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< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 112 - How to Protect Innocence in Childhood Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 112 – How to Protect Innocence in Childhood 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 our important episode about how to keep innocence in childhood. I adored the perspective our middle daughter Marissa carried when she was a tiny girl. Actually, still to this day she has the same artistic eye and genuine joy for seeing beauty in the world. One day as we were walking on a sunny day, she exclaimed, “Oh! Look at the sparkles on the sidewalk.” I’d already raised two children to adulthood and survived my own childhood. Yet I don’t remember ever noticing sparkles in the concrete. But, just as she said, when I looked at the sidewalk, tiny sprinkles of silver sparkled back. Even to this day, some fifteen or sixteen years later I look for sparkles of joy in concrete. Matthew 18:1-6 says, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea .” Babies have such innocent, trusting souls. God could have brought His children into the world as adults. Instead, He brought us in as infants to be nurtured, protected, and pointed to Him. The beauty of childhood should be celebrated with trust, shaped to care for others, consider others your friends, and treat others with Christlike love because pure joy emanates from your heart. Think of the beauty childhood and little lives should be filled with. Kids enjoy finding hearts in the shapes of nature, seeing animals in clouds, and enjoy raindrops, mud, and snowy days just as much as a sunny day. They see beauty in uniqueness and don’t want anyone to feel sad or hurt. They speak from the heart, offer compliments simply and joyfully, twirl on a whim, and believe everyone is beautiful. However, societal shifts sneakily indoctrinate children with agendas at early ages and without parental consent. Children are exposed to adult materials and mindsets much earlier than decades before, yet they remain underequipped emotionally or spiritually to handle the images, knowledge, actions, or emotions impressed on their innocent minds. Why should it matter that innocence is in jeopardy? Don’t people say kids are resilient? Our godless culture is disregarding God’s design for the innocence of children. Society is erasing the God-assigned role of the parent to shepherd the heart and mind of the children He has entrusted to us. Society has been progressively promoting and glamourizing sin for decades. But now there seems to be a targeted push for children, who should be intentionally raised to know Jesus clearly and follow Him with dedication born from love and faith – not religion. Instead, the children are being lost to a culture with worldly morality and without godly intentions. God’s children aren’t being grounded in purposed faith that’s rooted in His Word and ways. Instead, we’re being lured and absorbed into a culture without absolute Truth. As parents, our personal identity must be secure in God through Jesus and in our faith-fueled relationship with Him. He must be the compass that guides and guards our heart and home. We must purposely search and study Scripture so we’re equipped to shelter, counsel, and prepare the children entrusted to us in Christlike and godly ways. As believers and guardians of precious children God commanded us to shepherd, we must commit through eyes fixed on eternity , to check what enters the life of our children, and also what surrounds them. We must be prepared proactively, not reactively, to fight as godly-centered warriors for the heart and mind of our children. Our concerns and cautions should be strong to protect from the evil influences of this world and provide godliness and Truth for our children. For example, sometimes we shelter from – and sometimes we allow access to things of this world. But when we allow access, it is in ways that direct with discussion and determination toward and through Christ. It is providing stability and strength for our children to grow into mature Christians who live in this world, but are not part of it. We’re to equip them to grow in strength and stature, able to form critical, godly thinking. You were divinely appointed and the children in your care were specifically chosen to be guarded and influenced by you. You were entrusted with the tender, yet challenging position of raising them for the King of Kings. The only way you are able to complete that monumental, but glorious task is through His strength and truths. As you teach relationship with God through Jesus and in the words you preach, intentionally guide your children into the arms of Jesus. Every obstacle is an opportunity to bring them to Him. Disciple them continually in light of eternity and you will find it easier to combat cultural influences and raise children who seek and stand for godly values because they carry an intimate relationship with Him. Remember, your children see you more clearly than you see yourself. Let your actions and your words send them straight to Christ. Be vigilant. Scripture tells us that the devil is out to steal, kill, and destroy. The world proves the truth of these words from Christ. I know you’re already aware of the importance of this issue. So what do we do about it? Be diligent! So often parents either ignorantly or lazily neglect to guide and guard the way God demands. Whether we are deceived or defiant, the lives of God’s precious children are touched and changed. I don’t need to list the “how’s’ of protecting children from this culture. You’ve already heard ways to keep ungodly values out of your home and several Purposed Parent Connected Child episodes are available to guide you. But I do want to remind you to keep your guard raised. Build the fence of protection far from the cliff. Don’t build that barrier right on the cliff, because as the ground your child is on erodes, that hedge will fall, and you want plenty of protection around the children God entrusted to you. Take each day captive for Christ. Don’t let schedules dictate the level of your parenting or protection. Fast paces and packed timelines keep parents from investing the needed time to talk to or play with kids to build connection to keep and foster purity in hearts and home. They deceive us into thinking we don’t have time to read God’s Word, study and teach it to our children, or have time to pray. It’s all how you choose to prioritize. Will it be God first? Do you choose to teach the children in your home the world or the Word? It's time for good mothers to take a stand and commit to becoming the godly mom God entrusted and equips you to be. Keeping innocence in the home begins and ends with you. I recently released an item that I am happy to share at no charge. Visit terrihitt.com to receive a complimentary 31-Day Prayer & Scripture Guide to help you jumpstart this or continue this sacred journey. Coming soon, I’ll have devotionals you can use with your babies and children. The first edition for tiny hearts is already complete, but just not on the website yet. Additional devotionals are in the process of being written now and will be available this year. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your loving kindness and mercies to us. Thank you for entrusting us to be the guide and guardian for Your children. Your gracious, loving gift to us is beyond our human understanding. God, You clearly instruct us in Your Word to raise children to know, follow, hear, love, and obey You. We’re to talk of You when we rise up, when we lie down, when we walk along the way. We’re to infuse Your presence and Spirit into all aspects of our life and the lives of Your Children. Thank you for this beautiful picture of Your grace, Father. Help us be and remain obedient and joyful as we strive to become the godly women and mothers only You can equip us to be. 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. 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< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 070 - Do You Correct or Punish When You Discipline? Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 070 – Do You Correct or Punish When You Discipline? Most adults easily remember how they were disciplined as a child. I remember getting grounded a lot. Before you wonder how I could be so much trouble, let me share that my parents believed in what they called, “reverse psychology parenting.” Not to say that I was an innocent victim. There were times I should have been corrected, but I wasn’t caught. However, I was often grounded when I didn’t do anything wrong. Let me give you an example: One particular weekend my parents held a swim party for several of their friends. You know how excited kids can get at big events or parties. Many of the guests’ children were running on the pool deck, jumping over the heads of people seated poolside. Even though my siblings and I were not involved in this behavior, my parents grounded me for two weeks in an attempt to show the other parents how to discipline. They hoped their action would spur the other parents to reprimand their children as well. I believe my recollection is a great illustration of “parenting to punish ,” not disciple . In the early years of parenting my first set of children, I didn’t repeat this particular style of parenting, but the way my husband and I were raised did influence the way we disciplined our children. Because of the way we were parented, I thought discipline was supposed to punish the child for unwanted or incorrect behavior. However, what I learned over the years led me to parent my second set of children differently. My belief now is that discipline is not meant to punish, but to disciple . Let me explain what I mean. The word disciple means to teach or train . When a child exhibits behavior a parent doesn’t want repeated, the first thought might be to get that action or activity stopped. Because parents often fall into the trap of wanting to stop unwanted actions and just get moving to whatever activity needs to be tackled next, it can become easy to forget to look behind the behavior for the reason the child is acting a particular way. It’s like when you get a toothache. The first thing you want to do is get the pain to stop. It’s usually later that you wonder why your tooth started hurting. In the same way, a mother that doesn’t parent with the purpose of connection will see a behavior and issue a punishment to stop her child’s actions immediately. Or the parent may issue punishment thinking the child will learn not to repeat the particular behavior. However, a connected mother who parents to disciple her child will search for the reason behind the behavior. I once listened to a podcast with Candice Owens in which she shared her belief that this generation of children is “the coddle culture," because of lack of discipline, and that is true in various ways. I understand what she is saying, but I also believe children are receiving the wrong type of discipline. We must reach their heart in order to change behavior and build Christlikeness. Often mothers will parent the behavior , but you need to reach the motives behind what your child is doing. Using this train of thought, I often refer to discipline as discipling . God wants us to address ungodly or incorrect behaviors. We don’t want to ignore actions that sin against God or form bad character. In the Bible, those parental deficits always led to much trouble. However, I do believe God calls mothers to disciple , or train and teach, not simply jump to punishments that skim over the heart of behavioral or character issues. Let’s discuss practical ways parents can disciple the heart instead of punishing behavior: 1. Focus on changes in your behavior – Discipling starts with you. Work to build a connected relationship with your child. Spend time with your children, understand how they are wired and what gives them joy, what scares them, etc. Help them know how important they are to you. Let them know you want a good relationship and give them tools to build a solid one throughout the years, but always point everything to Christ. Although you want them to love and obey you, teach them there is a higher authority even more important to know, love, and obey - Jesus . Many times a child misbehaves because they want your attention. In their mind, any attention is better than none. 2. Focus on changes you can make in the home – Make godly boundaries, be attentive and consistent, be God-centered - not “you” centered, love your children without placing conditions on your affection. Prepare your kids for challenges they will face in life through Biblical wisdom, insight, and guidance. Know that sometimes your child will suffer consequences of actions and you might need to help, but don’t jump in too soon. The best lessons are learned through godly principles that come to maturity through pressure. Some other behaviors you may need to assess and change are: 1. Yelling – A quiet or normal voice draws more respect, love, and obedience than a loud one. If you’d like to hear more on yelling, please listen to the Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast episode #064 “Stop Yelling So Your Child Can Hear You.” 2. Hitting – Sometimes when parents don’t know how to handle a situation they resort to hitting. Physical correction will never get to the heart issue behind the behavior. When a parent hits, slaps, or spanks on impulse to correct or stop behavior, I believe the attachment and connection between parent and child is weakened and that there may be additional behaviors for the parent to deal with in the future. 3. Threatening – Simply issuing threats without acting on them shows a child that the parent is not in control and may cause the child to lose respect for the parent. If you issue a threat, it should be a well-thought out instruction, not an act of intimidation or a command you forget later. 4. Excusing – If you excuse every behavior your child exhibits, you deprive your child of many character qualities, behavioral changes, and life lessons. 5. Laughing – When you laugh at the behavior your child exhibits, you reinforce whatever they are doing. 6. Filming – Just as the act of laughing at your child reinforces incorrect actions or behavior, recording every mistake your child makes or behavior they shouldn’t be doing teaches them that they will get rewarded for incorrect actions. Most of us have seen reels on social media where the parents share bad behavior or mistakes made by young children. If you study the eyes of the child shown, you’ll usually see confusion. They probably can’t tell whether they are in trouble or should repeat the behavior so mom can get more likes and follows. Now that we’ve discussed ways you can correct , instead of punish behavior, and you can more easily recognize ways you might self-sabotage godly parenting, let’s discuss some of the reasons a child might misbehave. 1. Ignorance - Your children need to be taught how to act. So often parents forget that this is the first time their child may have encountered a situation. Your child might not carry the necessary skills to navigate what they are experiencing. 2. Negligence – As we stated earlier, children need connection. If they don’t receive it at home, they will seek it elsewhere or through methods that may be harmful, dangerous, or incorrect. 3. Boredom and/or Over-Stimulation– Sometimes kids just get bored or over-stimulated. There is a beautiful balance that gives a child enough attention and enables them to use imagination and creativity, without being over-stimulated by electronics or too many activities. It greatly benefits a child when the parent finds that balance. 4. Confusion – Sometimes children don’t understand instructions the first time. Teach your child to ask questions when they are unsure. You can also issue steps for a task one at a time. Or have your child return to you for more instructions after they have finished a couple of steps you have instructed. The way you teach will change over time as your child matures and as you better connect and understand their emotional intelligence and capabilities. 5. Needs Skills - I remember the first morning we brought my youngest daughter home from China. On that day, I found her in my office lighting matches. At the time, I kept a small candle and a book of matches in a desk drawer. I loved lighting the candle while I was working. There were no very young children in the home anymore, and everyone who lived here knew about fire safety. Except my new daughter. Even though she was nine years old, she had never been exposed to a lit match. She wasn’t a bad child looking for trouble or a budding pyromaniac. She simply had never been taught about fire safety. 6. Needs Redirection – Kids mature at different paces. Depending on background, temperament, abilities, and parenting styles, children may not hit the average guideline for maturity or understanding in an area. I often compare my two-year old Golden Retriever to a toddler. When he sometimes gets excited and zooms around the house without stopping, I know how to redirect him to a place of calm. Children sometimes need mother to patiently redirect them to stop certain behaviors. 7. Insecurity – It’s not only teens who feel insecure at times. Of course, the preteen and teen years make kids feel like a target for attention is pasted on the middle of their back. They think everything revolves around them and that everyone is laughing or looking at them. But younger children, and even adults can sometimes feel insecure. Don’t let your insecurities affect your relationship with your child or the way you disciple them for Christ. Although I’ve learned to parent from a place of attachment due to adoption, I strongly believe that even biological children need many of the same parenting techniques. I view it simply as connected parenting. Godly mothers should seek to build connection to Christ and their children moment by moment. Attachment is key. Attachment is an emotional and deep connection that forms between the parent and child early in their time together, while bonding is a process that takes place over time. Also involving emotions, but building upon shared experiences together, bonding builds mutual trust, love, and devotion. I like to think of our walk with Jesus in the same manner. At first, we attach to Christ through our walk with Him, but our relationship gradually bonds us as we purposely share time with Him in the Word, through prayer, devotions, sharing and testifying, etc. Also remember that children may sometimes exhibit undesired behaviors caused by mental, emotional, or physical issues. If your child persists in undesirable or confusing behavior, it is wise to consider the possibility that your child may be dealing with one or more of the following needs: 1. Sensory Processing Disorder 2. Anger 3. Fear 4. Depression 5. Anxiety 6. Shame or Guilt 7. Motor Skill Difficulties 8. Cognitive Impairment 9. Medical Needs As you strive to be a connected mother who is consistently attuned to your child, you will look beyond behavior to discern what your child is telling you through actions . Those actions are exposing a need. Although the need may be hidden, the behavior cannot be ignored. A connected mother has discipleship foremost on her mind, not punishment or a desire to stop an annoying or embarrassing behavior. The actions of your child will provide important clues that should be noticed and acted upon with sensitivity and grace intent on meeting the heart needs of your child. What are a few ways to look beyond behavior to identify the needs of your child ? 1. Prayer – God made your child with uniqueness and purpose. He understand every need your child carries. He alone is the best source of wisdom to train and correct your child. 2. Allow Personal Growth – Sometimes the actions or words coming from your child will hit an emotional need inside you. It may be one that triggers painful memories, fears, or emotions. When that happens, you will have the opportunity to address those feelings or emotions within yourself and seek godly help or healing. This is a positive step in not letting your behavior teach your child wrong habits or cause you to react in ways that make the behavior of your child intensify. 3. Look for Patterns – For example, does your child misbehave every time you are separated? Or do you notice the actions when your husband is gone? Does the behavior start when company is over, or when your children are playing together? Identifying patterns will help you begin to pinpoint what is causing negative behaviors or building the wrong habits. 4. Set Your Child Up for Success – Don’t cause power struggles. Give choices when you can, and communicate expectations well. Know that some behaviors and solutions will ebb and flow as your child goes through age and developmental stages, but do not neglect to build godly character through patient and grace-filled discipleship. Dear Heavenly Father, we humbly come before You, knowing we are nothing without Your mercy, grace, and love. Thank you for the patient discipline You offer. Thank you that you are always “on call” for us to reach out, asking for Your wisdom, insight, and knowledge. Help us to read, understand, and remember the lessons You teach in Your holy Word. Enable us to practically use those lessons to shape morals and values in the hearts of our children. Give us the desire to seek You in all things, knowing You are the expert of each person in our home. You hold the key to behaviors and can unlock even the hardest challenges. Help us to become godly mothers who have sought You and taught You to our children. Help us to never forget or neglect the sacred privilege we have to raise the children You have entrusted to us. May we do so with skill and wisdom from You. Help us to disciple children straight to Your heart and feet when we correct their behaviors. 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. 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 wait list is open now. The first group of women is currently growing together. 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

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #043 – The Art of Conversation 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. Conversation. That’s my topic today. More specifically, dialogue. The ability to communicate with others, giving us the means to exchange ideas or opinions. I enjoy talking to others; I love especially hearing their life stories. Do you? I believe many of us have more in common with one another than we think or imagine we do. Yet, I don’t feel that is reflected in the way we respond to, or act toward, others in our society today. What disappoints me most is when we don’t search for connection or look to see commonalities in those we meet. Most often, those special similarities are hidden beneath the surface like jewels under the rough sand still polishing them. When our youngest came home from China, she had spent most of her life in isolation, did not know English, knew little Mandarin because she had not been spoken to most of her life, and due to neglect, was almost entirely deaf. We had a focused road ahead of us to teach her to socialize, yet as each day passed and our relationship with her deepened and blossomed, we knew she was a perfect fit that completed our family. We each have a past, a chronicle of events that shape and define how we view and interact with the world. Stories define us – our personal tales of hardships, trials, heartache, joy, pain, loss, and love. The most impactful way to recognize or respect the narrative of another is through true, authentic dialogue. Unfortunately, the culture and society of this time leaves conversation to quickly-jotted texts and emails or small blurbs on a social media screen that most often feel and sound like attacks. When I meet someone, I usually wish for the opportunity to sit and talk to them for an extended period, sharing life tales and honestly connecting. Have most of us lost the desire to slow down and connect, to see another human for who they are? I don’t care about what society tells me I need or should be. I honestly get confused when I hear people say they want others to be themselves. I guess that is because I am who I am and I don’t expect fakeness from others. But in reality, I can understand that when we don’t have a grounded relationship with the One who shapes our identity, we do not know who we are, so falseness prevails as we flounder in finding, and in vulnerably, as well as honestly, exposing ourselves. The fast-paced, false society we live in has stolen the gift of discussion, and we have not yet conceived the full damage. Our children do not have the opportunity to experience life and relationships the way we did growing up. As adults, are we making time to teach them how to form authentic relationships? We must be making time to mentor our children through the way we develop those true relations ourselves. If we examine deeper, we see that what has most hurt our society, culture, and relationships is the condition of our hearts. As we move farther away from Jesus, the selfishness of our soul is exposed. Arrogance is born from this self-absorption, we become easily deceived, and we begin making justifications for anything we desire. Through social media, it is easy and convenient to lash out at others in ways most would not do in person years ago, and because of the current political climate driven by the media and much misinformation, many are now fueled by money, rage, hurt, and misunderstandings to begin attacks in person. After taking actions on beliefs, many look for others to agree with the decisions, no matter what they are, then get offended and angry when others dare to disagree. Are people truly looking to understand the viewpoint of the “opposing” thoughts from the person they are speaking to? Many times, no. The art of dialogue is fast diminishing from our culture. At this point, many people just want to be understood and agreed with. Much of the time all this “conversation” is spoken through written forms of communication that I spoke of earlier. No one can hear the tones of the other person and we cannot see or experience compassion or understanding that may be in the heart or eyes of those involved. I’ve been the victim of this type of communication attack and I’ve seen it happen to others. Even when you desire to speak to someone in person, if they choose not to, any hope of resolution fades. So, how do we expect communication to improve? It can’t and won’t, unless we decide to bring back old-fashioned heart to hearts and the ability to respect the opinion of another without taking it personally. Even among those who profess to be believers. What can we do to restore the art of communication? Shift our hearts to abide in the words and thoughts of our Heavenly Father. When we come to know God in an intimate way through Jesus, we are radically changed. Becoming a Christian is not the end, however. It is actually when the work begins. Until we release and commit ourselves to Jesus, we are only spouting personal beliefs and opinions. Once we abide in Christ, we begin a lifetime journey of allowing Him to transform our heart and mind to reflect and shine His thoughts and actions. A personal relationship with Jesus causes us to say and do things that we typically would not think of and would not have the ability to complete in our own free will. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Have you seen much grace on social media? Most people have deep-seated beliefs and do not desire to be persuaded to change. For example, I know no one is going to change my beliefs. They are rooted in what I believe God would have them to be. No one will shift that foundation, except Him, as I mature daily. Still, I respect that others have differing views. I respect that they also have a right to believe what they desire. I’m interested in why they believe as they do, because I like to hear their life story. Quite often, it shows me where there heart is and also exposes new ways I need to move mine more in alignment with Jesus. My desire is that we all have hearts in sync with where He would have us to be, but God gives free will to each of us. People who are seeking to abide in Him and grow daily will come into new viewpoints as they mature. Those who reject Christ will allow a greater chasm to divide them from godly viewpoints and actions. Instead of judgement, we must pray for godly discernment to lead us and form our reactions to others. If the person we are interacting with is not in the place to react in the same manner, we can shake the dust from our feet and nicely move on. God does not expect us to allow attacks to torment us. Remember to pray for the person or people and let God deal with them. The only way to do that is to know Jesus because we are involved in a personal and maturing walk with Him. When we are rooted in and through Him, and we spend time in His word regularly, also studying and applying the wisdom God extends to us through it, we are transformed. Our thoughts become His. His thoughts drive our actions, and then we can better discern what is good and acceptable to Him. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” I am deeply saddened by the viewpoints and arguments I have seen on social media in the last several months. I am weary. I am grieving what I thought I knew about others. Although it sounds as if I am judging others. I assure you, I know my own heart. Judgement is not my job. Only God can judge. My Heavenly Father does, however, allow me the ability through knowing Him and intentionally growing in Him daily, to use discernment. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” I have so much to learn to ever be the person I know the Lord created me to be, but I have matured much in Him and I can recognize when things grieve His heart, because they now grieve mine, as well. What I am wholly interested in is whether my beliefs and actions are in alignment with scripture. If you truly follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I pray that you believe the same for yourself. Hebrews 5:12-14 says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” What does this passage mean? Believers and followers of Jesus should be actively seeking to know Him, and be transformed to resemble Him. The word Christian means “little Christ.” How we let Him down daily. We are so far from where He desires us to be, yet loves us where we are. We have lost that ability in our society. We must look to the example of Jesus to love others where they are, yet not condone their sin. Just as we cannot make excuses for the sin we carry, but seek to be transformed and moved out of the sin through Jesus. I believe the difficulties arise because we are imperfect humans and even in the best of our attempts, we have room for error and those we interact with who do not know Jesus intimately through a personal relationship, simply do not understand our attempts and mistake them as judgement. We must continue to look Up and seek truth and direction from the Lord and allow Him to flow His responses into and out of us. When we do not advance in our maturity as we should, however, we are not able to advance to solid food, but remain ingesting milk, as a baby. If we never progress beyond an elementary relationship with Jesus, how can we discern what He desires? How are we to expect to understand and view the world as He does? How are our opinions and judgements to be trusted? Through our deep and purposeful progression of our personal relationship with Jesus, we gain skill in applying His principles to all areas of life. What a stark difference they are from what we would exercise on our own. My own life included. 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.” Our thoughts affect our beliefs, which fuel our actions. As we have seen by the looting and other examples of crime and misconduct this year. Or with the anger, animosity, and fabrications exhibited on social media. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” The more time we spend with Jesus, we begin to shine in the same way that He does. We begin to emit the scent of our Lord, either attracting others to Him or repelling, depending on where their relationship and loyalties stand. As believers, it should be our goal to know Jesus, to recognize and understand God’s word, to carry the same mindset as Jesus so that we cannot help but shine Him in our thoughts, words, and actions. In our attitude and conversations. Those in our presence should have no question that we carry the wisdom of God in our daily life. We do not want to attract others to ourselves, but to the Lord, so that they will also rest in His peace, abide in His love, and shine His wisdom and grace for others. So that they will follow Him and His desires and commands. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Doesn’t this make you want to shout, “Hallelujah!” Consider this passage from Exodus 34:29, which says, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.” This verse is so beautiful it brings me to tears. The experience Moses had with God transformed him. He came away shining the light of our Heavenly Father. How can we look like Moses, with face and life aglow from the living God shining upon our appearance and heart? 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” One day each of us will stand in front of God. Our Heavenly Father sees what we do and desires to guide us in the ways that are pure. He deeply loves each one of us. Galatians 6:7 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” We reap what we sow. Oh, how I have learned this the hard way at various points in my life. Have you? God’s word always proves true. The decisions we make must be in alignment with God. There is only one way to know if they are. Each day must bring us closer to Him. We intimately recognize the One we are close to. We must value the things God values in this life. We must make decisions based on God’s guidance and wisdom, always going back to His word. We must be humble enough to seek Him and follow Him, humbly bowing to His whispers and commands, and seeking forgiveness when we sin. Sometimes the hardest sins are the ones we never knew we were making because we lived in ignorance instead of pursuing God as we should have. God is always waiting to forgive us when we repent, and His mercies and grace are ever-lasting. How do we move on with the gift of communication, especially through electronic form? We must remember that adversity should not rip us apart. Hardships and miscommunication should push us closer to Jesus and cause us to rest securely in His arms as He carries and provides for us. What if we, as a group believers (and individuals) decide to use adversity, even that experienced through communication, in new ways in our personal life and through social media? 1. Decide that difficulties will be used to progress the gospel. Not that we need to share every personal piece of our life, but use the attitude with which we deal with life and hardships, the disagreements we may feel because of differing opinions, to fuel us to focus on how Jesus would have us prove He is within us. Our attitude and words to others show whether we allow Him to work within us. We don’t have to keep talking to try to persuade someone else to understand our viewpoint. We need to remember that people do not and will not ever agree on every point, at least not this side of heaven. 2. Decide to use adversity to purify our motives. When we feel pain or hurt from what someone says to us in person or on social media, we can choose to release it to God or lash out as if we don’t know Christ. What if we decide to allow others their opinion and stop always trying to get others to understand us or agree with us? There is nothing wrong with respectfully expressing our opinions, especially when they are in alignment with Jesus, but none of us will ever receive agreement from all people, including other believers because we are all in different phases of our Christian walk. In fact, often the closer we get to Jesus, the more opposition we will receive from some people, just as Jesus experienced. 3. Decide that difficulties provide opportunities to witness. Especially through the way we handle opposition. People notice our responses more when times are tough. Dealing with difficulties also thrusts us deeper into the arms of God, when we let them. Testimonies are birthed or grown from these times. 4. Decide to allow adversity to mature our faith and reliance on Jesus. We may feel hurt and misunderstood by others, and our opinion or belief may be correct, (yet are being persecuted unfairly), but we can rest assured that Jesus understands us like no one else ever will. He was scorned and hated, misunderstood and ridiculed. He is available to comfort and guide us. 5. Decide that trouble proves the character of our friendships. Difficulties can deepen friendships or destroy them, depending on where and how hearts are directed. Sometimes we need our eyes opened that a person is not the right choice in our life any longer. Other times, we develop stronger ties with friends or relatives through the trials. 6. Decide that complications and obstacles allow us to see life and eternity through God’s eyes. Each day should thrust us closer to viewing life moments as God sees them. We will never have the complete understanding God carries in His infinite wisdom. He is God! We know, however, that everything we do has eternal consequences. Our actions and words should drive us to desire that others would know Him and be influenced through what they see in us. We will not be perfect, but can be perfected as we mature our relationship with Jesus with our eternal mindset daily. God can change our thoughts, words, and actions in a holy, miraculous, and beautiful way. Father God, we need you more than we can conceive. Thank you for Your infinite wisdom and for allowing us this life to know and grow in You. Thank you for the opportunity to know you and be saved through Your astounding gift of Jesus. May we cling to You more and more each moment and truly live in ways that reflect You and attract others to You. Help us to navigate the rocky times our country is traveling, and not be dismayed by this temporary world. Enable us to communicate in ways that honor You. May our journey please You as we move more and more into alignment with Your purposes for us, especially in our thoughts, words, and actions. In Your mighty and loving name we pray. Amen. 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 043 The Art of Conversation Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #043 – The Art of Conversation 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. Conversation. That’s my topic today. More specifically, dialogue. The ability to communicate with others, giving us the means to exchange ideas or opinions. I enjoy talking to others; I love especially hearing their life stories. Do you? I believe many of us have more in common with one another than we think or imagine we do. Yet, I don’t feel that is reflected in the way we respond to, or act toward, others in our society today. What disappoints me most is when we don’t search for connection or look to see commonalities in those we meet. Most often, those special similarities are hidden beneath the surface like jewels under the rough sand still polishing them. When our youngest came home from China, she had spent most of her life in isolation, did not know English, knew little Mandarin because she had not been spoken to most of her life, and due to neglect, was almost entirely deaf. We had a focused road ahead of us to teach her to socialize, yet as each day passed and our relationship with her deepened and blossomed, we knew she was a perfect fit that completed our family. We each have a past, a chronicle of events that shape and define how we view and interact with the world. Stories define us – our personal tales of hardships, trials, heartache, joy, pain, loss, and love. The most impactful way to recognize or respect the narrative of another is through true, authentic dialogue. Unfortunately, the culture and society of this time leaves conversation to quickly-jotted texts and emails or small blurbs on a social media screen that most often feel and sound like attacks. When I meet someone, I usually wish for the opportunity to sit and talk to them for an extended period, sharing life tales and honestly connecting. Have most of us lost the desire to slow down and connect, to see another human for who they are? I don’t care about what society tells me I need or should be. I honestly get confused when I hear people say they want others to be themselves. I guess that is because I am who I am and I don’t expect fakeness from others. But in reality, I can understand that when we don’t have a grounded relationship with the One who shapes our identity, we do not know who we are, so falseness prevails as we flounder in finding, and in vulnerably, as well as honestly, exposing ourselves. The fast-paced, false society we live in has stolen the gift of discussion, and we have not yet conceived the full damage. Our children do not have the opportunity to experience life and relationships the way we did growing up. As adults, are we making time to teach them how to form authentic relationships? We must be making time to mentor our children through the way we develop those true relations ourselves. If we examine deeper, we see that what has most hurt our society, culture, and relationships is the condition of our hearts. As we move farther away from Jesus, the selfishness of our soul is exposed. Arrogance is born from this self-absorption, we become easily deceived, and we begin making justifications for anything we desire. Through social media, it is easy and convenient to lash out at others in ways most would not do in person years ago, and because of the current political climate driven by the media and much misinformation, many are now fueled by money, rage, hurt, and misunderstandings to begin attacks in person. After taking actions on beliefs, many look for others to agree with the decisions, no matter what they are, then get offended and angry when others dare to disagree. Are people truly looking to understand the viewpoint of the “opposing” thoughts from the person they are speaking to? Many times, no. The art of dialogue is fast diminishing from our culture. At this point, many people just want to be understood and agreed with. Much of the time all this “conversation” is spoken through written forms of communication that I spoke of earlier. No one can hear the tones of the other person and we cannot see or experience compassion or understanding that may be in the heart or eyes of those involved. I’ve been the victim of this type of communication attack and I’ve seen it happen to others. Even when you desire to speak to someone in person, if they choose not to, any hope of resolution fades. So, how do we expect communication to improve? It can’t and won’t, unless we decide to bring back old-fashioned heart to hearts and the ability to respect the opinion of another without taking it personally. Even among those who profess to be believers. What can we do to restore the art of communication? Shift our hearts to abide in the words and thoughts of our Heavenly Father. When we come to know God in an intimate way through Jesus, we are radically changed. Becoming a Christian is not the end, however. It is actually when the work begins. Until we release and commit ourselves to Jesus, we are only spouting personal beliefs and opinions. Once we abide in Christ, we begin a lifetime journey of allowing Him to transform our heart and mind to reflect and shine His thoughts and actions. A personal relationship with Jesus causes us to say and do things that we typically would not think of and would not have the ability to complete in our own free will. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Have you seen much grace on social media? Most people have deep-seated beliefs and do not desire to be persuaded to change. For example, I know no one is going to change my beliefs. They are rooted in what I believe God would have them to be. No one will shift that foundation, except Him, as I mature daily. Still, I respect that others have differing views. I respect that they also have a right to believe what they desire. I’m interested in why they believe as they do, because I like to hear their life story. Quite often, it shows me where there heart is and also exposes new ways I need to move mine more in alignment with Jesus. My desire is that we all have hearts in sync with where He would have us to be, but God gives free will to each of us. People who are seeking to abide in Him and grow daily will come into new viewpoints as they mature. Those who reject Christ will allow a greater chasm to divide them from godly viewpoints and actions. Instead of judgement, we must pray for godly discernment to lead us and form our reactions to others. If the person we are interacting with is not in the place to react in the same manner, we can shake the dust from our feet and nicely move on. God does not expect us to allow attacks to torment us. Remember to pray for the person or people and let God deal with them. The only way to do that is to know Jesus because we are involved in a personal and maturing walk with Him. When we are rooted in and through Him, and we spend time in His word regularly, also studying and applying the wisdom God extends to us through it, we are transformed. Our thoughts become His. His thoughts drive our actions, and then we can better discern what is good and acceptable to Him. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” I am deeply saddened by the viewpoints and arguments I have seen on social media in the last several months. I am weary. I am grieving what I thought I knew about others. Although it sounds as if I am judging others. I assure you, I know my own heart. Judgement is not my job. Only God can judge. My Heavenly Father does, however, allow me the ability through knowing Him and intentionally growing in Him daily, to use discernment. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” I have so much to learn to ever be the person I know the Lord created me to be, but I have matured much in Him and I can recognize when things grieve His heart, because they now grieve mine, as well. What I am wholly interested in is whether my beliefs and actions are in alignment with scripture. If you truly follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I pray that you believe the same for yourself. Hebrews 5:12-14 says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” What does this passage mean? Believers and followers of Jesus should be actively seeking to know Him, and be transformed to resemble Him. The word Christian means “little Christ.” How we let Him down daily. We are so far from where He desires us to be, yet loves us where we are. We have lost that ability in our society. We must look to the example of Jesus to love others where they are, yet not condone their sin. Just as we cannot make excuses for the sin we carry, but seek to be transformed and moved out of the sin through Jesus. I believe the difficulties arise because we are imperfect humans and even in the best of our attempts, we have room for error and those we interact with who do not know Jesus intimately through a personal relationship, simply do not understand our attempts and mistake them as judgement. We must continue to look Up and seek truth and direction from the Lord and allow Him to flow His responses into and out of us. When we do not advance in our maturity as we should, however, we are not able to advance to solid food, but remain ingesting milk, as a baby. If we never progress beyond an elementary relationship with Jesus, how can we discern what He desires? How are we to expect to understand and view the world as He does? How are our opinions and judgements to be trusted? Through our deep and purposeful progression of our personal relationship with Jesus, we gain skill in applying His principles to all areas of life. What a stark difference they are from what we would exercise on our own. My own life included. 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.” Our thoughts affect our beliefs, which fuel our actions. As we have seen by the looting and other examples of crime and misconduct this year. Or with the anger, animosity, and fabrications exhibited on social media. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” The more time we spend with Jesus, we begin to shine in the same way that He does. We begin to emit the scent of our Lord, either attracting others to Him or repelling, depending on where their relationship and loyalties stand. As believers, it should be our goal to know Jesus, to recognize and understand God’s word, to carry the same mindset as Jesus so that we cannot help but shine Him in our thoughts, words, and actions. In our attitude and conversations. Those in our presence should have no question that we carry the wisdom of God in our daily life. We do not want to attract others to ourselves, but to the Lord, so that they will also rest in His peace, abide in His love, and shine His wisdom and grace for others. So that they will follow Him and His desires and commands. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Doesn’t this make you want to shout, “Hallelujah!” Consider this passage from Exodus 34:29, which says, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.” This verse is so beautiful it brings me to tears. The experience Moses had with God transformed him. He came away shining the light of our Heavenly Father. How can we look like Moses, with face and life aglow from the living God shining upon our appearance and heart? 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” One day each of us will stand in front of God. Our Heavenly Father sees what we do and desires to guide us in the ways that are pure. He deeply loves each one of us. Galatians 6:7 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” We reap what we sow. Oh, how I have learned this the hard way at various points in my life. Have you? God’s word always proves true. The decisions we make must be in alignment with God. There is only one way to know if they are. Each day must bring us closer to Him. We intimately recognize the One we are close to. We must value the things God values in this life. We must make decisions based on God’s guidance and wisdom, always going back to His word. We must be humble enough to seek Him and follow Him, humbly bowing to His whispers and commands, and seeking forgiveness when we sin. Sometimes the hardest sins are the ones we never knew we were making because we lived in ignorance instead of pursuing God as we should have. God is always waiting to forgive us when we repent, and His mercies and grace are ever-lasting. How do we move on with the gift of communication, especially through electronic form? We must remember that adversity should not rip us apart. Hardships and miscommunication should push us closer to Jesus and cause us to rest securely in His arms as He carries and provides for us. What if we, as a group believers (and individuals) decide to use adversity, even that experienced through communication, in new ways in our personal life and through social media? 1. Decide that difficulties will be used to progress the gospel. Not that we need to share every personal piece of our life, but use the attitude with which we deal with life and hardships, the disagreements we may feel because of differing opinions, to fuel us to focus on how Jesus would have us prove He is within us. Our attitude and words to others show whether we allow Him to work within us. We don’t have to keep talking to try to persuade someone else to understand our viewpoint. We need to remember that people do not and will not ever agree on every point, at least not this side of heaven. 2. Decide to use adversity to purify our motives. When we feel pain or hurt from what someone says to us in person or on social media, we can choose to release it to God or lash out as if we don’t know Christ. What if we decide to allow others their opinion and stop always trying to get others to understand us or agree with us? There is nothing wrong with respectfully expressing our opinions, especially when they are in alignment with Jesus, but none of us will ever receive agreement from all people, including other believers because we are all in different phases of our Christian walk. In fact, often the closer we get to Jesus, the more opposition we will receive from some people, just as Jesus experienced. 3. Decide that difficulties provide opportunities to witness. Especially through the way we handle opposition. People notice our responses more when times are tough. Dealing with difficulties also thrusts us deeper into the arms of God, when we let them. Testimonies are birthed or grown from these times. 4. Decide to allow adversity to mature our faith and reliance on Jesus. We may feel hurt and misunderstood by others, and our opinion or belief may be correct, (yet are being persecuted unfairly), but we can rest assured that Jesus understands us like no one else ever will. He was scorned and hated, misunderstood and ridiculed. He is available to comfort and guide us. 5. Decide that trouble proves the character of our friendships. Difficulties can deepen friendships or destroy them, depending on where and how hearts are directed. Sometimes we need our eyes opened that a person is not the right choice in our life any longer. Other times, we develop stronger ties with friends or relatives through the trials. 6. Decide that complications and obstacles allow us to see life and eternity through God’s eyes. Each day should thrust us closer to viewing life moments as God sees them. We will never have the complete understanding God carries in His infinite wisdom. He is God! We know, however, that everything we do has eternal consequences. Our actions and words should drive us to desire that others would know Him and be influenced through what they see in us. We will not be perfect, but can be perfected as we mature our relationship with Jesus with our eternal mindset daily. God can change our thoughts, words, and actions in a holy, miraculous, and beautiful way. Father God, we need you more than we can conceive. Thank you for Your infinite wisdom and for allowing us this life to know and grow in You. Thank you for the opportunity to know you and be saved through Your astounding gift of Jesus. May we cling to You more and more each moment and truly live in ways that reflect You and attract others to You. Help us to navigate the rocky times our country is traveling, and not be dismayed by this temporary world. Enable us to communicate in ways that honor You. May our journey please You as we move more and more into alignment with Your purposes for us, especially in our thoughts, words, and actions. In Your mighty and loving name we pray. Amen. 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.

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 030 - How to Teach Your Child to Listen for God Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #030 – How to Teach Your Child to Listen for God 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. Listening for the voice and direction of God has become one of my favorite aspects of living the Christian life. I adore how intimately God speaks to His children. Scripture makes that evident, but so does a life of obediently following Christ. As we experience what the Word says through deepening our walk and communication with the Lord, we will hear Him more completely and clearly. It's very interesting to me to hear how the voice of our Heavenly Father reaches each individual person. One of the best ways believers can be certain that we have heard direction from God is by experiencing the peace that passes understanding. I believe God’s peace can be the foundational connection that erases uncertainty as to whether a person has clearly heard instruction from God. Let’s examine peace first. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus .” Three facts to remember about peace are: 1. Peace is not built upon or affected by circumstances. 2. Peace is based upon God’s promises and truths. 3. Peace isn’t an emotion – it is a miraculous benefit promised by God How do we set ourselves up to experience this supernatural peace that passes our human understanding? 1. By studying , not just reading Scripture 2. Open, honest communication with God through prayer 3. Utilizing God’s Word and maturing our desires to reflect His 4. Deepening our faith through relationship with Christ 5. Claiming the truth and inerrancy of God’s Word and promises Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You .” Before we can teach our children to listen for and recognize the voice of God, we must purposely deepen our own walk with Christ. As we reflect and experience a godly lifestyle and communication with the Lord, we can confidently mentor the way to hear the Father. We’ve already discussed how one of the precious gifts of following Christ is the underlying peace God provides. Although believers are blessed with an ability to abide in perfect peace as we trust in and follow God, we can also experience moments where we feel extra close to Him. My deepest peace is often felt early in the morning when I awaken. My soul cries to begin the day with God and it helps me to get out of bed early when I think of spending private time together. Sometimes in the middle of the night I will awaken and feel a great peace, knowing my God is watching over me and I will spend sweet time with Him in a few hours. We want our children to know and trust that God is always present, but to anticipate special moments with Him. His peace can abide within them at all times, but they can also cherish intimate and personal moments with Him as they develop and mature their walk together. When we have walked with God longer, it’s logical to feel closer than at the beginning of our faith journey. Our children are beginning a relationship and are getting to know their Heavenly Father and trust Jesus as Savior. Because of that, they may experience moments where they don’t feel the presence of God at all. This can even happen to believers after they have spent years walking with Christ. In fact, many people, depending on what they are experiencing in life have had moments where they did not feel closeness to God or His peace. Because we trust God’s inerrant Word, we know that we are the ones who move away from God, not the other way around. We should also remember that just because we “feel” a certain way, it doesn’t mean it is true. That is why the steps I mentioned earlier are so important for us to master. This enables us to teach our children the truths of God in order to equip them to feel the peace and hear the voice of God. As we parent and encourage our children in their walk with Christ, we have the privilege of helping them grow to live with an underlying sense of constant peace based on faith, trust, and truth. Until then, we can help them decipher when they feel an underlying peace versus uncertainty or indecision . Discovering how to pay attention to the difference is one of the ways they will learn to listen to and for God. Remember, trials and tragedies will always be a part of this broken world, but they do not have to be the dictator of our emotions, thoughts, feelings, or reactions. God truly can provide a healing and protection that fills us with peace despite what we can tend to feel or think. In order to teach our children how to look for the peace that surpasses understanding, we must know how to find and carry it deep within our soul. We must trust the Scriptures over emotions, thoughts, or feelings that can shift like the wind. As parents build personal trust and faith, we are better equipped to guide our children to build a strong lifeline of trust, faith, and hope in Christ. Without God’s peace, we tend to listen to the world or self instead of His still, calm voice. As believers build our hope and trust in the Lord we are able to direct our children to understand and remember certain truths about the character of God that enable them to hear His voice despite seasons or circumstances they may be facing in life . Let’s hear 8 truths that will help our children live with a peace that enables them to hear God speak:. 1. God desires relationship 2. God desires intimate, personal communication 3. God desires faith 4. God desires obedience 5. God desires affection – He wants to be sought - and He wants to be found 6. God desires genuine hearts 7. God desires us to remember that His voice may come in different forms to each person, but will always be in perfect alignment with Scripture 8. God desires us to listen As we teach our children about the peace of God, we must also teach them the ways God speaks. But there is one important step before they will hear the voice of God – relationship with Christ. Before coming to know Christ as their personal Savior, our children won’t recognize God’s voice. How could they if they do not know Him? A parent must prepare the heart and mind of their children to see Jesus at work in them and to desire Him in their life . By mentoring a godly relationship , cultivating a godly home , and always bringing the glory and recognition to Jesus , our children begin to understand who He is and why He is important. When our words, actions, and reactions are pleasing to God and the décor in our home, our clothing, our words, attitude, tone, and activities match the character of God, our children see and seek Him. Teach your children the ways God is transforming you, helping you, and carrying you. Help your children see the ways He is at work in their life as well. Pray specific prayers that are in alignment with God’s Word so that your children recognize you repeating Scripture and relying on God. If they believe all you do is self-focused or generated, they will never see the need for relationship with Christ. Teach your children that: 1. God speaks through Scripture – let them see you with your Bible. If possible, have a chair or special place you can sit with your Bible and a notebook for writing Scripture, studying God’s Word, and praying. Let them hear you pray for others and for them, your spouse, and yourself. Teach them to rely on God as easily as drawing their next breath. Help your children experience God’s Word with an age appropriate Bible. Remember that your children will need new Bibles purchased as they mature. This is a necessary expense. To gift them in this way is a beautiful and wise investment in eternity. 2. God speaks through Prayer – Just as we’ve already discussed in this episode, it is a privilege to pray for your children. Pray with them daily, for them daily, and encourage your children to speak to God on their own time and ask them to pray for you. 3. God speaks through the Holy Spirit – When your children come to know Christ as Savior, teach them to listen for indications that God is speaking to them. The Holy Spirit inside will speak through Scripture, people, church messages or programs, and feelings. Although feelings and emotions are not something to rely on, we can trust feelings that are within God’s character and in alignment with Scripture. God chooses to speak in multiple ways and we must teach our children to be sensitive to how God directs them. Teach them to remember that God’s peace always accompanies His presence. 4. God speaks through Others – Surround yourself and your children with trusted and godly mentors and friends. Let them experience a Christian lifestyle that extends beyond your family. 5. God speaks through Nature – God intended us to enjoy and know His beautiful creations. Have you ever gone outside for a walk and felt the peace of God as you inhale fresh air, feel the sunshine, or simply relax? Being outdoors enjoying nature allows us to relax in ways not experienced indoors. Cultivate the talents of observation, drawing, singing, dancing, exercising, or whatever fits the unique characteristics of you and your children and experience them outdoors. Relaxing in God’s intended surroundings allows a new way to hear Him speak. 6. God speaks in the Morning – Scripture taught that Jesus sought God early in the morning. I never understood why that was important until I began doing the same consistently. There is a special communication when you seek the Lord early, intentionally, and consistently. As you place Him first, you hear His voice more clearly. Faith is grown by deepening our walk with Christ. The closer we grow to God, the nearer He draws to us. This truth is the same for your children. As our faith grows and our walk with Christ matures, we are able to hear His voice and mentor the way for our children to do the same. Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word speaks truth. We thank You for Your Son and for Your perfect peace and protection. We thank You for Your constant care and guidance. Help us to draw nearer to You daily and show our children how to do the same. Teach us to cast our own cares on You so You will sustain and mature us so that we will mentor You to our children in ways that please and honor you and draw our children ever nearer to You day by day. Let them never be shaken and help them to always look to Your perfect wisdom and instruction. Help them clearly hear Your righteous voice and obey You as they rest in Your peace that passes understanding. Help us to mentor the way to You and clearly teach the way for them to hear You speak to their heart and mind. May our relationship with You draw them nearer to You and 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. 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

