblically about everything. I had to view my responsibility as a mother through a biblical lens that removed the worldly filter I was accustomed to using or that we as humans automatically revert to. I had to live the fact that my children were really His and were on loan for a season. God entrusted them into my hands to raise for Him. How would He judge my work? As my husband and I grew our walk with Jesus, we knew with certainty that God was calling us to travel to China to bring home the baby God had waiting to be ours. Before we went, we prayed together daily for the girl she would grow to be. Our heart desired that she be a light for Jesus, that she pursue Him with a pure heart, and that she would be an inspiration for others to follow Him. I remember the days I worked backwards, formulating a plan to raise her with what I prayed were very Christlike goals. Ten years later when we returned to China to bring home our last child, the “master plan” for raising our girls for Christ had been practiced, and our youngest enabled us to continue the course with another beautiful soul to nourish for Jesus. Although there are so many important details I’m not including here, this story is so important to me, because our second step into parenting with a new generation of children was very intentional. My mind and heart was fixed, anchored on Christ through all obstacles. My husband and I committed to stand on that firm foundation. When deep waters swirled around us, when tragedy and troubles plagued our home, we tightened our grip on that three-fold cord that kept God in the center of all. No matter what happened, we remained committed to raising our girls and influencing our grown son and grandson for Christ. I want you to know that my heart truly sings with joy when I encourage and equip busy mothers to move past guilt, anxiety, frustration, or the variety of other emotions this world presses upon us. God has greatly pressed upon my heart the need for me, as an older mother, to wrap my arm around you and help you move from these emotions or feelings to a place of peace. I want to encourage and equip mothers to create close connection with Christ and her children and raise kids who chase Christ over culture. Mothers and grandmothers too, it is time to rise and purposely raise children who know and honor God. How long will mothers sit back and watch as children follow peers over parents or Christ? It doesn’t matter how good a parent you want to be or already are. God calls you and I to be holy, godly mothers – not women who settle for good. There is nothing greater we can do than fix our heart and mind above and focus on the methods given by God to raise children for Him. If we don’t purposely lead our children to Christ, the world will sway them away. It starts with you and me. Our life must be so focused on living godly lives through Christ that our children clearly see Him through us and desire Him for themselves. It's time to stop the attachment our children place first on peers and mentor the way to attachment with Christ. It starts with the parent. That means you and me. Will you walk with me in creating a movement of mothers who deeply desire to be set-apart women parenting set-apart kids for Christ? It happens moment by moment and you are the first Jesus your children see. What are you showing them? Remember, you are the mother chosen by God to till the soil of your child’s heart and lay a solid foundation based on biblical truths, not worldly emotions or trends. You were meant to be more than good. Good is defined by human experience, opinions, and feelings. Godly is defined by a holy, sovereign Heavenly Father. Which definition do you want to use to direct your parenting, relationships, and ultimately – the eternity of your children – whether they’re still in your care or grown and out of the home? If you’d like more information about influencing your children for Christ intentionally and with godly strength, send me a message at info@terrihitt.com for access to a free mini session on parenting the heart – not reacting to behaviors – no matter the age of your children. Dear Heavenly Father, You alone are holy. You alone are greater than the good we desire. Move us from good to godly in the ways You know we need. Help us to be more and more pleasing to You each moment. May our heart and mind be in sync with Your desires for us as we move ever nearer to You. Father, I thank you for Your Word, Your perfect guidance. May we understand You better and please You more as we read and act in obedience to it. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you’re ready to become the godly mom God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. Remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next