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 132 - What My Teen Taught Me About Raising Kids Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 132 – What My Teen Taught Me About Raising 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, a slightly edited version of a previous episode #37 – Life Lessons From My Teen. When I spoke at our church last weekend regarding parenting and building strong, godly identity in our children, my daughter was asked what she believes helped her grow into a godly young woman. It reminded me of the time she graduated from high school, and we were sharing a walk in the neighborhood. On that day I spontaneously asked her to share 3 things she thought I did well while raising her. It turns out that two years later, she still offers the same answers. Would you like to hear what she said? The top 3 things my daughter believes helped shape the morals she holds as a young adult were: 1. Church/Service – Because she was raised going to church out of reverence and love for God, and we were very active in many activities and committees as she was growing up, my daughter believes it taught her to make God a priority and that serving in the areas He calls you to at church is an act of love and obedience. Every committee meeting I could bring my daughter to, I made sure she was present. Sometimes my husband took her to his. My daughter helped set up for events, she danced at meetings and programs, and she helped make decorations. When I prepared materials for VBS, she helped. When I had to clean up after VBS, she helped. When we opened our home several times to house out of town college students, she was part of the conversations we had. Everything she could take part in, we allowed. Now she is a four-time Presidential Gold Service Award winner and has hours logged in other years that she never submitted for awards. Serving is natural for her and now, as an adult Christian she knows that she is serving for Him above all. 2. Awareness – Because we taught her to be selective and careful about what clothing she wore and what types of music she listened to, my daughter believes she learned a foundational understanding of being conscious of how she presents herself and what she allows to reside in her mind. She believes that how she learned to manage what she allowed into her mind taught her to carefully consider what she listens to or watches. For example, we taught her not to wear a bikini out in public as we did not want her to desire wearing scanty clothing when she was a tween or teen. We didn’t allow short shorts or shorts and sweats with writing on the bottom. Looking forward to the future with present decisions made a huge difference in what she came to desire as she matured. 3. Respect – Because my daughter feels that my husband and I respected the gifts and talents God placed within her, and that we helped and encouraged her to find and pursue them, she feels very blessed for our support. My daughter believes that when parents truly respect the child as a whole and unique person created by God, it makes it much easier to find the passions He crafted within and allows a stronger parent/child relationship. She felt that we actually paid attention to who she is and not what we wanted her to be or become. I was blessed so much by hearing her answers. I want to state that I didn’t know what she would say and truly, her answers surprised me. They weren’t the answers I thought she would give, but I’m so thankful for the ways God spoke to us while raising her. I thankful for the tiny acts that we made consistently over the years. They paid off for her and us in the best ways now that our daughter is facing young adult years. Please mothers, use what I shared to remember that what you do matters ! Continue to seek God’s Word and use it in practical, godly ways. Proverbs 4:5 says, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them .” Ask God for the wisdom to raise your children wisely. Ask Him to lead you in raising godly children who know and honor Him. Ask Him to keep you consistent in pursuing and shining Him to your children and family. Making God a priority and remaining in Him over the years will teach your children that your faith is real because God is. If you’d like to hear more, I’ll be sure to let you know when it airs. Remember, I’m not sharing this with you because I think I’m the greatest mother. I share because anything that worked well came from God. I know anything I did well came from His wisdom. Mothers, continue looking Up and seek Him in all decisions. Although I fall short, He still lifts up what I offer and multiplies beyond my wildest dreams. He will absolutely do the same for you. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness to us is overwhelming. Your love is beyond what we can comprehend. How faithful You are. I thank you for all You are and do in our lives. Father, even when we absolutely do not deserve Your best, You still offer it. Thank you. Lord, please help me, help each of us to continue to seek You through Your Word, prayer, and service in all the ways You call and desire. Help us to hear You clearly because we seek You consistently. May we, and our children, please You more each day. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. If you have questions after this episode, please reach out to me at info@terrihitt.com . I’m happy to help you discover the ways you can raise your children to seek and honor the Lord. I also have a resource that you’ll find helpful as you navigate your daily routine as a mom. If you’re ready to become the godly mother 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. Hurry! This summer offer won’t last. 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

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 032 - Teach Your Children to Live in the Power of the Spirit Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #032 – Teach Your Children to Live in the Power of the Spirit 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. When I think back on my life before Christ, I remember things I did as a child or young adult that broke God’s heart. Even now, as a believer of over 40 years, I regret how I still cause God pain. So much more so before I became a believer, of course, but at that time I had no idea life could be different. When I think of how my life was before I knew Jesus, I also sometimes stop to think of the world before He lived on earth. Can you imagine living before Jesus came? Trying to learn and keep all of the laws would be so hard, and of course, impossible. Remembering to dress a particular way, not eat certain foods, sacrifice animals, and so on must have been so stressful. It’s another thing we can thank Jesus for. Through Christ, we are delivered from the law . Now we are able to serve Him with a new Spirit . You see, in the past, we bore fruit to death , but now we bear fruit to God . What does that mean? Because of Jesus, our relationship with the law is broken. We are free. Through faith in Jesus, we now submit to Him and are able to bear fruit for Him. Praises be to God that He gives us a way to Him through Jesus so we may repent, submit, and live with Him for eternity. Even better, we don’t have to wait until He brings us home. Through the Holy Spirit inside, we can experience life changes right now . Praise God for His mercy and lovingkindness toward us. Have you lived a perfect life? No. None of us have. Because of Christ, we can exist with new life through Jesus. It comes with an assurance that we are a new creation . Not only is our life renewed , but so are our minds and desires . If we choose to follow Him with humble repentance, we can also look to Him for transformation, guidance and provision. Isn’t this what you desire for yourself, but also for each of your children? As believers, we want nothing more than what 3 John 1:4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth .” What can we do to ensure that our children walk in the truth? Galatians 6:7-9 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up .” When believers sow to desires of the flesh instead of the Spirit inside, the sin we succumb to will always make us progressively worse in character if we continue to engage in it. This happens whether or not we are believers. Sowing to the Spirit means that we walk under or by the Holy Spirit. It means we walk in truth . We strive to please and submit to Him . There is no personal truth, as the world today likes to promote. Truth is truth and only comes from a holy and righteous God. By submitting to Christ, we gain everlasting life. This transformational truth and benefit is a by-product of the adoration and obedience we naturally offer our Lord as we honor Him. Through following God, we obtain a life that lasts forever, but we can also receive an excellent quality of life while we are on this earth. This transformed life is what our children witness . It is the life that will influence them more greatly than this world will. It is imperative that we allow the Holy Spirit to change us to be more Christlike daily as we seek and submit to Christ. That means we must intentionally pursue Him. He must be at the top of our agenda daily. Our children must see and experience what a joyful life transformed by and through Christ looks like so they will know and desire Jesus. As Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers .” Let us begin with our own home. Our precious God-given children. It is no accident or coincidence that you are entrusted with the children you have. Whether by birth or adoption, God has blessed you with the privilege of influencing them for Him. Instead of viewing specific moments in which to try to influence our children (or others) for Jesus, we must understand that our entire life is an opportunity to make Him known. The consistency by which we obey and honor Him with joy, allowing His nature to be the directing force of our actions, reactions, words, and desires directly affects those we live with and come into contact with each day. It is the lifestyle we adhere to, and it becomes what is advertised and advanced for others to emulate as they come to view Jesus as they see Him appear through us . Ephesians 5:15-20 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .” Viewing life moments (hard and easy) with a perspective beyond this world enables us to remember that life is not about us. Life in this world is about maturing in Christ and if you are a parent, teaching your children to seek God through everything that occurs. During experiences of daily life, we should ask these questions: What lessons can be learned? What truths are being exposed? What mindset shift must happen? How can I ensure this draws me nearer to Christ? How can I be obedient to God through this? How can I influence my children for Christ through this? Teaching your child these truths and questions from a young age enables them to begin seeing this world with a vision more like Christ’s. They begin to understand that they are being raised to be set-apart for service to Christ . Not as a method of bondage, but freedom . If you are new to the podcast, you may not have heard a story I shared about my youngest that illustrates what I mean when I say to train your children to view this world with eyes, heart, and mind focused on eternity. When my youngest had been home with us for a couple of years, she was looking through my jewelry box one day. As I shared stories of the pieces, she picked up a star sapphire ring. “It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed. I told her that the ring was a present from her daddy the first year we were dating. “Come here,” I told her. As I waved my hand for her to follow me, I took the ring to stand under light. “Look. The ring is pretty on its own, but now under light, you can see a beautiful white star.” As she oohed and aahed over the star I continued, “It’s like our life. We can choose to stand in the light of Jesus and allow Him to be reflected in what we do and in who we are.” She gazed at me intently with the ring shining on her finger. “Or we can choose not to shine Him in our actions and the way we live.” As we choose to take each moment in life captive just as we are instructed to take our thoughts captive, we live with eternal perspective. This viewpoint of life will transform our relationship with Christ and our children. It becomes the foundation they will build to choose whether to accept Christ as their Savior and live in ways that honor and please Him. Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 .” As they see Christ living through you, your children will allow Him to live through them . Children accept the gospel with innocent confidence and clarity of heart. Instructing them in the Lord from a young age allows them to begin allowing Christ to be their guide and foundation before they have even accepted Him as Savior. Helping them to seek Jesus through trials, tragedies, triumphs, and success all set their heart and mind, as well as their spirit, to be more in alignment with His. Mentoring your child in this way allows your child to live with less stress, fears, anxieties, and also sets them up with an important confidence built through the Lord and not on self. Colossians 3:1-2 says, “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things .” Setting a goal for your child to live with this eternal perspective means that you are also living with a perspective set on eternity, rather than this world. As you grow in your walk with Christ and view every opportunity life brings you as one that enables you to mature in Him, you will also set this high goal for your parenting . Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of Your perfect Word. In Your infinite love and guidance You left us everything we need through Jesus, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit alive inside believers. Guard us, Father, so that we do not sow to please our spirit, but to honor and follow Yours. Help us never to grow weary of doing good, simply because we deepen our love for You with great intention daily. Thank you, Father for loving us and showing us the way to eternal life with You and great fruits of the Spirit now. May we long for You more each moment and allow our children to see what it means to truly follow You through our mentorship. Enable us to view this world and our life through your eternal mindset. Help us, Father. We need You so much more than we know. 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

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 068 - Are You Teaching Your Child to Fall Victim to Emotions Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 068 – Are You Teaching Your Child to Fall Victim to Emotions? Goodness! I remember when we brought our youngest daughter home from China, life was a whirlwind. So many beautiful and hard times intertwined. We had just lost my mother and at the time, I keep my gaze lifted to God, waiting for Him to carry me through each moment. Although everything went very well considering the pressures I had been under, and the history of my child, my youngest was in a situation where absolutely everything was new and scary. Think of how that would feel! She had no control over anything happening to her. So, of course she tried to take control when she could, and I tried to make sure she felt control when I could. Our girl tended to cry when things seemed overwhelming. Those tears or what we called, “meltdowns” usually weren’t too often, but when they came they were loud – and lasted a long time. One meltdown could last at least two hours. When emotions, thoughts, or feelings get too big and you don’t have the words or trust to describe what is happening, it’s easy to cry loud and long. Emotions can certainly overwhelm, as was the case for my youngest daughter. It doesn’t matter whether you’re young, old, or in between. Emotions are big at any age. For some children, however, emotions become so large and scary that it becomes easy to resort to undesirable behaviors. In fact, it’s not only children wo are affected by these behaviors. Many adults have learned to cope with emotions by hiding them behind actions that ward others off. Do you have any behaviors that your child is beginning to mirror? Your core beliefs as a woman and mother impact your thoughts, emotions, responses, and behavior. These are passed on to your children through your words, actions, and reactions. When your emotions produce bad habits, your child experiences a learned response that will most likely stick for life, unless you work to correct it within yourself now. As a believer, there should be a noticeable difference in the way you act. Your core beliefs, thoughts, emotions, responses, and behavior should be guided by a higher, holier measure. Your emotions shouldn’t be guarded by reactive or protective responses, but from a relationship with Jesus that believes and teaches truth from the ultimate Source. The best ways to teach your child not to live by emotions is by godly example . Consider yourself as I pose a few questions. In what ways do you help your child respond emotionally in godly ways? Are you modeling godly emotional responses? What steps are you taking to ensure your beliefs align with God’s truths so you will mentor emotions and actions correctly to your children? How often do you mentor the following lifestyle choices to your children? 1. Gratefulness/Thankfulness – Do you teach your child through words (such as prayers and conversations), attitude, and actions? Being thankful means carrying and exhibiting gratitude for the things we want or like and the things we don’t. 2. Thought Patterns – Do you teach your child that you choose to dwell on the positive, not negative aspects of life, situations, and problems – including people? 3. Emotions – Do you teach that it is good and natural for feelings to be expressed, but also mentor appropriate ways to do so? 4. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving – Do you look for ways to teach your child critical thinking skills when dealing with emotions? Do you help them identify emotions and problem solve to see what will best help them before overwhelm occurs? 5. Service – Do you serve with your child? There is always someone in a harder situation or with less of what we desire. Do you teach your child to find ways to be of service to them. 6. Victim Mentality – Have you taught your child that Jesus warned we would face tribulation? This world isn’t fair, but knowing that Jesus went before us and purposely told us what to expect, and also promised to carry us through the difficulties should set a strong mental foundation built on truth. Do you remind your child that Jesus is there to carry and console them? Do you point the way to God through trials? 7. Tantrums – Do you teach your child how to regulate emotions? They often don’t have words to express what they feel, think, fear, or believe. Do you help them work through issues or leave them to deal with emotions alone? 8. Reactions – Do you allow everything you think or feel to show on your face or in your reactions? Are you training your child to attract overwhelm by your habits or reactions? They see and hear every word and reaction. Without knowing it, they absorb and evaluate what you do, catalog your behavior in their memories, and eventually mirror your consistent, continued habits. Let what they learn from you lead them to Christ and you. When kids don’t have control over emotions, it may lead to school, friendship, and trust issues, illnesses, mental health problems, or self-harming behaviors. Children are sensitive. They react emotionally and physically to stress, fear, illness, confusion, and more. When this happens, instead of melting down with your child, look at the situation as an opportunity to help them (and yourself) form godly reactions and character. I’ve learned that as I help my children identify and express emotions, I learn right along with them. It allows us to move nearer to God and each other. Remember, acting out is a response to your child’s emotions. Teaching children how to respond in new ways takes time, just like it does for new habits to form for adults. However, working with your child to express feelings, emotions, and fears in these new ways will decrease the need for tantrums and tears or whatever behavior your child acquires. Instead of simply seeing the way your child responds as negative, view it as a time for godly instruction. Just as God patiently guides you, your child is literally crying out in various ways for your help. Don’t let your emotions or fears guide your response. Instead, let them be a godly guide that molds character instead of an impulsive reaction to silence noise and discomfort. Partner with your child to find beneficial ways of expressing thoughts and feelings. What are some of the ways you can best respond to your child during times of high emotions? 1. Look them in the eye 2. Kneel to their height 3. Maintain calm, no matter what you feel inside 4. Hold your child close or sit next to them 5. Speak softly 6. Validate what you are seeing. For example, “I see that you seem sad.” Or “It seems like you might feel lonely.” 7. Let them respond without interruption. 8. Listen without correcting when they relay feelings or thoughts. 9. Encourage them to try to identify what emotion they are feeling and when it started. What are the best methods to help with self-regulation? First, you have to remember that children may not know why they feel a certain way. Or they may not know how to label that feeling. One of the keys to self-regulation is to teach your child to replace how they feel with an emotion they know . Emotions will begin as a sensation in the body, while feelings originate from thoughts . An example might be when they begin to get a headache after certain events or they notice they are clenching their teeth at certain times or their muscles tighten just before they get mad. If you teach your child to feel a sensation begin, you can then instruct them on different options to reduce or prevent meltdowns or disruptive, inappropriate behavior. Teaching your child to approach the emotion they recognize with a new strategy empowers them with the ability to self-regulate before emotions overwhelm them. Remember, first, talk to your child about emotions. Ask them to discuss the emotion they’ve felt, then identity an approach that would work for them. For example, if your child finds that when they are in a room with a lot of noise it is difficult to think or it makes them feel abandoned, help them brainstorm about what will work for them before the feelings that trigger the meltdown arise. Perhaps they could come to you and take your hand to let you know they need to move to a quiet area. Finding a strategy that works for your child and family may take several attempts as they learn to assess and identify emotions and what triggers them. Be patient. Work with your unique child. There are many emotions and strategies that could be applied. Consider the age of your child, their experience, their background, the behavior you are trying to stop, and find what will work best. The strategies you choose may also be changed over time. Finally, teach your child to observe how they feel when emotions hit, then how they feel after applying the strategy to avoid overwhelm. Over time, they will be able to overcome overwhelm and may no longer need the strategies. Above all, as you teach your child to recognize emotions and apply approaches, teach them to pray . Teach them to talk to God, to ask for His wisdom and help. Help them realize that God is giving ideas as you both ask for guidance. Teach them that God knows their innermost thoughts and feelings, their emotions because He created them with a beautiful purpose. Let them know that God cares and will guide you to answers as you trust and follow Him. Let your child know you are praying for him, and pray for your child with them. Working together to curb the big emotions your child carries and to lay your own emotions in God’s capable hands is a journey of trust and faith you can walk together. Dear Heavenly Father, You are so good to us. We are thankful for Your grace, Your mercy, and Your love. We know You are a God of emotions, because we are created in Your image. You have so generously allowed us to experience emotions, but we need You to carry us through them. Sometimes they can feel so big or overwhelming and our children need us to mentor godly ways to express emotions so they will learn to do the same. Carry us, Father, when life doesn’t run smoothly and our children are overwhelmed. Draw nearer to us and keep us on Your path for godly homes and training that honors You and sets our children up for a lifetime pursuit of You with joy. Jesus said that with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. We know our families are in Your capable hands. Please help us release self and children to You. You tell us that those who wait for You shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Help us to have Your strength in life and the ability to help our children with an eternal viewpoint that parents for the future, not just the ease of today. We know that we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed because our hope and trust are in 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. 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 walk with other like-minded mothers 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? 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, iHeart Radio, and Spotify. Imagine the change we could see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they are 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 118 - How to Help Your Kids Develop Biblical Worldview Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 118 – How to Help Your Kids Develop Biblical Worldview 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 help your kids develop biblical worldview. 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, that wasn’t our story. 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 so we can be thankful for the time we have together now, and as we look forward to the future. As her mother, it is my divine privilege to love, protect her, and help her continue to move forward. One of the things I’ve noticed is that as time presses forward, she loses what little memories she has 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’s not necessarily the events that happened there that bother her the most. Instead, it’s what didn’t happen. As she continues to learn more about Jesus, read her Bible, study Bible notes, and share in biblical discussions, my youngest has revealed that she’s hurt by the fact that no one in China told her about Jesus. She had no knowledge or information about how to live in ways that offered her joy and hope. Developing a biblical worldview shapes identity and belief system . A strong biblical worldview becomes an unwavering internal compass to lead your actions and reactions. It is essential that Christian mothers train our kids to develop and carry a strong biblical worldview. A biblical worldview will be your child’s lens to viewing the world through God’s eyes and for living with His heart. Sadly, many mothers have not purposed time to prioritize mentorship for their children in this way. They themselves have yet to believe the life-changing effects that a walk with God through relationship with Jesus provides. We see evidence in our society daily. Surprisingly, even 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. Our ideals for life, how we view life, what we expect, and how we act and react, will stem from something. God should be our source of trust, integrity, cultural beliefs, and lead our desires, reactions, and words. Anything we face in life, whether it be 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, educators, friends, self, or political parties before God. What we must realize is that any cultural ideal we follow 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. Our children will pay the consequences. God’s word is absolute truth. We don’t need relative truth, which our world promotes. Anything apart from God’s truth 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 self to fleshly and sinful desires, as well as making ourselves easily manipulated by others who only look out for self. The ways in which you as a mother engage in culture affects and directs the heart and decisions of your children. How can you train them to carry biblical discernment needed as a follower of Christ? The answer begins with your life. What you believe and follow will most likely be what your child builds his life upon. God’s thoughts and truth must be important and sacred to you in order for them to be what governs and directs your children. Remember, a biblical worldview comes from knowing and living God’s word - from reading, studying, and applying God’s word to every situation. If you ingest God’s word, you’ll be sustained by His holy truths and principles. Then you’ll have the skills to build a strong foundation for your child. Wisdom, insight, and clarity come through walking with God, studying under Him, and allowing Him to mentor you. We develop relationship with God through His word, prayerful reflection, and conversation with Him. Transformation comes when you invite the work of the Holy Spirit to fill and reconstruct your thought processes and responses. Obedience occurs when you step out in faith and trust what you’ve learned. It comes from hearing the Holy Spirit within you as He instructs you on what to do. It deepens when you obey what you hear. If you believe God’s word, carry it as a sacred, guiding counselor within you, and invite the Holy Spirit God deposited within you to transform your life, you will affect the life of your child and lead her to Him. 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, mothers 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’re reading God’s word regularly (that is key) and that you are breaking it down so that you really understand it. Learn to apply it in all areas of your life. Don’t just get your reading completed for the day and move on without considering what you’ve 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 depend on it. 3. Stand 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 your 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, especially your relationship with your spouse and the way you parent. 4. Focus on God’s truths; don’t allow worldly influences, selfish desires, 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.” Christian mothers must purpose to know Jesus intimately and follow Him without distraction . Inhale Him so you will effortlessly exhale Him on your family. Our life in this world will showcase what we believe and desire. What we believe also details our life after death and for eternity. 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, but 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. Mentor Christ so clearly to your children that their vision is directed upwards toward eternity . 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 .” Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God of all creation, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for Your everlasting love and faithfulness to us. We know you have good plans for us, not to harm us, and are for the good of Your kingdom. Help us to live with constant gratitude and a heart that seeks You above all things. Let the way we seek and love You be made evident to the children You have entrusted to our care. May our work for You in their lives be pleasing to You and fruitful or them. 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. Help us to be found worthy of what You call for us. Give us a heart that cries for You and Your ways. May it be mimicked by our children. Allow us to sit at Your feet with our children 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. 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 ambitious women 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. If you need a little jumpstart, visit my website at terrihitt.com/resources. Scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the link for my free ebook, “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 #121 – Facets of Faith – Reading of Hebrews 11 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. This summer I am alternating podcast episodes with Scripture readings. We can never read enough Scripture. God has been impressing on me to read Hebrews 11 this week and I hope that you enjoy this reading from the NKJV Bible. Perhaps our next episode we will dig deeper into the passages you hear today. Hebrews 11 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” This chapter of Hebrews 11 delves into three aspects of faith: our mind, our emotions, and our will. Our faith is intertwined with our mind and emotions, and our intellectual understanding must lead to trust and action on what we hear. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 I hope you’ll join me next time as we delve into the meat of this chapter. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to choose Jesus and for the faith You grow as we draw nearer to You and ask for the gift of faith. We know that faith is pleasing to You and that the actions we take because of faith bring obedience to You. May our walk with You become deeper as we study Hebrews 11 and each passage of Scripture we read. Thank you for Your word, an intimate gift You freely offer every person with love. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, 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 Scripture, I suggest the following: Episodes 63-66 is my series on praying Scripture. Episode 107 is Scripture and Solitude, and Episode 117 is The Bible – Life, Hope, and Truth. You may find each of these on the terrihitt.com website. 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. 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? It is getting more difficult to keep from being shadow-banned on social media. Podcasts and social medias posts about Christian material simply do not get the same reach as secular topics. For instance, when I make a post on my Live With Eternal Perspective FB page, I am fortunate to receive 15 views. It is evident that FB is not allowing the posts to be viewed. I believe it is the subject matter because even the people who have signed up to see the page posts do not get to see what is posted. 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 and live with eyes set on eternity, would you please write a review and rate the podcast for me? I also want to ask if you 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 121 Facets of Faith Reading of Hebrews 11 Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #121 – Facets of Faith – Reading of Hebrews 11 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. This summer I am alternating podcast episodes with Scripture readings. We can never read enough Scripture. God has been impressing on me to read Hebrews 11 this week and I hope that you enjoy this reading from the NKJV Bible. Perhaps our next episode we will dig deeper into the passages you hear today. Hebrews 11 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” This chapter of Hebrews 11 delves into three aspects of faith: our mind, our emotions, and our will. Our faith is intertwined with our mind and emotions, and our intellectual understanding must lead to trust and action on what we hear. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 I hope you’ll join me next time as we delve into the meat of this chapter. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to choose Jesus and for the faith You grow as we draw nearer to You and ask for the gift of faith. We know that faith is pleasing to You and that the actions we take because of faith bring obedience to You. May our walk with You become deeper as we study Hebrews 11 and each passage of Scripture we read. Thank you for Your word, an intimate gift You freely offer every person with love. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, 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 Scripture, I suggest the following: Episodes 63-66 is my series on praying Scripture. Episode 107 is Scripture and Solitude, and Episode 117 is The Bible – Life, Hope, and Truth. You may find each of these on the terrihitt.com website. 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. 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? It is getting more difficult to keep from being shadow-banned on social media. Podcasts and social medias posts about Christian material simply do not get the same reach as secular topics. For instance, when I make a post on my Live With Eternal Perspective FB page, I am fortunate to receive 15 views. It is evident that FB is not allowing the posts to be viewed. I believe it is the subject matter because even the people who have signed up to see the page posts do not get to see what is posted. 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 and live with eyes set on eternity, would you please write a review and rate the podcast for me? I also want to ask if you 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 012 - Values in a World of Immorality Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #012 – Values in a World of Immorality 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. On the last “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast episode we discussed “Roots of Wisdom.” We read from one of the best sources of wisdom in the Bible, Proverbs. Today I’d like to share about another type of wisdom in our life – morality constructed on the foundation of godly wisdom. What is the best definition of wisdom? If we turn to the dictionary, we see the definition the world gives: the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting . It is also described as common sense and good judgement . Yet, we have to stop and ponder who defines what is good or can label something as common sense. Let’s turn from our human-written dictionary and refer to the Bible to see what 1 Corinthians 3:18-21a says, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders!” In order to build and maintain godly values in this world of immorality, we must stand firmly on God’s truths. James 1:5 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.” God offers wisdom to any who seek it from Him. Our Heavenly Father desires that we receive His wisdom and use it for His glory, as well as the good of others . It’s so easy to rely on what we believe is good or true. Growing up, I always considered myself mature for my age, yet I remember mistakes made because I followed self and what felt right, rather than allowing God to penetrate every decision or choice I made. We each desperately need the Holy Spirit within us to guide and transform us daily; we need God’s truths and guidelines to firmly direct and protect us. As believers, we understand through God’s word that a human’s definition of righteous will never reach the height of God’s holiness . Man’s law is in direct opposition to God’s law; desires of our flesh and the righteousness of God will never align with our sinless Heavenly Father. God is so high above us, yet through His holy, personal love for us, He established a way to experience Him intimately, a way that allows Him to fill and transform us more into His image. This is not a likeness that lifts us to become like God, but one that peels away the layers of our selfish, sinful hearts, and presents us with a foundation of holiness only available through Jesus, one that penetrates what feels good or seems to be right in our mind. One that allows us His wisdom, the true source of knowledge and discernment. 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 , says, “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God 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. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love Him—these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ .” In this world we live in, people try to preach that truth is relative, that we each carry personal truths. Nowadays, it’s common to hear people say that we should all get along and yet, if someone doesn’t agree with what they say or believe, somehow their stated belief that we can each have our personal truths goes out the window and they angrily attack the ones who disagree. In my lifetime I’ve witnessed generations of people who disagreed, but agreed to do so without conflict, respecting each person’s right to freedom of choice or belief, but now, the opposite is often true. People attack and accuse while also proclaiming about getting along and accepting everyone. The truth is that those who act this way only want to get along with those who agree with them and offer no challenge to what they profess. Why? Because they don’t understand that truth is not relative. What is the only way for us to know truth? Attunement with God and a close, maturing relationship with Him that searches and studies the scriptures and invests in prayer. We are living in a time of rapid moral decline. Although many proclaim that truth is relative, strong believers know that God’s truth is truly the only moral compass. How do we live by and teach our children or grandchildren godly values in a world filled with immorality and confusion? Beginning in preschool, children are bombarded by lies shared in direct opposition to the truths of God. The days of enjoying Saturday morning cartoons on television like I did as a child are long gone. Most programming, as well as books, music, toys, and educational institutions, even the local library are filled with what I will simply call trash . Indoctrination camps are what I call learning institutions today and I believe that most parents are finally waking up to the lies and the evilness our precious children are actively being subjected to. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Everything our children are exposed to will shape their mindset, beliefs, and actions. Parents cannot wait to teach the godly values and faith God desires that we mentor to our children. We must begin from the earliest time we have with them. As our walk with Christ is purposely strengthened daily, our desire to inhale Jesus and exhale a holy walk with Him becomes evident in all we do. Our children will accept and build from the relationship they see us build and carry with Christ, but we have to be purposed . Those out to steal and destroy the innocence in your child and fill their minds with wisdom of this world are intentional with each step they take. As I always say, the first step in teaching our children the good news about Christ and helping them to form a personal walk with Jesus is by establishing a strong walk with Him ourselves. Once we have that intimate connection with Christ, and we are purposely maturing it moment by moment, we have the foundation and the desire to ensure that our children have the opportunity to do the same. Once our children have built their worth and shaped their world views through Christ, they understand that truth is not relative . Beyond what we have already discussed in past episodes, (most importantly, that your walk with Jesus be personal and maturing) how do parents help their children build a strong relationship with Jesus, and not only recognize , but live by His truths? What do we teach them to look out for? How do we help them to live in this world without following everything the world professes as good and right? Our generation of Christian parents must face hard, confusing topics with their kids early. Children are learning subjects such as relative truth, racism, abortion, sexuality, identity, and love viewed through the opinions of the world , instead of on what God’s word teaches. Each of these subjects will play a part in whether your family is built up with an ungodly or godly foundation. In other words, a foundation that crumbles or one that stands. God’s word is the only truth that should be taught throughout the life of your child. Because of what our educational institutions have and are teaching our children, because of the negligence of the church, because of parental confusion or ignorance, moral relativism has a grasp on our culture and thus, our children. Moral relativism, or the belief that morals are not based on an absolute standard, is destroying family, spiritual relationships, education, the church, our legal system, and our country. Once belief in God, or the absolute truths He teaches are shaken, and truth is considered relative, we live with the devastating assumption that there must be no authority. If no authority is present, society has no moral compass to establish right from wrong; we (and our children) are left with worldly wisdom and morals to lead us. Isaiah 5:20-21 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!” What 6 steps must we follow to ensure we teach our children God’s truths? 1. Read God’s word . Read your Bible in your private time and read the Bible with your children. Help your children to establish times to read the Bible themselves, as well. If your child is too young to read, let them see you read your Bible so that the importance of God’s word is mentored to them and they can mirror the habit. Invest in a good study Bible for older children and keep investing in new editions as they grow. When your child is young, read story Bibles and act out, draw, or sing the adventures together. Let them know how important you consider God’s word to be and begin telling them from infancy that God’s word is truth and light for our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2. Discuss scripture and fold God’s word into daily life. Don’t wait to teach about topics at a certain time. Weaving God’s truths into the daily life and routine of your child sets the foundation for beliefs that stick. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 3. Teach your children to understand what culture is. Help them see the fallen values and norms a society accepts without the wisdom of God to direct them. Society is the resulting behavior of the people’s beliefs, as we see in our world today. Discuss current events and compare events, culture, and society in light of God’s word in age appropriate ways. Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” 4. Pray scripture in your prayers alone and with your children. Pray for your children in accordance with God’s desires daily. Cover your family and your guidance to your children in prayer. Help your children incorporate prayer into their personal time. John 14:15 says, “If you love me, keep my commands .” 5. Surround yourself and your family with godly influences – personally, in music, literature, shows, movies, lessons, friends, etc. We must live the lifestyle God has chosen for us and show that we honor and believe Him in the way we live. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” 6. Know the Bible well and discuss it with your children often. Much of the degradation of society comes from not knowing the word of God or practicing it. Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” We can only walk in integrity when we step in the paths God has directed for us to follow . Why is it so important to know God’s word? When we are familiar with God’s word, we are blessed with the ability to recognize falsehoods and twisting of His holy truths. The Bible lays a clear groundwork for our walk with God. If we listen and obey, we find how to construct the foundation for a life of peace, joy, and fellowship with Him and others and we learn important basic life lessons that are meant to form the foundation for everything we believe and do as individuals and as a society . Through the Bible God establishes facts that prove His truths and warn against about destructive beliefs. Our society has been constructed on sand that is eroding beneath poorly laid foundations and our children and future generations will pay the price. Although society tries to make us believe that we are able to do what feels good, or what we desire instead of following the commandments of God, the following verses prove what God truly calls for us. Let’s look at 10 ways our culture is deceiving our children and what God’s wisdom says. As I read each point, listen prayerfully and ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in directing your children or grandchildren in His truth and light. So many people want to be loving, so they accept what society does without mentioning God’s truths. We can love without condemning, as God gives each of us free will and the ability to choose how we want to live. It is not our place to judge another person, however, we also have the responsibility to know, practice, and teach God’s truths and commandments to our children and to live in ways that honor God. 1. God’s Sovereignty - God created the heavens and the earth, and all things in them. In Hebrew, the word created is associated only with God – and the word speaks of something that only our holy, sovereign Heavenly Father can do – establish something out of nothing. In Genesis we see that God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, co-existing in the Trinity, was present before time began. He is our true Creator. Genesis 1, 2 2. Sin - Sin created separation between God and man. Before the fall when Adam and Eve had not yet disobeyed and sinned against God, they walked and talked with our Heavenly Father. Their minds were not clouded by lies and confusion. Adam and Eve were alive physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. After they chose to follow the evil lies of the serpent and went against God’s commands, sin entered the world and intimacy with God was broken. Instead of living in the fullness of life with their Creator, they hid from Him and the whole world was covered in sin. Genesis 3:4-7 3. Salvation - God is sovereign; He already knew what would happen with His creation and already had a beautiful plan for eternal life through Jesus in place for us. Genesis 3:15 4. Racism – Those who focus on skin color to identify race miss the point that God created and sees each of us as members of one human race . Each person is uniquely planned, formed, and made as His beautiful creation with purpose and love. Acts 17:26, Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 11:1-9 5. Sexuality and Identity – God created male and female, the only two sexes that are to be identified and accepted, per our Heavenly Father, the Creator of sexuality and identity. No matter what surgeries or medication might be completed, a body will never fully become another sex. Genesis 1:27 6. Marriage - God created one man and one woman to come together through a spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, legal, loving bond, and union. This basic, simple truth is the foundation for what our beliefs about same sex marriage should be. Genesis 2:23-25 7. Abortion – Each life is precious to God, who planned and formed every single person, unborn or born. No matter the circumstances under which a person came to be formed in the womb, they are known and loved by our Heavenly Father. Psalm 22:10, Psalm 49:15, Psalm 139:13-16 8. Love – Even in relationships that are not united in holy matrimony, such as dating, God ordained opposite, not same sex relationships. Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:25 9. Truth – Despite what society tries to push, truth is not relative. Without a strong moral compass following God’s truth, humans divert to selfishness, ambition, pride, deceit, idolatry, and wickedness. John 1:14, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 17:17, 1 John 1:6, Psalm 51:6, Psalm 119:142, Hebrews 4:12-13 10. Deceit – Satan is the father of lies. There is no truth in him. Anything that is in opposition to God’s word will harm us. Our loving Heavenly Father wants to protect and prosper us, if only we listen and obey. He will fill the true desires of your heart that He placed inside you when you were formed in the secret place. Beware of living apart from God’s commands. Live inside His desires and find true peace, life, joy, and love. So many people are being harmed by the morals and values our society has confused. John 10:10 It is up to each believer to spread the gospel and live a life that is in step with our Heavenly Father so that we reflect Him in the proper ways. Sinfulness, and disobedience have not made the beauty of Jesus evident or attractive to those who do not know Him. It won’t make Jesus known to our children, either. I also believe that it is up to each of us to know and follow the will of God without condemning those who do not. I have nothing against those who chose to live a different lifestyle. I can still love them with a holy love from God, even if they do not believe or accept it because I may not agree with their choices based on what God’s word teaches. However, each of us (including me) have made many mistakes in our lifetime and have sinned more times than we can measure. Because some may live what God considers sin out in the open for all to see does not make them less loved. We all fall short of what God calls for us. Please know if you are listening to this podcast episode and hearing something you are doing being identified as sin or you have lived some of the topics I mentioned, I am not judging you. You are loved. There is healing in and through Jesus when and if you desire. If you find your identity in Him and truly realize how much He treasures you and that there is forgiveness found through Him, He can totally transform your life. If you need information about living fullness of life through Him, please let me know. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you find freedom through Christ. Listeners, remember to read and study the word of God. Each of us will grow more like the image of God and honor Him more and more clearly as we learn and obey what our Heavenly Father commands. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “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. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Dear Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father, You are so good. Thank you for Your patient, unending love. Even when we turn from You and follow our own ways, You are present, waiting for us to repent and turn to You. Thank you for giving us free will and loving us despite what we choose, yet still holding us accountable as You must. Father, prepare our heart and mind, help us to be sober-minded, as You call. Equip us to be obedient to You and help us to not conform to the passions of our own ignorance. Help us to be holy, as You are holy. May our love for You and our knowledge of You be so great and unyielding that we keep Your commandments with pleasure and never consider You to be a burden. Help us not to satisfy the desires of our heart, but Yours instead, dear Father. Help our bodies to be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You, despite what this world teaches or allows. May we seek to be transformed by Your renewal of our mind and carry the ability and desire to test and approve Your good, pleasing, perfect will and teach the values to our children that You desire. Carve out the immorality from this world and replace it with Your truths and morals, for we need You so much more than we realize. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you would like to hear more about the condition of our heart, the root of all issues, please listen to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast episode 001, Heart Conditions or episode 046, Maturing Character Like Christ. If you pray for your child, please look for my free ebook, “Prayers for My Child,” available on the website under the “Resources” page and is designed to guide the heart of your child to the feet of Jesus through scripturally-based prayer. The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast is now 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 014 - Finding Identity Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #014 – Finding Identity 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. Many parents I talk to question the job they’ve done with their children. Not one mother finishes raising a child and thinks she was a perfect mom. Why? Perfection doesn’t exist. Except of course, in our Heavenly Father. Think about that truth. Perfection exists only through the Lord, and as believers, we carry His power within us! Does that mean we suddenly become perfect? No, but it does guarantee we have His truths, discernment, and guidance to direct us. So many variables play into parenting. Sometimes we make mistakes that need to be addressed or corrected; sometimes events happen that are beyond our control. Then there’s also free will. Just as our Heavenly Father allows each of us free will and the power to choose whether we will come to Him, our children have that same choice. Mothers, as we are transformed moment by moment, our children gain the opportunity to witness the changes Christ makes through our surrendered life. As we pray for and with our children daily, as we read and study God’s word together , change is guaranteed. Ideally, this relationship with our children and the Lord is started from our earliest time together. Am I saying that just because we’re working for the Lord life will be perfect and our days will be, too? Unfortunately, no. Jesus warned us that we would have trouble in this world. Sometimes it’s harder just because we are working for the Lord. That’s what parenting is. Hard work. Holy work. We are raising children to know, honor, love, and obey Him. That’s not easy and it is not completed quickly. What happens if we invest in the work, yet our children leave our home as adults who don’t love or follow the Lord? We continue praying. We tilled the ground, planted the seeds, watered them, and brought them to the Source of Sunlight – Christ, to nourish them. The more we allow Christ to work in and through us, altering us into the person He created us to be, the better opportunity our children will have for Christ to work in them. In fact, I trust that He is always at work, even when we cannot see or cooperate, but when we freely and lovingly ask for His hand in our life and the lives of our children, a sovereign and holy power is unleashed. Remember when we spoke about free will earlier? It can be a tangly mess! Choice means there’s a multitude of issues that are totally out of our control and can affect our children in both good and harmful ways. Our child could see wonderful fruits of Christ in our life, but be touched by something entirely out of our, or even their control. Since we and our child have free will, that means the whole world does, too. You can bet Satan is playing that card well. Look around at the culture we are raising or influencing children and grandchildren in today. The devil has free reign and is making the most of it. This is certainly not an age most of us would have chosen to raise children in. Yet God chose it for us. It’s certainly not a surprise to Him that we are parenting the exact children we have at this very moment. He is able to work through willing mothers in any time period and through any trials. He has each of us exactly where we are meant to be. Christ is where we find our hope. In Him we trust. As we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, not our parenting trials or our weaknesses, moment by moment, we gain His strength for another day. One of the areas in which the devil has focused great attack in this generation is through gender and identity. I believe humans have always struggled with this area, yet right now, the children we are raising have many more questions and live with more confusion than we ever had to ponder. One look at this culture filled with deceitful groups, movies, shows, books, magazines, music, games, education, and social media with obvious agendas makes the truth of this situation indisputable. Society tells us to look within for identity and validation. We hear that our feelings matter and that truth is subjective . When will these people pushing this lie realize that when there is flexible truth, there is no truth ? As believers, however, we know that there is absolute truth found through God. His word tells us all our Heavenly Father desires for us to know and live by. Scripture is clear. God is the Authority of Truth because He established truth. Often, instead of relying on the truth of God , people craft identity through feelings or experiences. Obviously, what happens to us can shape our thoughts and personality, leading us to believe they form our identity. Sometimes we can also attempt to fashion identity by the way our parents or spouse treat us, through friendships, jobs, financial status, appearance, or gender. Nothing we have chosen through earthly wisdom to be used as markers or validators of our identity is permanent unless is what God has already established. Only our Creator and Heavenly Father, who intimately fashioned us with great thought and purpose can truly define our identity. Once we understand that truth and allow it to counteract the lies of this world, we build a strong foundation on which we can confidently stand and navigate this world of confusion and deceit. Once parents can firmly stand in the identity they receive through Christ as Savior, we are able to mentor truth and confidence for our children to emulate. As we raise them to find identity, not in who this world tells them who or what to be or believe, but through Jesus , our children develop resiliency, faith, hope, trust, and confidence that will carry them through life and enable them to live the fullness of God’s truths . What are the barriers parents must look out for and safeguard against in order to enable our children to live in freedom through true identity rooted in Christ? 1. Culture – The world our children are being raised in tells them that they can choose whatever sex they want to be. It also teaches that they may choose to identify as a cat, a dog, a unicorn, or any other object they desire. Will this give them contentment and peace? Not at all. In fact, studies prove depression and confusion are usually the result of believing and traveling this route to identity. In the moment, the person may feel satisfaction in diverting attention to something different, however, just as happiness is fleeting, the high they receive from a perceived change of character or gender dissolves and the issues they struggled with inside are still present and in many cases have worsened as time passed. Scripture tells us in Genesis 1:27 , “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them .” Another excellent verse to teach your children about identity is found in Jeremiah 1:5a , which says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” God knew every single one of us before we were in existence. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future .” Scripture is clear that identity is known before we are even created. That means our sex and how we identify is already set and seen at birth . Remember how we feel is not an indicator of truth – God’s word is. When we live outside of His guidelines, (whether we are believers or not), we do not experience joy and peace, as well as other fruits of the Spirit that Scripture reveals. God also crafted specific details within each person that include interests, talents, gifts, intelligence, and more. Some people like to justify things they do by saying, “God just made me this way,” but God never makes anything or anyone contrary to what His word says. Sin in this world causes the evil and confusion, not God. If it is not in alignment with His word, don’t do it or believe it. That is why it is vitally important for us to teach our children God’s truths and equip them to be in God’s word from as young as we have them. It also means we must be diligent in maturing our personal walk with Christ daily. Remember Ephesians 6:1-4, 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.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Simply teaching our children what religion we believe, but not living it before them daily will do nothing. A loving, humble, maturing, obedient walk with Christ is what makes our children pay attention and helps them to choose to live the same lifestyle of humble love for and obedience to God. 2. Peers – Indoctrination through educational institutions, books, magazines, television shows, movies, music, games, and social media is worse than ever. It has been building for years and will continue to cripple and destroy the future of our children or grandchildren unless we see the destruction taking place before us and decide to change it. Peers have an incredibly powerful effect on children, especially when they are also being indoctrinated, yet a strong family centered on and growing in Christ together is still much stronger, because it is built on and operating on the strength and promises of God. Colossians 3:1-3 says, “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God .” Isaiah 64:8 says, “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Remember we do not have to fight in our own strength. We must stand in faith with our Heavenly Father, claiming the victory Christ promised to those who believe. God has given us everything we need to stand in His power and allow Him to do the work. Ephesians 6:10-18 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” 3. Deceit - Satan will do all he can to disarm, distract, and dissuade us from fixing our eyes on the Lord and staying connected to Him through prayer, praise, and God’s Holy Word. When we listen to self and world instead of God, we are unknowingly choosing to be deceived. Emotions and feelings are valid because they are a part of us, but they are based on experience, peer pressure, ignorance, confusion, and more, but not God’s truths. Seek scripture or be confused. Don’t believe or act on what is contrary to God’s word. Teach your children the same guidelines. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth .” 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 .” John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me .” John 8:32 says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free .” 4. Sin – Since the beginning of our existence, man has easily fallen into sin. Our desires, wants, pride, ignorance, and jealously war against what God has for us or calls us to do. Again, the way to combat this within ourselves and our children, is to develop a faith walk through Christ that leads us to honor our Heavenly Father and to make the right choices and believe the right thoughts, because what we think, do, and say is based on the truth of Scripture. In order to help our children live without sin, we must set a godly example and also teach them to love and honor God so that they desire to honor and obey Him. When we train them in Him and His truths, their worldview is transformed to be as Christ’s as Scripture becomes their compass. They learn to value and expect God’s truth in life and will strive to walk in alignment with His callings, as they are less likely to be deceived by culture or society. John 16:13 says, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come .” 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 .” Psalm 119:160 says, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal .” 5. Feelings – Just as we discussed in point # 3 – Deceit, our feelings, thoughts, and emotions are not a gauge to trust. We must be diligent in the Word so that we believe and act upon this truth and make it evident to our children through our actions, reactions, and words. They must learn early to view self and world through God’s eyes and truths. Continue to value their opinions, thoughts, emotions, and feelings, but always compare them against Scripture to see whether they are in sync with God’s will and ways. Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. ” Have you noticed the recurring themes? Jesus , God’s Word , and Truth as established by our Heavenly Father. Mothers, we must teach our children by example and through God’s word that because of the sacrifice of Jesus, and what our Heavenly Father says about us, they have a secure identity that no one can steal or change, ridicule or deny because it has already been established with ultimate authority . Our children have power over indoctrination, culture, peers, deceit, sin, and self through Christ and the Holy power of God’s Word. Identity is confirmed by our Heavenly Father. Our world lives in sin and needless pain, suffering, and confusion because we do not read, study, and recognize God’s truths. We do not stand in His power and allow Him to combat the evil and deceit that plague us. Don’t let that be the legacy your child inherits. Today is the day to study God’s word more clearly, pray more consistently, hear with ears ready to listen, and move in humble obedience to the calling of God. Today is the day to lovingly and patiently mentor your child to do the same so that they will live the identity God has ordained for them. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness overwhelms us. Your faithfulness gives us joy. Thank you for Your long-suffering and kindness. Thank you for Your Son, Jesus, for He makes all things new. He gives us eternal life. He gives us the way to You. He enables us to teach our children Your ways and makes You known as never before. Father, we praise you because we know we are fearfully and wonderfully made; our children are fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, we know that full well. Help us to remember and teach our children all You desire so that they grow in the fullness of Your truths. Stop the indoctrination that has overtaken our society. Help our children to find respite in and through You. Help us and help them to put on your new nature, help them understand that they were created to be like You—truly righteous and holy. Help them claim all You have for them. We know You have engraved them on the palms of Your hands; You say that if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! We claim that for our children and the generations to come, for we know that You have made us and our children Your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You have prepared in advance for us to do . We praise Your name, Dear Father and we thank You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast is now 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 027 - Facing Hard Stuff With Your Child Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #027 – Facing Hard Stuff With Your Child 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. The day our child accepts Jesus as their personal Savior and begins to grow in faith and maturity is a monumental day for families of believers! But if we stop there, thinking all is good and well now, we are mistaken and deceived. Teaching your child that they have a need for Christ, then guiding them with Holy reverence for God and His plans and purpose for them is the greatest joy you will experience as a parent. It is also one of the hardest tasks you will be privileged to complete. When I parented my first two children, I was a very young Christian lacking in discipleship and depth. I naively thought that once my children knew Jesus and professed to follow Him, all was good. Now I know it’s just that starting point. What an honor it is to be the one to lead your child to the feet of Jesus to know and follow His heart. There is nothing more important we can impart to our children than the truth and power of the Gospel of Christ. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me .” This also pertains to helping our children grow in spiritual wisdom, their knowledge of and trust in God, and their insight into His Word, character, and desires. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus .” When we pray for God to mature our personal walk with Him and enable Him to lead our children in the ways He desires, you know He will honor those prayers! The closer we grow to the Lord and the stronger our mind and heart, our words, actions, and reactions reflect Him, the more our children will be drawn to Him as we lead and guide them in His Word and ways. It is not easy to see our children suffer through the various trials they encounter in this world. I praise God that I have His wisdom and Words to bring to my children. We are each blessed that although no child comes with a manual that tells us exactly how to proceed, we have been blessed with a playbook for life – the Bible. God’s Holy Word truly does carry everything we need. As we read and study the Bible, we see parallels in our own lives, we see the mistakes others have innocently and purposely made and the repercussions suffered personally and through generations because of them. We understand more clearly the ways God has gone before us to provide and protect, the way He sacrificed to bring us to himself, and we understand the more we study this gift of words we will better parent the children He entrusted to us. 1 Peter 5:6-10 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you .” The pain, but also the beauty of parenting is that each hardship or burden faced is not meant to be carried alone. I believe the key to parenting under the Lordship of Christ is to view every difficulty with joy that we are able to allow God to use it for His good purposes and to direct our child (and self) closer to Him through it. As we draw nearer to Jesus, our mind and heart are “reset.” As we allow Christ to continue transforming work inside us, our mindset adjusts so that we see the world more clearly through His viewpoint. If you are a parent, you understand that the hardship of watching your child suffer in any way. We want to rush in and rescue our precious baby, no matter what age they are. However, if we continue to direct them to God through every life circumstance, and allow the Lord to mentor us as we guide them through the pain and into His arms, we set our child up for eternal success. 1 Chronicles 16:11 says, “Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually !” If you listened to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 025, “Facing Hard Stuff to Become a Godlier Parent,” which aired 12/15/22, you may remember that I posed several questions and scriptures to help you face and overcome hardships in your life that may affect you as a parent. For this episode, I’ve taken many of those questions and applied them in a slightly different way for your child. Let’s hear those now. 1. Character Examination : The next two sections of questions is designed to help you examine your child and clearly see where you need to help them grow, where God can enable you to grow as you mentor them, and to help you think of other questions or recognize needs you may need to consider. How does your child handle problems? Does your child carry visible stress? Does your child know how to lift problems to God to carry them for him? Does your child close down when worried? Is your child prone to fall victim to anxiety or depression? What situations bring feelings of depression or unhappiness for your child? What steals your child’s joy? Does your child freely express emotions to you? Does your child find it difficult to talk about what bothers him? 2. Life Examination : How do you want your child to handle problems? How would you like to see your child react to stress? How would you like your child to interact with God? How would you like your child to communicate when challenged with troubles? How do you help your child maintain or find joy? How do you draw out open communication with your child? What do you want your child to learn about God through their current difficulty? How will the way you guide them lead them closer to God? 3. Eternal Examination : This section is designed for you to attempt to look at your child through eyes like our Heavenly Father. View the life of your child as God sees it for eternity . See where you can grow stronger in the Lord and allow God to mentor you to guide your child as He would have you. Every step of parenting should be discipling your child into the arms of Jesus. Viewing every trial and triumph through the lens of eternity will help you shape your child to be more Christlike daily. Ask God to lead you as you guide and help your child. Ask God for His Holy intervention and understanding. Ask God to open your eyes, heart, and mind to what your child needs. Ask God how to lead your child to a closer walk with Him. Ask God what your child needs from Him. Ask God what your child needs from you. Use the answers to these questions to guide your prayers for your child and seek God’s wisdom and ways. Don’t be discouraged or afraid when the trials hit. Use them to guide your child to the feet of Jesus. Teach them to confidently rely on Him and seek Him first. Set your child up for a lifelong, maturing relationship with Christ. Remember the promise of Romans 8:28 , which says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them .” Know that you cannot change your child, but leading them to Christ will . Examine your relationship with Jesus and seek His wisdom on how to be a godlier parent. 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 .” Proverbs 3:7 says, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.” 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 .” The last verse I read from Proverbs has been a tricky one for many. Obviously, a child will choose their own path. We know that we cannot force our children to accept Christ or follow Him with an obedient and humble heart. Yet, we know the truth, power, and wisdom in God’s word. It never returns void. I know that although God allows each of us, including our beloved children, to have free will, that if we continue to seek God with a humble, loving, trusting relationship with Jesus daily, and model that to our children in ways directed by Him, God will be faithful to His Word. Our Heavenly Father has dealt with prodigals often. He knows the heart of our children, He sees the work we offer Him as we raise them, and God knows what each of us must endure to come to and remain at His feet. Trust Him. Be consistent. He is faithful. He is good. He loves your child more than you do. He wants to spend eternity with your child. I find the three following verses full of promise and truth to remember in the hardest of times as you intentionally raise your child for Christ in this fallen world. James 4:7-8a says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you .” James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him .” 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 .” Hard times will come, but they will also pass. Leading your children to Jesus, then patiently and painstakingly guiding them to trust Him despite circumstances and feelings takes effort. It takes faith and trust on your part. Christ will continue working in you, maturing your faith as you let Him. Leading you both to the foot of the cross in new and beautiful ways. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your holy sovereignty and mercy. Thank you for Your Son. We cannot begin to fully comprehend the goodness you have showered on us, but help us to trust and lead our children to You. May our parenting skills and faithfulness continue through all things and be a blessing to You and Your children. Father, Your Word tells us that in You we may have peace. You warned us that in this world we will have tribulation. But you also said that we can take heart because You have already overcome the world . Enable us to remember Your promises through the hard and the easy and to see through Your eyes for eternity as we mentor and mold the precious children You have entrusted to us. We so desperately need and desire You. In the name of Your Son, Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast. This and the “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. I’d love 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

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #090 – Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll – 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. Welcome back to the podcast this week. I pray you listened to Part 1 of my interview with Sheila Carroll last week. It was a wonderful introduction to Sheila and the insight God has given her into education. If you haven’t yet listened, please do so before you hear Part 2. If you’ve already heard Part 1, we are about to press in and learn some very useful tips that will help to ignite the fire of learning in your child and perhaps fan the flames for you as you are better equipped to trust the Lord to guide and provide for you in this precious journey we call home education. ----------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW --------------------------------------------------- Are you better equipped to home educate your child after hearing these episodes with Sheila? I pray God allowed you to hear the exact words you need to hear to take action in new ways or use encouragement offered to stay the course set before you. If you are in a season of life where you are teaching your child from home, rejoice! God is present. He is with you. He knows exactly what style of teaching you prefer, He knows exactly how each of your children are wired, and He desires simple obedience and trust from you, coupled with humility to seek Him in all ways to enable Him to work through each of you in ways you have not yet discovered. Homeschooling is one of the best blessings of my life. God has worked in numerous ways over the years I have stepped into the role of home educator. He has much more work to do, but He has been present every step of the way, going before us as I seek Him with a humble and ready heart. My children and I would not have the same relationship if I had chosen another method of education for them. I would not trade one hard or easy second of sacrifice, tears, laughter, love, or passion. I hope you will prayerfully consider the work God desires to do in your home and through you and your children. I invite you to join me next week as we begin another interview that is sure to bless and encourage, as well as uplift your spirits as you continue purposely teaching your children from home. Remember that what we are doing is holy work, ultimately purposed for the Lord and the blessings of homeschooling reaches well into the eternal heart and mindset of each of our children. Father God, You are precious to us. You are holy and sovereign. It is no mistake that we are educating our children from home for such a time as this. Father, protect our home. Protect our children. Culture attempts to sway and distract, it steals the joy and innocence of our children. It attempts to rob us of the purpose You have set in each of us. Father, we need You so much! Please ignite the passion of following Your beautifully set plans for us. Please ignite the joy of teaching as You light the joy of learning in our children. You alone hold the key. You know how we are made and how we think as mothers. You have hand-crafted each child we have the opportunity to teach, raise, or influence. We thank You for the mighty blessings and opportunities You have put before us. Make us able. Give us Your hope, trust, faith, and abilities to create and sustain or grow a healthy environment and atmosphere at home where we are joyous and insightful as we teach, and our children are joyous and blessed to be home. Help us remember to set You first and allow You to ignite a passion for You in our children. May they seek You, find You, and serve You well and with purpose and influence established by You. We thank You, Father for all You have set before us and the ways we will watch You work. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. I truly hope this interview series with Sheila uplifted and encouraged you as you find new ways to seek God, bring glory to Him as you raise and teach your children, and better equip you to run the race God is entrusting to you as you educate your child at home. Homeschooling is a long-distance race, not a sprint. As we seek God, rely on Him with a humble heart, and set a philosophy of education inspired by Him, we will find success in His eyes and experience a full and rich relationship with our Father and the precious children He has entrusted to us. Do not seek perfection, but seek Him, and love your children well as you discover the passions and purposes set inside them. Find ways to reach the love of learning God has instilled in them individually. Learn and teach in His strength, not your own. You may connect with Sheila online in the following ways: www.livingbookscurriculum.com www.charlottemasonhomeschooling.com www.sheilacarroll.com I invite you to listen next week when I introduce another wonderful leader in home education. I pray you find additional encouragement and desire to continue on your journey at home with your children as God leads the way. 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 090 - Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll - Part 2 Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #090 – Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll – 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. Welcome back to the podcast this week. I pray you listened to Part 1 of my interview with Sheila Carroll last week. It was a wonderful introduction to Sheila and the insight God has given her into education. If you haven’t yet listened, please do so before you hear Part 2. If you’ve already heard Part 1, we are about to press in and learn some very useful tips that will help to ignite the fire of learning in your child and perhaps fan the flames for you as you are better equipped to trust the Lord to guide and provide for you in this precious journey we call home education. ----------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW --------------------------------------------------- Are you better equipped to home educate your child after hearing these episodes with Sheila? I pray God allowed you to hear the exact words you need to hear to take action in new ways or use encouragement offered to stay the course set before you. If you are in a season of life where you are teaching your child from home, rejoice! God is present. He is with you. He knows exactly what style of teaching you prefer, He knows exactly how each of your children are wired, and He desires simple obedience and trust from you, coupled with humility to seek Him in all ways to enable Him to work through each of you in ways you have not yet discovered. Homeschooling is one of the best blessings of my life. God has worked in numerous ways over the years I have stepped into the role of home educator. He has much more work to do, but He has been present every step of the way, going before us as I seek Him with a humble and ready heart. My children and I would not have the same relationship if I had chosen another method of education for them. I would not trade one hard or easy second of sacrifice, tears, laughter, love, or passion. I hope you will prayerfully consider the work God desires to do in your home and through you and your children. I invite you to join me next week as we begin another interview that is sure to bless and encourage, as well as uplift your spirits as you continue purposely teaching your children from home. Remember that what we are doing is holy work, ultimately purposed for the Lord and the blessings of homeschooling reaches well into the eternal heart and mindset of each of our children. Father God, You are precious to us. You are holy and sovereign. It is no mistake that we are educating our children from home for such a time as this. Father, protect our home. Protect our children. Culture attempts to sway and distract, it steals the joy and innocence of our children. It attempts to rob us of the purpose You have set in each of us. Father, we need You so much! Please ignite the passion of following Your beautifully set plans for us. Please ignite the joy of teaching as You light the joy of learning in our children. You alone hold the key. You know how we are made and how we think as mothers. You have hand-crafted each child we have the opportunity to teach, raise, or influence. We thank You for the mighty blessings and opportunities You have put before us. Make us able. Give us Your hope, trust, faith, and abilities to create and sustain or grow a healthy environment and atmosphere at home where we are joyous and insightful as we teach, and our children are joyous and blessed to be home. Help us remember to set You first and allow You to ignite a passion for You in our children. May they seek You, find You, and serve You well and with purpose and influence established by You. We thank You, Father for all You have set before us and the ways we will watch You work. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. I truly hope this interview series with Sheila uplifted and encouraged you as you find new ways to seek God, bring glory to Him as you raise and teach your children, and better equip you to run the race God is entrusting to you as you educate your child at home. Homeschooling is a long-distance race, not a sprint. As we seek God, rely on Him with a humble heart, and set a philosophy of education inspired by Him, we will find success in His eyes and experience a full and rich relationship with our Father and the precious children He has entrusted to us. Do not seek perfection, but seek Him, and love your children well as you discover the passions and purposes set inside them. Find ways to reach the love of learning God has instilled in them individually. Learn and teach in His strength, not your own. You may connect with Sheila online in the following ways: www.livingbookscurriculum.com www.charlottemasonhomeschooling.com www.sheilacarroll.com I invite you to listen next week when I introduce another wonderful leader in home education. I pray you find additional encouragement and desire to continue on your journey at home with your children as God leads the way. 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. http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com http://www.charlottemasonhomeschooling.com http://www.sheilacarroll.com

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live with Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #045 – Handling Hardships Today is a slight deviation from our regular podcast routine. As this episode is released on Thanksgiving, I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving! If you are listening to this podcast later, which many of you will be, I hope your day was filled with blessings. As each of us know, life has no knowledge or respect for the day or time events occur. Holidays are no exception. So if you are struggling right now. I’m so sorry. I pray that God has you listening to this episode for a reason and that will find value and hope that encourages you to continue placing your sight and trust in Jesus. This podcast episode was produced at the very beginning of the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. For some odd technical reason, the episode got lost. Although it was uploaded to the site, something I cannot explain happened, and it did not show as available for listeners to hear. I believe in God’s perfect timing, so I know someone must need His hope and these words right now. Let’s listen to the episode now. Thank you for entrusting and investing part of 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. At the time I am working on this podcast, several of my friends are experiencing hardships in their life. One will celebrate her first Christmas without her beloved husband; one celebrates her first Christmas without a beloved son; one just lost two family members and has another in the hospital. Others have children in the hospital. Many people I know are fighting battles in this world. Adversity has no schedule. Trials don’t respect holidays, busy lives, or people. Death and affliction sometimes seem to happen randomly, but as believers, we know that God is never surprised. Everything that happens to believers has already been sifted through His sovereign hands. He is with us through every storm, waiting to carry us through. Ten years ago, I lost my oldest daughter, Jaime. My family entered a season of what felt like destruction. The years between 2009 and 2015 were brutal to live through. After walking through the loss of my child, attention had to be shifted to my parents. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and my father, sister, and I made the very difficult decision to move her to a memory care unit. Multiple reasons prompted us to make that decision, but we certainly did not want her to feel abandoned or forgotten. My father, my sister, my daughter, Marissa (who was around five years old at the time), and I visited her daily. Marissa was at the facility so much that they allowed her to visit random residents in their rooms. It cheered each one of them, as well as the staff, to see her smiling face and hear the bubbly voice of a young child. Marissa also helped with crafts and the physical activity program in my mother’s unit. Although being around so much illness was often difficult at the time, in hindsight, God allowed the experiences to soften the heart of my daughter toward the elderly. Even now, she feels comfortable around older adults and enjoys conversing with them. After my mother had been living in the memory care facility for a while, my father began having significant symptoms in 2012 that finally prompted him to see a doctor. In January of 2013, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. At the time, they gave him one week to a year to live. While we had been seeing my mother every day and devoting large amounts of time to be with her and help with major decisions in her care, Marissa and I now had to divide my mother’s time and share it with my father. He got so sick that we had to lessen the time we spent with my mother considerably, although I still kept in close contact with her caregivers, and my sister was still visiting and helping with her care her as often as she could. Dad simply needed so much at that time. We took him to doctor appointments, helped with his medicine, finances, errands, and general understanding of his health. After he was rushed to the hospital in June, the doctors knew he would not be able to return home. When he regained enough strength by the end of the week to be released, the generous people at the facility my mother lived in tried to find him a room near her. He was moved there briefly, but since his insurance did not cover the facility, we had to find an alternative. Although he was stronger, he was still weak and needed special care, so his deepest wish to return home and drive his little truck around town would not come true. For several reasons, my father was not able to live with my sister or myself. The social worker at my mother’s facility found a nursing home near my father’s house that had an opening and he was moved there within the week. We now had our time split between two parents with high needs, who lived in two separate facilities. Spending almost every day battling emergencies with my father was extremely taxing. On top of that, managing cleaning out his house to donate and sell items to prepare his home for market, and helping with my managing my mother’s care and making time to see her, was exhausting and emotionally difficult. I was burdened by the fact that my young daughter was definitely not getting the time and attention she was accustomed to, or deserved. I was juggling too many things, as was my sister, and the needs of my precious daughter were being ignored. I continually prayed for God to sustain us through this storm. I remember one morning while Marissa was still sleeping, I was putting my makeup on when I received a phone call from the woman I had hired to hold an estate sale at my parent’s home. One of the employees she hired had sold their refrigerator the day before, but had not turned the water off when they pulled out the refrigerator. The house was flooded. Additional bad news came with that call as well, and when it was over, I was crushed. I knew God was with us. I had seen His hand working in so many precious ways through everything during the last four years, and I had tried through it all to remain optimistic and to notice and be thankful for the ways God was working, but in that moment, all I felt was defeat. I went to my closet, lay on the floor inside, and shut the door in case Marissa awakened. Then I began to cry. Hard. In defeat, I threw my feelings out to God. Then, my emotions surfaced; they were my subconscious reactions to everything that had been happening with my parents and family. I knew He already understood and was caring for all of my concerns, but I had to talk to Him. So much was intertwined in caring for both parents, and all the hurts and losses over the years had roots that were being exposed as the soil of my parent’s capabilities eroded. For example, as challenging as it was caring for my father, the blessing of loving him in his final days brought him to me in a new way. I knew God understood and I poured everything out in a jumble of words that only He could piece together into the masterpiece He would create through our distress. My father always told me how much he loved me as I grew up, but his actions didn’t always match his words. I had grown up wanting private time with him, but never got it. I longed for daddy/daughter dates, or even just his undivided attention without him racing off. Through caring for him, I found he was at my mercy. He had to spend time with me. He was so weak and was confined to a wheelchair, so I would take him on “dates” to the physical therapy room to find activities we could do together. Our options were limited, but the act of telling him we were on a date and moving him to a new location was therapy for my soul. One of my favorite activities was placing a bedside table between us and rolling a small ball across the top for him to bat back to me. Years of hurt and sorrow washed from my spirit each time we played. I was reminded of the numerous pleas I had cried to God for my earthly father during most of my life. My Heavenly Father was now answering in small, unexpected, but perfect ways tailored to my specific needs. 1 Peter 5:7 promises, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I wondered if my father had always wanted more time together, too, but because of addiction and shame, had not been able to break the cycle of his life and make the changes he desired. I cherished the deeper talks we began having when he was sick and held them in my heart as I crawled into bed with my daddy on his weakest days, holding him close. I had become the parent, subtly interceding where I felt prompted by God. It enabled any residue of hurt to wash away just as Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples. I now understood sacrifice in a different way that I hoped began to resemble Jesus. Only God knows the purpose of suffering, but I believe our Heavenly Father loves each of His children and intertwines life scenarios for the good of all involved and for His eternal glory. I knew with a certainty that God was in control, that He would provide and care for my parents, as well as my family, but the process was still so hard! Dealing with so much at once, especially with both parents, took a lot of emotional, mental, physical, financial, and spiritual investment. I had tried to be very specific about releasing daily burdens to God and letting Him deal with all that was happening. I knew my relationship was strong, yet there were subtle ways I could see Satan creeping in to attempt to distract me. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” I had to purposely look for ways God was working in order to stretch my faith and allow it to penetrate my character more deeply. It was an absolutely intentional mindset, but if I hadn’t forced it, my family would have been devastated by the intense needs and demands pressed on us. While I was surrounded by pain, brokenness, and trials, my Savior called for me to release them to Him. As I placed them in His capable hands, intimate grains of hope and joy blossomed inside me and brought forth gratitude, not for the destruction in this world, but for the way He lifts us above earthly vision and draws us nearer to His eternal splendor. He is enough for our every need. Despite many ways that hardship was presented almost daily, God carried me as I clung to His word, mindful of His past faithfulness to me, especially during the loss of my oldest daughter. That combination enabled me to keep myself securely focused on Him. I didn’t want to underestimate the devil, but my relationship with Christ promised me that He was greater than Satan and already had the final victory. I didn’t know how long this battle would last, but I had to remain focused on and committed to the only One who could give me the endurance I would need. I certainly couldn’t find it in my own strength. I’m a very strong and logical person, but I can promise you that my family and I would not have made it through all that happened without God. I’m so thankful I already knew and trusted in Him. I’m also incredibly grateful that He used all of it to draw me nearer to Him and that He has been able to redeem and use all the bad residue from the hardships for His glory. Trials like the ones we experience through challenging times can make us doubt God. The question most people wonder is, “Why does He allow suffering?” My first response to that is always the beautiful reminder that Jesus cared enough to warn about persecution. In John 16:33b, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” and in Romans 5:3-4, Paul speaks words meant to encourage and teach. “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Suffering should be expected in this fallen world. Sometimes, it is the catalyst that causes a person to finally release their life to Christ. Other times, it causes a believer to begin viewing affliction with the mindset of Christ. Suffering can purify our mind and heart, causing us to bow to God’s power and sovereignty. At times, however, it may feel as though we are being judged or punished when things are hard and afflictions continue. But if as a believer, we are living in upright ways, and are intentionally deepening our relationship with God, we can be assured that our suffering is a normal part of life and that it is within His will. That means God will use it for His purposes and glory, and not to harm or destroy us. The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who also lived in ways that God approved and disapproved of, and they also experienced distress and pain. Other times, God may allow affliction in our life as instruction or discipline. There are times that God permits it to prove our character and belief, or for the purpose of using what we endured to encourage or inspire others to continue looking to the Lord in their time of need. Other times, God simply allows it to teach us what we could not learn in any other way. Often times, it is for the purpose of erasing or preventing pride in our lives. I know in my life, I have lived through many lessons designed to craft patience. God also allows trials and hardship to teach us to obey Him. How astounding is it that God can use all of the various ways I mentioned (and I am sure even more) and tailor them so individually to each person and situation, yet also intertwine them with others, to change our focus and our future? Through scripture and life experience as believers, we know that God allows things to happen in a believer’s life for many reasons. Sometimes the only way we can grow in a particular area is because of – or by living through - the exact situation that occurred. Whether we endured it, helped a loved one through it, or were a witness to someone else fighting the battle, God knows exactly what to use. Isaiah 48:10 is telling, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Sometimes hardships need to knock us to our knees, and keep us there, as we learn to rely on and completely abide in Him. As believers, we must always remember that we are meant for more. In order to become more like Jesus, we must allow Him to refine us. Without the purification our souls need, our character will never reflect Christ to a world in need. Change can be painful. It’s not easy, it’s never convenient, and we aren’t able to see beyond our present discomfort to the glorious plan God has created and allowed us to be a part of. May we beg God to prevent us from falling into or remaining in a lukewarm relationship with Him, causing Him to vomit us from His mouth. May the trials we endure in our lives force us into His arms and deepen our faith roots in robust soil enriched with His plan for growth and nutrition. 1 Peter 2:21reminds us, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” Jesus is our example in every way. He told us there would be suffering and He modeled how to endure it. Jesus allowed God to direct His steps, His behavior, and His attitude, and His gratitude in every circumstance. This world is not our final destination. As we shift our minds to view every moment of life through an eternal lens, may we remember that we are being prepared for so much more and cling to the perfect example of Christ. Heavenly Father, may our eyes ever be lifted to You and our heart be intertwined with Your desires and ways. Help us humble ourselves under Your mighty hand and cast our cares upon You. Intertwine our daily life issues with Your good and for Your eternal glory. Help us be vigilant and steadfast in our faith through the good and bad, hard and easy. Help us to cling to, abide in, and rely on only You. Let us view our troubles through an eternal lens and remember that we are being prepared for much more with You. May we please You more and more each day. 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 045 Handling Hardships Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live with Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #045 – Handling Hardships Today is a slight deviation from our regular podcast routine. As this episode is released on Thanksgiving, I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving! If you are listening to this podcast later, which many of you will be, I hope your day was filled with blessings. As each of us know, life has no knowledge or respect for the day or time events occur. Holidays are no exception. So if you are struggling right now. I’m so sorry. I pray that God has you listening to this episode for a reason and that will find value and hope that encourages you to continue placing your sight and trust in Jesus. This podcast episode was produced at the very beginning of the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. For some odd technical reason, the episode got lost. Although it was uploaded to the site, something I cannot explain happened, and it did not show as available for listeners to hear. I believe in God’s perfect timing, so I know someone must need His hope and these words right now. Let’s listen to the episode now. Thank you for entrusting and investing part of 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. At the time I am working on this podcast, several of my friends are experiencing hardships in their life. One will celebrate her first Christmas without her beloved husband; one celebrates her first Christmas without a beloved son; one just lost two family members and has another in the hospital. Others have children in the hospital. Many people I know are fighting battles in this world. Adversity has no schedule. Trials don’t respect holidays, busy lives, or people. Death and affliction sometimes seem to happen randomly, but as believers, we know that God is never surprised. Everything that happens to believers has already been sifted through His sovereign hands. He is with us through every storm, waiting to carry us through. Ten years ago, I lost my oldest daughter, Jaime. My family entered a season of what felt like destruction. The years between 2009 and 2015 were brutal to live through. After walking through the loss of my child, attention had to be shifted to my parents. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and my father, sister, and I made the very difficult decision to move her to a memory care unit. Multiple reasons prompted us to make that decision, but we certainly did not want her to feel abandoned or forgotten. My father, my sister, my daughter, Marissa (who was around five years old at the time), and I visited her daily. Marissa was at the facility so much that they allowed her to visit random residents in their rooms. It cheered each one of them, as well as the staff, to see her smiling face and hear the bubbly voice of a young child. Marissa also helped with crafts and the physical activity program in my mother’s unit. Although being around so much illness was often difficult at the time, in hindsight, God allowed the experiences to soften the heart of my daughter toward the elderly. Even now, she feels comfortable around older adults and enjoys conversing with them. After my mother had been living in the memory care facility for a while, my father began having significant symptoms in 2012 that finally prompted him to see a doctor. In January of 2013, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. At the time, they gave him one week to a year to live. While we had been seeing my mother every day and devoting large amounts of time to be with her and help with major decisions in her care, Marissa and I now had to divide my mother’s time and share it with my father. He got so sick that we had to lessen the time we spent with my mother considerably, although I still kept in close contact with her caregivers, and my sister was still visiting and helping with her care her as often as she could. Dad simply needed so much at that time. We took him to doctor appointments, helped with his medicine, finances, errands, and general understanding of his health. After he was rushed to the hospital in June, the doctors knew he would not be able to return home. When he regained enough strength by the end of the week to be released, the generous people at the facility my mother lived in tried to find him a room near her. He was moved there briefly, but since his insurance did not cover the facility, we had to find an alternative. Although he was stronger, he was still weak and needed special care, so his deepest wish to return home and drive his little truck around town would not come true. For several reasons, my father was not able to live with my sister or myself. The social worker at my mother’s facility found a nursing home near my father’s house that had an opening and he was moved there within the week. We now had our time split between two parents with high needs, who lived in two separate facilities. Spending almost every day battling emergencies with my father was extremely taxing. On top of that, managing cleaning out his house to donate and sell items to prepare his home for market, and helping with my managing my mother’s care and making time to see her, was exhausting and emotionally difficult. I was burdened by the fact that my young daughter was definitely not getting the time and attention she was accustomed to, or deserved. I was juggling too many things, as was my sister, and the needs of my precious daughter were being ignored. I continually prayed for God to sustain us through this storm. I remember one morning while Marissa was still sleeping, I was putting my makeup on when I received a phone call from the woman I had hired to hold an estate sale at my parent’s home. One of the employees she hired had sold their refrigerator the day before, but had not turned the water off when they pulled out the refrigerator. The house was flooded. Additional bad news came with that call as well, and when it was over, I was crushed. I knew God was with us. I had seen His hand working in so many precious ways through everything during the last four years, and I had tried through it all to remain optimistic and to notice and be thankful for the ways God was working, but in that moment, all I felt was defeat. I went to my closet, lay on the floor inside, and shut the door in case Marissa awakened. Then I began to cry. Hard. In defeat, I threw my feelings out to God. Then, my emotions surfaced; they were my subconscious reactions to everything that had been happening with my parents and family. I knew He already understood and was caring for all of my concerns, but I had to talk to Him. So much was intertwined in caring for both parents, and all the hurts and losses over the years had roots that were being exposed as the soil of my parent’s capabilities eroded. For example, as challenging as it was caring for my father, the blessing of loving him in his final days brought him to me in a new way. I knew God understood and I poured everything out in a jumble of words that only He could piece together into the masterpiece He would create through our distress. My father always told me how much he loved me as I grew up, but his actions didn’t always match his words. I had grown up wanting private time with him, but never got it. I longed for daddy/daughter dates, or even just his undivided attention without him racing off. Through caring for him, I found he was at my mercy. He had to spend time with me. He was so weak and was confined to a wheelchair, so I would take him on “dates” to the physical therapy room to find activities we could do together. Our options were limited, but the act of telling him we were on a date and moving him to a new location was therapy for my soul. One of my favorite activities was placing a bedside table between us and rolling a small ball across the top for him to bat back to me. Years of hurt and sorrow washed from my spirit each time we played. I was reminded of the numerous pleas I had cried to God for my earthly father during most of my life. My Heavenly Father was now answering in small, unexpected, but perfect ways tailored to my specific needs. 1 Peter 5:7 promises, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I wondered if my father had always wanted more time together, too, but because of addiction and shame, had not been able to break the cycle of his life and make the changes he desired. I cherished the deeper talks we began having when he was sick and held them in my heart as I crawled into bed with my daddy on his weakest days, holding him close. I had become the parent, subtly interceding where I felt prompted by God. It enabled any residue of hurt to wash away just as Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples. I now understood sacrifice in a different way that I hoped began to resemble Jesus. Only God knows the purpose of suffering, but I believe our Heavenly Father loves each of His children and intertwines life scenarios for the good of all involved and for His eternal glory. I knew with a certainty that God was in control, that He would provide and care for my parents, as well as my family, but the process was still so hard! Dealing with so much at once, especially with both parents, took a lot of emotional, mental, physical, financial, and spiritual investment. I had tried to be very specific about releasing daily burdens to God and letting Him deal with all that was happening. I knew my relationship was strong, yet there were subtle ways I could see Satan creeping in to attempt to distract me. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” I had to purposely look for ways God was working in order to stretch my faith and allow it to penetrate my character more deeply. It was an absolutely intentional mindset, but if I hadn’t forced it, my family would have been devastated by the intense needs and demands pressed on us. While I was surrounded by pain, brokenness, and trials, my Savior called for me to release them to Him. As I placed them in His capable hands, intimate grains of hope and joy blossomed inside me and brought forth gratitude, not for the destruction in this world, but for the way He lifts us above earthly vision and draws us nearer to His eternal splendor. He is enough for our every need. Despite many ways that hardship was presented almost daily, God carried me as I clung to His word, mindful of His past faithfulness to me, especially during the loss of my oldest daughter. That combination enabled me to keep myself securely focused on Him. I didn’t want to underestimate the devil, but my relationship with Christ promised me that He was greater than Satan and already had the final victory. I didn’t know how long this battle would last, but I had to remain focused on and committed to the only One who could give me the endurance I would need. I certainly couldn’t find it in my own strength. I’m a very strong and logical person, but I can promise you that my family and I would not have made it through all that happened without God. I’m so thankful I already knew and trusted in Him. I’m also incredibly grateful that He used all of it to draw me nearer to Him and that He has been able to redeem and use all the bad residue from the hardships for His glory. Trials like the ones we experience through challenging times can make us doubt God. The question most people wonder is, “Why does He allow suffering?” My first response to that is always the beautiful reminder that Jesus cared enough to warn about persecution. In John 16:33b, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” and in Romans 5:3-4, Paul speaks words meant to encourage and teach. “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Suffering should be expected in this fallen world. Sometimes, it is the catalyst that causes a person to finally release their life to Christ. Other times, it causes a believer to begin viewing affliction with the mindset of Christ. Suffering can purify our mind and heart, causing us to bow to God’s power and sovereignty. At times, however, it may feel as though we are being judged or punished when things are hard and afflictions continue. But if as a believer, we are living in upright ways, and are intentionally deepening our relationship with God, we can be assured that our suffering is a normal part of life and that it is within His will. That means God will use it for His purposes and glory, and not to harm or destroy us. The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who also lived in ways that God approved and disapproved of, and they also experienced distress and pain. Other times, God may allow affliction in our life as instruction or discipline. There are times that God permits it to prove our character and belief, or for the purpose of using what we endured to encourage or inspire others to continue looking to the Lord in their time of need. Other times, God simply allows it to teach us what we could not learn in any other way. Often times, it is for the purpose of erasing or preventing pride in our lives. I know in my life, I have lived through many lessons designed to craft patience. God also allows trials and hardship to teach us to obey Him. How astounding is it that God can use all of the various ways I mentioned (and I am sure even more) and tailor them so individually to each person and situation, yet also intertwine them with others, to change our focus and our future? Through scripture and life experience as believers, we know that God allows things to happen in a believer’s life for many reasons. Sometimes the only way we can grow in a particular area is because of – or by living through - the exact situation that occurred. Whether we endured it, helped a loved one through it, or were a witness to someone else fighting the battle, God knows exactly what to use. Isaiah 48:10 is telling, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Sometimes hardships need to knock us to our knees, and keep us there, as we learn to rely on and completely abide in Him. As believers, we must always remember that we are meant for more. In order to become more like Jesus, we must allow Him to refine us. Without the purification our souls need, our character will never reflect Christ to a world in need. Change can be painful. It’s not easy, it’s never convenient, and we aren’t able to see beyond our present discomfort to the glorious plan God has created and allowed us to be a part of. May we beg God to prevent us from falling into or remaining in a lukewarm relationship with Him, causing Him to vomit us from His mouth. May the trials we endure in our lives force us into His arms and deepen our faith roots in robust soil enriched with His plan for growth and nutrition. 1 Peter 2:21reminds us, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” Jesus is our example in every way. He told us there would be suffering and He modeled how to endure it. Jesus allowed God to direct His steps, His behavior, and His attitude, and His gratitude in every circumstance. This world is not our final destination. As we shift our minds to view every moment of life through an eternal lens, may we remember that we are being prepared for so much more and cling to the perfect example of Christ. Heavenly Father, may our eyes ever be lifted to You and our heart be intertwined with Your desires and ways. Help us humble ourselves under Your mighty hand and cast our cares upon You. Intertwine our daily life issues with Your good and for Your eternal glory. Help us be vigilant and steadfast in our faith through the good and bad, hard and easy. Help us to cling to, abide in, and rely on only You. Let us view our troubles through an eternal lens and remember that we are being prepared for much more with You. May we please You more and more each day. 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.

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #069 – In Pursuit of Godly Truth – Interview with Professor William Wagner - Part 2 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. Last week I began a conversation with Professor William Wagner, President of Salt and Light Global Ministry. If you listened, you know we were just getting started. This week we continue where the conversation left off and delve much deeper into the concerns of culture, not only in America, but through the world. If you are a believer of Jesus and a follower of Christ, I urge you to listen to this conversation with a prayerful heart that calls out to God to open your eyes where they may be blinded and to open your heart where it may be closed from His truths. As we continue our journey with the Lord, we must desire to be changed by Him moment by moment, to access the ability that comes from Him, to readily recognize deceit in the world. The battle of contending for the faith God desires for us will require those who profess Christ as Savior to keep ourselves centered in our love and obedience to Him, despite the costs. He is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless through His wisdom and power. We must keep our minds and hearts focused on Him. Three verses come to mind as so promising and critical in maintaining our godly walk through Jesus. Psalm 53:2 says, “God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.” 1 Chronicles 22:19a says, “Now set your heart and soul to seek the Lord your God.” 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.” Let’s begin Part 2 of my conversation with Professor William Wagner, a man who loves Jesus and strives to honor, obey, and please Him. I pray that as you listen to us speak the words of the Lord become clearer to you and empower you to follow and shine Him even more closely. ---------------------------------Interview with Professor Wagner--------------------------------------- In my conversation with Professor Wagner, he said, “If we’re going to win this battle, it’s going to be in the pews.” I agree. Our hearts must be so entwined with God’s that deceit and ploys of Satan are perfectly clear. Throughout history, God has worked through ordinary men and women who obediently followed His calling for them. Where is God calling you? What is He allowing to become more clear in your life? Just as we spoke about today, God always leaves a remnant. Are you part of it? Boldly and humbly move where He calls and continue using His discernment to guide and grow you. Terms may have been redefined in this world, but God never changes. Commit to reading His word and maturing in your walk with Him so that the moral relativity of culture does not confuse or sway you from the truths He so clearly sets before us. Precious, Holy, Heavenly Father, we bow before You, humbly acknowledging our distance from You and ask that You build up a most holy faith within us. As we pray by Your Holy Spirit, please show us mercy and keep our focus on our Lord Jesus growing. We have strayed so far from where You would have us be. Snatch us from the fires of this fleshly world. Please keep us from stumbling even more greatly, and make us able to stand in the presence of Your glory blameless and with great joy as we face You, our God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we shine and proclaim Your glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Turn us away from the filth, lies, and apathy of the culture of this world and cause us to crave You and Your truths and break the bonds of deception we have allowed to entwine and captivate us. In Your glorious and merciful name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to listen to the first episode of my interview with Professor Wagner – Part 1 of our conversation that aired last week. You can find it at terrihitt.com, where you can listen or read transcripts of episodes and find several free resources specially designed to mature your walk with Jesus and influence children to choose Jesus over culture. I pray that this podcast always 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 069 In Pursuit of Godly Truth Part 2 Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #069 – In Pursuit of Godly Truth – Interview with Professor William Wagner - Part 2 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. Last week I began a conversation with Professor William Wagner, President of Salt and Light Global Ministry. If you listened, you know we were just getting started. This week we continue where the conversation left off and delve much deeper into the concerns of culture, not only in America, but through the world. If you are a believer of Jesus and a follower of Christ, I urge you to listen to this conversation with a prayerful heart that calls out to God to open your eyes where they may be blinded and to open your heart where it may be closed from His truths. As we continue our journey with the Lord, we must desire to be changed by Him moment by moment, to access the ability that comes from Him, to readily recognize deceit in the world. The battle of contending for the faith God desires for us will require those who profess Christ as Savior to keep ourselves centered in our love and obedience to Him, despite the costs. He is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless through His wisdom and power. We must keep our minds and hearts focused on Him. Three verses come to mind as so promising and critical in maintaining our godly walk through Jesus. Psalm 53:2 says, “God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.” 1 Chronicles 22:19a says, “Now set your heart and soul to seek the Lord your God.” 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.” Let’s begin Part 2 of my conversation with Professor William Wagner, a man who loves Jesus and strives to honor, obey, and please Him. I pray that as you listen to us speak the words of the Lord become clearer to you and empower you to follow and shine Him even more closely. ---------------------------------Interview with Professor Wagner--------------------------------------- In my conversation with Professor Wagner, he said, “If we’re going to win this battle, it’s going to be in the pews.” I agree. Our hearts must be so entwined with God’s that deceit and ploys of Satan are perfectly clear. Throughout history, God has worked through ordinary men and women who obediently followed His calling for them. Where is God calling you? What is He allowing to become more clear in your life? Just as we spoke about today, God always leaves a remnant. Are you part of it? Boldly and humbly move where He calls and continue using His discernment to guide and grow you. Terms may have been redefined in this world, but God never changes. Commit to reading His word and maturing in your walk with Him so that the moral relativity of culture does not confuse or sway you from the truths He so clearly sets before us. Precious, Holy, Heavenly Father, we bow before You, humbly acknowledging our distance from You and ask that You build up a most holy faith within us. As we pray by Your Holy Spirit, please show us mercy and keep our focus on our Lord Jesus growing. We have strayed so far from where You would have us be. Snatch us from the fires of this fleshly world. Please keep us from stumbling even more greatly, and make us able to stand in the presence of Your glory blameless and with great joy as we face You, our God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we shine and proclaim Your glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Turn us away from the filth, lies, and apathy of the culture of this world and cause us to crave You and Your truths and break the bonds of deception we have allowed to entwine and captivate us. In Your glorious and merciful name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to listen to the first episode of my interview with Professor Wagner – Part 1 of our conversation that aired last week. You can find it at terrihitt.com, where you can listen or read transcripts of episodes and find several free resources specially designed to mature your walk with Jesus and influence children to choose Jesus over culture. I pray that this podcast always 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/

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 099 - Choose to Find Blessings Each Day Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 099 – Choose to Find Blessings Each Day Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children, and equips you to become a set-apart woman raising children to chase Christ over culture. It feels so good to be speaking in the podcast microphone again. I apologize for being MIA the last few weeks. If you noticed that no podcast episodes were released recently, it’s because I was sick with a bronchial infection. My voice was gone for many days. I think it was a whisper that only one person in our family could hear for about 8 or 9 days, then my voice began returning slowly day by day. Having no voice is strange. My husband and youngest daughter couldn’t hear most of what I said, so I used my phone to text or wrote notes on paper. Thankfully, my middle daughter has excellent hearing. Nothing gets by her, and she was able to translate when needed! When you produce podcast episodes, yet God allows you to lose your voice, you pay attention. I can’t remember any other time in my several years of podcasting that I’ve lost my voice and been unable to put an episode out. I already had many written, but they weren’t recorded. Guess that’s something I’ll place attention on in the future - getting episodes recorded in advance. As I was forced to rest and heal, I intentionally pondered God’s ways. If He was forcing me to be quiet, I could obey and trust. I could seek what blessings He was giving me (and my family) through this experience. I think everyone agrees, sickness is never fun. Because of this illness, I had to reschedule several appointments. Since we try to keep my youngest as healthy as possible with her health issues, we are always ultra clean and careful about what we do so that no one gets sick. When illness descends into our home, I have to stop and wonder what God is going to work through it. It made me consider blessings that were headed our way, or ways I could still be a blessing to others. Blessings that couldn’t be delivered without me getting sick. Do you routinely look for blessings? I try to make it a habit. But this time while being forced to rest, it was different. Deeper. More intentional. At night, as I breathed heavily to force air in and out, or when I shivered from fever, I knew that I wasn’t going to recover quickly. It was then that I decided God was allowing this illness for a purpose. Although I may not see all the reasons He let me get sick, I could be intentional in identifying what I could see. Early in my illness, I knew it was going to be a while until I recovered. I actually went eight days without showering, and I usually never miss a day! I felt God whispering to me to talk to my youngest daughter about me being sick. As you may know, each morning we start the day playing together. In fact, when she gets up in the morning, she eagerly comes into my presence with glee, ready to start a new storyline with her Lego characters. Afterwards, we have a Bible study together. As I approached her about the fact that it might be several days before I could play again, she was disappointed, of course. But she understood. She could see and hear that I was sick. At first she asked me every day if I might be able to play the next day. After a few days of seeing me get worse instead of better, she resigned herself to the truth that this was going to be a longer healing than she wanted, but she would be okay waiting. When I told her what God revealed to me about her, she was surprised, but her eyes lit with wonder at what God might show her. Here’s how our conversation went: “This morning,” I said to her. “I was asking God to show me the blessings He wants me to see through being sick.” “You did?” she asked. “Yes. It’s so easy to be sad when we get sick, and normal to want to get over it fast, but I think I’m going to be down for a bit.” I revealed. Her face looked sad as she listened. “But I think God has something in store for us,” I said. “He does?” she asked. “Yes. Just this morning in my quiet time, I felt God told me to tell you something. He wants you look for the blessings He’ll show you while I’m sick.” She looked a little surprised and slightly skeptical at this revelation. “I think He wants you to find ways to rely on Him in the mornings instead of me,” I said. She was surprised by my words, but I could tell my girl wasn’t a believer in my thoughts yet. Each day I asked her if she had anything to share. Her answer was no. Until today. I had gotten up earlier than the girls, which is normal in our household, but I was only up a short time when I knew I needed to lay back down and take a nap. So when my youngest got out of bed and came downstairs, I was sleeping on a chaise in the great room. As I slept off and on, I could hear her in the kitchen. To be honest, part of me wanted to make sure she was eating breakfast, but the biggest part of me just wanted to sleep. I let myself doze off again and the next time I awakened, I could hear little clicking sounds. About five minutes later, when she could hear me coughing in the other room, my daughter came in. She asked me what side she could stand on. Yes, I try to cough one way, facing the wall, so that I don’t hack all over everyone. She stood on my left side and showed me the medicine she had placed in her AM/PM pill box. We’ve recently been working together to ensure she knows what medicine she takes and can get it out herself if I’m not with her. Her box holds enough pills for one week, and this was the day it was time to refill everything. When I had first gotten sick, I stood next to her while she did the work herself, but now, a week later I was still sick and sleeping when she needed to take morning medicine and the box was empty. So as I slept, she did her best to fill the tiny slots in the medicine holder, but she didn’t want to take medication until I was awake and we could check it together. I was so joyful to see that all the slots were filled correctly. My girl was able to get every pill she takes and place them in the right position. I quizzed her on what each pill was and what it was for. She answered every question correctly. “My goodness,” I exclaimed! “You did an amazing job!” Big smiles passed between us. “A tiny piece of me is sad that you you’re growing up and able to do this yourself,” I told her honestly. “But the biggest part of me is joyful that you are able to do this all by yourself. You’ve grown up and you’re so smart,” I complimented. After rewarding me with another huge, dimpled smile, my girl said,” Well, I didn’t do it by myself, I asked God to help me.” My heart seemed to swell in my chest. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I was sick and she was able to lean on God to move forward in skills and faith that morning. Best of all was the fact that she completed the task by relying on God to lead her…and she recognized that this was one way He blessed - her by me being sick. This was a revelation we had been waiting to see. Over the almost two weeks I’ve been sick, SO many blessings have been discovered. It makes me proclaim - God is good. All the time. Just as we learn in 1 Chronicles 16:34 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. ” Or James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows .” The goodness God has shown these last couple of weeks has been intimate, personal, just as God is to each of us. But His gifts have been designed that there’s no way we can say they weren’t from Him. I’m not one-hundred percent healed yet, but so close to it! Because I had to go out for an appointment two days ago, it left me more tired yesterday, and I didn’t feel well. I felt like I was starting to slide backwards again. I was tired, had a headache, and just felt like I wanted to be cranky. In my spirit, I could feel the Holy Spirit guarding me – actually protecting my mind. As soon as those thoughts pressed on me, His peace covered me and allowed me to know I didn’t truly desire crankiness. He empowered me to stay calm and feel His presence and healing at work within me. I’m so thankful for His loving presence through this illness and in every moment. He does the very same for you. Are you looking for His blessings this day? While it might be easier to find them when you’re sick and able to concentrate even more deeply on the Father, ask Him to expose what He has for you each day. When you’re sick, or on the run. When you’re busy and when you’re not. When you’re joyful and when you’re sad. Ask Him to make you a blessing to others. Then praise Him when both happen. Because they will. You may not always have the privilege of seeing or hearing what God has done, but that makes His answered prayers all the sweeter when He does expose His mighty hand for you to see. Then proclaim His blessings to others. Remind them that God does the very same for them. He desires for us to be blessed by Him and to proclaim His goodness. Then remember to bless others, because He calls for us to be a blessing, too. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the personal ways You reach us. Thank you that You alone are good. You set the standard, the definition. Lord, we need Your presence in our life. We need You more than the air we breathe, the water we drink when we are parched, or the slumber we desperately seek at night. You are everything that sustains and carries us. Help us to seek You more deeply and walk with You more closely. May our heart never pull away from You. Not even when we are forced to be in bed, when we don’t receive the promotion we deserve, when we have troubling times with spouse or children, when we feel alone or misunderstood. In every trial that life brings may they bring us closer to You because we desire Your presence and trust Your Word. Help us to be brighter lights for You after the hardest times and remain growing in You in the easier times. In the very 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 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 with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast. Episode #008 – A Humble Spirit 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. My youngest child loves to create acronyms, especially funny ones. Lately, they have all been about me. The last couple of days she has been calling me “MAP.” We’ll come back to this. This same daughter has told me for years that she wants to be just like me. She is always saying that we are twins. This sweetheart has had a long “I want to be like Mommy” phase. I was shocked when out of the blue last night she told me that she didn’t want to be just like me anymore. I’ll admit. It hurt my ego. She’s growing up too fast, my heart protested. “Oh, no,” I said to her. “We’re not twins anymore?” “No,” she said without a trace of remorse. “Why not?” I asked. “Mommy’s work all the time. I don’t want to.” She laughs, but I immediately feel “Mom Guilt.” I don’t want her to grow up thinking all I do is work around the house. I remind her that I make time to play with her every single day, then we spend the day together in homeschool. She’s good with that; in fact, she’s not guilting me with the acronym. Having only lived a normal family life for the last four years, she is making observations and voicing her feelings. Now let’s go back to the acronym, MAP. Know what she says it stands for? “Mommy’s A Peasant.” As she laughs, the Holy Spirit gives me the best response for her. “Thank you,” I said. “What?” she asked. “You said I’m a peasant, right?” “Yes,” she said. “You think I do things for the family all day?” “Yes.” “Think about Jesus,” I reminded her. “I’m nothing like Him,” I said, “But if Jesus came to serve and not be served, I think I can try to do the same for my family.” She sat up, facing me with full attention and interest. We talked about Jesus and why He came to live on the earth among us. She’s heard most of what I said before, but just as many of us do, she was hearing the same stories in a new context. Fresh eyes and a different perspective gave new life to the tales she thought she had learned. So far today she hasn’t called me a peasant, but she has designed an acronym for herself. It’s PAP. Her nickname is Peanut, and “Peanut’s a peasant.” In fact, she has now christened her Daddy as “DAP” and her sister as “MAP,” as well. Philippians 2:1-11 says, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” How great God is that He chooses to gift us with such easy ways to draw ourselves and others to Him. How merciful is He that in our fallen nature where our ego threatens to rule us at every turn, the Holy Spirit lives inside those of us who love Him, so that we may be guided to hear His quiet truths and remember that life is not about us. All that we do should lift Him toward the glory and honor He is due. May He increase and I decrease. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” My goodness. I love the way God shows me where my ego gets in the way. Why did my identity feel bruised when she told me that I worked a lot? It’s because I try so hard to be there for her. I make sure we play since she didn’t have time in the important formative years. I purposely create opportunities to grow our bonds with each other. But the key point to remember is that none of it would be possible without the work of my Heavenly Father allowing the good works to come to fruition. He is the One guiding my spirit to desire what to do with her. He is also the One forming the bonds and attachment that occurs. As I bow to Him, relying on His promptings, I allow Him to flow into our lives. Instead of feeling a little wounded with the opinion she voiced, I should rejoice that she shares her thoughts so openly. I should remember that her feelings are not about me. Whenever we allow our personal thoughts or feelings twist around what someone else shares with us, our emotions with always get distorted. Have you ever been humbled by the Lord? I have. Many times. Unfortunately, I’ve been forced to learn hard lessons in the area of humility. Especially in the areas I was most competent or talented. God knows that the areas He blesses us in are sometimes our weakest spots. It’s easier for us to be deceived and think that we can handle something on our own. We tend to look to Him less, until we learn lessons in humility the hard way and learn where our true strength lies. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” God cares for, protects, and lifts the humble. “Oh, Lord, please humble me so that I may be cared for and lifted up as You desire.” James 3:13-18 warns, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” My middle daughter used to participate in pageantry. Now before your mind goes to the glitzy, swimsuit, heels, and caked-on makeup look painted on a five year-old, that is not what I am referring to. If that’s your definition of most of the pageantry world, it’s truly much different. In fact, her favorite pageant system, USA National Miss is founded on, and based on principles pleasing to God. There is competition, of course, but the national director nurtures the girls to know where she stands with the Lord and to exhibit qualities that honor Him. I bring up pageant competitions because the world of pageantry is viewed as cut-throat and shallow. We experienced the opposite. However, what it did for me personally was completely change my selfish ambition of wanting my daughter to be the best and to win everything she entered, even though I never pushed or seemed that way to others from the outside. When we first started, I believed if the judges would see her, they would agree she should be the winner. As time went on, what I noticed that we found friends and that I adored all the girls and families. We began helping others, giving them tips, letting them borrow items they needed, praying with them, traveling with them, and sharing life with them. I saw how worthy they all were. I learned I was seeing them all through God’s eyes and heart. We no longer allowed my daughter in participate in pageantry hoping she would win, but so that she would develop and sharpen skills such as interview, public speaking, service, and the ability to handle obtaining or losing the end result she desired. Pageantry built the same skills as participation in any sport, for both myself and my daughter. She trained and competed maturely and responsibly, and with a gracious and kind heart, and believed that the outcome was in God’s hands. I deeply appreciate the way God used the evolution of her skills to transform my heart to be more in alignment with what He desires. Life is not about competing to be the best. It is simply an individual journey each of us walks to humbly discover, know, and become more Christ-like each day. The way we live should be viewed through that lens. We are each given different gifts and talents that we can employ however, God never wants us to use them to demean, belittle, or crush others. He doesn’t call us to “show-off” skills, but I believe He wants us to use them to work together and to find ways to honor and serve Him through them. God has a plan and purpose for each of us. He loves us all the same. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 tells us, ”If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” Imagine a world in which we all humbly bow to God, seeking ways to show Him though all we do. Psalm 25:8-9 tells us, “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore, He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble His way.” Imagine a world in which we all choose to listen to and humbly obey God. Proverbs 15:33 says, “Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord; therefore, He instructs sinners in His ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.” When my middle daughter was younger, she had a dance instructor we were blessed to work with. My daughter respected her and gained so much from the talent and professional skills she taught. There was, however, a quality that I hope this teacher learned from my daughter. I remember one day when this instructor wanted to discuss with me in private that my daughter was meek and submissive to others. I knew the behavior she talked about. I could see in my mind the times my girl would hold us up when we were out in public as she stopped to open doors for others without anyone even noticing she was there. No one stopped to thank her or take the door from her so that she would be able to go on back to us. They simply kept walking through the door, not even noticing it was a child helping them. It used to irritate me a bit because I expected adults to recognize her and at least take the door. My girl still does this for others; in fact, her humble behavior now carries a quiet confidence with it. One that comes from above. She knows not everyone appreciates this simple gesture. She doesn’t need to gain their approval. The kindness is not only performed for them. Her actions are spurred by what she feels God is asking her to do. I know I have personally learned that what sometimes what appears to be weakness is actually strength cloaked in God’s desire for us to humble ourselves before Him and others. As Jesus tells us to live with the faith of a child, I believe we can learn so much from our children. Instead of teaching them to be tougher or to be more competitive, we should be learning from them and taking on the humbleness they intuitively exhibit. As we desire to grow closer to the Lord, there are questions to ponder and answers we must assess about our hearts to ensure we allow Him to shine from within us and guard against the self-sabotage of ego and self-importance. In what ways do I hear God whispering to me to change? Where has pride taken over my spirit? Do I seek to honor God in what I do? Do I seek selfish attention or have self-serving ambitions when I serve others? Is my work an attempt to make myself appear more successful and fill a hole within myself best completed by God? Do I sacrifice my family in an attempt to gain worldly attention? Each of us has areas that we need to allow God to make visible to us so we can allow His holy work to mend from within. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” The lessons God crafts for each of us are so personal. Whether we choose to learn from them or continue walking without a humble spirit is our choice. Although I am immensely thankful that He allows us the ability to select whether we will allow ourselves to humbly submit to Him and follow His ways, I have also grown thankful for the hard lessons I have learned. Not that I wanted to endure them, or allow others in my life to suffer, but because they have proven to me how great and gracious my Heavenly Father really is. He not only allows us the ability to choose, but the ability to learn through experience. When we fail or fall, He graciously picks us back up and loves us despite the arrogant or ignorant mistakes we make, allowing us the ability and opportunity to learn from Him and extend that grace to others. Humility comes in many forms. Studying the life of Jesus affords us the gift of seeing a grace-filled and beautiful life unfold and the humility and wisdom from our Savior to enrich our life if we accept the responsibility of trusting Him and understanding the definition of a humble life. A modest walk is not something to despise or desire to change. It is a quality that we need to savor as a gift from above and treasure it as we labor to retain and build upon it. It does not mean we have no confidence; on the contrary, it means that we have full confidence in Him and in what He is accomplishing in and through us. As we seek to live each day with more eternal perspective, a humble spirit is essential to develop and grow as we release prideful attitude and actions and adopt a Christlike view of significance. 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. 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 008 A Humble Spirit Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast. Episode #008 – A Humble Spirit 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. My youngest child loves to create acronyms, especially funny ones. Lately, they have all been about me. The last couple of days she has been calling me “MAP.” We’ll come back to this. This same daughter has told me for years that she wants to be just like me. She is always saying that we are twins. This sweetheart has had a long “I want to be like Mommy” phase. I was shocked when out of the blue last night she told me that she didn’t want to be just like me anymore. I’ll admit. It hurt my ego. She’s growing up too fast, my heart protested. “Oh, no,” I said to her. “We’re not twins anymore?” “No,” she said without a trace of remorse. “Why not?” I asked. “Mommy’s work all the time. I don’t want to.” She laughs, but I immediately feel “Mom Guilt.” I don’t want her to grow up thinking all I do is work around the house. I remind her that I make time to play with her every single day, then we spend the day together in homeschool. She’s good with that; in fact, she’s not guilting me with the acronym. Having only lived a normal family life for the last four years, she is making observations and voicing her feelings. Now let’s go back to the acronym, MAP. Know what she says it stands for? “Mommy’s A Peasant.” As she laughs, the Holy Spirit gives me the best response for her. “Thank you,” I said. “What?” she asked. “You said I’m a peasant, right?” “Yes,” she said. “You think I do things for the family all day?” “Yes.” “Think about Jesus,” I reminded her. “I’m nothing like Him,” I said, “But if Jesus came to serve and not be served, I think I can try to do the same for my family.” She sat up, facing me with full attention and interest. We talked about Jesus and why He came to live on the earth among us. She’s heard most of what I said before, but just as many of us do, she was hearing the same stories in a new context. Fresh eyes and a different perspective gave new life to the tales she thought she had learned. So far today she hasn’t called me a peasant, but she has designed an acronym for herself. It’s PAP. Her nickname is Peanut, and “Peanut’s a peasant.” In fact, she has now christened her Daddy as “DAP” and her sister as “MAP,” as well. Philippians 2:1-11 says, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 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. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” How great God is that He chooses to gift us with such easy ways to draw ourselves and others to Him. How merciful is He that in our fallen nature where our ego threatens to rule us at every turn, the Holy Spirit lives inside those of us who love Him, so that we may be guided to hear His quiet truths and remember that life is not about us. All that we do should lift Him toward the glory and honor He is due. May He increase and I decrease. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” My goodness. I love the way God shows me where my ego gets in the way. Why did my identity feel bruised when she told me that I worked a lot? It’s because I try so hard to be there for her. I make sure we play since she didn’t have time in the important formative years. I purposely create opportunities to grow our bonds with each other. But the key point to remember is that none of it would be possible without the work of my Heavenly Father allowing the good works to come to fruition. He is the One guiding my spirit to desire what to do with her. He is also the One forming the bonds and attachment that occurs. As I bow to Him, relying on His promptings, I allow Him to flow into our lives. Instead of feeling a little wounded with the opinion she voiced, I should rejoice that she shares her thoughts so openly. I should remember that her feelings are not about me. Whenever we allow our personal thoughts or feelings twist around what someone else shares with us, our emotions with always get distorted. Have you ever been humbled by the Lord? I have. Many times. Unfortunately, I’ve been forced to learn hard lessons in the area of humility. Especially in the areas I was most competent or talented. God knows that the areas He blesses us in are sometimes our weakest spots. It’s easier for us to be deceived and think that we can handle something on our own. We tend to look to Him less, until we learn lessons in humility the hard way and learn where our true strength lies. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” God cares for, protects, and lifts the humble. “Oh, Lord, please humble me so that I may be cared for and lifted up as You desire.” James 3:13-18 warns, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” My middle daughter used to participate in pageantry. Now before your mind goes to the glitzy, swimsuit, heels, and caked-on makeup look painted on a five year-old, that is not what I am referring to. If that’s your definition of most of the pageantry world, it’s truly much different. In fact, her favorite pageant system, USA National Miss is founded on, and based on principles pleasing to God. There is competition, of course, but the national director nurtures the girls to know where she stands with the Lord and to exhibit qualities that honor Him. I bring up pageant competitions because the world of pageantry is viewed as cut-throat and shallow. We experienced the opposite. However, what it did for me personally was completely change my selfish ambition of wanting my daughter to be the best and to win everything she entered, even though I never pushed or seemed that way to others from the outside. When we first started, I believed if the judges would see her, they would agree she should be the winner. As time went on, what I noticed that we found friends and that I adored all the girls and families. We began helping others, giving them tips, letting them borrow items they needed, praying with them, traveling with them, and sharing life with them. I saw how worthy they all were. I learned I was seeing them all through God’s eyes and heart. We no longer allowed my daughter in participate in pageantry hoping she would win, but so that she would develop and sharpen skills such as interview, public speaking, service, and the ability to handle obtaining or losing the end result she desired. Pageantry built the same skills as participation in any sport, for both myself and my daughter. She trained and competed maturely and responsibly, and with a gracious and kind heart, and believed that the outcome was in God’s hands. I deeply appreciate the way God used the evolution of her skills to transform my heart to be more in alignment with what He desires. Life is not about competing to be the best. It is simply an individual journey each of us walks to humbly discover, know, and become more Christ-like each day. The way we live should be viewed through that lens. We are each given different gifts and talents that we can employ however, God never wants us to use them to demean, belittle, or crush others. He doesn’t call us to “show-off” skills, but I believe He wants us to use them to work together and to find ways to honor and serve Him through them. God has a plan and purpose for each of us. He loves us all the same. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 tells us, ”If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” Imagine a world in which we all humbly bow to God, seeking ways to show Him though all we do. Psalm 25:8-9 tells us, “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore, He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble His way.” Imagine a world in which we all choose to listen to and humbly obey God. Proverbs 15:33 says, “Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord; therefore, He instructs sinners in His ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.” When my middle daughter was younger, she had a dance instructor we were blessed to work with. My daughter respected her and gained so much from the talent and professional skills she taught. There was, however, a quality that I hope this teacher learned from my daughter. I remember one day when this instructor wanted to discuss with me in private that my daughter was meek and submissive to others. I knew the behavior she talked about. I could see in my mind the times my girl would hold us up when we were out in public as she stopped to open doors for others without anyone even noticing she was there. No one stopped to thank her or take the door from her so that she would be able to go on back to us. They simply kept walking through the door, not even noticing it was a child helping them. It used to irritate me a bit because I expected adults to recognize her and at least take the door. My girl still does this for others; in fact, her humble behavior now carries a quiet confidence with it. One that comes from above. She knows not everyone appreciates this simple gesture. She doesn’t need to gain their approval. The kindness is not only performed for them. Her actions are spurred by what she feels God is asking her to do. I know I have personally learned that what sometimes what appears to be weakness is actually strength cloaked in God’s desire for us to humble ourselves before Him and others. As Jesus tells us to live with the faith of a child, I believe we can learn so much from our children. Instead of teaching them to be tougher or to be more competitive, we should be learning from them and taking on the humbleness they intuitively exhibit. As we desire to grow closer to the Lord, there are questions to ponder and answers we must assess about our hearts to ensure we allow Him to shine from within us and guard against the self-sabotage of ego and self-importance. In what ways do I hear God whispering to me to change? Where has pride taken over my spirit? Do I seek to honor God in what I do? Do I seek selfish attention or have self-serving ambitions when I serve others? Is my work an attempt to make myself appear more successful and fill a hole within myself best completed by God? Do I sacrifice my family in an attempt to gain worldly attention? Each of us has areas that we need to allow God to make visible to us so we can allow His holy work to mend from within. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” The lessons God crafts for each of us are so personal. Whether we choose to learn from them or continue walking without a humble spirit is our choice. Although I am immensely thankful that He allows us the ability to select whether we will allow ourselves to humbly submit to Him and follow His ways, I have also grown thankful for the hard lessons I have learned. Not that I wanted to endure them, or allow others in my life to suffer, but because they have proven to me how great and gracious my Heavenly Father really is. He not only allows us the ability to choose, but the ability to learn through experience. When we fail or fall, He graciously picks us back up and loves us despite the arrogant or ignorant mistakes we make, allowing us the ability and opportunity to learn from Him and extend that grace to others. Humility comes in many forms. Studying the life of Jesus affords us the gift of seeing a grace-filled and beautiful life unfold and the humility and wisdom from our Savior to enrich our life if we accept the responsibility of trusting Him and understanding the definition of a humble life. A modest walk is not something to despise or desire to change. It is a quality that we need to savor as a gift from above and treasure it as we labor to retain and build upon it. It does not mean we have no confidence; on the contrary, it means that we have full confidence in Him and in what He is accomplishing in and through us. As we seek to live each day with more eternal perspective, a humble spirit is essential to develop and grow as we release prideful attitude and actions and adopt a Christlike view of significance. 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. 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.

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

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perpective Podcast Episode #004 – Eternity Driven Hearts Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. Thank you for entrusting and investing part of 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. We’ve been experiencing such beautiful winter weather where I live. I would be absolutely delighted if the weather would continue to stay this mild for the remainder of the season. I’m definitely not a cold weather girl, but I’ve made peace with winter this year because it’s been so good to me…at least this far. I live in an area with several hills and trees. Wooded areas surround our homes and a lake is in the center of the subdivision. I often see deer, raccoons, foxes, and even bobcats and coyotes. I can now reluctantly admit that although I don’t care for winter, when the snow comes, it looks absolutely beautiful. When I stand in my kitchen and look outside, I feel like I’m looking into a snow globe. Sometimes it’s easy for us to think of all the gorgeous views God gives us in this world (with the crystal white snow, lush trees, rainbows, brilliant skies, blue waters, exotic flowers…and all the unique and adorable animals, and think that this is as good as it can be. Except that we know God has promised in His word that there is so much more to come. He actually tells us in one of my favorite verses, found in 1 Corinthians, that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. Listen to this verse from Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” Just ponder those verses. God promises us that what He has planned is far better than anything the greatest imaginative minds ever born could fathom and His timing is perfect and appropriate, even though we don’t understand and cannot grasp all that He is, has done, or can do. God has placed eternity in our hearts. This craving will not be satisfied through any experience in this world. Even the happiest person on earth who believes they are “living their best life” will never have complete fullness of joy without Christ as their Savior and center of it. Romans 8:18-25 is a long passage, but listen to the beauty and promise contained. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” Placing eternity in our hearts is so important to God that all of creation, even nature and animals, yearn for restoration with God. As humans made in God’s image, our Heavenly Father presents each of us with opportunities to serve Him and access His redemptive gift daily. Our eternity is secure with Him once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, yet He continues to bless us by allowing participation in His redemptive experience when we are watchful for, recognize, and seize moments to allow Him to flow through us and minister to others. One aspect of living with eternal perspective means caring for others enough to ask God to work through us and to be open to His prompts. Remember, God sometimes speaks softly. At times, we only hear His gentle whispers prompting our spirit. Sometimes He presses firm, persistent reminders in our thoughts. Other times, we might sense an almost audible voice. Just as we are all unique, the way God communicates is tailored specifically to each of us, His beloved children. Our personalities, our situations, our communication style, and relationship with the Lord must play a factor in how He talks to and shows Himself to us. When my oldest daughter died, I experienced God’s personal and intimate voice and touch through smell. I awakened at about 7:30 one Sunday morning. As I passed through our great room on my way to the kitchen, I was struck by an intense aroma. As most mothers can do, I recognized the scent as my oldest child. I still remember kissing her on the forehead at her hairline and smelling her unique smell when she was a baby. That very personal aroma stayed with her as she grew older. That morning it filled our great room all the way to the ceiling. There was absolutely no mistaking that it was my daughter. I actually stopped and looked up to the ceiling as I spoke. “God,” I said. “Why do I smell Jaime? Is something going to happen to her?” It scared me just because it was such an intense smell. Without going into the entire story right now, our daughter did pass away from complications of a genetic disorder that we discovered later in her life. The disorder had caused a thimble-sized blood clot in the left frontal lobe of her brain and she passed away from a seizure caused by the remaining scar tissue, even though she was still taking her blood thinner and anti-seizure medications. I believe God warned me with her scent 24 hours in advance. She died the next day about 7:30 in the morning. As my daughter was in her 20’s and living in an apartment, police officers came to tell me the news. As I stood in the doorway, I held my then youngest daughter, who was four years old. After absorbing the initial information, my thoughts turned to remaining calm and not disrupting Marissa’s life. I knew what the officers were going to tell me because God had warned me, probably for reasons I don’t understand, but also so that I could keep a posture of calm and peace for my child who had lived with enough upheaval in her short years. Inside, I was devastated, but grateful for the forewarning I had received. God speaks so personally to us. What an intimate relationship God desires with each of us. When the Lord called my husband and I to bring our middle daughter home from China, He whispered to me in a firm voice I readily recognized. I was getting into the car at the shopping mall. My husband was starting the vehicle as I sat in my seat and looked at him. “God just told me that I’m going to have another baby before I’m 45,” I told him. Since I underwent a hysterectomy at age 22, my husband asked, “Am I going to die and you’re going to marry a man with kids?” “No,” I shook my head. “We are going to have a baby.” He accepted my response so easily. We had two children, and had never planned to have another, and obviously we could not. Yet, he accepted what I said and we drove home. A few years later, God spoke to both my husband and me through visions at the same time. When we told each other about them, we called them dreams. They were about adopting a little girl from China. We knew God was at work. My last example today, although there are many others, is the year I awakened on New Year’s Day, 2013. The first thought on my mind that morning was that someone in my family was going to die before the year was over. It disturbed me to have this thought penetrate my mind as I started the day and a new year. Once you lose a child, fear can so easily overtake your life. It would be incredibly easy for me to let fear control me. Once a death this deep has invaded your world, you cannot forget that it exists. You cannot turn away from the knowledge that it visited once and has a foot in the door of your life. Yet, I am His. That glorious fact equips me with the privilege of intentionally handing the burden of that fear to Jesus daily. Any time fear begins to creep inside my thoughts, I immediately allow Him to carry my thoughts and emotions. His death and resurrection has released me from the bondage of fear. Because of the cross, nothing in this world should have a grip on me, except Jesus Christ. The longer I rely on His strength, the less time it takes to willingly release my weakness to Him. I actually became angry at God when he warned me of another death that morning in 2013 and I wrestled with God over the news. I told Him I didn’t want His warnings. I told Him I was tired of all the years of advance knowledge He had presented to me. I cried and later mourned the sweet connection I had with my Heavenly Father that I feared would now be forever gone. I became ashamed by my attitude and the fact that I had been bold enough to presume that I could tell God what He could or could not do in my life. Then, I repented and asked for forgiveness. I knew that God understood and already knew my feelings. He could handle them, but I wanted Him to know that I respected His authority in my life. I knew that He had presented me gifts that I would need. I was simply letting fear rule my emotions and I did not want to lose another loved one. Later that month my father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He died in September. The year was long and especially difficult, but I was thankful that God had forewarned me of trouble that was forthcoming. He knew I needed to prepare again. He is rich in mercy. It is up to me to accept responsibility to desire God and allow Him to grow my maturity as I seek Him through prayer and scripture. He graciously allows me to desire Him and be willing to let Him take control as I permit Him to carry me. I don’t believe God walks beside me. We are not partners. He is my Lord and I want Him to carry me through everything life delivers. I include Him in all areas of my daily life and enjoy knowing that He is ever-present in times of need and in times of joy. He does the very same for you. The craving God places in each of us is not a spiritual fix easily satisfied by inspirational words or quotes, meditation, or a walk in the woods, but a deep craving for more than this world offers. As we seek Him and continue developing all areas of our life through Him, He also places in each of us the desire for others to seek and find Him. That doesn’t mean we are all meant to be missionaries in far-off countries, but it does mean that we are created to care for others and their eternity. I believe that my biggest mission field is striving to live more like Christ daily. I have realized that the way I show Him in my words, actions, priorities, and lifestyle will either draw others to Him or pull them away from a relationship with Christ. Colossians 4:5 instructs us, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” This makes my heart ache as I think of the variety of people I meet each time I go somewhere. Do any of my deep longings for Jesus or my love for Him show at all? I don’t want them to think I am a nice person, or a spiritual person. I pray they see a light shine within me that pulls them straight to Christ. We do not know when Jesus will return. Not even Jesus knows! We understand that through this verse in Mark 13:32, “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” We are also told through Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” We can’t fathom what God has planned for us individually or as the collective world before His return, but we have faith and we trust, because of His word. We know with certainty that He has, and will make, everything occur appropriately in His perfect timing. We cannot see the work He is doing from beginning to end and much of what He does is such a mystery, as it should be. He is God. Yet, the closer we draw to Him gives us deepened clarity and understanding that we truly do have a hole in our hearts that is placed and shaped for Him alone. Ephesians 5:15-16 warn us, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” This verse should pierce our hearts as we think of our daily routines and the business we have let society push at us. I find my greatest peace when I deliberately slow our family activities down. It takes skillful balance to maintain joy and calm. I want my children and husband to live in a home filled with the peace and calm of Jesus, not a busy schedule that leaves us hoping for time with Him. Days flash by and turn into months and years before we realize we never made the time to do what really matters. God doesn’t wait. He knows that we will accomplish what we think is important. I want my priority to be a legacy of a giant sign flashing the name, “Jesus” for all to see. When I die, I want those who love me to mourn seeing Him through me daily, but be strengthened and encouraged to continue maturing their own walk with Him. Then I know I have modeled an eternity-driven heart and have lived with eternal perspective. Thank you 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 004 Eternity Driven Hearts Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perpective Podcast Episode #004 – Eternity Driven Hearts Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. Thank you for entrusting and investing part of 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. We’ve been experiencing such beautiful winter weather where I live. I would be absolutely delighted if the weather would continue to stay this mild for the remainder of the season. I’m definitely not a cold weather girl, but I’ve made peace with winter this year because it’s been so good to me…at least this far. I live in an area with several hills and trees. Wooded areas surround our homes and a lake is in the center of the subdivision. I often see deer, raccoons, foxes, and even bobcats and coyotes. I can now reluctantly admit that although I don’t care for winter, when the snow comes, it looks absolutely beautiful. When I stand in my kitchen and look outside, I feel like I’m looking into a snow globe. Sometimes it’s easy for us to think of all the gorgeous views God gives us in this world (with the crystal white snow, lush trees, rainbows, brilliant skies, blue waters, exotic flowers…and all the unique and adorable animals, and think that this is as good as it can be. Except that we know God has promised in His word that there is so much more to come. He actually tells us in one of my favorite verses, found in 1 Corinthians, that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. Listen to this verse from Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” Just ponder those verses. God promises us that what He has planned is far better than anything the greatest imaginative minds ever born could fathom and His timing is perfect and appropriate, even though we don’t understand and cannot grasp all that He is, has done, or can do. God has placed eternity in our hearts. This craving will not be satisfied through any experience in this world. Even the happiest person on earth who believes they are “living their best life” will never have complete fullness of joy without Christ as their Savior and center of it. Romans 8:18-25 is a long passage, but listen to the beauty and promise contained. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” Placing eternity in our hearts is so important to God that all of creation, even nature and animals, yearn for restoration with God. As humans made in God’s image, our Heavenly Father presents each of us with opportunities to serve Him and access His redemptive gift daily. Our eternity is secure with Him once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, yet He continues to bless us by allowing participation in His redemptive experience when we are watchful for, recognize, and seize moments to allow Him to flow through us and minister to others. One aspect of living with eternal perspective means caring for others enough to ask God to work through us and to be open to His prompts. Remember, God sometimes speaks softly. At times, we only hear His gentle whispers prompting our spirit. Sometimes He presses firm, persistent reminders in our thoughts. Other times, we might sense an almost audible voice. Just as we are all unique, the way God communicates is tailored specifically to each of us, His beloved children. Our personalities, our situations, our communication style, and relationship with the Lord must play a factor in how He talks to and shows Himself to us. When my oldest daughter died, I experienced God’s personal and intimate voice and touch through smell. I awakened at about 7:30 one Sunday morning. As I passed through our great room on my way to the kitchen, I was struck by an intense aroma. As most mothers can do, I recognized the scent as my oldest child. I still remember kissing her on the forehead at her hairline and smelling her unique smell when she was a baby. That very personal aroma stayed with her as she grew older. That morning it filled our great room all the way to the ceiling. There was absolutely no mistaking that it was my daughter. I actually stopped and looked up to the ceiling as I spoke. “God,” I said. “Why do I smell Jaime? Is something going to happen to her?” It scared me just because it was such an intense smell. Without going into the entire story right now, our daughter did pass away from complications of a genetic disorder that we discovered later in her life. The disorder had caused a thimble-sized blood clot in the left frontal lobe of her brain and she passed away from a seizure caused by the remaining scar tissue, even though she was still taking her blood thinner and anti-seizure medications. I believe God warned me with her scent 24 hours in advance. She died the next day about 7:30 in the morning. As my daughter was in her 20’s and living in an apartment, police officers came to tell me the news. As I stood in the doorway, I held my then youngest daughter, who was four years old. After absorbing the initial information, my thoughts turned to remaining calm and not disrupting Marissa’s life. I knew what the officers were going to tell me because God had warned me, probably for reasons I don’t understand, but also so that I could keep a posture of calm and peace for my child who had lived with enough upheaval in her short years. Inside, I was devastated, but grateful for the forewarning I had received. God speaks so personally to us. What an intimate relationship God desires with each of us. When the Lord called my husband and I to bring our middle daughter home from China, He whispered to me in a firm voice I readily recognized. I was getting into the car at the shopping mall. My husband was starting the vehicle as I sat in my seat and looked at him. “God just told me that I’m going to have another baby before I’m 45,” I told him. Since I underwent a hysterectomy at age 22, my husband asked, “Am I going to die and you’re going to marry a man with kids?” “No,” I shook my head. “We are going to have a baby.” He accepted my response so easily. We had two children, and had never planned to have another, and obviously we could not. Yet, he accepted what I said and we drove home. A few years later, God spoke to both my husband and me through visions at the same time. When we told each other about them, we called them dreams. They were about adopting a little girl from China. We knew God was at work. My last example today, although there are many others, is the year I awakened on New Year’s Day, 2013. The first thought on my mind that morning was that someone in my family was going to die before the year was over. It disturbed me to have this thought penetrate my mind as I started the day and a new year. Once you lose a child, fear can so easily overtake your life. It would be incredibly easy for me to let fear control me. Once a death this deep has invaded your world, you cannot forget that it exists. You cannot turn away from the knowledge that it visited once and has a foot in the door of your life. Yet, I am His. That glorious fact equips me with the privilege of intentionally handing the burden of that fear to Jesus daily. Any time fear begins to creep inside my thoughts, I immediately allow Him to carry my thoughts and emotions. His death and resurrection has released me from the bondage of fear. Because of the cross, nothing in this world should have a grip on me, except Jesus Christ. The longer I rely on His strength, the less time it takes to willingly release my weakness to Him. I actually became angry at God when he warned me of another death that morning in 2013 and I wrestled with God over the news. I told Him I didn’t want His warnings. I told Him I was tired of all the years of advance knowledge He had presented to me. I cried and later mourned the sweet connection I had with my Heavenly Father that I feared would now be forever gone. I became ashamed by my attitude and the fact that I had been bold enough to presume that I could tell God what He could or could not do in my life. Then, I repented and asked for forgiveness. I knew that God understood and already knew my feelings. He could handle them, but I wanted Him to know that I respected His authority in my life. I knew that He had presented me gifts that I would need. I was simply letting fear rule my emotions and I did not want to lose another loved one. Later that month my father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He died in September. The year was long and especially difficult, but I was thankful that God had forewarned me of trouble that was forthcoming. He knew I needed to prepare again. He is rich in mercy. It is up to me to accept responsibility to desire God and allow Him to grow my maturity as I seek Him through prayer and scripture. He graciously allows me to desire Him and be willing to let Him take control as I permit Him to carry me. I don’t believe God walks beside me. We are not partners. He is my Lord and I want Him to carry me through everything life delivers. I include Him in all areas of my daily life and enjoy knowing that He is ever-present in times of need and in times of joy. He does the very same for you. The craving God places in each of us is not a spiritual fix easily satisfied by inspirational words or quotes, meditation, or a walk in the woods, but a deep craving for more than this world offers. As we seek Him and continue developing all areas of our life through Him, He also places in each of us the desire for others to seek and find Him. That doesn’t mean we are all meant to be missionaries in far-off countries, but it does mean that we are created to care for others and their eternity. I believe that my biggest mission field is striving to live more like Christ daily. I have realized that the way I show Him in my words, actions, priorities, and lifestyle will either draw others to Him or pull them away from a relationship with Christ. Colossians 4:5 instructs us, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” This makes my heart ache as I think of the variety of people I meet each time I go somewhere. Do any of my deep longings for Jesus or my love for Him show at all? I don’t want them to think I am a nice person, or a spiritual person. I pray they see a light shine within me that pulls them straight to Christ. We do not know when Jesus will return. Not even Jesus knows! We understand that through this verse in Mark 13:32, “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” We are also told through Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” We can’t fathom what God has planned for us individually or as the collective world before His return, but we have faith and we trust, because of His word. We know with certainty that He has, and will make, everything occur appropriately in His perfect timing. We cannot see the work He is doing from beginning to end and much of what He does is such a mystery, as it should be. He is God. Yet, the closer we draw to Him gives us deepened clarity and understanding that we truly do have a hole in our hearts that is placed and shaped for Him alone. Ephesians 5:15-16 warn us, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” This verse should pierce our hearts as we think of our daily routines and the business we have let society push at us. I find my greatest peace when I deliberately slow our family activities down. It takes skillful balance to maintain joy and calm. I want my children and husband to live in a home filled with the peace and calm of Jesus, not a busy schedule that leaves us hoping for time with Him. Days flash by and turn into months and years before we realize we never made the time to do what really matters. God doesn’t wait. He knows that we will accomplish what we think is important. I want my priority to be a legacy of a giant sign flashing the name, “Jesus” for all to see. When I die, I want those who love me to mourn seeing Him through me daily, but be strengthened and encouraged to continue maturing their own walk with Him. Then I know I have modeled an eternity-driven heart and have lived with eternal perspective. Thank you 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 #061 – Seeking and Seizing Teachable God Moments 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. Before we start the podcast today, I’d like to mention the upcoming Who Is Carter Foundation third annual Gala fundraiser on April 9th at 6:00 PM. The Brain Possible Podcast is fully funded and operated by this wonderful, nonprofit organization. Who Is Carter would love for you to be there in person or online! Your support at the gala ensures the ability to continue to bring you their podcasts, resources, and more into the coming year. There are two ways to attend: If you live in the Kansas City area, attend in person at The Bardot Luxury Event Space at 1616 Grand Avenue in Kansas City, MO. There will be great food, an inspiring program, live music, and unique auction items such as a stay at the Ritz Carlton, Cancun or a Guatemala fishing resort trip, and even a VIP meet-and-greet with Chiefs’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill! Of course, every available COVID-19 precaution will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. If you don’t live in the Kansas City area, or are more comfortable staying in, you can join the activities virtually! Tune in online on the evening of the 9th; you’ll even have full access to bid on silent auction items online! Visit whoiscarter.org/gala for more information and to purchase tickets. This wonderful organization I have mentioned on the podcast before looks forward to being with you on April 9! Thank you for considering attending the Who Is Carter Foundation Gala. Now, on to this week’s episode. Have you ever wished you knew more about Jesus? His days growing up? Imagine if He had kept a diary for us to read. I would treasure reading His day to day thoughts. At least we can learn so much about how to live through reading Jesus’s words recorded in the Bible and I am incredibly thankful for that. Of course, the more we study His words, really dig in theologically, the better we understand and can model our lives after His. Jesus must have sought and seized simple daily opportunities as teachable God moments. Just as I am sure our Heavenly Father would like us to do. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” Capture all moments of life for Him. Loving Jesus is like breathing; He is the air we need to survive. The Lord cannot be compartmentalized; Jesus flows into every area of our life. As we shift our focus to continuous living with an eternal mindset that is aware of how we respond and how it affects others for Jesus, we live with a gentleness and respect for the Lord, people, and the world around us. We desire to share the hope that is in us through the Holy Spirit and the sacrifice of Jesus. Today I simply want to share a few stories of everyday life with you. I often get comments from people saying they enjoy these glimpses into our life the best. I think people just like to see how other people use daily moments to love and honor God. I would love to hear your stories, as well. After listening to the podcast, feel free to email me through the link on my website at terrihitt.com. I would treasure hearing your stories of seeking and enjoying the teachable God moments with your children or of how God has matured you personally in your walk with Him. He tenderly and intimately personalizes special moments with each one of us who have eyes to see and hearts to experience and believe. This first story happened with my youngest about three years ago. I’m going to read it as I originally wrote it, almost in a diary form. Brooklyn admired my rings as I was putting on jewelry today. Remembering that I have other rings I don't usually wear anymore, she went to my jewelry box, hoping she could wear one of them. I've never been one to want big, fancy, expensive pieces, but what I have has sentimental value. She pointed to a blue ring and got it out to look at. With excitement, she discovered that it fit her middle finger. "Oh, that ring is special," I told her. "You picked out a good one. Bring it over to the light," I said. She followed me to the bathroom and we stood under the vanity lights. Still not quite bright enough for what I wanted to show her, I swiped my phone screen and brought up the flashlight. Shining it toward the top of the ring, we looked again. The blue surface now had a brilliant white star on top. "Oh, pretty!" she exclaimed. "That's a star sapphire," I said. "That ring is the first gift Daddy ever gave Mommy. He gave me that ring when we were dating," We went upstairs to a skylight and looked at the ring again in the bright sunlight. "Another reason that ring is so special is that it reminds me of Jesus," I said. "When the ring doesn't have light on it, you can't see the star inside. When you flash the light on it, the beautiful star shines." Brooklyn looked at me as I continued talking. "When people go out in the world, we all look the same. But when Jesus shines His light through us, other people can see it. They see Him in us, just like we see this star in the ring." She smiled, absorbing more truths that were unspoken to her for too long. We left for speech therapy together - a mommy with one of her special daughters and a little girl wearing a ring that will never outshine the beauty Jesus is growing inside of her. When I was driving later, tears gathered in my eyes as I thought about how God knew long ago that the ring Dennis gave me for Christmas when I was 17 would be a tool in our future daughter, Brooklyn's life to help shape and grow her in Him. We will continue looking for miracles and living in His grace. I deeply appreciate the way God goes before us. How beautiful, merciful, and good His ways are. We simply cannot fathom the love and care He has for us. I did not know Jesus when I was a teenager, yet God knew me and loved me enough to use a gift from my boyfriend to set a plan in place for our future youngest child to learn of Him in a special and deeper way over half a century later. Psalm 139:5-6 says, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” Psalm 136:16 says, “Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever.” This next story is one I shared on my blog. I will read it as I shared there. Earlier this week I heard words that I knew might one day be said. In 15 years of adoptive parenting, they had never been spoken to me. “You’re not my real mom.” Instead of pain, my first thoughts were “How can I help her? What is going on inside her mind and spirit?” Always so good with eye contact, my youngest did not meet my eyes this time. Even when we received her as ours after meeting for the first time in China, she had perfect eye contact. In fact, her gaze was so impressive that I knew we had a fireball in our family. I remained calm and kept my voice gentle. “Why do you say that?” I asked. “Why do you say I’m not your real mom?” “Because you are wearing make-up today,” she said. I began to laugh. I couldn’t help it. My youngest loves to stay home. Her perfect day includes me waking her up in the morning wearing no makeup and my “stay home” clothes. Yes, there is a distinct difference in the way I look at home and when I go out in public. Comfy clothes are all I wear at home. Not pajamas, but close – soft and warm clothes. Brooklyn wears her pajamas all day – every day, unless we go out. This was her unique way of telling me how dissatisfied she was with me. After hugging, I explained to her that I knew she didn’t like to go to the doctor. I promised her it would be an easy visit and that we could stay home – without makeup – the next day. The next morning after awakening her (of course in my no makeup, stay home attire), I asked her if her “real mommy” was back. She smiled and told me, “Yes. Mommy likes to stay home with me.” It’s so important for us to dig deep into the messages we hear. This world sends so many false messages. As I have matured in my walk with Christ, He has enabled me to get better at letting Him discern what I believe and how I control my responses. It is so important for us to read and study His word daily so that we are not controlled by our flesh. We can make time for what we deem important, and even fifteen minutes of study will increase our desire to know and follow where God calls. As we make His word a priority, we establish Him as a priority. Life can be so difficult and confusing. The only anchor we have is Jesus. Our responses, desires, and attitude, as well as actions are all a direct result from the time we spend with Him. We have to know our beliefs in order to live them. Our Savior must be alive inside of us in order for us to reflect Him. Things are not always what they appear to be. Words are not always defined by our interpretation. Let Jesus be the One to guide and influence what you prioritize, believe, and how you respond. He alone will keep us from being deceived in this world full of lies. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” So often we think we know what others mean or we project our thoughts onto them. Children teach us how beautiful simple conversation and honesty are. No wonder Jesus wants the children to come to Him. I remember writing this next piece because I was deeply touched by how God ministered to and taught me through my middle daughter. Before I begin reading it, let me share that I’m the kind of person who wants to help people. When I know someone is hurting, I immediately want to help them find a way to make things better. Yet, God often needs to do a work in or through us before pain can be erased. Often, our trials may not be just for us to learn and grow, but for the others who will see or participate and learn and grow through them. Our Heavenly Father is sovereign. God used a dishwasher to help me remember that sometimes we just need to stand in the pain with others as we trust and allow Him to work. Here’s the next story: Our family washes dishes by hand (after our dishwasher stopped working several years ago). People actually get anxious when I admit that we didn’t run out to replace this appliance immediately. They say they couldn’t imagine living without a dishwasher. Do I miss it? Sometimes I definitely do! On the days we are in and out of the house with just enough time to eat and spread dirty dishes everywhere, I really miss it. Most days, no. Why? I cherish the time spent with my family while completing chores together. We have a system. Usually, I wash and rinse dishes, and Marissa dries and puts them away. Many times, my husband will join in to help dry and put the dishes away, too. While we take care of dishes, Brooklyn folds and puts away the laundry we washed that day (she brings it to the kitchen to work on). May I share that she doesn’t just fold it. The items look professionally pressed. She “hand irons” pieces as she folds, lovingly forming soft creases in the fabric that express her deep gratitude for us, her beloved family. My mother’s eye observes and treasures special qualities God blessed us with in our home, and the way we commit their use to one another in His honor. We usually have the best discussions while everyone is gathered together without distractions. Often, we sing and dance while music is played and we always find something to laugh about. Even the dogs join in. Can you believe our Mini Schnauzer loves us to sing to her? One day last week, the girls and I were listening to a variety of songs as we worked. Naively, I chose one that I had not listened to in years. Instruments sounded the opening chords of a piece I used to enjoy with my oldest daughter, Jaime in her teen years. A realization pierced me. I have officially lived twice as long as Jaime. My age is 58 years. My beloved daughter died at age 29. Then, another thought occurred. Jaime was born when I was 18. It has been 10 years since she passed away. That means I have now lived a total of 28 years of my life without her. Now I have lived a little over half of my life without her. My heart seized at the realization. I wept. My pain wasn’t expressed in a loud, sobbing cry, but with a quiet, resigned sadness that understands I cannot change anything, yet accepts that sorrow will always line my soul with the painful loss only God has carried me through. Soon, the years will begin adding up so that I have lived more and more of my life without her. It’s not supposed to be that way. Children are supposed to live longer than parents. The imperfections in this world could rip apart our relationship with God. Yet, He doesn’t desire it to. “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.” Psalm 91:4 He created us to desire Him. Not only in the good times. A best friend cradles and carries you. They never leave your side in the hardest moments. That is Jesus. My best friend. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not, they are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 As my silent tears exposed my grief, Marissa tightly hugged me. We shared the longest embrace I can remember. Wishing she could erase my pain, yet understanding that I had to embrace this season of it, my daughter simply and bravely stood with me in it. She acknowledged my grief and loved me in it. Just like Jesus does. Our broken dishwasher was a catalyst for the continued work the Lord was crafting in my personal journey, as well as in our family connection. The multi-faceted mystery of God is so much more than we see or imagine. Faith continues growing in our home. In our lives. In our hearts. In the actions of my children. I am immensely thankful for the love we share each day. I’m also grateful for the tears. “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 Just like me. Just like you. “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8 Jesus is so concerned about our pain that He lovingly keeps track of what we do and what happens to us, storing our tears in a bottle, personally and intimately caring about every single event that occurs in our lives. Beautiful examples are modeled for us to follow for others. Marissa couldn’t store my tears or pain in a bottle, but she could stand with me. In the pain. No words needed. Just like Jesus. Living with eternal perspective means that we must condition ourselves to look for Jesus in the ordinary pockets of life. Hopefully, the more get accustomed to living that way, we get better and eventually live more with that mindset than without. My next piece exposed my desire to protect my daughter, but without the mind and heartset that Jesus would have me model for her. We must strive to adjust and keep all areas in our life focused on Him properly. Yet, even through our mistakes, Jesus knits good together despite the tattered threads of our unraveling attempts to be like Him. Let me expose my mistake and the way God redeemed it through working a good work in me for my daughters to see. Last week, I specifically asked God to humble me and allow me to become more like Him. As I whispered the words I truly meant, I knew that I was “asking for trouble.” Sometimes the prayers we offer to God can be scary. Just like when we pray for patience, I knew I would encounter both “painful” and “blessed” experiences ahead. I forgot to add the adjective, “embarrassing” to my list. As my Creator, God knows exactly what I need to become more like Him. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 It didn’t take long. Just a few days later I went to the county fair with my family. God was at work. I often reflect on my calling as a Christian and how that pertains to how I act and react to others daily. But, as at the fair, sometimes our emotions get the best of us, and we don’t think before we react. In Ephesians, Paul reminds us to walk worthy of the calling with which we are called. Sometimes, it’s hard. Obviously, it was for me that day at the fair. “Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1b-3 I had a few frustrating things happen, but the incident that triggered me to react the opposite of how I wish I would have…was…at the kiddie airplane ride. I’m not proud of my reaction. We stood in line while the multi-colored airplanes twirled, lifting small children high and low into the air. I watched my youngest daughter as she waited first in line. This was her fourth full summer with us. Almost four years of her life had now been spent in the company of a forever family who adores her instead of in a tiny crib with no human interaction. She adores family time. Absolutely treasures time with us. Going to fairs and carnivals is a delight for her. After waiting for the planes to stop spinning and letting other riders out, the operator opened the gate for her to enter the ride area. Then he stopped and asked her to measure her height at a sign near the entrance to the ride. A sign we had not seen. My girl was about an inch taller than the maximum height requirement. “She is wearing tennis shoes that make her about an inch taller,” I informed him. He shook his head. “No ride,” he said in limited English. “But she’s not really that tall,” I insisted. “The shoes make her taller.” “No,” he insisted as he continued shaking his head. “Are you serious?” I asked. “Whatever,” I remarked with frustration. “Let’s go,” I told my daughter as we got out of line. I couldn’t believe that he had let us wait in line all that time and then told her she was too tall, when she really wasn’t. Also frustrating was the fact that he wouldn’t admit that it was clear her shoes made her taller. My kids (and my husband) watched me as we left the line. They were a little surprised at my reaction. Actually, I was too. No one else was as frustrated as I was. Immediately, I thought about what a bad example I was being to my family and to the ride operator. “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 I had a choice as to whether I wanted to be frustrated or to realize that this silly airplane ride didn’t really matter. I was acting like foolishly. My frustration began to evaporate. How could I remain frustrated when God was already speaking to me? Of course, the conversationalist that I am, I discussed the experience and my reaction with my kids while we were still at the fair. I want to think about how what I do affects others around me. My responses can draw someone to or push them away from Jesus. Drawing others to Him, just by allowing Him to shine, means everything to me. I’m so glad I prayed to be humbled. I wonder what is next… My prayer is now that I will handle being humbled with more visible grace and light as I allow Jesus to continue transforming me moment by moment. How often do you jump in to rectify a situation or protect a loved one without waiting to see what God may have planned? His mercy is never ending. I am incredibly thankful for the work He has done and is doing in me. I’ll share one more story today. I hope my mistakes and joys allow you to cling more closely to God and perfect your ability to see His grace, wisdom, and provisions in each moment of your day. When I gave birth to my two biological children, I never considered bonding and attachment. The gift naturally occurred. In my defense, I was not a seasoned mother. I was only 18 when I delivered my first child and 21 when my second child was born. Yet, I wonder if all older mothers give much consideration to the fact that not all babies have the same beginnings in life. Even when a child stays with their birth family, there is still a need for intentional and purposeful bonding and attachment. When we adopted an infant from China 26 years after having our second child, we had obtained many years of parenting experience, as well as ongoing early childhood education on trauma, bonding, and attachment. Our eyes and hearts were opened wide by our innocent baby girl and the needs she carried. Then, we adopted again ten years later, and brought home an older child. We were as prepared as we could be. That doesn’t mean we had all the answers, but we knew where to go. God has made all the difference. Each child is unique. Each family is unique. Each situation is unique. But I knew; God is always the same. He has carried us every step of the way. Our eyes and minds have been fixed on Him for wisdom, guidance, understanding, peace, love…everything. He makes all things possible. But not all things are easy. What undeserved blessings we have received! We've witnessed miracles. Loss and grief have mingled with new beginnings that only God could orchestrate. What brokenness we have watched God heal. Shortly after our youngest child was home, she was overwhelmed by emotions that could not be expressed, except through tears. Although she was unable to tell me what she was feeling, I wanted to stay near – and I sat on the floor of her bedroom with her. Our language was strange; she had never heard it before coming to America. Everything was completely different: the language, smells, foods, sounds, home, people, animals, and even the way we responded to her. Used to no attention, she was now cherished by strangers. Her emotions told me she was frightened, overwhelmed, and she was grieving all that she knew and understood. Although I knew this was completely normal for the situation we were in, I just wanted to be close to her, for her to realize that I wouldn’t leave her in the hard places. She would never be abandoned. She was treasured. It was hard. She wouldn’t let me hold her. She didn’t want to hear my voice. But she did let me sit near her. In fact, if I tried to move away, she wailed louder, confirming my instincts to stay. As I stayed close, the lyrics of the Casting Crowns song, “Just Be Held,” flowed through my mind, intermixed with fervent prayers as I begged my Heavenly Father to help her. “Hold it all together. Everybody needs you strong. But life hits you out of nowhere and barely leaves you holding on.” Yes. Both of us were trying to hold it together. She was struggling to find a way to keep her control. I was definitely praying as I sat with her or I would not be able to hold it together for her. It was extremely difficult to sit through all the wailing and not be able to do anything. My heart was breaking for all she was fighting and going through. I thought of how God sees us when we hurt and struggle. Song lyrics continued in my mind. “And not a tear is wasted. In time, you’ll understand. I’m painting beauty with the ashes. Your life is in My hands.” “Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place. I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held. Just be held. Just be held.” If only she could just let go and be held, I thought. But there was no way she could understand the changes her life was undergoing or the depth of our love for her already. I had to make sure I let go and let God handle the situation. I had no answers. I had to rely on Him to comfort her, unique to her needs, and individual to the plan He had for her life. I wanted her to realize that she was safe. That she could trust me - trust us. That with time, she could trust our love. God's love. Our family didn’t even know the way our love would deepen and evolve as we all bonded, attached, and grew together. Just as we cannot possibly fathom the love our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. He has a special love and relationship with each of us. We need to just let go and simply be held. Just accept. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” 1 John 3:1 How many of us resist God and struggle for years? How many still do not release control and allow themselves to be held? How many do not realize their worth through Him? As we believe we have released control in one area, there is always another to work on. Nothing we experience in life is wasted. Not even one tear. “Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record?” Psalm 56:8 “Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red, brown, yellow, black, or white. They are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” Just as he adores them as grown-ups. No matter what we think or do. Let yourself be held. Experience transformation through Him. He truly is (more than) enough for all of our needs. Seek and seize the teachable moments God places before you and your children. Wear His eyes to see and experience His heart to believe. Father God, we thank you that you love us through our imperfections, but You don’t leave us there when we seek You. Thank you for offering a bridge for us to come straight to You through Jesus. Father, help us be more aware of Your presence in our life daily. Without You, we are nothing. God, we need You desperately! Help us to please You more each moment as we see and show You more clearly in our lives. Thank you for revealing Yourself through daily life, in the large and small moments that speak to us so intimately. Help us use those times, hard and easy, to cling more closely to You and shift our behaviors and thoughts to match Yours. In Your Precious name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I’m thrilled to share that my latest free resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” has released! This eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. I encourage you to visit terrihitt.com to access and download it soon. 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 061 Seeking and Seizing Teachable God Moments Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #061 – Seeking and Seizing Teachable God Moments 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. Before we start the podcast today, I’d like to mention the upcoming Who Is Carter Foundation third annual Gala fundraiser on April 9th at 6:00 PM. The Brain Possible Podcast is fully funded and operated by this wonderful, nonprofit organization. Who Is Carter would love for you to be there in person or online! Your support at the gala ensures the ability to continue to bring you their podcasts, resources, and more into the coming year. There are two ways to attend: If you live in the Kansas City area, attend in person at The Bardot Luxury Event Space at 1616 Grand Avenue in Kansas City, MO. There will be great food, an inspiring program, live music, and unique auction items such as a stay at the Ritz Carlton, Cancun or a Guatemala fishing resort trip, and even a VIP meet-and-greet with Chiefs’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill! Of course, every available COVID-19 precaution will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. If you don’t live in the Kansas City area, or are more comfortable staying in, you can join the activities virtually! Tune in online on the evening of the 9th; you’ll even have full access to bid on silent auction items online! Visit whoiscarter.org/gala for more information and to purchase tickets. This wonderful organization I have mentioned on the podcast before looks forward to being with you on April 9! Thank you for considering attending the Who Is Carter Foundation Gala. Now, on to this week’s episode. Have you ever wished you knew more about Jesus? His days growing up? Imagine if He had kept a diary for us to read. I would treasure reading His day to day thoughts. At least we can learn so much about how to live through reading Jesus’s words recorded in the Bible and I am incredibly thankful for that. Of course, the more we study His words, really dig in theologically, the better we understand and can model our lives after His. Jesus must have sought and seized simple daily opportunities as teachable God moments. Just as I am sure our Heavenly Father would like us to do. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” Capture all moments of life for Him. Loving Jesus is like breathing; He is the air we need to survive. The Lord cannot be compartmentalized; Jesus flows into every area of our life. As we shift our focus to continuous living with an eternal mindset that is aware of how we respond and how it affects others for Jesus, we live with a gentleness and respect for the Lord, people, and the world around us. We desire to share the hope that is in us through the Holy Spirit and the sacrifice of Jesus. Today I simply want to share a few stories of everyday life with you. I often get comments from people saying they enjoy these glimpses into our life the best. I think people just like to see how other people use daily moments to love and honor God. I would love to hear your stories, as well. After listening to the podcast, feel free to email me through the link on my website at terrihitt.com. I would treasure hearing your stories of seeking and enjoying the teachable God moments with your children or of how God has matured you personally in your walk with Him. He tenderly and intimately personalizes special moments with each one of us who have eyes to see and hearts to experience and believe. This first story happened with my youngest about three years ago. I’m going to read it as I originally wrote it, almost in a diary form. Brooklyn admired my rings as I was putting on jewelry today. Remembering that I have other rings I don't usually wear anymore, she went to my jewelry box, hoping she could wear one of them. I've never been one to want big, fancy, expensive pieces, but what I have has sentimental value. She pointed to a blue ring and got it out to look at. With excitement, she discovered that it fit her middle finger. "Oh, that ring is special," I told her. "You picked out a good one. Bring it over to the light," I said. She followed me to the bathroom and we stood under the vanity lights. Still not quite bright enough for what I wanted to show her, I swiped my phone screen and brought up the flashlight. Shining it toward the top of the ring, we looked again. The blue surface now had a brilliant white star on top. "Oh, pretty!" she exclaimed. "That's a star sapphire," I said. "That ring is the first gift Daddy ever gave Mommy. He gave me that ring when we were dating," We went upstairs to a skylight and looked at the ring again in the bright sunlight. "Another reason that ring is so special is that it reminds me of Jesus," I said. "When the ring doesn't have light on it, you can't see the star inside. When you flash the light on it, the beautiful star shines." Brooklyn looked at me as I continued talking. "When people go out in the world, we all look the same. But when Jesus shines His light through us, other people can see it. They see Him in us, just like we see this star in the ring." She smiled, absorbing more truths that were unspoken to her for too long. We left for speech therapy together - a mommy with one of her special daughters and a little girl wearing a ring that will never outshine the beauty Jesus is growing inside of her. When I was driving later, tears gathered in my eyes as I thought about how God knew long ago that the ring Dennis gave me for Christmas when I was 17 would be a tool in our future daughter, Brooklyn's life to help shape and grow her in Him. We will continue looking for miracles and living in His grace. I deeply appreciate the way God goes before us. How beautiful, merciful, and good His ways are. We simply cannot fathom the love and care He has for us. I did not know Jesus when I was a teenager, yet God knew me and loved me enough to use a gift from my boyfriend to set a plan in place for our future youngest child to learn of Him in a special and deeper way over half a century later. Psalm 139:5-6 says, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” Psalm 136:16 says, “Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever.” This next story is one I shared on my blog. I will read it as I shared there. Earlier this week I heard words that I knew might one day be said. In 15 years of adoptive parenting, they had never been spoken to me. “You’re not my real mom.” Instead of pain, my first thoughts were “How can I help her? What is going on inside her mind and spirit?” Always so good with eye contact, my youngest did not meet my eyes this time. Even when we received her as ours after meeting for the first time in China, she had perfect eye contact. In fact, her gaze was so impressive that I knew we had a fireball in our family. I remained calm and kept my voice gentle. “Why do you say that?” I asked. “Why do you say I’m not your real mom?” “Because you are wearing make-up today,” she said. I began to laugh. I couldn’t help it. My youngest loves to stay home. Her perfect day includes me waking her up in the morning wearing no makeup and my “stay home” clothes. Yes, there is a distinct difference in the way I look at home and when I go out in public. Comfy clothes are all I wear at home. Not pajamas, but close – soft and warm clothes. Brooklyn wears her pajamas all day – every day, unless we go out. This was her unique way of telling me how dissatisfied she was with me. After hugging, I explained to her that I knew she didn’t like to go to the doctor. I promised her it would be an easy visit and that we could stay home – without makeup – the next day. The next morning after awakening her (of course in my no makeup, stay home attire), I asked her if her “real mommy” was back. She smiled and told me, “Yes. Mommy likes to stay home with me.” It’s so important for us to dig deep into the messages we hear. This world sends so many false messages. As I have matured in my walk with Christ, He has enabled me to get better at letting Him discern what I believe and how I control my responses. It is so important for us to read and study His word daily so that we are not controlled by our flesh. We can make time for what we deem important, and even fifteen minutes of study will increase our desire to know and follow where God calls. As we make His word a priority, we establish Him as a priority. Life can be so difficult and confusing. The only anchor we have is Jesus. Our responses, desires, and attitude, as well as actions are all a direct result from the time we spend with Him. We have to know our beliefs in order to live them. Our Savior must be alive inside of us in order for us to reflect Him. Things are not always what they appear to be. Words are not always defined by our interpretation. Let Jesus be the One to guide and influence what you prioritize, believe, and how you respond. He alone will keep us from being deceived in this world full of lies. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” So often we think we know what others mean or we project our thoughts onto them. Children teach us how beautiful simple conversation and honesty are. No wonder Jesus wants the children to come to Him. I remember writing this next piece because I was deeply touched by how God ministered to and taught me through my middle daughter. Before I begin reading it, let me share that I’m the kind of person who wants to help people. When I know someone is hurting, I immediately want to help them find a way to make things better. Yet, God often needs to do a work in or through us before pain can be erased. Often, our trials may not be just for us to learn and grow, but for the others who will see or participate and learn and grow through them. Our Heavenly Father is sovereign. God used a dishwasher to help me remember that sometimes we just need to stand in the pain with others as we trust and allow Him to work. Here’s the next story: Our family washes dishes by hand (after our dishwasher stopped working several years ago). People actually get anxious when I admit that we didn’t run out to replace this appliance immediately. They say they couldn’t imagine living without a dishwasher. Do I miss it? Sometimes I definitely do! On the days we are in and out of the house with just enough time to eat and spread dirty dishes everywhere, I really miss it. Most days, no. Why? I cherish the time spent with my family while completing chores together. We have a system. Usually, I wash and rinse dishes, and Marissa dries and puts them away. Many times, my husband will join in to help dry and put the dishes away, too. While we take care of dishes, Brooklyn folds and puts away the laundry we washed that day (she brings it to the kitchen to work on). May I share that she doesn’t just fold it. The items look professionally pressed. She “hand irons” pieces as she folds, lovingly forming soft creases in the fabric that express her deep gratitude for us, her beloved family. My mother’s eye observes and treasures special qualities God blessed us with in our home, and the way we commit their use to one another in His honor. We usually have the best discussions while everyone is gathered together without distractions. Often, we sing and dance while music is played and we always find something to laugh about. Even the dogs join in. Can you believe our Mini Schnauzer loves us to sing to her? One day last week, the girls and I were listening to a variety of songs as we worked. Naively, I chose one that I had not listened to in years. Instruments sounded the opening chords of a piece I used to enjoy with my oldest daughter, Jaime in her teen years. A realization pierced me. I have officially lived twice as long as Jaime. My age is 58 years. My beloved daughter died at age 29. Then, another thought occurred. Jaime was born when I was 18. It has been 10 years since she passed away. That means I have now lived a total of 28 years of my life without her. Now I have lived a little over half of my life without her. My heart seized at the realization. I wept. My pain wasn’t expressed in a loud, sobbing cry, but with a quiet, resigned sadness that understands I cannot change anything, yet accepts that sorrow will always line my soul with the painful loss only God has carried me through. Soon, the years will begin adding up so that I have lived more and more of my life without her. It’s not supposed to be that way. Children are supposed to live longer than parents. The imperfections in this world could rip apart our relationship with God. Yet, He doesn’t desire it to. “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.” Psalm 91:4 He created us to desire Him. Not only in the good times. A best friend cradles and carries you. They never leave your side in the hardest moments. That is Jesus. My best friend. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not, they are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 As my silent tears exposed my grief, Marissa tightly hugged me. We shared the longest embrace I can remember. Wishing she could erase my pain, yet understanding that I had to embrace this season of it, my daughter simply and bravely stood with me in it. She acknowledged my grief and loved me in it. Just like Jesus does. Our broken dishwasher was a catalyst for the continued work the Lord was crafting in my personal journey, as well as in our family connection. The multi-faceted mystery of God is so much more than we see or imagine. Faith continues growing in our home. In our lives. In our hearts. In the actions of my children. I am immensely thankful for the love we share each day. I’m also grateful for the tears. “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 Just like me. Just like you. “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8 Jesus is so concerned about our pain that He lovingly keeps track of what we do and what happens to us, storing our tears in a bottle, personally and intimately caring about every single event that occurs in our lives. Beautiful examples are modeled for us to follow for others. Marissa couldn’t store my tears or pain in a bottle, but she could stand with me. In the pain. No words needed. Just like Jesus. Living with eternal perspective means that we must condition ourselves to look for Jesus in the ordinary pockets of life. Hopefully, the more get accustomed to living that way, we get better and eventually live more with that mindset than without. My next piece exposed my desire to protect my daughter, but without the mind and heartset that Jesus would have me model for her. We must strive to adjust and keep all areas in our life focused on Him properly. Yet, even through our mistakes, Jesus knits good together despite the tattered threads of our unraveling attempts to be like Him. Let me expose my mistake and the way God redeemed it through working a good work in me for my daughters to see. Last week, I specifically asked God to humble me and allow me to become more like Him. As I whispered the words I truly meant, I knew that I was “asking for trouble.” Sometimes the prayers we offer to God can be scary. Just like when we pray for patience, I knew I would encounter both “painful” and “blessed” experiences ahead. I forgot to add the adjective, “embarrassing” to my list. As my Creator, God knows exactly what I need to become more like Him. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 It didn’t take long. Just a few days later I went to the county fair with my family. God was at work. I often reflect on my calling as a Christian and how that pertains to how I act and react to others daily. But, as at the fair, sometimes our emotions get the best of us, and we don’t think before we react. In Ephesians, Paul reminds us to walk worthy of the calling with which we are called. Sometimes, it’s hard. Obviously, it was for me that day at the fair. “Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1b-3 I had a few frustrating things happen, but the incident that triggered me to react the opposite of how I wish I would have…was…at the kiddie airplane ride. I’m not proud of my reaction. We stood in line while the multi-colored airplanes twirled, lifting small children high and low into the air. I watched my youngest daughter as she waited first in line. This was her fourth full summer with us. Almost four years of her life had now been spent in the company of a forever family who adores her instead of in a tiny crib with no human interaction. She adores family time. Absolutely treasures time with us. Going to fairs and carnivals is a delight for her. After waiting for the planes to stop spinning and letting other riders out, the operator opened the gate for her to enter the ride area. Then he stopped and asked her to measure her height at a sign near the entrance to the ride. A sign we had not seen. My girl was about an inch taller than the maximum height requirement. “She is wearing tennis shoes that make her about an inch taller,” I informed him. He shook his head. “No ride,” he said in limited English. “But she’s not really that tall,” I insisted. “The shoes make her taller.” “No,” he insisted as he continued shaking his head. “Are you serious?” I asked. “Whatever,” I remarked with frustration. “Let’s go,” I told my daughter as we got out of line. I couldn’t believe that he had let us wait in line all that time and then told her she was too tall, when she really wasn’t. Also frustrating was the fact that he wouldn’t admit that it was clear her shoes made her taller. My kids (and my husband) watched me as we left the line. They were a little surprised at my reaction. Actually, I was too. No one else was as frustrated as I was. Immediately, I thought about what a bad example I was being to my family and to the ride operator. “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 I had a choice as to whether I wanted to be frustrated or to realize that this silly airplane ride didn’t really matter. I was acting like foolishly. My frustration began to evaporate. How could I remain frustrated when God was already speaking to me? Of course, the conversationalist that I am, I discussed the experience and my reaction with my kids while we were still at the fair. I want to think about how what I do affects others around me. My responses can draw someone to or push them away from Jesus. Drawing others to Him, just by allowing Him to shine, means everything to me. I’m so glad I prayed to be humbled. I wonder what is next… My prayer is now that I will handle being humbled with more visible grace and light as I allow Jesus to continue transforming me moment by moment. How often do you jump in to rectify a situation or protect a loved one without waiting to see what God may have planned? His mercy is never ending. I am incredibly thankful for the work He has done and is doing in me. I’ll share one more story today. I hope my mistakes and joys allow you to cling more closely to God and perfect your ability to see His grace, wisdom, and provisions in each moment of your day. When I gave birth to my two biological children, I never considered bonding and attachment. The gift naturally occurred. In my defense, I was not a seasoned mother. I was only 18 when I delivered my first child and 21 when my second child was born. Yet, I wonder if all older mothers give much consideration to the fact that not all babies have the same beginnings in life. Even when a child stays with their birth family, there is still a need for intentional and purposeful bonding and attachment. When we adopted an infant from China 26 years after having our second child, we had obtained many years of parenting experience, as well as ongoing early childhood education on trauma, bonding, and attachment. Our eyes and hearts were opened wide by our innocent baby girl and the needs she carried. Then, we adopted again ten years later, and brought home an older child. We were as prepared as we could be. That doesn’t mean we had all the answers, but we knew where to go. God has made all the difference. Each child is unique. Each family is unique. Each situation is unique. But I knew; God is always the same. He has carried us every step of the way. Our eyes and minds have been fixed on Him for wisdom, guidance, understanding, peace, love…everything. He makes all things possible. But not all things are easy. What undeserved blessings we have received! We've witnessed miracles. Loss and grief have mingled with new beginnings that only God could orchestrate. What brokenness we have watched God heal. Shortly after our youngest child was home, she was overwhelmed by emotions that could not be expressed, except through tears. Although she was unable to tell me what she was feeling, I wanted to stay near – and I sat on the floor of her bedroom with her. Our language was strange; she had never heard it before coming to America. Everything was completely different: the language, smells, foods, sounds, home, people, animals, and even the way we responded to her. Used to no attention, she was now cherished by strangers. Her emotions told me she was frightened, overwhelmed, and she was grieving all that she knew and understood. Although I knew this was completely normal for the situation we were in, I just wanted to be close to her, for her to realize that I wouldn’t leave her in the hard places. She would never be abandoned. She was treasured. It was hard. She wouldn’t let me hold her. She didn’t want to hear my voice. But she did let me sit near her. In fact, if I tried to move away, she wailed louder, confirming my instincts to stay. As I stayed close, the lyrics of the Casting Crowns song, “Just Be Held,” flowed through my mind, intermixed with fervent prayers as I begged my Heavenly Father to help her. “Hold it all together. Everybody needs you strong. But life hits you out of nowhere and barely leaves you holding on.” Yes. Both of us were trying to hold it together. She was struggling to find a way to keep her control. I was definitely praying as I sat with her or I would not be able to hold it together for her. It was extremely difficult to sit through all the wailing and not be able to do anything. My heart was breaking for all she was fighting and going through. I thought of how God sees us when we hurt and struggle. Song lyrics continued in my mind. “And not a tear is wasted. In time, you’ll understand. I’m painting beauty with the ashes. Your life is in My hands.” “Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place. I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held. Just be held. Just be held.” If only she could just let go and be held, I thought. But there was no way she could understand the changes her life was undergoing or the depth of our love for her already. I had to make sure I let go and let God handle the situation. I had no answers. I had to rely on Him to comfort her, unique to her needs, and individual to the plan He had for her life. I wanted her to realize that she was safe. That she could trust me - trust us. That with time, she could trust our love. God's love. Our family didn’t even know the way our love would deepen and evolve as we all bonded, attached, and grew together. Just as we cannot possibly fathom the love our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. He has a special love and relationship with each of us. We need to just let go and simply be held. Just accept. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” 1 John 3:1 How many of us resist God and struggle for years? How many still do not release control and allow themselves to be held? How many do not realize their worth through Him? As we believe we have released control in one area, there is always another to work on. Nothing we experience in life is wasted. Not even one tear. “Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll – are they not in your record?” Psalm 56:8 “Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red, brown, yellow, black, or white. They are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” Just as he adores them as grown-ups. No matter what we think or do. Let yourself be held. Experience transformation through Him. He truly is (more than) enough for all of our needs. Seek and seize the teachable moments God places before you and your children. Wear His eyes to see and experience His heart to believe. Father God, we thank you that you love us through our imperfections, but You don’t leave us there when we seek You. Thank you for offering a bridge for us to come straight to You through Jesus. Father, help us be more aware of Your presence in our life daily. Without You, we are nothing. God, we need You desperately! Help us to please You more each moment as we see and show You more clearly in our lives. Thank you for revealing Yourself through daily life, in the large and small moments that speak to us so intimately. Help us use those times, hard and easy, to cling more closely to You and shift our behaviors and thoughts to match Yours. In Your Precious name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I’m thrilled to share that my latest free resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” has released! This eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. I encourage you to visit terrihitt.com to access and download it soon. 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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #098 – How Big is Your God - Interview with Cindy Newland 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. Because of the internet, I have met many women I consider friends. Our greatest ties are adoption, usually from China. Would be friends if we met in person? I believe so. The bonds woven through shared and understood adoption stories, the gift of truly understanding the gospel in a deeper and more intimate way through the grace of adoption, and the high and low emotional journeys through crafting new lives and families together, plus the triumphs and tragedies of love, loss, and medical miracles raise your friendship to levels untouched in day to day life. We love one another’s children, pray for them, and cheer them on through personal struggles and precious moments shared on the web. I feel like I have met most of them in person. We share an unspoken understanding, a trust, and a hope that we are not alone. Not in this world and certainly not in eternity when we or our children pass on. Our ties are fierce; we weep and grieve when hardship hits another. I don’t remember when I first met Cindy. It honestly feels like I’ve known her from the beginning of our adoption journey back in 2005. In reality, it was probably after our second adoption that we became acquainted. We share a respect and appreciation for each other that is rooted in relationship with Christ and in the way Jesus linked us through our love for our children who happened to be born in another country, as well as those still waiting. I invite you to listen today as Cindy shares a theme threaded throughout her life and proves to us just how big her God is and weaves a verbal tapestry of what He has done in her life. -----------------------------------------------INTERVIEW-------------------------------------------------- Does listening to Cindy’s story make you appreciate how big God is? Does it remind you to appreciate Him more as you think about what He has done in your life, too? Does it make you think about what can you do for Him? Stepping forward in obedience when we hear God’s call is one of the greatest ways to show our love for Him. What is He calling you to do? What changes might He want in your life? How big is your God? He is the Great I Am, the Beginning and the End, our Provider and Protector, our Comforter. You may not be called to adopt, but what about helping fund the adoption of another family? What about praying consistently for someone in the process? Maybe God is moving your life in an entirely different direction. What will you do when you feel and hear Him call? How will you answer the Creator of the Universe when He whispers your name and taps your heart? Father God, You alone are good. You are holy. You are sovereign. You are the Beginning and the End. You create each of us with a purpose. You mean good for our lives and Your glory. You don’t need us, but delight in relationship with us. Thank you for Your all-encompassing eternal love and compassion for us. Thank you for choosing us, for creating us with a purpose that fills our spirit will joy and gladness, even through pain when we trust in You and continue pursuing fellowship with, and obedience to You. You warned us we would have trouble. You told us we would be persecuted, but You also promised to carry us through it all. Remind us to keep looking Up to You. Deepen our faith, our hope, our trust in You. May we please You when You look inside our hearts, when You watch the actions we make, hear the words we say, and know the attitude with which we live. In the precious name of Your Holy Son we pray. Amen. Cindy Newland is known as Cindy Champnella, and is the author of two books, “The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another” and “The Twelve Gifts of Life: Finding Extraordinary Meaning in Ordinary Moments.” She is an acclaimed speaker who has presented to numerous civic, community, and religious groups all over the United States. Cindy has appeared on several TV programs including NBC's "The John Walsh Show," dozens of nationally syndicated radio programs including "The Mitch Albom Show" and "The Al Kresta Show" and the internationally syndicated "Voice of America." She has published features in numerous publications, including Ladies Home Journal and Women's Weekly. Cindy is a feature writer for Adoption Today and a former guest columnist for The Detroit News. She is a keynote speaker at conferences and forums, including an appearance at Duke University. Cindy is married and has 5 daughters. She also has a B.A. from Albion College, a M.A. in business, a M.A. in psychology from Central Michigan University, and a PhD. in psychology. All proceeds from her first book were designated for the charity, Half the Sky Foundation. You can find her books at Amazon.com. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to help others find the podcast. I have two requests. 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 098 How Big Is Your God - Interview with Cindy Newland Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #098 – How Big is Your God - Interview with Cindy Newland 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. Because of the internet, I have met many women I consider friends. Our greatest ties are adoption, usually from China. Would be friends if we met in person? I believe so. The bonds woven through shared and understood adoption stories, the gift of truly understanding the gospel in a deeper and more intimate way through the grace of adoption, and the high and low emotional journeys through crafting new lives and families together, plus the triumphs and tragedies of love, loss, and medical miracles raise your friendship to levels untouched in day to day life. We love one another’s children, pray for them, and cheer them on through personal struggles and precious moments shared on the web. I feel like I have met most of them in person. We share an unspoken understanding, a trust, and a hope that we are not alone. Not in this world and certainly not in eternity when we or our children pass on. Our ties are fierce; we weep and grieve when hardship hits another. I don’t remember when I first met Cindy. It honestly feels like I’ve known her from the beginning of our adoption journey back in 2005. In reality, it was probably after our second adoption that we became acquainted. We share a respect and appreciation for each other that is rooted in relationship with Christ and in the way Jesus linked us through our love for our children who happened to be born in another country, as well as those still waiting. I invite you to listen today as Cindy shares a theme threaded throughout her life and proves to us just how big her God is and weaves a verbal tapestry of what He has done in her life. -----------------------------------------------INTERVIEW-------------------------------------------------- Does listening to Cindy’s story make you appreciate how big God is? Does it remind you to appreciate Him more as you think about what He has done in your life, too? Does it make you think about what can you do for Him? Stepping forward in obedience when we hear God’s call is one of the greatest ways to show our love for Him. What is He calling you to do? What changes might He want in your life? How big is your God? He is the Great I Am, the Beginning and the End, our Provider and Protector, our Comforter. You may not be called to adopt, but what about helping fund the adoption of another family? What about praying consistently for someone in the process? Maybe God is moving your life in an entirely different direction. What will you do when you feel and hear Him call? How will you answer the Creator of the Universe when He whispers your name and taps your heart? Father God, You alone are good. You are holy. You are sovereign. You are the Beginning and the End. You create each of us with a purpose. You mean good for our lives and Your glory. You don’t need us, but delight in relationship with us. Thank you for Your all-encompassing eternal love and compassion for us. Thank you for choosing us, for creating us with a purpose that fills our spirit will joy and gladness, even through pain when we trust in You and continue pursuing fellowship with, and obedience to You. You warned us we would have trouble. You told us we would be persecuted, but You also promised to carry us through it all. Remind us to keep looking Up to You. Deepen our faith, our hope, our trust in You. May we please You when You look inside our hearts, when You watch the actions we make, hear the words we say, and know the attitude with which we live. In the precious name of Your Holy Son we pray. Amen. Cindy Newland is known as Cindy Champnella, and is the author of two books, “The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another” and “The Twelve Gifts of Life: Finding Extraordinary Meaning in Ordinary Moments.” She is an acclaimed speaker who has presented to numerous civic, community, and religious groups all over the United States. Cindy has appeared on several TV programs including NBC's "The John Walsh Show," dozens of nationally syndicated radio programs including "The Mitch Albom Show" and "The Al Kresta Show" and the internationally syndicated "Voice of America." She has published features in numerous publications, including Ladies Home Journal and Women's Weekly. Cindy is a feature writer for Adoption Today and a former guest columnist for The Detroit News. She is a keynote speaker at conferences and forums, including an appearance at Duke University. Cindy is married and has 5 daughters. She also has a B.A. from Albion College, a M.A. in business, a M.A. in psychology from Central Michigan University, and a PhD. in psychology. All proceeds from her first book were designated for the charity, Half the Sky Foundation. You can find her books at Amazon.com. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to help others find the podcast. I have two requests. 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 033 - What is Better Than Reading Scripture to Your Children? Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #033 – What is Better Than Reading Scripture to Your Children? 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. With each child I have raised, I have learned more about being a parent and a person submitted to God. I’ve shared on the podcast before that I have always been a good mom. Through the graciousness and mercy of our Heavenly Father, I’ve become a godly mom. There is such a difference! If we pay attention to the needs of our children, strive to be with them daily, discipline when needed, and so on, this world allows us to be good parents. We take pride in the fact that we are good parents. When we discover the difference between good and godly, a lifetime opportunity for discipleship extending toward eternity awaits us and our children! In order to arrive at the understanding between these types of parenting, we must begin with seeking the Lord. Of course, many agree that reading Scripture to your children is the best way for them to come to know Christ. I disagree. It is so much deeper than simply reading the Bible. As a young mother, I thought that if my children knew I loved Jesus and I talked about Him, imparting knowledge of and love for Him that my children would come to follow the same faith. As I grew in my wisdom and understanding of God, I came to understand that there is so much more! Parents can’t be held accountable for whether our children decide to follow Christ, but we are responsible for growing them in the fullness of knowledge of the Lord . We are called to lay a strong foundation built on the solid ground of Christ. We are the tillers of the ground before the foundation is laid, and we are the carpenters that will carefully examine the construction of the house and quickly seek to address any repairs that must be made. Our walk with God through Christ and the way we allow Him to carry and create us anew daily is the sweet aroma that will attract and guide our children toward Him. In order for our children to have an interest in Jesus they must see Him clearly in us and desire the same relationship. What a joy and privilege we have been gifted! Where is the best place to start to ensure that we are God-driven in your pursuit of Christ and your desire to resemble Him in life and parenting? A strong passage of guidance is found in Matthew 4:1-11, which says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him .” In this short passage much is revealed about Satan’s tactics and the faithfulness and holiness of Christ. The devil knew who Jesus was and intended to sway Him from the task He was to carry out. If Satan knew who Jesus was and the power He carried, yet still attempted to distract and sway Him, the devil will certainly attack our children ! At Satan’s urging, Jesus could have proven Himself and turned stones into bread, but Satan wasn’t the one Jesus followed. His eyes remained on the Father. Jesus had intentionally gone into the wilderness to fast. In Scripture, the wilderness has typically meant a time of preparation. This was an important and crucial time for what was to come with Christ. Satan desired to ruin the mission Christ was on. Testing and tempting Jesus was a targeted attack, and the devil had nothing to lose. For Jesus to succumb to such an easy temptation to take the chance at having food would have ruined what God was about to do through Christ. Think about the significance. Just as in the garden of Eden, the devil tempted with food. However, Jesus, fully God and fully man, did not take the bait. Through the power of Christ within us, we also do not have to take the bait when temptation arises. Guess what? It is within our strength, and it is our duty as parents to teach our children to rely on the same power. Next, the devil tries to cause Jesus to throw Himself from a temple in order to cause angels to rescue Him. Satan saw that Jesus had trusted God in the first test of temptation, so now he twisted his ploy to try to force Jesus to jump in order to show that He still trusted God. In his appeal, Satan even quotes Scripture in his tempting speech. But Jesus used godly wisdom, knowing well that God promises protection for His own, but also crafted us with common sense and wisdom from Him. Just as many people quote the Bible out of context and false preachers twist passages into something they are not, Jesus recognized the devils tactics. We are wise to teach our children more than just words from God. They need to learn and trust depth and context . The last temptation from the devil seems more desperate. Calling for Jesus to worship him, Satan offers all the kingdoms of the earth and promises them to Jesus if He would only bow down and worship him. It is as though Satan believes he can tempt Jesus to forgo the suffering of the cross and just take all that is His already. Although many have easily believed the great deceiver, Jesus did not. Christ knew that He must continue to follow God in complete obedience and focus . It was His privilege and birthright to do so. Christ would never follow or serve Satan. Just as He remained focused on truth , we have the task of embedding the truth of God and the love of Christ into our children . Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can complete our privilege and birthright to be the guiding force of godliness for our children . While parenting, it is almost like we are in a time of roaming the wilderness. So many trials and triumphs surround us. We can feel alone, but we never are. Just as Jesus was tempted, we are tempted. Our spouse is tempted. Our children are tempted. But as Christ kept His eyes and mind focused on the Father, drawing strength and fortitude from Him, we can trust and rely on God to guide us through the wilderness years of parenting and guard our children as we direct them to Him time and time again. Our source of spiritual , mental , physical , emotional , and parenting strength is God’s Holy Word. It serves as the answer to every need and question we have. The key is reading and studying the Word so that we know the resources available to us. The Bible is the life manual we wish for, yet forget we have . God’s Word: 1. Imparts Truth – John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth .” 2. Saves – John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me .” 3. Sanctifies – John 17:19 says, “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified .” 4. Protects – Psalm 94:22 says, “But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge .” 5. Blesses – Psalm 1:1-2 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 .” 6. Enlightens – Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter .” 7. Guides – Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.” 8. Rewards – 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules .” 9. Provides Life – Matthew 4:4 says, “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” What are 5 ways to do more than simply read Scripture to your children? 1. Establish a routine to read and study God’s Word together . In order for you or your children to know and grow in the Lord, you must make Him a priority. It’s hard, but well worth the time and energy it takes to establish a consistent schedule. Study God’s word on your own to build and shape your character, knowledge, and trust. Study it with your children and family. 2. Write or memorize Scripture together . Any time spent memorizing or writing Scripture carries benefits and blessings. To teach your child this habit is a beautiful goal that will bring lasting blessings if they continue in it. 3. Pray together . Use God’s Word in your prayers. Encourage your children to do the same. Ask God to teach and enlighten you and your children through studying and living His Word. 4. Teach and Practice Critical Thinking . Children must learn to effectively approach and analyze information and form godly discernment. They must know how to defend their faith in order to make it their own as they grow, mature, and make important decisions. 5. Live Your Beliefs. Show your children that it is important and honoring to God for each of you to live what He commands through words, actions, reactions, attitudes, etc. What are some tips to help you do more than simply read Scripture to your children? 1. Be age appropriate . Purchase age appropriate Bibles for your child to use in personal reading time. Also break verses or passages down to an age appropriate level. You can get the meaning and importance of the Word across even when you change words you use to explain Scripture. Using drawings, music, poems, skits, and toys to enact Bible scenes is very helpful with younger children. I used a white board often with my youngest. The drawings enabled her a deeper level of understanding than just using words as she was learning a new language. 2. Vary lesson lengths . Make your lessons shorter or longer, depending on the ages of your children and the subject matter you are studying. Stretch your children, but do not exasperate them. Make time to answer questions. When questions arise that you cannot answer, find the answers together. It’s wonderful when you both grow in the Lord together. 3. Remember that God’s Word is applicable to every age and season of life . Allow your children to experience God’s love, grace, and mercy, as well as learn His commands. The Bible is for your children, but is not simply about them. Teach them it is about the love of God and encourage them to find Him in the Words. 4. Teach and grow the basics you’ve imparted to them as your children mature and life situations arise. Use Scripture to guide daily events, as well as the praise and the discipline you give them. Pray that your growth in God and guidance through Him will allow you to see and grasp opportunities to illustrate what you and your child have learned and are learning together in the Bible. Remember, the wilderness years of parenting allow us to continuously and prayerfully connect with God to renew our mind and heart through Him, His Holy Word, and the wisdom He imparts to us through both and the Holy Spirit alive within. The closer we draw to Him, the closer we are to those we love and carry a greater ability to draw them nearer to the One who holds the key to a life of love and godliness that leads to a beautiful eternity with Christ together. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness to entrust children to us is astounding. We are so thankful and filled with gratitude at Your lovingkindness and mercy toward us. Thank you for allowing us to raise Your children and showing us the ways to direct them to You if we only choose to do so. Enable us to please You more and more daily as we strive to draw nearer to You and make You clearly known to Your children. May their hearts and souls cry out for You and find You through the godly instruction we impart to them. May they grow to be faithful followers of You and continue longing for You and obeying You throughout their life on this earth. Equip us to be the parents You created us to be and please don’t allow us to stray from Your desires or will. 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

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 095 – Self-Care for Busy Moms: Strategies for Prioritizing Your Well-Being through Christ Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 095 – Self-Care for Busy Moms: Strategies for Prioritizing Your Well-Being through Christ 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. Self-care. It can mean many things to different people. I’ll be honest. After years of targeted advertisements and big box stores wanting my money, I got tired of hearing the term “self-care.” Since many ads tell women to place themselves first, to escape with bubble baths if they can’t handle stress, or a spa experience after every hard day of work, or shirts that call women to drink a glass of wine each night because parenting is so difficult, I cringe when I hear “self-care.” But advertising agencies shouldn’t dictate the definition of self-care. What does the term mean to you? Is it biblical? I believe the answer lays in how we personally define the expression. If we think of the answer with a secular mindset, the term isn’t Christlike. However, if we define the phrase self-care through the lens of caring for self so that we receive the rest and care we need , then we preserve ourselves for what God calls us to complete, I believe we move with biblical intentions. Life can be challenging. Tiring. It can be stressful. Demanding. Meeting the expectations of others – or even sometimes our own hopes or dreams - can feel overwhelming or impossible at times. That is why true self-care should start with residing and resting in Christ. In reality, none of us have come close to experiencing the burdens Jesus carried. If anyone needed self-care, it would be Him. Because Jesus was burdened, yet led a model life, we are blessed to observe His life and learn from how He lived. As we do so, we see Jesus placed God first no matter the cost, yet He still made time to care for self. During His ministry, Jesus carried a burdensome schedule. He could have continued to serve others, neglecting self. Between healing, teaching, traveling, drawing nearer to God, prayer, and more miracles, Jesus was fully God. He could have found the stamina to continue non-stop work. Yet, remember that Jesus was also fully man. He was a man who loved God with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength. He desired to serve God in ways that were fruitful, yet holy . He knew God called Him to rest, just as He Himself stopped to do when creating the world. Although Jesus knew He needed rest, He prioritized God. He ensured that knowing, serving, and honoring God were top of His mind and heart moment by moment day after day. Jesus understood that nothing was as important as placing God over everything . When Jesus wanted time alone , He spent it with the Father first . Jesus understood that without resting in God, He would not receive the rest His Spirit craved. Listen to this verse from Matthew 22:34-37 , which says, “Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind .’” Jesus’ words teach these truths: Biblical self-care begins with God . Place God first by studying His word – even if you can only manage ten or fifteen minutes a day in your current season, your intentionality will produce huge results over time. If you simply can’t find time to read the Word, listen to the Bible. The more intimate your walk with God becomes, the trials and tribulations of this world lose their sting. You see God at work and recognize His hand in your life - in the way you think, respond, and speak. Biblical self-care doesn’t feel entitled . If you place the Lord first, you’re still allowed to want time for activities such as going out for coffee with friends, a date with your husband, or pursuing a hobby. Because you place the Father first, the time you’ve already spent with God deepening your relationship will keep you from feeling like you’re falling apart without those “extras” you desire. Being refreshed in the Lord helps you maintain joy despite irritations. The time you spend with husband, children, and friends – or even the solo pursuits you follow will be sweeter as you allow God access to areas only He can fill. You begin to hear and respond to His callings and purposes for your life. Biblical self-care doesn’t over-indulge. When you make time to pursue friends, family, and fun, you appreciate the blessings, but don’t let them overtake your life. When God is in His rightful place at the center of your heart and mind, He graciously fills your day with His perfect timing and desire that are pleasing and honoring to Him. Now let’s expand on the 3 points we just discussed by looking at 7 ways to keep God first, avoid self-entitlement, and prevent over-indulgence: 1. Make it your goal to be in God’s Word daily . Study, not just read. When women hear the word “study,” they are often fearful that they don’t have time to read the Bible. When I say study, I mean read and ponder God’s words. Really absorb them by using a good study Bible that gives deeper exploration and expansion on what you are learning. Pray about what God wants you to see, hear, and understand. Ask Him to help you apply His words and teachings in your life in ways that honor Him. You can never outstudy God. But if you are in a season where you can’t spend much time per day, use the time you have to wisely craft relationship with your Heavenly Father. By purposing time with Him, you will see a difference in the way you submit to the Lord and the way His presence is noticed in your actions, reactions, words, and desires. 2. Be Thankful . No matter your circumstances, view life events with a thankful heart. Allow what you consider “bad” to shape and mold your character, heart, and mindset for Christ. If you belong to Jesus, what happens to you or those you love has already been sifted through God’s hands. What happens is not meant for evil or to harm you. Jesus warned us that we would face tribulations in this world. The best is not yet here…it is to come. Let God work through you to let circumstances, (even the hardships) bring you nearer to Him and the person He purposed you to be. Never forget you are mentoring the watching eyes and listening ears in your home. 3. Form a prayer circle of family and friends . Prayer is vital . Gather trusted prayer warriors to lift you, your family, your husband, or your children. Do the same for your prayer partners. Prayer is a mighty fortress and strength. 4. Get wise nourishment . Eat and drink wisely. Make sure you get plenty of liquids. Eat healthy foods. You know the drill. Think of caring for self as an act of gratitude to God and for those who love you. 5. Exercise 5-7 days a week . Exercise is one of those things that you know you have to do, but don’t want to do it until you actually do – and realize how much better it usually makes you feel. Just get started . Even if it is only ten minutes a day to start, go for that walk. Hit the gym. Ride that bike. Do whatever interests you. If it’s outside, it’s an added bonus. Being in nature brings an extra calm and joy to exercise benefits. Don’t think of it as exercise, but as caring for the body God gave you. As you care for your body physically, you also reap benefits mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 6. Get enough rest . I know it can be challenging to get enough rest. As an adult, you really need 7-8 hours of rest. Even as I tell you this fact, I know it’s difficult for me to get enough rest. In all transparency, I don’t like to sleep. I always wake up in the night and look at my clock to see if I can get up yet. I’m excited to start the day. I usually get about 61/2 to 7 broken hours of sleep. I yearn for a night I don’t have to get up to use the restroom at least once and remember those days I used to sleep without awakenings for at least 8 hours. But try your best to get enough sleep. Your mind and body will thank you today and in the years to come. 7. Spend time with those God gave you . What a gift that God gives us people to love. He hand-chose each of your family members. Be prayerful about your relationships. Strive to honor God with them. Don’t let this list of items make you fret. It may sound like a lot as you listen, but as you incorporate these steps into your lifestyle, they become second nature. You won’t always have time to do every item daily, but as you incorporate them into your lifestyle, you create a flow that is pleasing to God, your family, and yourself. Now that we’ve talked about how to keep God first, avoid self-entitlement, and prevent over-indulgence, let’s look again at the life of Jesus and the examples He set for us. Through Him, we learn how Jesus accomplished self-care while remaining in pursuit of God and how we can do the same. 1. Teach – Jesus wasn’t formally trained as a Rabbi, but people recognized His gifts. Christ is called a teacher over forty times in the New Testament. As He taught, Jesus used many methods to reach people exactly where they were, such as parables, proverbs, riddles, and more. His radical words caused people to challenge the kingdom of this world and view sin and eternal life through new eyes and heart. Do you know Jesus well enough to show Him to others? 2. Serve – Jesus was motivated by love when He served. Love for God and others was always His influence. Obedience to God kept Him focused on love, even when it cost Him His life. Are you motivated to obey God through your love for Jesus? 3. Retreat – Jesus chose stillness. When He retreated to be with God, He didn’t think about time He might be wasting because there were other things He needed to do. He allowed God to quiet His mind. Jesus remained at the Father’s feet so He could easily and clearly hear His voice. He allowed the Word of God to keep Him close as He studied and trusted the commands His father gave. Jesus regularly retreated to a quiet place to pray and prioritize the plans of His Father. He taught His disciples this example, and He clearly mentored how we can do the same. Do you regularly pursue the Lord through time with Him? 4. Rest – At the beginning of His Word to us in Genesis, God set the example of work and rest. Jesus, following the Father’s footsteps, also left a perfect imprint for our heart to follow in obedience. First, we are instructed to come to Jesus. Without relationship with Jesus, we cannot know the way to God. We cannot please Him. Without Christ, we never experience true rest or peace. Jesus calls to each of us when He says, “All you who labor and are heavy laden.” Every living person experiences trials and hardships, burdens that we are unable to carry in our strength. If we desire deep and lasting joy, peace, and rest, we can heed the promise in His words, “I will give you rest.” Jesus also instructs us to “Take my yoke upon you.” He means for us to remove the yoke, or burdens we carry and give them to Him. Allow Him to shoulder the load. Jesus tells us to “Learn from Me,” as He shows us how to rest in God through intimate relationship. He promises we will “Find rest into your souls.” Jesus truly gives “peace that surpasses all understanding.” Are you able to receive what He offers by heeding His actions and words? Are you resting in God as you rest in Christ? 5. Repeat – Maintain and mature the relationship you are building with God through Christ. Follow the loving examples Jesus set for you. It can be distracting to listen to all the self-care advice offered by the world. Television and magazine ads, billboards, and more tout taking care of self as the most important aspect of life. Except we know they just want to sell self-care products or experiences. However, as we’ve heard on this episode, there is truth to the idea that we need to care for self in order to care for others well. Most importantly, we need to care for self in godly ways that honor Christ. The most important ways to care for self are simple. We strive to be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. As you care for yourself physically, you practice the habits of eating, hydrating, exercising, and sleeping well. As you care for yourself emotionally, you come to know self through emotions and your past and current habits. As you care for yourself mentally, you think and speak to self with love and respect. Most importantly, you study and practice God’s truths and allow them to shape your thoughts and desires. As you care for yourself financially, you work to keep money and the way you accumulate and spend it, in order as God would call. The Bible actually gives much insight into how God calls us to hold and spend money. Of course, He also instructs us how to carry it in our heart in God-honoring ways. As you care for yourself spiritually, you allow self to seek God, not man-made religions. You draw strength from His truths and practice His commands in humble obedience and love. Your spiritual health is the most important component of self-care as it affects all other areas. As you deepen your self-care journey in Christlike ways, I urge you to consider the areas of your life such as sleep, eating and drinking, exercise, relationships, Bible study and prayer, and journaling, if you enjoy getting thoughts out on paper. Keeping a prayer journal or a gratitude journal are also ways of strengthening your spiritual, emotional, and mental health. Pursuing the passions God created within you, serving others, allowing yourself to loosen up and laugh often, caring for a pet, and continued learning to broaden passions and interests, whether through classes, podcasts, reading, or a mentorship are all ways to relax and utilize talents endowed to you. Asking yourself questions such as: What energizes me? What drains me? What do you feel you need to do to be a godly mom? A godly woman? A godly wife? How can you get there? Ask God to build you a strong foundation of self-care that then extends to care for others in your life. Prayerfully consideration of where you feel your life is lacking, what is difficult, or where you feel over-stretched, will enable you to know where to begin pursuing the questions I mentioned. Also prayerfully consider your schedule and season of life. Ask God to show you how to fit His idea of self-care into your lifestyle. Start small if needed, but continue to pursue the Lord first as you incorporate stronger relationship with Him into any area of self-care you choose. Dear Heavenly Father, You are the One who created the heavens and the earth just as You purposely created each of us. Help us to honor You with the care we give self and others. Help us to see where we are lacking in caring for the body, mind, and spirit You crafted for us. Help us seek You first and incorporate Your ideas of care into self and home. May we remember the model life Jesus set for us and know how to apply His lifestyle and teaching into our home. Father, You are truly good. You desire us to care for self, just as You call us to care for others. But it all stems from relationship with You first. May we begin a better routine of self-care today. May we make it godly, not good. May we give you joy as You flow through and guide us. 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. 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 with your children and Christ. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 023 - Teach Your Child Biblical Critical Thinking Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #023 – Teach Your Child Biblical Critical Thinking 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. Since my youngest daughter came to be a member of our family when she was already at the age of nine, her personality was well-formed. Despite extreme neglect and isolation in her early years, certain mannerisms, habits, and temperament were well-formed. I recognized that character was still a very pliable area, and we focused on teaching her what love looked like, that she could trust us, that she was safe, and let her see the type of character we, her family members carried. After those things became real, understandable, and valuable to her, and she formed a stronger grasp on the English language, we were able to begin showing and teaching her the character of God. Although she was not taught to think critically, we noticed early on during our time with our daughter that she carried an amazing ability to observe situations and quickly provide solutions that improved activity flow or processes. Although she had almost no human contact during critical developmental periods, she was somehow able to gather information, understand connections, question, recognize inconsistencies or errors, and offer solutions. She was also adept at predicting the way an action or decision would impact her future, and her foresight is developed beyond her years or experience. How does this happen? Does she think in reverse? Is her thought process affected by years of neglect, so it is sharpened by the necessity for survival? Despite her gifting in this area, she still lacked one critical piece that carried high importance. What was it ? The ability to examine the information she gathered against God’s Holy Word . Just as each of us needs to build and strengthen biblical critical thinking, our girl now knows to hold what she observes, hears, and learns against God’s truths. In order to analyze information, digest material, and produce godly discernment over fleshly judgement, your child must hone the ability to think with a mind influenced and directed by the Lord. Most of what our children read and learn in school (and also on social media) is opinion clothed as fact, with liberal, cultural doctrine woven throughout. Public institutions can’t be teaching the skill of critical thinking. Students are graduating without the necessary ability to absorb and process information, then produce godly discernment that clearly differentiates between fact, fallacy, and opinion. But the final truth is that it is the responsibility of mothers and fathers. We must set this goal foremost in our mind as we parent. Our children must be taught how to think, not what to think. Especially when it comes to their relationship with Christ. Unless our children are taught to stand on the firm foundation of Jesus as the support on which to mature their walk with God, they will not learn the process of claiming faith through Christ and experience true freedom to live a holy life. Teaching your children God’s truths and allowing them the privilege of applying biblical critical reasoning as they mature in their walk with Christ will release them from the pitfalls of this fallen world and provide escape from pursuits that can entrap and enslave. Godly parenting is the key to ensuring our children grasp the need for this ability and for ensuring that they develop it. Since the mental and biblical health of children (thoughts process, actions, reactions, and self-worth is strongly connected to their parents, especially the primary caregiver, each mother must examine what we receive and believe closely. Are you carrying and applying this critical skill for your children to see? Or are you allowing fear, depression, anxiety, poor coping mechanisms, untrue or incorrect biblical beliefs, and ungodly reactions influence your child’s ability to think critically and in a way that honors God? The self-thoughts of children can be strongly influenced by or learned from parents, whether it be spoken or observed behavior. The influence and opinions of teachers, doctors, peers, friends, and bullies, or of society in general, through cultural practices and advertisements also lend high authority in the way our child shapes thinking. Coupled with negative internal thoughts, such as: “I’m stupid.” “I’m not pretty enough.” “No one likes me.” “I can’t do this.” “No one understands me.” “They don’t really love me.” “I’m not as good, smart, pretty, etc. as…” will cause our children to build far from where God desires them to construct their thought patterns. Add in social media influences and dangers, including inappropriate content, predators, bullying, and divulging personal information, as well as cultural and societal changes, fear, and uncertainty can bring about depression, anxiety, loss of independent thinking, lack of critical thinking, loss of resiliency, and irrational fears. While negative thoughts are usually rooted in fears, lies, regrets, or misconceptions, our children usually lack the experience and ability to overcome these lies with biblical critical thinking. They must be taught that negative thoughts are feelings , not God’s truths . Instruct your child so their thoughts do not become a stronghold of the devil. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control .” Public schools, as well as some private institutions, like to teach children to memorize or repeat facts learned through the instructor or read in a classroom textbook. Homework and drills enforce the ideas and trap the student to live a life of moving from one subject to another without needed time to absorb material and build a framework for critical thinking. Proverbs 14:15 – “ The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” If you desire your children to use the mind God created for them and process material with reflective thinking that allows consideration of the knowledge leading to beliefs, actions, and reactions pleasing to Him, your child must be taught to carry the ability to critically scrutinize ideals instead of passively accepting everything learned at pure face value. This enables your child to use the mind God created for His good, to draw upon, and reflect His wisdom when receiving information, identifying problems, analyzing ideas, creating solutions, and making connections. Your child is empowered to use biblical discernment in complex and everyday challenges and not be swayed by peers, social media, cultural beliefs and practices, or fleshly desires. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – “But test everything; hold fast what is good.” How can you help your children develop biblical critical thinking skills? 1. Encourage Questions 2. Enjoy Answering Questions 3. Enforce “No Question is Dumb” 4. Seek Answers Together 5. Ask Your Child Questions 6. Allow Time to Think and Process 7. Practice Critical Thinking Together 8. Inspire Creativity 9. Read the Bible Together Teach your children that people don’t stop to think critically when : 1. We Are Rushed – When forced to make fast decisions, people usually move with what is easiest. 2. We Are Confused – Teach your children that when something doesn’t make sense, they must make time to pray and seek God’s wisdom through Scripture and speak with someone they trust to lead and advise them in God’s truths. 3. We Are Selfish – When we follow only selfish desires, we usually make decisions we regret later, decisions that hurt others, or decisions that go against God’s desires. 4. We Are Apathetic – If children are allowed to remain indifferent or uninterested, they will not make time to seek and follow God’s values and commands. Matthew 24:4 – “ And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.” Help your children build a framework for establishing biblical critical thinking by teaching them to: Compare everything heard, seen, or taught against the Bible . 1. Is the source of information godly? 2. Is the source of information credible? 3. Is the source of information experienced? 4. What is the motive of the source? 5. What is the perspective of the source? 6. Is the information opinion or is it fact backed by Scripture and/or biblical values? 7. Is the information backed by biblical evidence? 1 John 4:1 – “ Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” It takes time, effort, and much prayer to teach children to think biblically and critically. Without this valuable skill, they will never experience fullness of intimate relationship with Christ. Invest in the present and future of your child by modeling critical thinking that is backed by Scripture and teach your child how to think with critical and biblical thoughts in order to allow them to learn how to apply the skills to life issues they will continue to face in their lifetime. As you express delight now when your children explore life with the questioning mind God has gifted to them, they will delight you later when they apply biblical critical thought processes to every experience they face. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “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 .” Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness and Holiness overwhelm us when we sit and ponder Your many ways and mercies. Thank you for Your steadfast, loving kindness toward us and the children You have entrusted to us. God, we know Your grace is sufficient for our needs and trust that as we look to You, that You will show Your power in our weakness. That You will help us model biblical critical thinking skills to our children and allow them to form those skills for themselves in ways that honor and please You. Lord, please keep the minds of our children in perfect peace as they learn and grow because they learn to crave Your Word, learn the habit of staying in Your Word, and learn to follow Your Word. Please help them apply it to every situation and trust that Your Word is timeless and true. Sanctify them in Your truth. Father, please keep our children in Your perfect peace because they have sought you, keeping their mind fixed on You because they trust in You. 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 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

Do you wish you could parent with certainty that you're doing enough to build strong connection to Christ and your child? Maybe you need clarity on a parenting issue. I can help you identify your goals, then prayerfully and purposely guide you to get there. MENTORSHIP Purposed Christian Mother Mentorship After we work together you'll... Know how to raise kids to chase Christ over culture Build connection with your children so they value your opinion over peers Teach your kids to form identity through Christ because yours is secure through Him Equip your children to combat cultural lies with God's Truths Parent to prepare , not repair, connection with you and Christ Parent with eternal perspective Stop being a good mom and become a godly one ...if you commit , do the work , and seek Him first. Got questions? Let's Chat! Raise kids to walk in biblical truth. Teach your children to form identity through Christ and combat lies with God's truth. Are you yearning to raise kids to walk in Biblical truth? Do you want your children to form identity through Christ and combat cultural lies with His truths? You're not alone. TELL ME MORE! Connect with a Complimentary Strategy Call Have you decided that peers or culture won't be the main influence over your children? Do you need assurance that you're doing enough to build strong connection with Christ and your child? Maybe you need biblical clarity or godly guidance on an identity or mindset issue. I can help you set your goals, then prayerfully and purposely guide you to reach them.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #089 – Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll – 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. Last week on the podcast I began a series about homeschooling children. If you haven’t yet listened to the Live With Eternal Perspective Episode 88, “Godly Instruction,” I invite you to do so before diving into the treasures you will hear in this two-part interview I begin today. I am very delighted to introduce you to my guest, Sheila Carroll. Sheila is the founder of Living Books Curriculum, a literature-rich method of study inspired by the work of Charlotte Mason. Sheila has masters’ degrees in Children’s Literature and in Educational Leadership. She is an author, educational consultant, and professional storyteller. She and her husband also have a nonprofit, “Worldwide Educational Resources,” which aids and educates children in West Africa using the Charlotte Mason method. Currently, Sheila is a story coach and narrative therapist, helping home-based entrepreneurs, ministers, therapists and creative-types to discover and heal their God-given story and speak it with an authentic voice. Sheila speaks to parents, organizations, and thought leaders. Best of all, Sheila is a mother and grandmother who home educated for 25 years, and lives in Michigan with her husband and four alpacas. In addition to the creation of LBC curriculum, Sheila is the author of various books and audios, and I will list them in the transcripts of this episode, which you can read on my website at terrihitt.com. Books by Sheila Carroll: Putting the World In A Nutshell: The Art of the Formula Tale. (H.W. Wilson) Aesop Fables with Scripture References, editor (Living Books Press) Storytelling: A Creative Teaching Strategy (Storytime Productions) The Extraordinary Cat and Other Stories (Audio) Stories of the Long Christmas (audio) Sheila is a precious friend of mine. Each time I speak with her I imagine myself sitting at her feet, gleaning much wisdom and guidance. I could chat for hours and not have enough time with her. I pray you learn just what you need to hear today as you listen to our conversation. ------------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW ----------------------------------------------- Friends, did you hear words that encouraged you or better equipped you today? If so, I invite you to listen to Part 2 of this interview next week when Sheila and I dig deeper into methods and instructions to encourage your heart and provide you with practical tips and tools to ignite the fire of learning in your child and help your days at home together run more smoothly. What we do is ultimately for the Lord and the blessings of homeschooling reaches well into the eternal heart and mindset of each of our children. Father God, thank You for all You are and do in our lives. Thank you so much for the opportunity to educate our children at home. You tell us in Your word that parents are to bring our children up in the training and instruction of You. You allow us the privilege of raising and knowing Your precious children, of loving them and discerning through Your guidance what is right for them and the person You have created them to be. Thank you for entrusting us, mere humans, to hold and carry such a sacred role. Father, for those educating their children at home, or praying about doing so, please guide and direct their heart and thoughts. Father, I personally thank you humbly for the opportunity I have to be at home with my girls. I do not take the position as a home educator lightly and although I know I may fall short in my own eyes at times, I pray that You equip and guide me, as well as those listening to not heed our thoughts or emotions, but to continue to keep our mind, eyes, and hearts directed upward to You alone. Bless our homes, our schools, our relationships with each other, and our walk with You through this journey. Move those who need to begin teaching at home to do so and encourage those who are weary and refresh their spirit and attitude. We thank You, Father, for You are so good. 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 new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 089 - Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #089 – Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll – 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. Last week on the podcast I began a series about homeschooling children. If you haven’t yet listened to the Live With Eternal Perspective Episode 88, “Godly Instruction,” I invite you to do so before diving into the treasures you will hear in this two-part interview I begin today. I am very delighted to introduce you to my guest, Sheila Carroll. Sheila is the founder of Living Books Curriculum, a literature-rich method of study inspired by the work of Charlotte Mason. Sheila has masters’ degrees in Children’s Literature and in Educational Leadership. She is an author, educational consultant, and professional storyteller. She and her husband also have a nonprofit, “Worldwide Educational Resources,” which aids and educates children in West Africa using the Charlotte Mason method. Currently, Sheila is a story coach and narrative therapist, helping home-based entrepreneurs, ministers, therapists and creative-types to discover and heal their God-given story and speak it with an authentic voice. Sheila speaks to parents, organizations, and thought leaders. Best of all, Sheila is a mother and grandmother who home educated for 25 years, and lives in Michigan with her husband and four alpacas. In addition to the creation of LBC curriculum, Sheila is the author of various books and audios, and I will list them in the transcripts of this episode, which you can read on my website at terrihitt.com. Books by Sheila Carroll: Putting the World In A Nutshell: The Art of the Formula Tale. (H.W. Wilson) Aesop Fables with Scripture References, editor (Living Books Press) Storytelling: A Creative Teaching Strategy (Storytime Productions) The Extraordinary Cat and Other Stories (Audio) Stories of the Long Christmas (audio) Sheila is a precious friend of mine. Each time I speak with her I imagine myself sitting at her feet, gleaning much wisdom and guidance. I could chat for hours and not have enough time with her. I pray you learn just what you need to hear today as you listen to our conversation. ------------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW ----------------------------------------------- Friends, did you hear words that encouraged you or better equipped you today? If so, I invite you to listen to Part 2 of this interview next week when Sheila and I dig deeper into methods and instructions to encourage your heart and provide you with practical tips and tools to ignite the fire of learning in your child and help your days at home together run more smoothly. What we do is ultimately for the Lord and the blessings of homeschooling reaches well into the eternal heart and mindset of each of our children. Father God, thank You for all You are and do in our lives. Thank you so much for the opportunity to educate our children at home. You tell us in Your word that parents are to bring our children up in the training and instruction of You. You allow us the privilege of raising and knowing Your precious children, of loving them and discerning through Your guidance what is right for them and the person You have created them to be. Thank you for entrusting us, mere humans, to hold and carry such a sacred role. Father, for those educating their children at home, or praying about doing so, please guide and direct their heart and thoughts. Father, I personally thank you humbly for the opportunity I have to be at home with my girls. I do not take the position as a home educator lightly and although I know I may fall short in my own eyes at times, I pray that You equip and guide me, as well as those listening to not heed our thoughts or emotions, but to continue to keep our mind, eyes, and hearts directed upward to You alone. Bless our homes, our schools, our relationships with each other, and our walk with You through this journey. Move those who need to begin teaching at home to do so and encourage those who are weary and refresh their spirit and attitude. We thank You, Father, for You are so good. 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 new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com http://www.charlottemasonhomeschooling.com http://www.sheilacarroll.com

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 024 - Biblical Parenting Through Hard Places Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #024 – Biblical Parenting Through Hard Places 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. Have you ever felt like you had been thrown into the deep end and you were treading waters that were over your parental capabilities? The first morning after bringing my youngest home from China at the age of nine, I walked into my office and saw my newest child sitting at my desk with a lit match in one hand. I’m not sure how many scenarios went through my mind, but I think it was the first time the adrenaline of fear shot through me. For a quarter of a second I wondered if I’d brought home a murdering pyromaniac. Since I had never experienced a child interested in matches, and the others had a sensible knowledge of the dangers of carelessly playing with fire, I had forgotten I kept a small box of matches and a tiny candle in the back of a desk drawer. After the initial feelings flowed quickly through my body and mind, my sensible side lifted my response, and I said, “Matches aren’t a toy to play with.” As I blew out the match and gently removed the stick from her fingers, her gaze met mine, mixed with curiosity and an unspoken plea for forgiveness. Never mind that she didn’t speak English. Some actions are understood beyond language barriers. Lack of experience and a beautiful curiosity led my girl to play with something more dangerous than she could understand. If I would have simply reacted to the behavior without empathy to how she had lived through before coming to me, I would have reacted much differently. In fact, left alone to first thoughts, I would have snatched the match out of her hand quickly. I wondered what other areas I needed to be worried about and what other dangerous acts she might attempt. But as soon as those thoughts crossed the threshold of my mind, the Lord wiped them clean and filled my heart with His truth . We had a long journey ahead to build connection and He needed to remain at the helm. Memories, trauma, or lack of experience can cause various inappropriate behaviors that families may struggle to understand. These memories, traumas, or experiences can be exhibited by the child, but the parent may also have unresolved needs. Everything combined can become a firestorm of confusion and complications that are impossible to overcome without holy reliance . This is the time for parents to set aside self or feelings of inadequacy, rejection, shame, surprise, anger, or whatever multitude of thoughts and feelings reside in the mind and humbly kneel before God for wisdom, direction, and healing. One truth parenting taught me is that children are in our care to safely learn and grow in godly ways. Whatever baggage a parent carries should be checked at the door and never picked up again once a child enters the home. Ideally, before a child arrives. But because we live in an imperfect world full of fallen sinners, this easy description and expectation is rarely seen. Because God entrusted these precious souls into our care, we must find the way to reach the unique heart God placed within them, and allow Him to tenderly develop and mature it for Him through our care and connection. First, we must be looking to the Lord for what we need and eagerly and faithfully allowing Him to execute the changes we so desperately need. Our children cannot receive what we do not carry . Isaiah 65:17 says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind .” Just as the Lord promises safety and peace for His people one day, He desires our families to live in plentiful harmony and joy together now . Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away .” Jesus desires the beauty of this verse for us now . However, so much heartbreak, confusion, and deception exist in this world and in the lives of our precious children and grandchildren. Our culture has twisted so much of what God commanded and desires for us. Children are being raised without biblical identity and the resulting apathy, confusion, and self-hatred is destroying a generation. Raising our children through connected parenting is the first step in moving them toward a lifetime of joy, faith, and purpose. When I speak of connection, I mean parent and God to child and child and God to parent. No matter whether you are raising a child who has come to you through foster, adoption, or other hard places, or you are raising a child who has been with you from birth, this world is taxing . Our children are exposed to things even adults don’t want to discuss. Nevertheless, there is hope and there is healing available for your child, grandchild, and your family. Through Christ, we are never without the hope and faith that He makes all things new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come .” 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 .” Many suggestions for raising your children to know Jesus and find identity through Him are available in various Purposed Parent/Connected Child episodes. In this one that you’re hearing now, I want to stress the importance of intentionally living a Christ-filled lifestyle that exudes and exemplifies Jesus for your child to emulate . In this episode, however, I also want to examine ways that you may connect with a hurting child or maintain connection throughout your parenting years. 1. Know Christ as Savior and build a lifestyle with Him at the center. 2. Model godly behaviors, attitudes, and reactions. 3. Be intentional in building connection. Don’t wait for difficult behavior. 4. Don’t expect “typical” children or behaviors. God doesn’t desire typical worldly character. 5. Say “I’m sorry” without hesitation when needed. 6. Nurture and build your child up in Christ, rather than tear them down. 7. Encourage godly choices. 8. Allow transition times from activities and as they mature in Christ. 9. Eat well, exercise, hydrate, and get enough sleep. 10. Read your Bible daily. 11. Pray for and with your child. Encourage them to pray for you. 12. Continue growing in the Lord, so your child sees the need and value to do the same. There are so many areas I could break-down for deeper discussion, but I want to recommend an excellent resource for working with children who have experienced trauma, are adopted, come from troubled backgrounds, have special emotional or behavioral needs, but also for parents who want to be proactive and parent from a place of connection. Combining techniques taught in this book with biblical discernment and wisdom from the Bible, and purposed prayer daily for and with your child and spouse will give your child or children the best foundation to stand on as they grow and develop in this world. The book is “The Connected Child” by Karyn B. Purvis and is available in bookstores and on Amazon. Remember to be attuned to behaviors exhibited by your child that may easily go unnoticed. While parenting my first generation of children, I thought it was easier to be attuned to what they needed. However, after many years of additional parenting experience, and with the hindsight of parenting through hard places through older child and special needs adoption, I can see times I likely missed responding as I should have. I can think of times when I wish I had understood more quickly or clearly and wish I had changed my parenting style to be more attuned and nurturing in those specific moments. Yet, that’s what life does to us. The person we are today should not be the person we are tomorrow. If we are growing and changing in godly ways, we will always see ways we could have acted differently, but because of the grace of God, we know that He has and will cover all our human mistakes and misunderstandings with His love and use all for His good and glory. Although parents are human, we’re not perfect, and we cannot know everything our child needs, especially when they can’t or won’t tell us, we should continue to improve our skills to identify ways our child gives unspoken clues or in areas that could trigger certain physical or behavioral reactions. Both birth and adopted children are subject to experiencing trauma and disconnect. Sometimes families experience physical, financial, spiritual, mental, or emotional trials or setbacks. Whether they are temporary or permanent, I don’t believe children are as resilient as many say they are. However, I do think that with the right care and attention, children and parents can bond and attach much more strongly after overcoming hardship together, especially if they look to God for direction and healing. Otherwise, if deprivations, trials, or traumas are not addressed, behaviors will eventually show and you may be caught off-guard without the responses or reactions you need to connect in a godly way. Healing can then take much longer for both parent and child. What are ways to build strong attachment ? 1. Hear what your child is communicating , not just what they say. 2. Listen , Love , and Look . Be responsive to what your child says and does. Children often do not have the experience or communication skills to say what they are feeling, experiencing, or needing. 3. Respond with empathy, not judgement. 4. Look beyond misbehavior to the message. What is your child unable to say? What do they really need from you? What could the root cause of the behavior be? Love, care, and personal attention are needed to move past trauma. Sometimes parents get it wrong. We can easily assume motives when our child is coping or experimenting with new sensations and experiences. God’s insight, understanding, and direction are essential to move forward together. Your child needs to see that you are safe, families are safe, families stay together, and that each member of the family is loved and appreciated. Your child needs to know and trust that you are committed to learning and growing together. As you teach and reassure them in this important area, and continue to help them mature in their walk with Christ, your child will be growing in beautiful ways that are beyond the scope of this world and stepping into living with eternal perspective and purpose. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the children You have purposed for this world and placed in our homes. Your loving kindness is astounding. That You would trust us to raise Your children is a miracle that comes with great privilege and responsibility. Help our hearts not to be troubled because we trust in You and remain in close contact with You, using Your wisdom, discernment, and commands as the catalyst to our parenting success. May our success be established in Your eyes and heart, not what the world views as success. May our children rise and call us blessed because they recognize and follow You with love, faith, and integrity. May their obedience bless You and cause us to be evermore humble and obedient, as well. God, thank you for Your blessed children in our homes, Please enable us to mature fully in and through You in order to direct them in Your ways and straight to Your heart and feet. In the precious name of Your Son, 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

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #056 – A Passionate Life for Jesus 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 was surprised to receive my first angry and vulgar message online. I knew this would happen at some point, and I had just lifted a prayer of gratitude to my Heavenly Father about this very subject the week before. I had thanked Him that His timing is always best. Since the Live With Eternal Perspective ministry is small right now, I have not suffered the hardships big platforms have with people who throw cruelty like confetti while they hide behind the internet wall. I knew that God would make me ready when the time arrived, and I believe the Holy Spirit led me to pray for what He knew was coming. I lift up what God is building through Live With Eternal Perspective daily in prayer, and I am attempting to follow the plans God gives to me. Only my Heavenly Father knows what He has for me to share on the podcast and beyond. As I consistently post online about Jesus, more people will eventually see my words. They will learn my beliefs, and of course, not everyone will agree with them. More and more people may use the bravery of invisibility to throw insults and hate because they don’t know or live in the truth and freedom Jesus offers. After reading curse words and accusations from this stranger about how I was brain-washing and ruining the lives of children by encouraging mothers to raise them to know Jesus, I stopped to praise God for this person. Why? Because God had exposed his pain to me and allowed me the opportunity to pray for him right then. I don't know his story, but God does. Our Heavenly Father knows every heartache and joy this person has ever had. He knows what emotions drive the cruel words and the reason he feels them. God knows whether or not this person will ever be saved by the sacrifice of Jesus. My prayer is that he will. Luke 6:22 says, "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man." Yesterday this stranger unknowingly sent me a blessing. Because I am faithfully allowing truth, hope, and encouragement to flow from my heart and words, and I am attempting to obediently follow where I believe God is calling, this person saw my message and hated me for it. What I shared went against what many people in this world choose to believe. More people are speaking out against godly values and morals, while less speak the truths of and for Jesus. How long will Christians keep silent? God is calling me to allow Him to work through me even more. If you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, then He is calling you to more, too. If others use the freedom to speak against Jesus, we must exercise our right to speak for Him. Christians have been complacent; we've been lazy. We are losing our right to worship, freely express beliefs, and follow the Lord without fear of retaliation. Why is it allowable for non-believers to spew hate and lies, but they cannot tolerate believers having freedom to say or show what we desire? I am not angry at those who make the choice to reject Jesus. That decision is strictly between them and God. However, Christians deserve the same privilege to exercise our first amendment right. Freedom goes both ways. It is time for each of us to deeply examine our heart. What do we truly believe? Who do we follow? Would we rather chase Jesus or the ungodly culture we live in? Unbelievers are watching us. Although they do not act like it, they are waiting and watching to see how we handle complications, stress, and heartache. They want to see whether their words and actions against us will stop us. They wonder whether they have power over what we profess to be true. They are looking to see whether our actions match our words. They wonder whether Jesus really does make a difference. What will they see? If we do not stand for Jesus, we stand against Him. Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm? Have you obediently followed Christ with a passion? Are you aware that the word "passion" doesn’t mean just a strong feeling or desire? The Latin meaning of "passion" is to suffer, bear, or endure. Jesus suffered a passionate sacrifice for each of us. Why aren’t each of us living with a passionate desire for pleasing Christ and becoming more like Him? Why aren't most Christians living with a passion to obediently follow and share Him, despite the cost? Joshua 24:14-15 says, "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the Lord, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Do you realize that criticism is acceptable? “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me." John 15:18-21 When people make accusations, spread lies, misunderstand us, spew hateful words at us, or attack us, we must remember that Jesus understands. He has already faced anything we can receive. Do we want to be attacked? Of course not! Yet, we know that the boldness we show for Christ will attract the cruel and reckless comments and actions of those against Jesus. What peace and encouragement that truth provides! What we allow God to produce through us is for Him. John 15:1-11 says, "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" As we mature our walk with God through Jesus, we should never want to remain the same person from day to day. I urge you to view your life with eternal perspective. What are your end goals? What are your beliefs about eternity? The way we schedule, prioritize, and live our life proves our perspective on eternity. If you rest in assurance through Jesus, your goal should be to glorify and honor God more each day. You should expect to awaken a new person every morning because your faith and obedience has shifted your heart and mindset closer to His in every way. Ask God to release a passion inside you for Him. Seek Him in a deeper walk and relationship. He will shift your thoughts, words, and actions as you understand that everything we do can affect those around us for eternity. He is faithful to give new life, hope, and joy to those who desire Him, no matter the circumstances we endure, as we allow Him to direct and carry us. Don’t worry about how you will manage life. Just grow closer to Him. He will work out every detail as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13 says, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Live a passionate, Spirit-led life! Let us purpose to live by the passionate power of the Holy Spirit alive inside us! Galatians 5:22-25 offers this promise and command, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." What is the best way to ensure we are able to live with passion for Christ and follow the Spirit in every area of our life? We must live with a mindset purposed for eternity. Set specific goals for Christian Living so you intentionally seek to glorify God and imitate Jesus. 1. Expect to suffer for Him. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 says, “So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.” Acts 5:41 says, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Bad things happen daily in this fallen world. It doesn’t matter how much you love Jesus or how closely you try to follow and please Him. You will still have hardships and difficulties. Loved ones will die. People will let you down. I can list so many things that can happen. You know the list is endless. Yet, as followers of Christ, we have Him to carry us whether times are easy or hard. He makes life bearable. We know as followers, we will face hardships because we believe. Stand strong, but not in yourself. In Him. As Isaiah 45:24a says, “The people will declare, “The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 2. Be grateful and joyful despite circumstances. 2 Corinthians 6:10 says, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” When those trials, hardships, failures, and pain come, live in gratitude. Even though we suffer and grieve, we can still choose to praise Him because we know He is there to comfort us. He is there to carry us and we know each difficulty will bring us closer to Him and extend the roots of our faith in deeper and richer soil. Each time we release control, and look to Jesus, we realize the importance and truth of our faith. 3. Follow the Holy Spirit James 1:1-4 says, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, “you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Seek heavenly wisdom that is only available from a holy and sovereign source. The Holy Spirit He sends to us is active and alive. 2 Corinthians 1:22 says, “ He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.” 4. Seek God’s wisdom James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” Proverbs 3:13-17 says, “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Wisdom from the Lord is pure, loving, steady, genuine, and although it is extended to every believer, it is also personal to each one of us. 5. Carry the mindset of Christ Ephesians 5:1 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Pure peace comes from allowing God to handle all areas of our life. That is only possible through a relationship with God through Jesus. Only He can sooth us with a perfect peace that passes understanding and deposit joy in our spirit, despite circumstances swirling around us. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 6. Worship God James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” We must find the balance of living in the world while not being a part of it. This is not our final home. Eternal perspective allows us to appreciate what God has allowed us and strive to honor Him with our riches, even when they are meager. We simply cannot love this world and passionately follow culture and trends. If we value what this world tells us to honor and seek, we go against all that God has for us. 7. Live with passion for Christ Philippians 4:7 says, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Struggles, bitterness, sorrow, disunity, and animosity exist when we search for happiness and wisdom from self or this world. In contrast, when we follow Jesus, we receive and treasure His wisdom, guidance, and joy. Yielding to His commands and mindset become a balm and encouragement, as well as our source of strength in life. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us every resource we need to stand before You with the choice and ability to live a pure life of passion for You. Lord, I pray that as I close this podcast today, and read Your biblical truths, that you will pierce my heart. Prick the heart of every listener, Lord. Carry us closer to You. Bring us to a clearer understanding of where we need to change and help us mold ourselves closer to Jesus and where You want us to be. In Your very precious name I pray. Amen. As I close, please absorb the truth of the following scriptures and ponder how different we would be if we experienced the passion of living for Christ. How different our life, home, and world would be if we each purposely step into closer alignment with God. Ephesians 4:13 says, “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:17-31 says, “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more. But this is not the way you came to know Christ. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Matthew 7:24 says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Passionately build your purpose, your life, and eternal focus on the holy, solid rock of Jesus Christ. Thank you for listening to this episode. 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 Christ and encourage you to raise or influence children to chase Jesus instead of this world. Be sure to sign up for my email list to be notified when my next resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” releases soon. This eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. 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. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 056 A Passionate Life for Jesus Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #056 – A Passionate Life for Jesus 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 was surprised to receive my first angry and vulgar message online. I knew this would happen at some point, and I had just lifted a prayer of gratitude to my Heavenly Father about this very subject the week before. I had thanked Him that His timing is always best. Since the Live With Eternal Perspective ministry is small right now, I have not suffered the hardships big platforms have with people who throw cruelty like confetti while they hide behind the internet wall. I knew that God would make me ready when the time arrived, and I believe the Holy Spirit led me to pray for what He knew was coming. I lift up what God is building through Live With Eternal Perspective daily in prayer, and I am attempting to follow the plans God gives to me. Only my Heavenly Father knows what He has for me to share on the podcast and beyond. As I consistently post online about Jesus, more people will eventually see my words. They will learn my beliefs, and of course, not everyone will agree with them. More and more people may use the bravery of invisibility to throw insults and hate because they don’t know or live in the truth and freedom Jesus offers. After reading curse words and accusations from this stranger about how I was brain-washing and ruining the lives of children by encouraging mothers to raise them to know Jesus, I stopped to praise God for this person. Why? Because God had exposed his pain to me and allowed me the opportunity to pray for him right then. I don't know his story, but God does. Our Heavenly Father knows every heartache and joy this person has ever had. He knows what emotions drive the cruel words and the reason he feels them. God knows whether or not this person will ever be saved by the sacrifice of Jesus. My prayer is that he will. Luke 6:22 says, "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man." Yesterday this stranger unknowingly sent me a blessing. Because I am faithfully allowing truth, hope, and encouragement to flow from my heart and words, and I am attempting to obediently follow where I believe God is calling, this person saw my message and hated me for it. What I shared went against what many people in this world choose to believe. More people are speaking out against godly values and morals, while less speak the truths of and for Jesus. How long will Christians keep silent? God is calling me to allow Him to work through me even more. If you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, then He is calling you to more, too. If others use the freedom to speak against Jesus, we must exercise our right to speak for Him. Christians have been complacent; we've been lazy. We are losing our right to worship, freely express beliefs, and follow the Lord without fear of retaliation. Why is it allowable for non-believers to spew hate and lies, but they cannot tolerate believers having freedom to say or show what we desire? I am not angry at those who make the choice to reject Jesus. That decision is strictly between them and God. However, Christians deserve the same privilege to exercise our first amendment right. Freedom goes both ways. It is time for each of us to deeply examine our heart. What do we truly believe? Who do we follow? Would we rather chase Jesus or the ungodly culture we live in? Unbelievers are watching us. Although they do not act like it, they are waiting and watching to see how we handle complications, stress, and heartache. They want to see whether their words and actions against us will stop us. They wonder whether they have power over what we profess to be true. They are looking to see whether our actions match our words. They wonder whether Jesus really does make a difference. What will they see? If we do not stand for Jesus, we stand against Him. Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm? Have you obediently followed Christ with a passion? Are you aware that the word "passion" doesn’t mean just a strong feeling or desire? The Latin meaning of "passion" is to suffer, bear, or endure. Jesus suffered a passionate sacrifice for each of us. Why aren’t each of us living with a passionate desire for pleasing Christ and becoming more like Him? Why aren't most Christians living with a passion to obediently follow and share Him, despite the cost? Joshua 24:14-15 says, "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the Lord, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Do you realize that criticism is acceptable? “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me." John 15:18-21 When people make accusations, spread lies, misunderstand us, spew hateful words at us, or attack us, we must remember that Jesus understands. He has already faced anything we can receive. Do we want to be attacked? Of course not! Yet, we know that the boldness we show for Christ will attract the cruel and reckless comments and actions of those against Jesus. What peace and encouragement that truth provides! What we allow God to produce through us is for Him. John 15:1-11 says, "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" As we mature our walk with God through Jesus, we should never want to remain the same person from day to day. I urge you to view your life with eternal perspective. What are your end goals? What are your beliefs about eternity? The way we schedule, prioritize, and live our life proves our perspective on eternity. If you rest in assurance through Jesus, your goal should be to glorify and honor God more each day. You should expect to awaken a new person every morning because your faith and obedience has shifted your heart and mindset closer to His in every way. Ask God to release a passion inside you for Him. Seek Him in a deeper walk and relationship. He will shift your thoughts, words, and actions as you understand that everything we do can affect those around us for eternity. He is faithful to give new life, hope, and joy to those who desire Him, no matter the circumstances we endure, as we allow Him to direct and carry us. Don’t worry about how you will manage life. Just grow closer to Him. He will work out every detail as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13 says, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Live a passionate, Spirit-led life! Let us purpose to live by the passionate power of the Holy Spirit alive inside us! Galatians 5:22-25 offers this promise and command, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." What is the best way to ensure we are able to live with passion for Christ and follow the Spirit in every area of our life? We must live with a mindset purposed for eternity. Set specific goals for Christian Living so you intentionally seek to glorify God and imitate Jesus. 1. Expect to suffer for Him. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 says, “So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.” Acts 5:41 says, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Bad things happen daily in this fallen world. It doesn’t matter how much you love Jesus or how closely you try to follow and please Him. You will still have hardships and difficulties. Loved ones will die. People will let you down. I can list so many things that can happen. You know the list is endless. Yet, as followers of Christ, we have Him to carry us whether times are easy or hard. He makes life bearable. We know as followers, we will face hardships because we believe. Stand strong, but not in yourself. In Him. As Isaiah 45:24a says, “The people will declare, “The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 2. Be grateful and joyful despite circumstances. 2 Corinthians 6:10 says, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” When those trials, hardships, failures, and pain come, live in gratitude. Even though we suffer and grieve, we can still choose to praise Him because we know He is there to comfort us. He is there to carry us and we know each difficulty will bring us closer to Him and extend the roots of our faith in deeper and richer soil. Each time we release control, and look to Jesus, we realize the importance and truth of our faith. 3. Follow the Holy Spirit James 1:1-4 says, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, “you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Seek heavenly wisdom that is only available from a holy and sovereign source. The Holy Spirit He sends to us is active and alive. 2 Corinthians 1:22 says, “ He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.” 4. Seek God’s wisdom James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” Proverbs 3:13-17 says, “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Wisdom from the Lord is pure, loving, steady, genuine, and although it is extended to every believer, it is also personal to each one of us. 5. Carry the mindset of Christ Ephesians 5:1 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Pure peace comes from allowing God to handle all areas of our life. That is only possible through a relationship with God through Jesus. Only He can sooth us with a perfect peace that passes understanding and deposit joy in our spirit, despite circumstances swirling around us. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 6. Worship God James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” We must find the balance of living in the world while not being a part of it. This is not our final home. Eternal perspective allows us to appreciate what God has allowed us and strive to honor Him with our riches, even when they are meager. We simply cannot love this world and passionately follow culture and trends. If we value what this world tells us to honor and seek, we go against all that God has for us. 7. Live with passion for Christ Philippians 4:7 says, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Struggles, bitterness, sorrow, disunity, and animosity exist when we search for happiness and wisdom from self or this world. In contrast, when we follow Jesus, we receive and treasure His wisdom, guidance, and joy. Yielding to His commands and mindset become a balm and encouragement, as well as our source of strength in life. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us every resource we need to stand before You with the choice and ability to live a pure life of passion for You. Lord, I pray that as I close this podcast today, and read Your biblical truths, that you will pierce my heart. Prick the heart of every listener, Lord. Carry us closer to You. Bring us to a clearer understanding of where we need to change and help us mold ourselves closer to Jesus and where You want us to be. In Your very precious name I pray. Amen. As I close, please absorb the truth of the following scriptures and ponder how different we would be if we experienced the passion of living for Christ. How different our life, home, and world would be if we each purposely step into closer alignment with God. Ephesians 4:13 says, “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:17-31 says, “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more. But this is not the way you came to know Christ. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Matthew 7:24 says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Passionately build your purpose, your life, and eternal focus on the holy, solid rock of Jesus Christ. Thank you for listening to this episode. 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 Christ and encourage you to raise or influence children to chase Jesus instead of this world. Be sure to sign up for my email list to be notified when my next resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” releases soon. This eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. 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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #138 – Christ, The Master Builder 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. Each morning my youngest trusts that she and I will sit together and play before we do anything else. In fact, as soon as I wake her up, she uses the restroom, brushes her teeth, takes her medications, and meets me where Lego’s and creativity have overtaken the space. Our entire kitchen table is filled with creations that prove her genius ability to construct something from nothing. What can be challenging to me is of no effort for her. Sure, it looks easy to build tiny objects from plastic bricks, but when you want true workmanship that boasts working doors with hidden hinges, elaborate pieces of furniture, and symmetrical construction, you need an expert creator. Of course, that would be her. I’m content to sit in my role as the one who honors what she makes. I help use her designs and ideas in joyful ways that bring us closer together. Anything I make on my own falls far short of the craftmanship she possesses, and the quality of my constructed items fall short of her ingenuity, but I sit by her side to observe and learn, so I may grow my skills under the master. Although Brooklyn is superbly skilled at establishing visions of what she desires to make and then actually causing it to come into existence, her skills fall short of the glory of God. My girl constructs elaborate cities and stories, while God created a world, universe, and all that we know and can only imagine. He designed intimate details into each person and knows each of us by name. He knows the days established for us and what we have done, are doing, and will do, and created each one of us for purposes and with gifts He crafted into being. 1 Corinthians 3:5-14 says, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.” In a way slightly similar to how Brooklyn has patiently given me the skills to build, but on a much, much larger and more important scale, God showed Paul how to sow the seeds of the gospel message into the hearts of people. God also enabled Apollos to nourish the believers and grow them in faith. Paul founded the Corinth church and Apollos took that foundation and built upon it. The work God requires involves a multitude of people who carry a variety of God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. Although I think Brooklyn is an architectural superstar, the truth is that her abilities come from a choice God made to gift her in that area. How many more God-gifted abilities does she carry? How many will she choose to use for Him? God doesn’t craft special talents into us for us to become superstars who receive all the glory. He patiently plans and lovingly lavishes abilities on us for the purpose of combining followers who will become “team members” of sorts who will set aside personal desires and glory in exchange for approval from Him. Of course, we know that Paul and Apollos worked for the Lord, but what arose spiritually from their work was credited to God’s power, grace, and mercy. Believers know that Jesus is the foundation of the church. He is the reason we worship, why we give praise; we cannot lay another foundation other than what has been established by Christ’s sacrifice, love, and obedience. Paul laid a strong and perfect foundation for the Corinth church by preaching salvation through Christ. Paul was used by God to establish spiritual foundations as he worked to construct groundwork for churches in Macedonia, Greece, and Asia Minor, while others, such as Timothy and Apollos were used to build upon the foundations of his labors. Each person working for God was allowed to participate through God’s loving mercy and grace. In our time, we must remember that whoever builds our present day church, whether it be preachers, teachers, deacons, or worshippers, the church must be built with first fruits, or the very best we can offer through establishing godly doctrine built on God’s Word and a lifestyle of godly integrity. In the Corinthian church, many members were vulnerable to incorrect doctrine, immature in their faith, and hardened toward one another. Instead of being committed to God and each other, they had much to learn in shaping Christian character and sacrifice. Just as the Lego buildings I construct are not as solid as the ones Brooklyn builds, believers must be careful to build their life on the solid foundation of Christ. Jesus is the firm foundation that lasts. All else will fall away. If we choose to build a life upon fame, wealth, another person, culture, or however we define success, our life will not stand in eternity. When we stand before Him, God will determine through His sinless, sovereign mind whether each of us has been faithful to follow the instructions and guidelines set by Christ. Any honor and glory for salvation goes to God, as He alone saves. As we work for the Lord, we will not see what we view as equality in our journey on earth. Some believers will see great fruit from their work in this lifetime; some will not, but each person who sacrificially and obediently works for the Lord is seen equally by God. He will reward who and how He chooses. We do not know and cannot comprehend His plans. We must look only to what God calls us to do and step out to complete the tasks He poses for us as we keep our heart focused on obediently honoring and pleasing Him. As we labor for the Lord, I believe we must fix our eyes above. No matter what feels like drudgery or may be unpleasant, no matter whether we experience what we consider success or what this world calls failure, we have choices to make. 1. What foundation will we choose to build our life upon? 2. Will that foundation endure into eternity? Believers must also remember to ask ourselves: 1. Is what I am laying as my foundation pleasing to God? 2. Will I trust that God will bless what I allow Him to complete through my obedience for His purposes (even when I don’t see the fruit)? Matthew 9:37-38 says, “He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Are you willing to labor for the Lord without seeing the outcome? 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Do you trust His work? 1 Thessalonians 1:3 says, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Are you inspired by Christ or this world? Colossians 1:28-29 says, “He is the One we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Do you allow Him to energize and strengthen you each moment? 1 Timothy 4:10 says, “That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” Is your hope and trust in Christ? Philippians 2:16 says, “As you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” Are you looking forward to the day you will stand in front of Jesus? 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Are you ready to humbly stand before God unashamed? 1 Timothy 1:12 says, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.” Do you consider yourself appointed to His service? How does that affect your actions and decisions daily? Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Are you willing to continue to surrender each day? Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your glorious work within us. Thank You for the plans you have made for us and the salvation You established for us through Jesus. May each of us surrender more completely moment by moment, see ourselves through Your eyes, and come to follow You in deeper ways daily. Thank you for establishing good works through us and for allowing us to participate in Your work. May we allow you, the Master Builder access to our deepest parts as You continue to craft Yourself into our heart and mind. Oh, God, how we long to be fully Yours and to stand before You with humble joy one day and hear that You are pleased with the way we lived. May we be filled with hope, joy, and grace in light of our expectation of an eternity with You. 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 138 - Christ, The Master Builder Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #138 – Christ, The Master Builder 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. Each morning my youngest trusts that she and I will sit together and play before we do anything else. In fact, as soon as I wake her up, she uses the restroom, brushes her teeth, takes her medications, and meets me where Lego’s and creativity have overtaken the space. Our entire kitchen table is filled with creations that prove her genius ability to construct something from nothing. What can be challenging to me is of no effort for her. Sure, it looks easy to build tiny objects from plastic bricks, but when you want true workmanship that boasts working doors with hidden hinges, elaborate pieces of furniture, and symmetrical construction, you need an expert creator. Of course, that would be her. I’m content to sit in my role as the one who honors what she makes. I help use her designs and ideas in joyful ways that bring us closer together. Anything I make on my own falls far short of the craftmanship she possesses, and the quality of my constructed items fall short of her ingenuity, but I sit by her side to observe and learn, so I may grow my skills under the master. Although Brooklyn is superbly skilled at establishing visions of what she desires to make and then actually causing it to come into existence, her skills fall short of the glory of God. My girl constructs elaborate cities and stories, while God created a world, universe, and all that we know and can only imagine. He designed intimate details into each person and knows each of us by name. He knows the days established for us and what we have done, are doing, and will do, and created each one of us for purposes and with gifts He crafted into being. 1 Corinthians 3:5-14 says, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.” In a way slightly similar to how Brooklyn has patiently given me the skills to build, but on a much, much larger and more important scale, God showed Paul how to sow the seeds of the gospel message into the hearts of people. God also enabled Apollos to nourish the believers and grow them in faith. Paul founded the Corinth church and Apollos took that foundation and built upon it. The work God requires involves a multitude of people who carry a variety of God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. Although I think Brooklyn is an architectural superstar, the truth is that her abilities come from a choice God made to gift her in that area. How many more God-gifted abilities does she carry? How many will she choose to use for Him? God doesn’t craft special talents into us for us to become superstars who receive all the glory. He patiently plans and lovingly lavishes abilities on us for the purpose of combining followers who will become “team members” of sorts who will set aside personal desires and glory in exchange for approval from Him. Of course, we know that Paul and Apollos worked for the Lord, but what arose spiritually from their work was credited to God’s power, grace, and mercy. Believers know that Jesus is the foundation of the church. He is the reason we worship, why we give praise; we cannot lay another foundation other than what has been established by Christ’s sacrifice, love, and obedience. Paul laid a strong and perfect foundation for the Corinth church by preaching salvation through Christ. Paul was used by God to establish spiritual foundations as he worked to construct groundwork for churches in Macedonia, Greece, and Asia Minor, while others, such as Timothy and Apollos were used to build upon the foundations of his labors. Each person working for God was allowed to participate through God’s loving mercy and grace. In our time, we must remember that whoever builds our present day church, whether it be preachers, teachers, deacons, or worshippers, the church must be built with first fruits, or the very best we can offer through establishing godly doctrine built on God’s Word and a lifestyle of godly integrity. In the Corinthian church, many members were vulnerable to incorrect doctrine, immature in their faith, and hardened toward one another. Instead of being committed to God and each other, they had much to learn in shaping Christian character and sacrifice. Just as the Lego buildings I construct are not as solid as the ones Brooklyn builds, believers must be careful to build their life on the solid foundation of Christ. Jesus is the firm foundation that lasts. All else will fall away. If we choose to build a life upon fame, wealth, another person, culture, or however we define success, our life will not stand in eternity. When we stand before Him, God will determine through His sinless, sovereign mind whether each of us has been faithful to follow the instructions and guidelines set by Christ. Any honor and glory for salvation goes to God, as He alone saves. As we work for the Lord, we will not see what we view as equality in our journey on earth. Some believers will see great fruit from their work in this lifetime; some will not, but each person who sacrificially and obediently works for the Lord is seen equally by God. He will reward who and how He chooses. We do not know and cannot comprehend His plans. We must look only to what God calls us to do and step out to complete the tasks He poses for us as we keep our heart focused on obediently honoring and pleasing Him. As we labor for the Lord, I believe we must fix our eyes above. No matter what feels like drudgery or may be unpleasant, no matter whether we experience what we consider success or what this world calls failure, we have choices to make. 1. What foundation will we choose to build our life upon? 2. Will that foundation endure into eternity? Believers must also remember to ask ourselves: 1. Is what I am laying as my foundation pleasing to God? 2. Will I trust that God will bless what I allow Him to complete through my obedience for His purposes (even when I don’t see the fruit)? Matthew 9:37-38 says, “He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Are you willing to labor for the Lord without seeing the outcome? 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Do you trust His work? 1 Thessalonians 1:3 says, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Are you inspired by Christ or this world? Colossians 1:28-29 says, “He is the One we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Do you allow Him to energize and strengthen you each moment? 1 Timothy 4:10 says, “That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” Is your hope and trust in Christ? Philippians 2:16 says, “As you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” Are you looking forward to the day you will stand in front of Jesus? 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Are you ready to humbly stand before God unashamed? 1 Timothy 1:12 says, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.” Do you consider yourself appointed to His service? How does that affect your actions and decisions daily? Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Are you willing to continue to surrender each day? Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your glorious work within us. Thank You for the plans you have made for us and the salvation You established for us through Jesus. May each of us surrender more completely moment by moment, see ourselves through Your eyes, and come to follow You in deeper ways daily. Thank you for establishing good works through us and for allowing us to participate in Your work. May we allow you, the Master Builder access to our deepest parts as You continue to craft Yourself into our heart and mind. Oh, God, how we long to be fully Yours and to stand before You with humble joy one day and hear that You are pleased with the way we lived. May we be filled with hope, joy, and grace in light of our expectation of an eternity with You. 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 022 - Mature Your Child Toward Perfection in Christ Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #022 – Mature Your Child Toward Perfection in Christ 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. Do you ever stop to think about the fact that: Every decision you make impacts the life of your child. Every decision you make exposes your relationship with God. When my husband and I told our family we were going to China to adopt our third child, a ten-month old baby girl in China when we were 44 years old, we weren’t met with approval. In the beginning we didn’t have the support of either set of parents. Although we were not old, we weren’t near the age we were when we began raising our first two children, and we weren’t the young age at which our parents began parenting, either. Since everyone in our family had children at an early age, the idea of beginning what was basically another family in our early forties (since our first two were completely raised and no longer living in the home with us), seemed crazy. Nowadays, it’s not at all uncommon to begin having children in your late thirties or early to mid-forties. In fact, even though our parents didn’t quickly approve, I think my mother was forgetting that her very own mother raised two biological children with her husband, my grandpa, then after the girls (my mother and my aunt) were raised, grandma got pregnant two more times, which brought my aunts. One is two years older than me and one who is one month older than me. In hindsight, as we’re now 17 years past bringing home our baby, and we’ve returned to China ten years later to bring home our then 9 year old daughter, I can see that the process of adoption grew my husband and I, as well as our parents. Our first two children also moved closer toward the perfection of God through lessons they learned. Each of us was transformed in ways only God can measure through our obedience to Him through this beautiful and holy step of love. Every decision you make can bring you closer to or away from the mirror image of God. Every decision you make can move your child closer to or away from reflecting the image of God. 1 Corinthians 15:49 says, “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. ” I treasure knowing that as we establish close relationship with Jesus, and move in humble obedience to His Word and ways, we are being crafted into image bearers of the Lord. As this transformational process continues, followers are able to grasp the special, specific purposes God individually desires for each of us. Matthew 5:48 reveals the words of Jesus, “’Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect .’” Obviously, no one on earth is or can be perfect. As much as we love our children, we know that they can sometimes be very far from perfect as they follow fleshly desires. So can we. How do we guide them? Let’s examine this verse spoken by Jesus. 1. Jesus is speaking of character . None of us will ever be flawless, so obviously our children won’t, but Jesus calls us to aspire to a character like Christ. As we react to and raise our children, we must be mindful of how our responses and training, as well as our example of daily living reflects the character of Jesus. 2. Jesus is speaking of holiness . In a world of sin and enticement that claims to fulfill our fleshly desires, we must remember to teach our children about the holiness of God. This doesn’t mean hammering them over the head with their unholiness each time they make a mistake, but living as examples of holiness for them to emulate. As we seek and follow the Lord in obedience, our children see what we desire and do. As we are devoted to the desires God carries and shows to us, we are better able to be examples of His mercy and light for our children to learn. The closer we are to Christ, the nearer they will be drawn to Him . 3. Jesus is speaking of maturity . Although it takes time and devotion to grow our maturity in Christ, as we seek and follow Him moment by moment, the changes made to our life become more and more evident. As our children grow and mature, they are able to witness the effects of submitting to holy living under God and see the level of love and devotion we offer Him. 4. Jesus is speaking of love . 1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. ” Our children will mature toward perfection as they submit to Jesus and experience and exhibit the love He carries for them. As we mature in our faith and obedience to the Lord, we are better equipped to mentor our children . Obviously, each day brings more opportunities to live and grow in Christ, but as we humbly submit to Him, we can live with assurance that we are growing in perfection through His strength. Are we perfect? No, but - Our character, holiness, maturity, and love are reflecting His perfection within us. Perfection, in the way we and our children can develop, doesn’t mean perfect as the world describes the word. To develop a more godly or Christlike character is the goal for each of us as parents and to set for our precious children to follow. Only Jesus can fulfill the ultimate perfection. Only He can set the example of what perfection consists of or looks like. As we follow Him, submit and cling to Him, draw our children nearer to Him, obey Him, and proclaim Him, they will be able to witness the Way, the Truth, and the Life and be drawn to Him for a true, deep, and eternal relationship. 1 John 3:2-3 says, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. ” Our life under Christ is a process that transforms us to become more and more Christlike as we submit and follow Him through personal relationship . Our process of transformation won’t be complete until we stand face-to-face with Christ one day, but while we are on earth, we have the opportunity to continue growing in and through Him, striving toward His perfect purity of character and holiness. As we change, our children are changed. Their present and future are altered. As we draw nearer to Christ, and desire our children to mature in perfection with Him, we cannot ignore the effects of culture around us and the negative way these values and lies affect our children. On the last podcast, “Say NO to Ungodly Influences in Your Heart and Home,” we looked at a list of ways we may be allowing ungodly influences to penetrate our heart and the home of our children. In turn, this sets our children up to accept or ignore the ungodliness we tolerate. In fact, what we permit in the lives of our family now will become accepted and applauded in the future. Don’t let what culture pushes or idolizes affect your decisions. Only God’s Word and values should be used to discern what will touch and teach your children. One item I forgot to add to the list we reviewed in the last episode is the way culture has accepted and pushed LGBTQ agenda in recent years. While I believe this subject needs to be addressed with love and respect, because each person is made in God’s image and with His utmost care, I recognize and honor that the only guide to offer authentic truth and direction is the Bible, God’s Holy Word. If God says marriage is between one man and one woman, that is what we should build our life upon and teach to our children. As believers, we must focus on God, pleasing and following Him. To those who do not know Him, this is viewed as an act of hatred or aggression, however, if we treat those who do not agree with love as God would do, we do not need to agree with or condone what they do. Neither do we need to shrink away in fear or embarrassment as society would have us do. Each person in the world makes mistakes and sins against God in some way daily. To the Lord, those transgressions are not large or small in the way humans tend to categorize them. Sin is sin. Our Almighty, Sovereign Holy Father allows each of us to make our own decisions about whether or not we follow Him and how we will live our life. Keep looking to Him for guidance and direction. Our heart desire should be to please, honor, and obey Him and to teach our children to do the same. The acceptance of gay marriage in our culture was a slippery slope that has branched to include much more. Each step moves closer to the next thing, like a chain with many attached links. Although most gay individuals do not accept the agenda that is currently being pushed in our schools, such as transgenderism and sexual fluidity, the movement to accept gay marriage did start the process for more inclusion along the same lines. We need to remember that God does not command us to follow His guidelines simply to impose rules we may not understand, but to protect and provide for us. Whether we tell a lie, rob a bank, entertain impure thoughts, or lust after another of the same sex, God sees the sins as the same. While some say that “love is love,” their human opinion does not matter. The truth is that loving another person’s spouse, a person of the same sex in a sexual way, or an adult loving a minor in an impure way is simply and obviously not the same as the beautiful way a mother loves a child or a man loves his wife. Humans can label whatever we want to do in whatever fashion makes us feel good, but it does not change the truth of how our Holy God views and categorizes the act. Our children must be taught to know, love, honor, and obey Jesus in order to follow Him all the days of his or her life. This means respectfully and lovingly educating them in the words of the Bible - and first and foremost, modeling a genuine love and humble respect for and relationship with Jesus and others. Another topic I did not address in the recent podcast episode is abortion. I don’t understand how this is a touchy subject within the Christian community, but somehow, even believers are divided. God created and values life. Each fearfully, wonderfully made person was knitted together in the womb and the days of our life are seen and numbered for specific purposes. Who knows, perhaps the cure for cancer will never be found because the individual who would have found the prevention or cure was not allowed to live and was killed in the womb. Our children must read , study , and know the words in the Bible to begin to understand the mind of God and live within His holy commands to experience the freedom and joy only Christ can bring. In order to do so, we must be on the frontlines, learning and growing through Christ ourselves. We must value the Lord and cultivate a right and righteous relationship with Jesus so that we are able to instruct our children in the ways of the Lord. There is no greater honor than to be entrusted by God Himself to be a godly parent for the children He has entrusted to us. Proverbs 17:6 says, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. ” Proverbs 23:22 says, “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old .” Do not look at your life or the ways of culture through worldly eyes and heart. Entrust your child to God alone and strive to be a mirror image of Him more and more each day so that you can mature yourself and your child to perfection through Christ. Dear Heavenly Father, only You are holy. Only You are good. This world feeds into the human need for more, for popularity, for acceptance, for riches, for indulgences. All we crave or pursue is actually found in and through You alone. When we trust in You, we find that You , the One who conceived and knitted us together knows the deepest needs of our heart and can fulfill us like no other. Please enable each of us to be the parent You desire. Equip us to be pleasing in every way to You and to help our children become a mirror image of You. Dear Father, help us to stay on the path You chose for us and to guide our children on the path You have carved for them. May they be holy, as You are holy. Help us to excise things from our life that displease You or harm our children now or in the future. We thank you for the loving care You are able to give to each one devoted to following You. Help our children to be one of them. 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 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. 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Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #140 – How to Identify False Teachers 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. Last year I was disappointed by a couple of people who came into my life. I thought they were upstanding, godly people who genuinely loved the Lord. After getting to know them better, I was surprised to discover that either they were making mistake after mistake or they simply weren’t who they appeared to be. I really cannot express my disappointment in even thinking that they may not be who I thought they were. Sadness covered me as I imagined that I had been deceived. After this initial thought, I feared for their eternal future. I did not want these people I had come to care for to be anything other than what they first appeared to be. I didn’t want them to potentially live for eternity without Christ. I’m still praying for the two people I am referring to. I hope I met them when they were going through hard seasons and that the love they professed for Jesus is true. I hope that they made bad choices in the times I spent with them and that they have grown daily since that time and are better equipped to shine the Lord in authentic ways that won’t make people second guess them or their position with Christ. I hope they are seeking the Lord in new ways that leave no question who they follow. I hope that when I make mistakes it is not in front of others who might question my love for Jesus. I hope that my mistakes never make the Lord appear to be less than He is. I want all the glory for anything worthy I accomplish to go to Him. I have learned that anything of value that I do is not of my own hand, but comes from time spent with the Father and in His provision. Not knowing whether someone is an authentic believer after beginning to know them truly grieves my heart in various ways. I want everyone to know and love the Lord with a true and lasting relationship that brings joy, peace, love, and all of the fruits of the Spirit in ways they can’t help but proclaim love and devotion to Jesus. Without judging, but with the use of godly discernment, take the story I gave with people I came to know last year and transfer it to pastors, ministry leaders, podcasters, and others who publicly profess Christ in some sort of ministry. We are a front line, so to speak, to opinions people will hold of Christ. Such a high responsibility is a calling. It is a high service for one we cannot begin to represent well enough. Although I believe most people who exert effort, love, prayer, and time into helping others see, know, love, and honor Christ truly love Jesus and want to serve Him well, there are some who are going through the motions for personal gain or glory. As sad as that fact is, there are ways we can protect ourselves and others from becoming deceived and following these false teachers. First, let’s read, then break-down and examine a passage of Scripture from 1 John 1:5-10 which says, “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Many false teachers will deny or ignore the existence of sin. Believers must be diligent and discerning to observe the way those professing love for Christ conduct their life. Whether it be in the acts they perform, the words they speak, the attitude they express, or the way they lie their life, these people will do something that produces red flags. In the passage of verses we read, John affirms the reality of sin and the mindset believers should carry toward it. If a person denies the reality of sin, they may be exposing their lack of salvation or understanding of sin. When we hear, “this is the message we have heard from Him,” John is stating that what they are repeating is not from them, but from God. Galatians 1:11-12 says, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. The words, “God is light” in 1 John 1:5 confirms that in God we can find no darkness. He is the Author of Light. No darkness can exist within Him. We know that usually when one hears the term, “light” we think of absence of darkness, purity or holiness. When we know the word is referencing our Heavenly Father, we think of holiness or biblical truths. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 says, “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” Those who do not truly know the Lord profess to be enlightened with wisdom, although believers should recognize that the knowledge and insight they speak is from within, not given to them by God. When wisdom is not given by God, it will end up being the opposite. When we do not walk and live in the light, we exist in darkness. When John continues in verse 5, he states, “no darkness at all.” With these words, John confirms that we can be assured that in God we find holy perfection. There is absolutely nothing in the character of God that deviates from truth, purity, or holiness. James 1:17-18 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.” Although there are many who claim to enjoy fellowship with God, the lifestyle they live, may it be words, activities, actions, reactions, character, integrity, and so on, indicates that they lack genuine repentance and submission to Christ. When I speak these words, I realize that we are each human and prone to sin, mistakes, and misunderstandings. I do not make this remark lightly. I do so only to warn each of us, myself included that we must be aware and cautious. Of course, we want to give others the benefit of the doubt, and we certainly want to pray for them, but do not be deceived. We cannot live in darkness and profess to be of the light. Just as I spoke of the light earlier, to live in light in the Christian sense means to be a follower of Christ. To live in darkness is to live without Christ. Although we each sin in some way daily, those dedicated to maturing a genuine walk with Christ daily live with an urgency that demands obedient and submission and keeps them in search of light. Within us, the Holy Spirit is at work to warn and protect us, to steer us away from darkness. “Do not practice,” as said in verse 6 reinforces what I just said about living in darkness. When one professing to be a follower of Christ does not practice what they say they believe or they continue practicing what goes against God’s commands and directions, their habits point to the truth. Verse 7 confirms that in contrast to those living in darkness, while claiming to be of the light, when one professes to love and follow Christ, there is a noticeable and continual refining, renewal of the soul that can only be completed through our precious Lord. As verse 8 shows, false teachers will claim to be in the light while they knowingly walk in darkness, denying sin within them. If someone denies having any sin, that darkness cannot be addressed and conquered through Christ. Verse 9 proves that we each need to draw nearer to Christ with purpose so that we can recognize and confess sin. His Word promises that He is faithful. As we confess our sins, He will forgive and purify us. As Christians have salvation through the work of Christ on the cross, we can live with purpose, intent on drawing nearer to Jesus daily. We have been forgiven of all sins. Of course, if one continues in known sin that goes against the Father, we must confess and receive the cleansing work of the Father, but the Holy Spirit is at work moment by moment to enable us to rest in the hand of God and continue to eradicate sin from our life. As we peel back the layers, so to speak, we find more and more ways to submit and be cleansed, but false teachers do not admit to sin nature or see the need to be cleansed of sin in their life. Verse 10 reminds us that if we claim that no sin is in us, we “make Him a liar.” As false teachers make no claim of sin, they blaspheme and slander God. This passage we just studied from James succinctly shows the truth of how to live in light-filled and correct fellowship with Christ and others. James 1:17-27 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 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.” Many people are confused by social media, school agendas, educators, leaders, influencers, celebrities, pastors, and cultural shifts. Children are being raised without the compass of Christ to guide and protect them. Those without a godly compass to lead and instruct them with truth often easily fall victim to a rebellious nature of self-pleasure and seeking easy ways to do so. Or they fall prey to new age ideologies and false religions. It seems like the younger generation desires life without authority, but I believe every person prefers a life without boundaries to some extent, simply because humans prefer our own selfish nature to allow us whatever pleasures we desire. However, once we are free from the bondage of sin and flesh through Christ, we change, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit alive within. Because there are many who have not yet experienced this freedom found only through Christ, false teachers, preachers, and advertisers have a large audience they can fill with exactly what these seekers may search for. By claiming self-love, materialism, reincarnation, new age practices, earn your way to Heaven tactics, prosperity preaching, and more, those in need of filling a void inside will listen and respond with eagerness to this shiny new hope. Let’s look at a few ways people may be deceived and how believers may be better equipped to discern and detect false leaders. 1. False leaders promote human glory instead of glorifying God. 1 John 4:2-3 says, “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 2. False leaders don’t teach the inerrancy of Scripture. 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.” John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” 3. False teachers believe there is no need for repentance and don’t speak about what God says about sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 4. False teachers don’t preach about the reality of hell. Hebrews 9:27-28 says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” 5. False teachers teach personal prosperity. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” 6. False teachers teach doctrine that goes against the Bible. 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 a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 7. False teachers are prideful and divisive. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 says, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” John 10:11-13 says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” 8. False teachers seek fame and/or fortune. The verses we read in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 earlier speak to this point, as well. This is a point I have had to review myself. During the time I have created and aired my podcasts and publicly been outspoken for Christ, I have been very careful to check my heart. I never want to write or release these podcasts or any of the material I create, unless it honors Christ. I am not the one to be highlighted. He is. I pray that you see Him so clearly in me and that others will see Him very clearly in you. 9. False teachers don’t believe or teach that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the only way to God and eternal life. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Acts 4:10-12 says, “Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Dear Heavenly Father, there is none like You. Holy is Your name. Good are the plans You have set for us. Help us to seek You, find You, love You, honor You, and obey You despite circumstances. May our desire for You deepen daily and cause us to humbly submit in reverence to You. Please keep us from following false teachers. May they be so evident to us as Christians that we are not deceived, even for a moment. Help us to live with joy and discernment from You so that we do not judge others, but rightly live in fellowship with You and those around us, yet never allow us to stray from what You call for us. Help us to never accept or condone what You clearly do not desire for us. 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 140 - How to Identify False Teachers Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #140 – How to Identify False Teachers 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. Last year I was disappointed by a couple of people who came into my life. I thought they were upstanding, godly people who genuinely loved the Lord. After getting to know them better, I was surprised to discover that either they were making mistake after mistake or they simply weren’t who they appeared to be. I really cannot express my disappointment in even thinking that they may not be who I thought they were. Sadness covered me as I imagined that I had been deceived. After this initial thought, I feared for their eternal future. I did not want these people I had come to care for to be anything other than what they first appeared to be. I didn’t want them to potentially live for eternity without Christ. I’m still praying for the two people I am referring to. I hope I met them when they were going through hard seasons and that the love they professed for Jesus is true. I hope that they made bad choices in the times I spent with them and that they have grown daily since that time and are better equipped to shine the Lord in authentic ways that won’t make people second guess them or their position with Christ. I hope they are seeking the Lord in new ways that leave no question who they follow. I hope that when I make mistakes it is not in front of others who might question my love for Jesus. I hope that my mistakes never make the Lord appear to be less than He is. I want all the glory for anything worthy I accomplish to go to Him. I have learned that anything of value that I do is not of my own hand, but comes from time spent with the Father and in His provision. Not knowing whether someone is an authentic believer after beginning to know them truly grieves my heart in various ways. I want everyone to know and love the Lord with a true and lasting relationship that brings joy, peace, love, and all of the fruits of the Spirit in ways they can’t help but proclaim love and devotion to Jesus. Without judging, but with the use of godly discernment, take the story I gave with people I came to know last year and transfer it to pastors, ministry leaders, podcasters, and others who publicly profess Christ in some sort of ministry. We are a front line, so to speak, to opinions people will hold of Christ. Such a high responsibility is a calling. It is a high service for one we cannot begin to represent well enough. Although I believe most people who exert effort, love, prayer, and time into helping others see, know, love, and honor Christ truly love Jesus and want to serve Him well, there are some who are going through the motions for personal gain or glory. As sad as that fact is, there are ways we can protect ourselves and others from becoming deceived and following these false teachers. First, let’s read, then break-down and examine a passage of Scripture from 1 John 1:5-10 which says, “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Many false teachers will deny or ignore the existence of sin. Believers must be diligent and discerning to observe the way those professing love for Christ conduct their life. Whether it be in the acts they perform, the words they speak, the attitude they express, or the way they lie their life, these people will do something that produces red flags. In the passage of verses we read, John affirms the reality of sin and the mindset believers should carry toward it. If a person denies the reality of sin, they may be exposing their lack of salvation or understanding of sin. When we hear, “this is the message we have heard from Him,” John is stating that what they are repeating is not from them, but from God. Galatians 1:11-12 says, “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. The words, “God is light” in 1 John 1:5 confirms that in God we can find no darkness. He is the Author of Light. No darkness can exist within Him. We know that usually when one hears the term, “light” we think of absence of darkness, purity or holiness. When we know the word is referencing our Heavenly Father, we think of holiness or biblical truths. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 says, “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” Those who do not truly know the Lord profess to be enlightened with wisdom, although believers should recognize that the knowledge and insight they speak is from within, not given to them by God. When wisdom is not given by God, it will end up being the opposite. When we do not walk and live in the light, we exist in darkness. When John continues in verse 5, he states, “no darkness at all.” With these words, John confirms that we can be assured that in God we find holy perfection. There is absolutely nothing in the character of God that deviates from truth, purity, or holiness. James 1:17-18 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.” Although there are many who claim to enjoy fellowship with God, the lifestyle they live, may it be words, activities, actions, reactions, character, integrity, and so on, indicates that they lack genuine repentance and submission to Christ. When I speak these words, I realize that we are each human and prone to sin, mistakes, and misunderstandings. I do not make this remark lightly. I do so only to warn each of us, myself included that we must be aware and cautious. Of course, we want to give others the benefit of the doubt, and we certainly want to pray for them, but do not be deceived. We cannot live in darkness and profess to be of the light. Just as I spoke of the light earlier, to live in light in the Christian sense means to be a follower of Christ. To live in darkness is to live without Christ. Although we each sin in some way daily, those dedicated to maturing a genuine walk with Christ daily live with an urgency that demands obedient and submission and keeps them in search of light. Within us, the Holy Spirit is at work to warn and protect us, to steer us away from darkness. “Do not practice,” as said in verse 6 reinforces what I just said about living in darkness. When one professing to be a follower of Christ does not practice what they say they believe or they continue practicing what goes against God’s commands and directions, their habits point to the truth. Verse 7 confirms that in contrast to those living in darkness, while claiming to be of the light, when one professes to love and follow Christ, there is a noticeable and continual refining, renewal of the soul that can only be completed through our precious Lord. As verse 8 shows, false teachers will claim to be in the light while they knowingly walk in darkness, denying sin within them. If someone denies having any sin, that darkness cannot be addressed and conquered through Christ. Verse 9 proves that we each need to draw nearer to Christ with purpose so that we can recognize and confess sin. His Word promises that He is faithful. As we confess our sins, He will forgive and purify us. As Christians have salvation through the work of Christ on the cross, we can live with purpose, intent on drawing nearer to Jesus daily. We have been forgiven of all sins. Of course, if one continues in known sin that goes against the Father, we must confess and receive the cleansing work of the Father, but the Holy Spirit is at work moment by moment to enable us to rest in the hand of God and continue to eradicate sin from our life. As we peel back the layers, so to speak, we find more and more ways to submit and be cleansed, but false teachers do not admit to sin nature or see the need to be cleansed of sin in their life. Verse 10 reminds us that if we claim that no sin is in us, we “make Him a liar.” As false teachers make no claim of sin, they blaspheme and slander God. This passage we just studied from James succinctly shows the truth of how to live in light-filled and correct fellowship with Christ and others. James 1:17-27 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 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.” Many people are confused by social media, school agendas, educators, leaders, influencers, celebrities, pastors, and cultural shifts. Children are being raised without the compass of Christ to guide and protect them. Those without a godly compass to lead and instruct them with truth often easily fall victim to a rebellious nature of self-pleasure and seeking easy ways to do so. Or they fall prey to new age ideologies and false religions. It seems like the younger generation desires life without authority, but I believe every person prefers a life without boundaries to some extent, simply because humans prefer our own selfish nature to allow us whatever pleasures we desire. However, once we are free from the bondage of sin and flesh through Christ, we change, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit alive within. Because there are many who have not yet experienced this freedom found only through Christ, false teachers, preachers, and advertisers have a large audience they can fill with exactly what these seekers may search for. By claiming self-love, materialism, reincarnation, new age practices, earn your way to Heaven tactics, prosperity preaching, and more, those in need of filling a void inside will listen and respond with eagerness to this shiny new hope. Let’s look at a few ways people may be deceived and how believers may be better equipped to discern and detect false leaders. 1. False leaders promote human glory instead of glorifying God. 1 John 4:2-3 says, “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” 2. False leaders don’t teach the inerrancy of Scripture. 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.” John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” 3. False teachers believe there is no need for repentance and don’t speak about what God says about sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 4. False teachers don’t preach about the reality of hell. Hebrews 9:27-28 says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” 5. False teachers teach personal prosperity. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” 6. False teachers teach doctrine that goes against the Bible. 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 a may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 7. False teachers are prideful and divisive. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 says, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” John 10:11-13 says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” 8. False teachers seek fame and/or fortune. The verses we read in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 earlier speak to this point, as well. This is a point I have had to review myself. During the time I have created and aired my podcasts and publicly been outspoken for Christ, I have been very careful to check my heart. I never want to write or release these podcasts or any of the material I create, unless it honors Christ. I am not the one to be highlighted. He is. I pray that you see Him so clearly in me and that others will see Him very clearly in you. 9. False teachers don’t believe or teach that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the only way to God and eternal life. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Acts 4:10-12 says, “Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Dear Heavenly Father, there is none like You. Holy is Your name. Good are the plans You have set for us. Help us to seek You, find You, love You, honor You, and obey You despite circumstances. May our desire for You deepen daily and cause us to humbly submit in reverence to You. Please keep us from following false teachers. May they be so evident to us as Christians that we are not deceived, even for a moment. Help us to live with joy and discernment from You so that we do not judge others, but rightly live in fellowship with You and those around us, yet never allow us to stray from what You call for us. Help us to never accept or condone what You clearly do not desire for us. 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 105 - How to Move From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 105 – How to Move From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed 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. Being a mom is an indescribable gift. I think everyone can agree that being a mother can also bring a host of worries, pressures, and concerns. Whether you work inside or outside of the home, you carry loads that may feel like they can never be released to anyone else. Not only do you have everyday tasks like work, caring for the kids, meals, cleaning, chores, errands, and relationship referee. Motherhood also carries invisible duties your spouse may never think about. Remembering birthdays, anniversaries, events, activities, school requirements, meal-planning, doctor visits, and much more requires effort. Even more mentally exhausting duties fall to moms. No one else carries the responsibilities of maintaining the right size clothing in your ever-growing child’s closet, making sure you have nutritious snacks in your purse, or having supplies on hand for school projects, or last-minute cards and gifts tucked away in a closet. Moms are also usually the emotional gauge in the home. Moms are the first to notice when someone is getting sick, isn’t happy, is tired, or is having a bad day. Moms are the first to be concerned about the effects of culture on their children, how to raise children who know and follow Jesus, and to juggle getting everyone out of the door for church on Sunday mornings. No doubt about it. Motherhood isn’t for the weak. Most moms wish for a strong support system. One on the ground and one above all others. Our Heavenly Father. Hold on. Wait. Maybe we need to look at this with a different perspective . Maybe motherhood is for the weak. It’s best handled by moms who know they aren’t equipped. Instead, they’re ready for a Savior to rescue them. Because moms can easily become people-pleasers or perfectionists, we can be easily susceptible to anxiousness and overwhelm. It doesn’t help when comparison creeps in as moms look at what others have or are doing on social media. They compare what children of friends, family, or strangers have or do and wonder if they (themselves) are doing enough or if they are enough. That’s when “mom guilt” can rise up to cause distress and dilemmas. We know those feelings don’t come from God. Remember, overwhelm is caused in large part by expectations we allow others to place on us. Also by expectations placed on self . This seems a good time to share the old Eleanor Roosevelt quote, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Whether pressure is placed by you or others, it only takes effect when you allow it. Consider the words of Paul the apostle in 2 Corinthians 11:30, which say, “I will boast of the things that show my weakness .” Maybe motherhood is for the weak after all. But let us not boast in what we do, but in what God can and is doing within us and in our children as we surrender to Him. If you feel the beginnings of overwhelm or anxiety steal your peace or joy, try to remember you were never meant to carry these loads by yourself. In this episode we’re going to discuss different methods of coping with the thieves that attempt to steal the joy and peace you desire in your life and home. You deserve that peace. After all, remember what Jesus said in John 14:27 , “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid .” The first step in combating negative thoughts or feelings is to stop and fix your mind above . You have God’s Truths given through Scripture. I’ll share four others to memorize or keep on hand so that you can fix your heart and mind on these truths when overwhelm threatens to overtake your mood or day. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You .” 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 .” Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things .” 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 .” Next, think about your routine and schedule. Sometimes you can get stuck doing what you’ve always done. Just like you turn your computer off, then on again, and immediately it works as good as new, it may be time for a reboot. Your Kids grow and mature, schedules change, and we sometimes remain doing the same things in the same way. It might be time to adjust thinking, schedules, and activities. Consider these questions. Do you spend time scrolling social media and comparing yourself or your home, husband, or children to others? Do you have a busy life with no room to live the way you secretly desire? In other words, are you overscheduled, overburdened, and underjoyed? Are the things you’re pursuing going to be beneficial in the scheme of life? Do they serve an eternal purpose? Review your daily expectations. Evaluate what is a must. Consider what propels you toward eternity and an eternity-focused mindset. What is moving you and your family toward a godlier lifestyle and trimming away what isn’t beneficial to that goal? Do you allow yourself time to simply breathe? Or are you in constant activity and unable to enjoy time with your children or spouse? Are you able to hear yourself think? If not, you’re not going to be able to hear the still, small voice of God . Make sure to stop and consider these questions. Schedule time for God, spouse, and self. God should be a daily habit, interwoven through your day, but always beginning with recognizing Him. The more time you spend pursuing intimacy with God through Christ, the less overwhelming life will be. Matthew 6:33-34 says, “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 .” Likewise, time with your spouse makes life sweeter as you reconnect and invest time in God together and with each other. Your marriage, home life, and parenting will bring you more joy and peace. Moment by moment. Day by day. Allow time for yourself - even if you have to find a support system to do it. Perhaps your husband has a work schedule that won’t allow for you to get alone time or time with friends. Get creative. Enlist parents, a friend from church, or a trusted neighbor or family member to spend time with your kids while you get a little time away. You can even swap time with a good friend and watch her children while she gets things done or relaxes at home, then you have your opportunity. Or have friends over and chat while your kids play together. Have a Bible study together and let the kids join it. Whatever schedule you desire can be worked out with time, patience, prayer, and creativity. Exercise is another important factor in reducing overwhelm and gaining joy. Eating properly and hydrating well are just as important. It’s easy to make excuse after excuse, but if you really want to feel or look different, your routine and actions have to change. Exercising and eating well definitely contributes to feeling well physically, mentally, and emotionally. I also believe that when you’re able to spend time outdoors, whether you are exercising or working in the garden, walking, etc., you also gain greater connection with God as you allow yourself to enjoy His creation. No matter where you are, begin. Put Him first and take the other steps I mentioned, even if you must start slowly. As your schedule and body are more in alignment with God, ensure that your mind is, too. Instead of practicing meditation, which calls you to empty your mind, fill yours with Scripture that edifies your soul. Remember, if you are intentional in seeking God first, despite feelings or circumstances, and you apply gratitude daily with the steps we discussed, overwhelm should fade, allowing overjoy to take its rightful position. Here’s a recap: God/Scripture/Prayer Relationships Self Schedules Exercise/Nutrition Outdoors If you take action, change these areas of your life, and stick with it for a time, but still have difficulties with overwhelm, or anxiety, it may be time to visit a Christian healthcare professional who can assess your overall health to see if there may be other areas that need attention. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus .” Seek Him and see Him care for you – intimately and personally . Are you convinced now? Motherhood is for the weak. It’s for those who invite God to work within them. Motherhood is for the moms who know they need God and move over for Him to be the support system they rely on. With one foot on the ground and one in Heaven above, call on your Heavenly Father. Live with a perspective focused on eternity. Take pleasure in being weak and calling on Him to equip as you deepen your relationship with Him. Make Him known to your family. Be ready for your Savior to rescue you, to make a barrier between overwhelm and self so you feel the overjoy of life with God, despite circumstances. Dear Heavenly Father, How great and glorious You are. How we need You in our lives. Father, we are not equipped for the pressures and pains of this world, but You are. You give us all the tools we need to find you and deepen our faith and trust. Help us to do so in ways that honor and please You. Help us be the set-apart women You call us to be so we can give you joy and mentor the way for our children to find You. Help overjoy be the theme of our lives and homes. Erase overwhelm and when it threatens to raise its ugly head, extract it from our heart and mind quickly because we rely on You. Help our children to see our reactions and overjoy and reliance of You and grow to live the same way, completely unaffected by overwhelm. 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 ambitious moms 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 100 - Purposed Parenting to Build Generational Faith and Leave an Eternal Legacy with Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright and Riggin Wright Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 100 – Purposed Parenting to Build Generational Faith and Leave an Eternal Legacy with Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright and Riggin Wright Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children, and equips you to become a set-apart woman raising children to chase Christ over culture. Today I have the joy of sharing a conversation with two special guests. My first guest, Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. She’s the daughter of Daniel and Anne Graham Lotz and granddaughter of Billy and Ruth Graham. Following graduation from Baylor University in Waco, TX, she married Steven Wright, a high school football coach, and they have three daughters: Bell, Sophia, and Riggin. Rachel-Ruth teaches a weekly women’s Bible Study that originated at the University of North Carolina and now, through Zoom, has gone worldwide. She also shares God’s Word at numerous events around the country. She serves on the Board of Directors for AnGeL Ministries, in addition to chairing the weekly prayer team that undergirds her mother’s ministry. Her passion for leading children to Jesus and getting them into God’s Word helped to inspire her mother’s first children’s book, Heaven: God’s Promise for Me. She has co-authored two books with her mother, Jesus Followers, and Preparing to Meet Jesus. Rachel-Ruth feels called to encourage others to fall in love with Jesus through the teaching of His Word. My second guest, Riggin Wright is the daughter of Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright and Steven Wright. She’s a high school senior. Riggin is very involved in sports and just like her mom, enjoys sharing the love of Jesus. Riggin also leads a Bible study at her school. In our conversation we discuss how to be a purposed parent and the importance of building generational faith so we can leave an eternal legacy that honors God and points our children straight to the heart and feet of Jesus. We share personal family stories and how we learned to parent the heart not simply the behavior. You’ll hear us discuss how parenting requires complete surrender and inviting God to renew us daily. We also discuss why women must stop striving to be good moms, so they can become godly moms and how we are responsible to pray for God to claim the hearts of our children, but that starts with our personal walk with Christ. ____________________________ INTERVIEW_______________________________ (Read full interview notes at Apple Podcast transcripts) Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending us Your Son, Jesus and allowing us the privilege of choosing You. Thank you that we can enter into Your presence at any time and find You waiting and already steps ahead of us. Thank you for depositing the Holy Spirit inside those who belong to You and enabling us to shake off self and step into being more Christlike moment by moment, day by day. Father, equip us as mothers to raise the children You so lovingly entrusted to us in ways that bring you delight and glory. Help us to remember that we are unable to parent in any way that pleases, but that through You we are equipped. Empower us with the mercy, grace, love, insight, understanding, wisdom, and strength we need. Remind us to rest in Your ever capable arms and seek Your guidance and guard as we parent Your special blessings to us. May we ever long for You and seek You first above all things so that we can brightly shine Your truths and a desire for You for our children. Help us be purposed and consistent in the way we seek and obey You and in the ways we receive Your great provisions to parent. It is all from You and for You. 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 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 with your children and Christ. Previous Next

< 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 #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.

Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 017 Tara Dickson Interview Listen to Episode http://www.taradickson.com

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #086 – Guidelines for Living Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss intentional changes we must seek to be well-equipped to concentrate on Jesus, and live with heart and mind focused on eternity, as we seek more ways to live with eternal perspective. As I shared on a previous podcast, our home is now filled with the curious and innocent love of a brand new furry family member. Puppies are notorious for biting, exploring, and learning their place in the family. Ours is no exception! Since it is so much easier to watch over our new little one in a confined area, and we spend so much time in our kitchen, I like to keep our new baby fenced in the kitchen with us. Using baby gates, we have blocked the two doors in our kitchen so that we know our boy is safely enclosed on the hardwood flooring, which is so much easier to clean if accidents happen, plus it is much easier to limit his exposure to distractions or dangers. Because we have the fences blocking Beau’s escape, he often goes to the gate and begins to whine. Plenty of toys, items to chew, and we, his family are inside the kitchen and around him, yet he longs to explore the rest of the house. Curiously, when the gates are open and he has free reign to come and go into the space as he desires, he is perfectly content to stay in the kitchen with us. While watching our puppy’s behavior one day, I was reminded of how often our behavior is similar to Beau’s concerning our relationship with God. Our Heavenly Father gives us guidelines, which I like to call guardrails to keep us safe. God also gives us the ability to choose to live in accordance with His good and perfect desires for us. Think of how often humans try to step outside His boundaries just because we don’t want to feel fenced in. We want to be able to do what we want just because we desire it. Just like Beau. It really doesn’t matter how many chew toys and belly rubs we give our furry boy; He still likes to run over to the gate to see if he can escape any time he has a second of time alone. It doesn’t matter how much freedom God allows us; sometimes we just want what feels good in the moment. Just like we all have rules to follow, whether it be personal rules we have set, family rules, work rules, school rules, or rules set by society, we know what is expected and we have the ability to choose whether we will obey. Obviously, as believers, we should understand that God’s precepts are the most important, and govern above anything else set. God, in His goodness and through His sovereign and holy grace, allows us to choose whether we will obey Him or turn our back on His laws and guidelines. Not only does He offer us the Ten Commandments, but a Bible full of promises and guidelines to hear, listen, and obey, if we choose. If we don’t, God clearly warns there will be consequences, yet He loves us enough to set a fence around us for our own protection in many ways. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Because His love for us is so great, God promises His followers biblical wisdom as we seek relationship with Him, learn His word, and follow the guidelines He has set for us. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” When we are near to the Lord and seek His presence and protection in our life, we are sensitive to His commands and desires, and we listen for and recognize His voice. The Lord is merciful to those who seek Him. The Lord is delighted when our soul longs to fellowship with Him and follow His commands, not because He is a dictator who wants His way, but because He deeply loves us. God created each one of us for relationship with Him; He alone knows the desires He created us to long for and how they fit into the good and perfect plans He has lovingly set for us. Listen to these beautiful verses. Psalm 147:11 says, “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 25:9 says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." Psalm 25:4-5 says, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.” Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “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.” As my puppy longs to escape the pen we created to keep him safe and to teach him guidelines to train him properly, he cannot realize that in time, his boundaries will increase. As he matures, he will be ready for more and our relationship will be close from the time we spent together as we pour love and attention into Him. He will learn the rules of safety and obedience to become all He can to ensure a happy and fulfilled life. Isaiah 48:17 says, “This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Psalm 143:8 says, “Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.” Psalm 73:23-24 says, “Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.” As we continue to pursue our relationship and walk with God, our maturity increases. We see more clearly the life He has set for us and we long to please Him in new ways. We begin to seek Him and His ways, instead of seeking to escape the fence we once felt surrounding us. We respect and long for God’s protection and guidance from the Source of all things pure, good, and worthy. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your word.” Psalm 119:35 says, “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” How can following guidelines bring us closer to God? 1. Obedience - Just as we maintain guidelines for Beau and begin our bonding and attachment process, God sets limitations or rules for us to abide by. When we chose to accept those limitations, we focus our gaze more clearly on the truths of God and His goodness and provisions. We internalize His everlasting love for us, exhibit our love for Him, and begin the transformation process needed to become a reflection of Him. 2. Intimacy – As we realize more clearly who God is, we respond to His love by seeking an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Making His word a priority in our life, and communicating with our Father through prayer (both speaking to Him and listening for Him) allow us to cultivate a connection that transforms from who we were to who He is calling us to become. 3. Wisdom – As we transform into a likeness of Christ, we obtain more of the wisdom God generously bestows to those who love and seek His counsel. We are able to hear and respond more intimately with the Holy Spirit living inside us. 4. Gratitude – When we live with thankfulness despite circumstances, such as being penned into an area of life we do not choose, or when we live with a gratefulness for who we are through Christ and the work God is crafting inside us, our attitude and responses no longer reflect a broken human in need of grace, but of a Savior who sacrificed all so that we could live full lives of love, mercy, peace, and joy. Allowing the power of Christ control in all areas in our life, realizing that we are His and His plans are far greater than we can imagine, allows us to truly live with an eternal perspective that seeks Jesus moment by moment and transforms lives around us as we are beautifully altered. Gracious, merciful Heavenly Father, there is none like You. You are perfect, holy, and sovereign. I marvel at how You look upon us as we seek our own way, yet still desire relationship with us, exhibiting the most beautiful and sacrificial love. Thank you for modeling the way to a healthy lifestyle, a peaceful home, a joyful attitude, and a grateful heart. You crafted us, You know us, and You can fill every empty place within us if we only seek You above all else and follow Your generous guidelines. Teach us, O Lord, the way of Your statutes so that we may keep them to the end. Give us Your understanding that we may obey Your laws, and direct us in the path of Your commandments so that we may be filled with delight. Help us to meditate on Your laws with love and appreciation for all You desire for us. Keep our mind and feet free from every evil path, help us to keep Your word. Be near to us, O Lord and allow us to be ever nearer to You moment by moment. In the precious name of Jesus I 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 new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 086 - Guidelines for Living Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #086 – Guidelines for Living Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss intentional changes we must seek to be well-equipped to concentrate on Jesus, and live with heart and mind focused on eternity, as we seek more ways to live with eternal perspective. As I shared on a previous podcast, our home is now filled with the curious and innocent love of a brand new furry family member. Puppies are notorious for biting, exploring, and learning their place in the family. Ours is no exception! Since it is so much easier to watch over our new little one in a confined area, and we spend so much time in our kitchen, I like to keep our new baby fenced in the kitchen with us. Using baby gates, we have blocked the two doors in our kitchen so that we know our boy is safely enclosed on the hardwood flooring, which is so much easier to clean if accidents happen, plus it is much easier to limit his exposure to distractions or dangers. Because we have the fences blocking Beau’s escape, he often goes to the gate and begins to whine. Plenty of toys, items to chew, and we, his family are inside the kitchen and around him, yet he longs to explore the rest of the house. Curiously, when the gates are open and he has free reign to come and go into the space as he desires, he is perfectly content to stay in the kitchen with us. While watching our puppy’s behavior one day, I was reminded of how often our behavior is similar to Beau’s concerning our relationship with God. Our Heavenly Father gives us guidelines, which I like to call guardrails to keep us safe. God also gives us the ability to choose to live in accordance with His good and perfect desires for us. Think of how often humans try to step outside His boundaries just because we don’t want to feel fenced in. We want to be able to do what we want just because we desire it. Just like Beau. It really doesn’t matter how many chew toys and belly rubs we give our furry boy; He still likes to run over to the gate to see if he can escape any time he has a second of time alone. It doesn’t matter how much freedom God allows us; sometimes we just want what feels good in the moment. Just like we all have rules to follow, whether it be personal rules we have set, family rules, work rules, school rules, or rules set by society, we know what is expected and we have the ability to choose whether we will obey. Obviously, as believers, we should understand that God’s precepts are the most important, and govern above anything else set. God, in His goodness and through His sovereign and holy grace, allows us to choose whether we will obey Him or turn our back on His laws and guidelines. Not only does He offer us the Ten Commandments, but a Bible full of promises and guidelines to hear, listen, and obey, if we choose. If we don’t, God clearly warns there will be consequences, yet He loves us enough to set a fence around us for our own protection in many ways. Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Because His love for us is so great, God promises His followers biblical wisdom as we seek relationship with Him, learn His word, and follow the guidelines He has set for us. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” When we are near to the Lord and seek His presence and protection in our life, we are sensitive to His commands and desires, and we listen for and recognize His voice. The Lord is merciful to those who seek Him. The Lord is delighted when our soul longs to fellowship with Him and follow His commands, not because He is a dictator who wants His way, but because He deeply loves us. God created each one of us for relationship with Him; He alone knows the desires He created us to long for and how they fit into the good and perfect plans He has lovingly set for us. Listen to these beautiful verses. Psalm 147:11 says, “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 25:9 says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." Psalm 25:4-5 says, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.” Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “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.” As my puppy longs to escape the pen we created to keep him safe and to teach him guidelines to train him properly, he cannot realize that in time, his boundaries will increase. As he matures, he will be ready for more and our relationship will be close from the time we spent together as we pour love and attention into Him. He will learn the rules of safety and obedience to become all He can to ensure a happy and fulfilled life. Isaiah 48:17 says, “This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Psalm 143:8 says, “Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.” Psalm 73:23-24 says, “Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.” As we continue to pursue our relationship and walk with God, our maturity increases. We see more clearly the life He has set for us and we long to please Him in new ways. We begin to seek Him and His ways, instead of seeking to escape the fence we once felt surrounding us. We respect and long for God’s protection and guidance from the Source of all things pure, good, and worthy. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your word.” Psalm 119:35 says, “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” How can following guidelines bring us closer to God? 1. Obedience - Just as we maintain guidelines for Beau and begin our bonding and attachment process, God sets limitations or rules for us to abide by. When we chose to accept those limitations, we focus our gaze more clearly on the truths of God and His goodness and provisions. We internalize His everlasting love for us, exhibit our love for Him, and begin the transformation process needed to become a reflection of Him. 2. Intimacy – As we realize more clearly who God is, we respond to His love by seeking an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Making His word a priority in our life, and communicating with our Father through prayer (both speaking to Him and listening for Him) allow us to cultivate a connection that transforms from who we were to who He is calling us to become. 3. Wisdom – As we transform into a likeness of Christ, we obtain more of the wisdom God generously bestows to those who love and seek His counsel. We are able to hear and respond more intimately with the Holy Spirit living inside us. 4. Gratitude – When we live with thankfulness despite circumstances, such as being penned into an area of life we do not choose, or when we live with a gratefulness for who we are through Christ and the work God is crafting inside us, our attitude and responses no longer reflect a broken human in need of grace, but of a Savior who sacrificed all so that we could live full lives of love, mercy, peace, and joy. Allowing the power of Christ control in all areas in our life, realizing that we are His and His plans are far greater than we can imagine, allows us to truly live with an eternal perspective that seeks Jesus moment by moment and transforms lives around us as we are beautifully altered. Gracious, merciful Heavenly Father, there is none like You. You are perfect, holy, and sovereign. I marvel at how You look upon us as we seek our own way, yet still desire relationship with us, exhibiting the most beautiful and sacrificial love. Thank you for modeling the way to a healthy lifestyle, a peaceful home, a joyful attitude, and a grateful heart. You crafted us, You know us, and You can fill every empty place within us if we only seek You above all else and follow Your generous guidelines. Teach us, O Lord, the way of Your statutes so that we may keep them to the end. Give us Your understanding that we may obey Your laws, and direct us in the path of Your commandments so that we may be filled with delight. Help us to meditate on Your laws with love and appreciation for all You desire for us. Keep our mind and feet free from every evil path, help us to keep Your word. Be near to us, O Lord and allow us to be ever nearer to You moment by moment. In the precious name of Jesus I 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 new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Do you ever get frustrated, angered, or hurt by the behaviors of your children? Is busyness reflected in your relationships and reactions? You may have unknowingly built identity on self, rather than Savior. The way you build identity will likely be passed to your children. Remember, little eyes and ears know your identity is exposed through all you do and say; how you act and react. If you'd like to learn more about how your identity could be sabotaging your child, this resource is a sample of my Set Apart Collective program for mothers who desire to parent with eternity in mind. When you discover how identity in Christ equips you to be the set-apart mother God created you to be, you'll be equipped to teach your children to be set-apart in Christ with identity built on Truth. Discover How Your Identity is Sabotaging Your Children Do you ever get frustrated, angered, or hurt by the behaviors of your children? Is busyness reflected in your relationships and reactions? You may have unknowingly built identity on self, rather than Savior. The way you build identity will likely be passed to your children. Remember, little eyes and ears know your identity is exposed through all you do and say; how you act and react. If you'd like to learn more about how your identity could be sabotaging your child, this resource is a sample of my Set Apart Collective program for mothers who desire to parent with eternity in mind. When you discover how identity in Christ equips you to be the set-apart mother God created you to be, you'll be equipped to teach your children to be set-apart in Christ with identity built on Truth. Download

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 101 - Three Qualities You Must Teach Your Children Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 101 – Three Qualities You Must Teach Your Children Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children, and equips you to become a set-apart woman raising children to chase Christ over culture. Hey, as we get started today, I want to remind you that if you like this episode or have been encouraged by other episodes of Purposed Parent Connected Child, please make the time to leave a rating and review. The truth is that the more ratings and reviews the show gets, the easier the algorithm makes it to find the show. So, please take action and leave that rating and review on Apple podcasts or share the show with friends. My family thanks you along with me because every show is a family endeavor for Christ. Now, on to today’s episode about important qualities you need to teach your children. As a mom, you probably know there are many characteristics God requires believers to carry. Today, I want us to focus on three important qualities He desires we teach our children . First, let’s look at a important verse - Psalm 56:4 , which says, “In God, whose Word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me ?” As we begin, I’d like to share a story that highlights the first quality God requires us to teach our children. Trust . As a mom to two born from my womb and two born from another, who all miraculously became mine through God’s mighty and loving ways, I understand very well the necessity for trust . As a very young bio mom, I took for granted that my children would trust and love me. Ignorant of the effects caused by neglect and deprivation in early years, I never realized how different relationships might be when a child was adopted vs. being a bio baby. Thankfully, my husband and I wisely took several classes, read books, articles, blogs, and spoke to others who had paved the way before us as parents, adoption facilitators, and counselors in the field when we adopted. When we stepped in faith to bring home our ten month old baby girl from China, we were ecstatic! Just like when I was pregnant, my husband and I already had a deep love blooming and spreading inside us. Then, when we were face to face with our brand new daughter, that love immediately cemented. Even though our girl was just ten months old, she had a life with many experiences before she came to be with us. Because of the nature of adoption, she had suffered neglect, trauma, heartbreak, and many other emotions and occurrences before we met her. After a cycle of broken trust in her life, it was foremost in our minds and hearts to ensure that she would feel safe, loved, and grow the ability to fully trust us. Ten years later, my husband and I brought home a nine year old from China. The amount of suffering and neglect she had already experienced was heartbreaking. After nine years of deprivation, she now had to learn to live with a family fully ready to love and nurture her. Our youngest daughter had to face emotions, thoughts, feelings, and actions to allow herself to be cared for. Of course, that took time. For her to move from someone who felt unseen or like an inconvenience to accepting that she was now a cherished daughter, the first step was to learn to trust us. This example is such a beautiful reflection of our walk with Jesus. Trust is the first step in relationship with Christ. Trust is also the first of three qualities God requires you to possess - and to lovingly train your child to carry. When your children develop a strong, connected, trusting relationship with you , it is easier for them to be able to trust in Jesus . So let’s look at the word, trust . For some, trust is an easy gift to give others. For some, trust will have to be earned. Because of background, experiences, and formed beliefs, trust is simply not easily given by all. How is trust built with someone who hasn’t known trustworthy people in their life? You may not have adopted children or parent children who have experienced trauma or neglect, but simply desire to lay the groundwork for a strong foundation of trust in your home. There are simple, yet effective ways to build trust in any of those circumstances. Let’s go over the best ways to build trust. These are not listed in any particular order, but as they come to my mind. 1. Play – If you’ve listened to other Purposed Parent Connected Child episodes, you may have heard me speak often about my youngest daughter and I having a scheduled daily play date. This has been one of the top ways we have connected and cemented our relationship with each other. It has also led to her trusting me enough to trust Jesus. What does you child enjoy? How can you intentionally incorporate time together daily enjoying an activity that fuels your child’s interests? 2. Listen – Make eye contact with your children. Hear what they are saying. This means you may have to slow down your schedule. Be available so they can share what is going on in their life and thoughts. This leads to open and enjoyable conversations that deepens your relationship with each other and lays the groundwork for a walk with Christ. 3. Validate – Show that you hear them (this doesn’t mean you have to agree). Let them see that you understand they have emotions, feelings, and thoughts. Respect them, and also teach your children biblical truth throughout their life so that they will use God’s Word as a compass against which they measure those feelings, thoughts, and emotions. 4. Honor/respect them as a person. Yes, you are in authority over your child, but God is trusting you to love, guide, and build relationship that will lovingly lead your children to Him. 5. Agree on expectations together (when possible). Your child will probably not agree with your parental decisions one hundred percent of the time, however, as you build relationship and trust, you are able to communicate in ways that continue to foster and build higher trust. 6. Honor/foster independence – don’t try to make all decisions for your children. Know that they are on a journey of growth, just as you are. As they grow, times, situations, and abilities change. You must allow your child to grow while seeking God to guide you with biblical insight and wisdom in helping your children mature to become godly adults. 7. Ask open-ended questions – As your child matures, ask open-ended questions in discussion to see where their mind and heart are residing. This helps guide you in parenting and allows you to see where they may need additional help maturing. 8. Moderate your reactions – As you continue to purposely mature your walk with God through Christ, you are better equipped when surprises come. As you raise your children to know and reside in Jesus, your will also experience less surprises. When those do happen, moderate your reactions. Don’t fly off the handle or react too harshly. Trust continues to grow when hard times or surprises are handled with insightful wisdom. 9. Uphold commitments – Just like the old saying, “make promises sparingly and keep them no matter the cost,” trust is built when you uphold commitments you have promised your children. If emergencies arise, the relationship you have built will keep your trustworthiness safe, but if you never keep promises, you will not build trust or a strong connection. You will push your child away, as well as any positive influence to trust in Jesus. There are many factors that create trust. I hope this list is one you can say you’ve already established in your home. If not, use this listing as a guide to help you establish intentional methods to multiply trust in your home and for Christ. The next quality God requires you to carry and teach your child is Praise . When people think of praise, they often think of being thankful for something. Of course, that is part of what I mean here. But in reality, since we are speaking of God, our Heavenly Father, the Maker of all things, simply being thankful isn’t enough. Praise should have an element of thankfulness and gratitude, surely, but also carry a recognition of Who God is. God is Holy. God is sovereign. God is The Great I Am . In order to train your child to carry the attitude of praise , you must clearly exhibit true praise around the recognition of your Heavenly Father and all He is. This begins with an eternal perspective centered on God . 1. Set an example - Identify where your walk with God is strong and where it is weak. What is your impression of God? Do you carry an attitude of praise despite circumstances? Does it come across to your children? The best way to mentor praise to your children is to make sure they see it modeled by you . 2. Prayer – Is it possible to praise God without prayer? No. What a blessing that God left us a hotline straight to Him. This personal line never expires and is never out of service. The more you use it, the more you want to. The more you use it, the more your children will want to if you lovingly and consistently model strong relationship with God through Christ from your earliest time together. Use prayer with your child as soon as you have them. Let them get accustomed to hearing you rely on and praise the Lord. 3. Service – One of the most effective ways to praise God is by serving others through and for Him. Even better is when you serve with your children and let them experience the blessing of helping others. 4. Compliment others – Looking for ways to compliment others is simple and fun! When I’m out with my girls we always like to compliment people. It gives me so much joy to see the faces of those we compliment light up with surprise and a smile. It’s also a gift to hear your children find beautiful ways to compliment others. I’m sure God feels joy when we bring delight to the hearts of others He created with love and purpose. As we do it, we are actually praising Him as we praise His creation. 5. Gratitude/Praise Journal – If you enjoy writing in a journal, it’s a delight to write prayer requests, answers, and thoughts in a journal to read years later. When your children see you record these words, they may also want to begin keeping a journal for themselves. If you have a child who is too young to write, teach him or her to draw pictures or you can talk together and write the words. Teaching your children to look for blessings, answers to prayer, or to record the progress of their relationship with Jesus is a gift they may continue for life. 6. Teach – The way you react to God – your walk with Him, the way you pray, the way you live, your desires, actions, and reactions all expose your belief system and where it is weak or strong. God’s sovereignty and holiness must be evident in the way you live and in the way you train your children to see and react to Him. Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple .” “Gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek Him .” How well do your children see you live with that posture? In order to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, we must know Him through His Word and recognize His character. To love Him with a humble heart, fear God with a holy reverence, respect God's holy commands and instructions, serve God with a humble heart, and obey God with respect for His sovereignty, we have to be present with Him, maturing a relationship He paid a dear price to offer each of us. Everything we’ve discussed about trust and praise flow into the next quality God requires. Submission . In this world, submission isn’t always a word that commands respect or admiration. Of course, the kingdom of God is contrary to this world. Relationship with God requires humility. In the eyes of the Father being humble is not a weakness, but an act of trust, praise, and submission. Submission isn’t meant to be oppressive. In fact, just the opposite. Submission to God offers eternal freedom. John 4:34 says, “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” Jesus, our perfect mentor showed us the ways to please and obey God. Draw nearer to God moment by moment. Allow Him to change your heart, mindset, attitude, actions, reactions, and desires. Trust . Praise , and Submit . These three qualities form a firm foundation that leads to obedience. Luke 1:38-39 says, "For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her." Without trusting God, praising God, and submitting to Him, Mary would never have stepped forward in obedience. Consider these questions: Do you trust , praise , and submit to the Father so you will step forward in obedience no matter where or when He calls? Are you mentoring the way for your children to do the same? What ways are you teaching trust, praise, and submission to your children in order that they will have the foundation to obey God in all He calls? As the blessed woman God chose to raise His children, you don’t have to be perfect. But you do need to love Jesus and intentionally deepen your walk with God moment by moment. What is one step you will purposely take to ensure you model the way to Him for your children? Dear Heavenly Father, Your ways are good. Your holy Word tells us so. We trust in You. We praise You. We submit to You. Help us continue to move ever deeper into Your arms and abide in Your care. May we be beautiful mentors for our children to see Christ and follow You through relationship with Him. May our love for Jesus shine ever brightly and in ways that You must bless because we humbly obey where You call. May our children do the same with joy and gladness. 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 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 with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #118 – Biblical Friendship and Connection 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. As my middle daughter has grown, it has been a joy for me to witness the types of friends she chooses. Over the last year, I’ve delighted in the depth of her friendships with people, especially those who love Jesus and are also trying to grow a life that honors and pleases Him. Would you agree that friendship is a blessing? Close friends are an extraordinary gift. I’ve always been intrigued by people, their stories, their dreams, their backgrounds, and beliefs. Listening to others enables us to grow individually and display empathy, sympathy, and feel a sense of connection, even if for a brief period of time. Experience has taught me that some people are meant to stay acquaintances, some are friends for a season, and some are God-sent companions who become family as our relationship spans many years and distances. One of my greatest joys in relation to long friendships is that whenever we have been apart for a great many months or sometimes years, whenever we talk again, it feels like there was never a separation. We are able to pick up where we left off, and although time has passed, and we have continued developing as individuals while away from each other, our hearts are still intertwined. God certainly values friendship. Have you ever noticed how many friendship stories the Bible contains? Just to name a few, I think of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18, 19, and 20. Then, 2 Samuel 1 and 9 show us how their relationship endured even after the death of Jonathan. The story of Ruth and Naomi has always been special to me, and in Ruth 1:16-17, we see the love Ruth carries for her mother-in-law and close friend, Naomi. Daniel 2:49 shows us a way Daniel looked out for his friends. 2 Kings 2:2 shows Elisha looking out for Elijah. Although his friends were imperfect and didn’t always offer godly perspective, Job 2:11-13 shows that Job’s friends did the best they knew how as they came to be with him in his time of need. Philippians 2:19-23 shows how highly Paul thought of his younger friend, Timothy. Friendship is obviously biblical and is of great importance to our Heavenly Father. John 15:13-15 speaks of the greatest friendship in history as it says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know His master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.” This passage of scripture shows us that Jesus considers His followers to be His chosen, beloved friends. By laying His life down for us, Jesus has already proven that He is our ultimate best friend. As we step forward in obedience and spread His love to others through the Holy Spirit working within us, we can draw closer to the type of friend He desires us to be to Him and to others. What a miracle that as our friend who loves and cares deeply for us, Jesus makes everything the Father has taught Him known if we care to pay attention to Him. Jesus said in Mark 12:30-31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” Obviously, Jesus calls us to care for others, not just our friends. Besides, if we didn’t extend love to those we come into contact with, how would we ever find new friends? Those who have built deep friendships with people understand that what they have together is a treasure, and if your friends are also believers, there is a depth and purity that cannot be found by those who don’t pursue Christ. There’s also a spirit-led ability to see from the perspective of the others if difficulties arise. Without Christ, we are unable to handle disagreements in ways that genuinely please the Lord each time. Imagine your best friends and the relationships you have shared over time. Just as each person is unique, our closest friends will bring out different aspects of our personality. You know who you think of calling if you want to discuss biblical or political issues, who will help you deepen your walk with Christ, who will make you laugh, who will tell you when you are wrong, and who will simply listen when you need a shoulder to cry on or a sympathetic ear. Jesus is able to do all of this, but also much, much more. I often imagine what it must have been like for the disciples as they walked this earth with Jesus at their side. Christ’s inner circle of men were privileged to learn from and fellowship with Him directly. The relationship we have available to us now through salvation in Christ is even more intimate, because Jesus inhabits followers through the deposit of the Holy Spirit within us. This guarantee of eternal worth and value allows us to abide with Jesus now and live with anticipation of a glorious fellowship to come. Although I much prefer the Holy Spirit residing within me, and I know how desperately I need Him, I’m still intrigued by the relationship Jesus held with his disciples. The term “disciple” in Christianity refers primarily to a dedicated follower of Jesus. We see this term used in Acts, within the New Testament, and of course, in the gospels. In that time period, being a disciple meant the “follower of a teacher.” The student would actively imitate the life and teachings of their master. They deliberately desired, and took action to become, a replica of their teacher. Are you actively trying to become a replica of Christ? Isn’t that what we are supposed to do as we follow Him as believers? If you are not purposely leaning into and relying on Christ, what is stopping you? Through the blessed benefit of the resurrection, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, abiding within to enable us to become more like Christ as we release self and allow Him to disciple us. It sounds so easy, yet our pride and ignorance make it so hard. How do we maintain and deepen this great friendship we have been blessed to receive with Jesus? How do we live as a student who becomes a replica of Jesus, our teacher and friend? Connection is the answer. In John 15:1-27, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. “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. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both Me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father—He will testify about Me. And you also must testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning.” What are 9 truths we receive from this passage of scripture? 1. Jesus, the true vine, is the Source of all life. 2. Jesus tells us of two types of branches, those that bear fruit and those that are barren. Just as we cannot tell the character of a person by simply looking at them, branches may appear the same until one fails to yield fruit. 3. No branch is able to bear fruit unless it remains connected to the vine. Christians cannot survive and mature in their faith unless we remain connected to the true vine, Jesus. Abiding in and continuing to seek Jesus, deepening our walk with Him moment by moment, is the only way to bear fruit that honors and glorifies God. 4. As we remain connected to the vine through Bible study, prayer, worship, and seeking Jesus in all we do, we view the world through an eternal lens as Christ did, expectant of the work the holy Spirit is unfolding within and through us daily. 5. Joy and love are natural grown through abiding in deepening relationship with Jesus. Jesus desires us to have full, abundant lives! 6. Christ tells us that His followers are His beloved friends. Because He has already laid His life down for us, Jesus has proven His love for us. We must choose whether to serve the Lord and allow us to love one another in the ways He has taught through humble, obedient, sacrificial lifestyles. 7. The love and sacrifice of Jesus calls us to bear fruit, to live out the gospel through obedience to the Holy Spirit within us, and to share the gospel with love and humility. Believers have a strong calling to become lifelong disciples of Jesus, not merely superficial believers, and to endure what the world may throw at us with the grace of Christ, knowing He is our shield and strength. 8. Persecution should, unfortunately, be expected. If the world hated Christ, it will certainly hate those who exemplify Him. 9. Just as Jesus promised and sent His disciples the Spirit of Truth to testify through the oral and written testimony of the apostles, we have the provision of the Holy Spirit within us to disciple, embolden, and equip us for the purpose we are to serve under Christ. Jesus, our best friend, loves at all times and gave the greatest sacrifice a friend can give for us, whether we choose Him or not. As we draw nearer to Jesus, He draws nearer to us and we begin to understand the depth and width of His everlasting, sacrificial love. Jesus calls us His friend, but He is actually so much more. Knowing that moment by moment we must release self and choose to become a clearer version of Christ daily, let’s look at 6 practical facts that help ensure we remain maturing on the vine of Christ. 1. Choose friends wisely, especially your closest ones. As we are reminded in this episode, friends are incredibly important. If we tend to become like those we are around, we want our friends to reflect Christ and for our friendships to stretch and grow us in godly ways. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 2. Although we can be away from good friends for a time and still pick up where we left off, we must remain connected to Christ. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” Jesus spoke of being the vine because He knew the disciples would understand the concept He was trying to make clear. Vines were common in that day as the economy was based on producing and maintaining healthy crops. Vines grow from a central branch which is rooted deep in the soil. Smaller branches then spread from this deep-rooted main branch and bear the fruit. Just as fruit on the vines cannot live apart from the source of sustaining life, we cannot live healthy, productive, godly lives without remaining connected to our central branch, and Source of Life, Jesus, who enables us to thrive through His love and nourishment. 3. Keep His commands. This world has no power over us unless we allow it. Rely on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit within you in every way. 1 John 2:27 says, “But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him.” The word abide is used in the Bible more than 100 times. Nineteen of those references are used in 1 John alone. Abide in this verse is calling us to continue or remain in relationship with Christ – abide in Him. If we do so, we are empowered to believe and obey the truth that sets us free and also enabled to love Him and others. In this verse from 1 John we are also reminded of the power of abiding in Christ. The powerful, life-giving word of God, is sufficient for the wisdom from Christ that we need and the application of all things. The Holy Spirit reveals the truths of God for those who seek and abide in Christ. 4. Love with a sacrificial love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Only through the strength and empowerment of the Holy Spirit within us and a strong, connected life with Christ can we begin to offer the unselfish and sacrificial love of Jesus. 5. If the world hates us, it hated Jesus first. If they see Him in us, they will hate us. Matthew 10:22 says, “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Only through abiding in Christ will be able to withstand the hatred and persecution of this world. Even when we abide in Him, our flesh calls to retaliate or condemn others, especially when they hurt us or those we love. As we remain connected to the vine of Christ, the Holy Spirit reproduces the life of Christ within us, transforming us into a clearer vision of His image, enabling the Spirit to conquer our fleshly nature. 6. Jesus leaves us two important weapons - the Holy Spirit within us and the Holy Spirit-inspired Bible will enable us to remain connected to Him and to be able to receive and communicate His love as we obediently follow Him. John 14:15-21 says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” Friends are such a blessing and I have several godly women in my life that I cherish. Like you probably do, I feel it is a gift to sit down and talk with friends of the same mindset and encourage each other as we travel life in this world. Each friend I have is a treasure and a gift that I know God has placed in my life for specific reasons. I pray we always seek God together and reveal Him to each other more clearly as time marches on. Yet, Jesus is the very best friend any of us can have. Whether you have several friends or you feel like no one understands you, know that Christ does. Trust His word and the sacrifice Jesus offered willingly for you. Seek greater connection with Him as you choose to remain connected to the vine, our Source of Life. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus. We praise You for Your goodness, generosity, and sacrifice to and for us. Help each of us listening to this podcast episode to seek and follow You with a sacrificial love that allows us to begin a deeper walk with You and to become a clearer image of Christ each day. Help us to be fruitful as we remain attached to Your vine. Produce more fruit within us and use it for Your good pleasure. May we draw ever nearer to You and trust that You are drawing nearer to us, enabling us to shine You more clearly and sincerely, drawing others to You. Thank you for being our guide, advisor, and friend. You are all we need. Help our lives to reflect that truth. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, and you would like more information on the topic we discussed today, I invite you to listen to previous episodes. You may find them on the terrihitt.com website. Click on podcasts and type in the topic or title you wish to hear in the search bar at the top of the page. Have you listened to my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” yet? I hope you will listen, follow it, 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 118 - Biblical Friendship and Connection Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #118 – Biblical Friendship and Connection 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. As my middle daughter has grown, it has been a joy for me to witness the types of friends she chooses. Over the last year, I’ve delighted in the depth of her friendships with people, especially those who love Jesus and are also trying to grow a life that honors and pleases Him. Would you agree that friendship is a blessing? Close friends are an extraordinary gift. I’ve always been intrigued by people, their stories, their dreams, their backgrounds, and beliefs. Listening to others enables us to grow individually and display empathy, sympathy, and feel a sense of connection, even if for a brief period of time. Experience has taught me that some people are meant to stay acquaintances, some are friends for a season, and some are God-sent companions who become family as our relationship spans many years and distances. One of my greatest joys in relation to long friendships is that whenever we have been apart for a great many months or sometimes years, whenever we talk again, it feels like there was never a separation. We are able to pick up where we left off, and although time has passed, and we have continued developing as individuals while away from each other, our hearts are still intertwined. God certainly values friendship. Have you ever noticed how many friendship stories the Bible contains? Just to name a few, I think of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18, 19, and 20. Then, 2 Samuel 1 and 9 show us how their relationship endured even after the death of Jonathan. The story of Ruth and Naomi has always been special to me, and in Ruth 1:16-17, we see the love Ruth carries for her mother-in-law and close friend, Naomi. Daniel 2:49 shows us a way Daniel looked out for his friends. 2 Kings 2:2 shows Elisha looking out for Elijah. Although his friends were imperfect and didn’t always offer godly perspective, Job 2:11-13 shows that Job’s friends did the best they knew how as they came to be with him in his time of need. Philippians 2:19-23 shows how highly Paul thought of his younger friend, Timothy. Friendship is obviously biblical and is of great importance to our Heavenly Father. John 15:13-15 speaks of the greatest friendship in history as it says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know His master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.” This passage of scripture shows us that Jesus considers His followers to be His chosen, beloved friends. By laying His life down for us, Jesus has already proven that He is our ultimate best friend. As we step forward in obedience and spread His love to others through the Holy Spirit working within us, we can draw closer to the type of friend He desires us to be to Him and to others. What a miracle that as our friend who loves and cares deeply for us, Jesus makes everything the Father has taught Him known if we care to pay attention to Him. Jesus said in Mark 12:30-31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” Obviously, Jesus calls us to care for others, not just our friends. Besides, if we didn’t extend love to those we come into contact with, how would we ever find new friends? Those who have built deep friendships with people understand that what they have together is a treasure, and if your friends are also believers, there is a depth and purity that cannot be found by those who don’t pursue Christ. There’s also a spirit-led ability to see from the perspective of the others if difficulties arise. Without Christ, we are unable to handle disagreements in ways that genuinely please the Lord each time. Imagine your best friends and the relationships you have shared over time. Just as each person is unique, our closest friends will bring out different aspects of our personality. You know who you think of calling if you want to discuss biblical or political issues, who will help you deepen your walk with Christ, who will make you laugh, who will tell you when you are wrong, and who will simply listen when you need a shoulder to cry on or a sympathetic ear. Jesus is able to do all of this, but also much, much more. I often imagine what it must have been like for the disciples as they walked this earth with Jesus at their side. Christ’s inner circle of men were privileged to learn from and fellowship with Him directly. The relationship we have available to us now through salvation in Christ is even more intimate, because Jesus inhabits followers through the deposit of the Holy Spirit within us. This guarantee of eternal worth and value allows us to abide with Jesus now and live with anticipation of a glorious fellowship to come. Although I much prefer the Holy Spirit residing within me, and I know how desperately I need Him, I’m still intrigued by the relationship Jesus held with his disciples. The term “disciple” in Christianity refers primarily to a dedicated follower of Jesus. We see this term used in Acts, within the New Testament, and of course, in the gospels. In that time period, being a disciple meant the “follower of a teacher.” The student would actively imitate the life and teachings of their master. They deliberately desired, and took action to become, a replica of their teacher. Are you actively trying to become a replica of Christ? Isn’t that what we are supposed to do as we follow Him as believers? If you are not purposely leaning into and relying on Christ, what is stopping you? Through the blessed benefit of the resurrection, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, abiding within to enable us to become more like Christ as we release self and allow Him to disciple us. It sounds so easy, yet our pride and ignorance make it so hard. How do we maintain and deepen this great friendship we have been blessed to receive with Jesus? How do we live as a student who becomes a replica of Jesus, our teacher and friend? Connection is the answer. In John 15:1-27, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. “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. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both Me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father—He will testify about Me. And you also must testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning.” What are 9 truths we receive from this passage of scripture? 1. Jesus, the true vine, is the Source of all life. 2. Jesus tells us of two types of branches, those that bear fruit and those that are barren. Just as we cannot tell the character of a person by simply looking at them, branches may appear the same until one fails to yield fruit. 3. No branch is able to bear fruit unless it remains connected to the vine. Christians cannot survive and mature in their faith unless we remain connected to the true vine, Jesus. Abiding in and continuing to seek Jesus, deepening our walk with Him moment by moment, is the only way to bear fruit that honors and glorifies God. 4. As we remain connected to the vine through Bible study, prayer, worship, and seeking Jesus in all we do, we view the world through an eternal lens as Christ did, expectant of the work the holy Spirit is unfolding within and through us daily. 5. Joy and love are natural grown through abiding in deepening relationship with Jesus. Jesus desires us to have full, abundant lives! 6. Christ tells us that His followers are His beloved friends. Because He has already laid His life down for us, Jesus has proven His love for us. We must choose whether to serve the Lord and allow us to love one another in the ways He has taught through humble, obedient, sacrificial lifestyles. 7. The love and sacrifice of Jesus calls us to bear fruit, to live out the gospel through obedience to the Holy Spirit within us, and to share the gospel with love and humility. Believers have a strong calling to become lifelong disciples of Jesus, not merely superficial believers, and to endure what the world may throw at us with the grace of Christ, knowing He is our shield and strength. 8. Persecution should, unfortunately, be expected. If the world hated Christ, it will certainly hate those who exemplify Him. 9. Just as Jesus promised and sent His disciples the Spirit of Truth to testify through the oral and written testimony of the apostles, we have the provision of the Holy Spirit within us to disciple, embolden, and equip us for the purpose we are to serve under Christ. Jesus, our best friend, loves at all times and gave the greatest sacrifice a friend can give for us, whether we choose Him or not. As we draw nearer to Jesus, He draws nearer to us and we begin to understand the depth and width of His everlasting, sacrificial love. Jesus calls us His friend, but He is actually so much more. Knowing that moment by moment we must release self and choose to become a clearer version of Christ daily, let’s look at 6 practical facts that help ensure we remain maturing on the vine of Christ. 1. Choose friends wisely, especially your closest ones. As we are reminded in this episode, friends are incredibly important. If we tend to become like those we are around, we want our friends to reflect Christ and for our friendships to stretch and grow us in godly ways. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 2. Although we can be away from good friends for a time and still pick up where we left off, we must remain connected to Christ. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” Jesus spoke of being the vine because He knew the disciples would understand the concept He was trying to make clear. Vines were common in that day as the economy was based on producing and maintaining healthy crops. Vines grow from a central branch which is rooted deep in the soil. Smaller branches then spread from this deep-rooted main branch and bear the fruit. Just as fruit on the vines cannot live apart from the source of sustaining life, we cannot live healthy, productive, godly lives without remaining connected to our central branch, and Source of Life, Jesus, who enables us to thrive through His love and nourishment. 3. Keep His commands. This world has no power over us unless we allow it. Rely on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit within you in every way. 1 John 2:27 says, “But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him.” The word abide is used in the Bible more than 100 times. Nineteen of those references are used in 1 John alone. Abide in this verse is calling us to continue or remain in relationship with Christ – abide in Him. If we do so, we are empowered to believe and obey the truth that sets us free and also enabled to love Him and others. In this verse from 1 John we are also reminded of the power of abiding in Christ. The powerful, life-giving word of God, is sufficient for the wisdom from Christ that we need and the application of all things. The Holy Spirit reveals the truths of God for those who seek and abide in Christ. 4. Love with a sacrificial love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Only through the strength and empowerment of the Holy Spirit within us and a strong, connected life with Christ can we begin to offer the unselfish and sacrificial love of Jesus. 5. If the world hates us, it hated Jesus first. If they see Him in us, they will hate us. Matthew 10:22 says, “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Only through abiding in Christ will be able to withstand the hatred and persecution of this world. Even when we abide in Him, our flesh calls to retaliate or condemn others, especially when they hurt us or those we love. As we remain connected to the vine of Christ, the Holy Spirit reproduces the life of Christ within us, transforming us into a clearer vision of His image, enabling the Spirit to conquer our fleshly nature. 6. Jesus leaves us two important weapons - the Holy Spirit within us and the Holy Spirit-inspired Bible will enable us to remain connected to Him and to be able to receive and communicate His love as we obediently follow Him. John 14:15-21 says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” Friends are such a blessing and I have several godly women in my life that I cherish. Like you probably do, I feel it is a gift to sit down and talk with friends of the same mindset and encourage each other as we travel life in this world. Each friend I have is a treasure and a gift that I know God has placed in my life for specific reasons. I pray we always seek God together and reveal Him to each other more clearly as time marches on. Yet, Jesus is the very best friend any of us can have. Whether you have several friends or you feel like no one understands you, know that Christ does. Trust His word and the sacrifice Jesus offered willingly for you. Seek greater connection with Him as you choose to remain connected to the vine, our Source of Life. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus. We praise You for Your goodness, generosity, and sacrifice to and for us. Help each of us listening to this podcast episode to seek and follow You with a sacrificial love that allows us to begin a deeper walk with You and to become a clearer image of Christ each day. Help us to be fruitful as we remain attached to Your vine. Produce more fruit within us and use it for Your good pleasure. May we draw ever nearer to You and trust that You are drawing nearer to us, enabling us to shine You more clearly and sincerely, drawing others to You. Thank you for being our guide, advisor, and friend. You are all we need. Help our lives to reflect that truth. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, and you would like more information on the topic we discussed today, I invite you to listen to previous episodes. You may find them on the terrihitt.com website. Click on podcasts and type in the topic or title you wish to hear in the search bar at the top of the page. Have you listened to my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” yet? I hope you will listen, follow it, 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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #125 – Willing Steward 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. This week we reached the one year home mark with our Golden Retriever, Beau. Yesterday was National Dog Day, so it was fun to be able to create a Facebook post sharing how he has grown and changed, what his personality is like now, and how he acts in our family. Like a typical “only child,” Beau likes to be the center of everything we do and is strong enough to force his way in wherever he wants to be. At this point, I’ve lost count of how many toys he has accumulated over the last twelve months. In fact, he has chewed through more than I can remember, so even if I were to count what I can find in the house, he has actually received much more than I would know. Like my dog (and probably your pet), as well as most children, we adults fit into this category of having much more than we realize. Did you notice I said “have,” not own? That’s because just as we provide for Beau, all that is in our possession comes from God for specific purposes as He allows each of us free will to choose what type of steward we will be. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” The definition of the word, “steward” that we find in the dictionary or as it is often defined by society is, “one who is responsible to oversee and protect something considered worth caring for and preserving.” As believers, we understand that the definition of Christian stewardship is different, and would be defined as, “using gifts, talents, resources, possessions, wealth, time, and mindset for the service, honor, and glory of God.” All comes from God and He calls us to steward all for Him. 1 Chronicles 29:14 says, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” I didn’t always understand this. For example, when I was a younger follower of Christ, I can remember learning in Scripture that I was supposed to tithe. I couldn’t see any way that we could do so. Our finances were so tight that I knew there was no way we would survive tithing. Yet, just as Scripture tells us, God is not mocked. It wasn’t until we finally began offering our finances, as well as self, that we saw God truly shine His glory in ways we never imagined. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. “ Honestly, I use this principle of stewardship because it is important, but I don’t want anyone to think that I’m saying when we offer our money to God He will reward us with more money. God, in His sovereignty gives us exactly what we need to grow and mature us in our relationship with Him. Although at the time we did see our finances stretch and multiply in ways we never could have planned or imagined, we have never been blessed with immense financial wealth, and although we have been abundantly provided for by the Lord, He has chosen to bless us more deeply in emotional, spiritual, mental, and relational ways that have been perfect for us. God has also humbled us in many ways over the years, and for that, I am blessed and full of gratitude. Without all we have faced, we would not be the individuals or family we have become. I am thankful and desire to be closer to Christ in every way tomorrow, and more so the next day, and on and on. Matthew 6:33-34 says, “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.” It also took me a while as a new Christian to really grasp the fact that all we have has been provided by the Lord. I often thanked God for what we had been given, and trusted that when we didn’t receive some things we thought we needed, He was looking over us and going before us in every way. Then, I finally learned through tough experiences that it’s one thing to have head knowledge that comes from reading God’s word, yet the Word became life-altering and so real when I deeply grasped and took hold of what it teaches and promises. When I applied it to my life, allowing God’s truths to seep into and overflow my heart, I truly acknowledged the sovereignty of God in a way I hadn’t before. His holiness, His love, was seen with a new heart and eyes. I was better able to step out in faith, humbly bow to His authority, and obey His calls and commands. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” God wants our stewardship offering to reflect our faith and trust in Him. I felt free when we humbly began tithing on that day so many years ago. How blessed I felt to not worry and just do as God asked! We stepped out, not in blind faith, but through confidence supported by God’s words and promises. Our Heavenly Father has never let us down or left us without what we needed, plus more. Again, I’m not speaking of only tithing finances or of prosperity preaching, that falsely teaches if you give abundantly, God will bless your finances with great wealth. God chooses to bless obedience in multiple creative ways that are perfectly suited for each individual and the plans He has for us. Our freedom comes through obedience to Him. Can you think of ways you can be an excellent steward for what God has allowed you to have? It could be financial, or through time or talents, gifts, or resources. Even this podcast is a way I steward and present what God has given to me. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast and the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast are simply acts of obedience for me and ways I steward time, talents, and interests for our gracious Heavenly Father. Have you wondered just what God requires from you in order to be a good steward? If we look in the Bible, we see several verses that lead us to better understand God’s heart for Christian stewardship. One, however, sticks out to me. God wants us to focus on Him. Our life is not to be founded upon this world, but the foundation of Christ. Romans 14:12 says, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Viewing life through an eternal lens enables you to focus on what God considers of value. Remember that all we have will one day disappear. Nothing material will go with us when we leave this world to stand before God. We will face the Creator of the Universe and all mankind without what we accumulated on earth, but with what we learned of Him, used for Him, and did for Him. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” God has given each of us something, and often, many things that can be used for His good and glory. Nothing we own is simply for us to hide away or use for only ourselves. Even personal experiences shape and stretch us, and through an eternal perspective viewpoint, can be used to affect the lives of others for or against God. Christians are called to joyfully and with honest, loving hearts, give to the Lord. Listen to this passage from 1 Chronicles 29:10-18 which says, “David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given you only what comes from Your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in Your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a temple for Your Holy Name comes from Your hand, and all of it belongs to You. I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly Your people who are here have given to You. LORD, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of Your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to You. ” David’s prayer to God began with humble praise and thanksgiving. He knew that everything he owned had come from God. Just like us, nothing offered back to God isn’t already His or given to us by Him. David was able to willingly surrender back to God because he understood that God was the Owner, the Originator, and the Operator of the universe. David clearly understood that when we choose to follow God, it is a heart matter, not just a mind matter. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Once we choose to be a willing steward, we develop into a trustworthy steward, then mature to become a faithful steward. Through the grace, love, direction, and discernment of our gracious Heavenly Father, we can assess where we are now, where He desires us to go next, and how He will enable us to get there. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness is overwhelming. Your patience, kindness, and love for us is unending and undeserved. Thank you for Your holy presence in our lives. As we humbly submit to You, Father, please enable us to examine our heart through Your standards, to live with Your expectations and guidelines, and to sacrifice and steward where and as You call. May we see changes within us from day to day and be filled with joy as we allow You to carry and equip us for the purposes You designed us for. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, and you would like more information on the topic we discussed today, I invite you to listen to previous episodes. 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 or wherever you listen to podcasts I also want to remind you that the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast may be found at terrihitt.com, but is also a part of the Spark Media Network, and 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? 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 and live with eyes set on eternity, would you please write a review and rate the podcast for me? I also want to ask if you 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 125 - Willing Steward Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #125 – Willing Steward 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. This week we reached the one year home mark with our Golden Retriever, Beau. Yesterday was National Dog Day, so it was fun to be able to create a Facebook post sharing how he has grown and changed, what his personality is like now, and how he acts in our family. Like a typical “only child,” Beau likes to be the center of everything we do and is strong enough to force his way in wherever he wants to be. At this point, I’ve lost count of how many toys he has accumulated over the last twelve months. In fact, he has chewed through more than I can remember, so even if I were to count what I can find in the house, he has actually received much more than I would know. Like my dog (and probably your pet), as well as most children, we adults fit into this category of having much more than we realize. Did you notice I said “have,” not own? That’s because just as we provide for Beau, all that is in our possession comes from God for specific purposes as He allows each of us free will to choose what type of steward we will be. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” The definition of the word, “steward” that we find in the dictionary or as it is often defined by society is, “one who is responsible to oversee and protect something considered worth caring for and preserving.” As believers, we understand that the definition of Christian stewardship is different, and would be defined as, “using gifts, talents, resources, possessions, wealth, time, and mindset for the service, honor, and glory of God.” All comes from God and He calls us to steward all for Him. 1 Chronicles 29:14 says, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” I didn’t always understand this. For example, when I was a younger follower of Christ, I can remember learning in Scripture that I was supposed to tithe. I couldn’t see any way that we could do so. Our finances were so tight that I knew there was no way we would survive tithing. Yet, just as Scripture tells us, God is not mocked. It wasn’t until we finally began offering our finances, as well as self, that we saw God truly shine His glory in ways we never imagined. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. “ Honestly, I use this principle of stewardship because it is important, but I don’t want anyone to think that I’m saying when we offer our money to God He will reward us with more money. God, in His sovereignty gives us exactly what we need to grow and mature us in our relationship with Him. Although at the time we did see our finances stretch and multiply in ways we never could have planned or imagined, we have never been blessed with immense financial wealth, and although we have been abundantly provided for by the Lord, He has chosen to bless us more deeply in emotional, spiritual, mental, and relational ways that have been perfect for us. God has also humbled us in many ways over the years, and for that, I am blessed and full of gratitude. Without all we have faced, we would not be the individuals or family we have become. I am thankful and desire to be closer to Christ in every way tomorrow, and more so the next day, and on and on. Matthew 6:33-34 says, “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.” It also took me a while as a new Christian to really grasp the fact that all we have has been provided by the Lord. I often thanked God for what we had been given, and trusted that when we didn’t receive some things we thought we needed, He was looking over us and going before us in every way. Then, I finally learned through tough experiences that it’s one thing to have head knowledge that comes from reading God’s word, yet the Word became life-altering and so real when I deeply grasped and took hold of what it teaches and promises. When I applied it to my life, allowing God’s truths to seep into and overflow my heart, I truly acknowledged the sovereignty of God in a way I hadn’t before. His holiness, His love, was seen with a new heart and eyes. I was better able to step out in faith, humbly bow to His authority, and obey His calls and commands. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” God wants our stewardship offering to reflect our faith and trust in Him. I felt free when we humbly began tithing on that day so many years ago. How blessed I felt to not worry and just do as God asked! We stepped out, not in blind faith, but through confidence supported by God’s words and promises. Our Heavenly Father has never let us down or left us without what we needed, plus more. Again, I’m not speaking of only tithing finances or of prosperity preaching, that falsely teaches if you give abundantly, God will bless your finances with great wealth. God chooses to bless obedience in multiple creative ways that are perfectly suited for each individual and the plans He has for us. Our freedom comes through obedience to Him. Can you think of ways you can be an excellent steward for what God has allowed you to have? It could be financial, or through time or talents, gifts, or resources. Even this podcast is a way I steward and present what God has given to me. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast and the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast are simply acts of obedience for me and ways I steward time, talents, and interests for our gracious Heavenly Father. Have you wondered just what God requires from you in order to be a good steward? If we look in the Bible, we see several verses that lead us to better understand God’s heart for Christian stewardship. One, however, sticks out to me. God wants us to focus on Him. Our life is not to be founded upon this world, but the foundation of Christ. Romans 14:12 says, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Viewing life through an eternal lens enables you to focus on what God considers of value. Remember that all we have will one day disappear. Nothing material will go with us when we leave this world to stand before God. We will face the Creator of the Universe and all mankind without what we accumulated on earth, but with what we learned of Him, used for Him, and did for Him. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” God has given each of us something, and often, many things that can be used for His good and glory. Nothing we own is simply for us to hide away or use for only ourselves. Even personal experiences shape and stretch us, and through an eternal perspective viewpoint, can be used to affect the lives of others for or against God. Christians are called to joyfully and with honest, loving hearts, give to the Lord. Listen to this passage from 1 Chronicles 29:10-18 which says, “David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from You, and we have given you only what comes from Your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in Your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a temple for Your Holy Name comes from Your hand, and all of it belongs to You. I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly Your people who are here have given to You. LORD, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of Your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to You. ” David’s prayer to God began with humble praise and thanksgiving. He knew that everything he owned had come from God. Just like us, nothing offered back to God isn’t already His or given to us by Him. David was able to willingly surrender back to God because he understood that God was the Owner, the Originator, and the Operator of the universe. David clearly understood that when we choose to follow God, it is a heart matter, not just a mind matter. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Once we choose to be a willing steward, we develop into a trustworthy steward, then mature to become a faithful steward. Through the grace, love, direction, and discernment of our gracious Heavenly Father, we can assess where we are now, where He desires us to go next, and how He will enable us to get there. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness is overwhelming. Your patience, kindness, and love for us is unending and undeserved. Thank you for Your holy presence in our lives. As we humbly submit to You, Father, please enable us to examine our heart through Your standards, to live with Your expectations and guidelines, and to sacrifice and steward where and as You call. May we see changes within us from day to day and be filled with joy as we allow You to carry and equip us for the purposes You designed us for. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, and you would like more information on the topic we discussed today, I invite you to listen to previous episodes. 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 or wherever you listen to podcasts I also want to remind you that the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast may be found at terrihitt.com, but is also a part of the Spark Media Network, and 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? 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 and live with eyes set on eternity, would you please write a review and rate the podcast for me? I also want to ask if you 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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #101 – Preparation for Christmas 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 my youngest daughter changed her name. It actually changes each day. Her first name is now however many days it is until Christmas, while her last name is “Days.” Since this podcast releases on Thursday and Christmas is on Saturday, her name will be “Two Days.” Maybe I caused her to do this because this is the first year she has not untied the bows on the hanging decoration we usually put out for Christmas. With our puppy, who likes to grab and chew anything hanging, especially if it is soft, I made the wise decision that it wasn’t going to be used this year. Regardless, my youngest makes sure we know how many days are left before the biggest day of her year. I’m going to pause recording new episodes over the holidays and spend time with my family, worshipping our Lord, and preparing for a new and exciting project I am working on. God has been calling me to something I haven’t shared yet, and it is definitely for and through Him that I will serve. I’m thrilled to share it with you in 2022. I would like to point you, whether you are a new listener to this podcast, or one who has been listening for a while, to episodes I presented in December of 2020. If you look at episodes released on 12/10 and 12/17 of 2020, you will find “Preparing for Christmas Part 1 and Part 2. They are episodes 47 and 48. Perhaps you will enjoy listening to them as you finish last minute preparations, wrap gifts, or clean before or after Christmas and New Year’s. Draw near to Jesus as you celebrate this year. Allow Him to wash over your spirit and hold you close as you celebrate His birth. It’s so easy to get caught up in preparations and celebrations with friends or family, shopping, and baking. Yet, the only One who gives us true, everlasting, deep peace is Jesus. Make time to step back and rest in Him. He always puts life, thoughts, attitude, and actions back into perspective and soothes the concerns of our heart. He is truly all we need. Heavenly Father, gracious Lord, how we adore You. Come, let us sing with joy to, Lord. Bring us into Your presence with humble thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to You. For You are a great God, a great King above all gods. By Your hands, we have the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks that belong to You. The sea is Yours, for You made all of it, and Your hands formed the dry land. Cause us to worship and bow down; help us kneel before You, Lord, our Maker. You are our God, and we are but the people of Your pasture, the sheep under Your care. Humbly, and obediently, You came for us, a pure and innocent sacrifice we still cannot grasp enough. Thank you for loving us, for coming to us in the form of a babe, sacrificing all. Thankyou for bringing us nearer to You moment by moment as we surrender, trust, and obey. May those who do not know You see You in and through us and be drawn to You. You bless us, Lord with so much as we become more like Your image. Thank you for all You are. May we please You ever more each day. In Your precious name I 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. I have two requests. 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 101 Preparation for Christmas Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #101 – Preparation for Christmas 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 my youngest daughter changed her name. It actually changes each day. Her first name is now however many days it is until Christmas, while her last name is “Days.” Since this podcast releases on Thursday and Christmas is on Saturday, her name will be “Two Days.” Maybe I caused her to do this because this is the first year she has not untied the bows on the hanging decoration we usually put out for Christmas. With our puppy, who likes to grab and chew anything hanging, especially if it is soft, I made the wise decision that it wasn’t going to be used this year. Regardless, my youngest makes sure we know how many days are left before the biggest day of her year. I’m going to pause recording new episodes over the holidays and spend time with my family, worshipping our Lord, and preparing for a new and exciting project I am working on. God has been calling me to something I haven’t shared yet, and it is definitely for and through Him that I will serve. I’m thrilled to share it with you in 2022. I would like to point you, whether you are a new listener to this podcast, or one who has been listening for a while, to episodes I presented in December of 2020. If you look at episodes released on 12/10 and 12/17 of 2020, you will find “Preparing for Christmas Part 1 and Part 2. They are episodes 47 and 48. Perhaps you will enjoy listening to them as you finish last minute preparations, wrap gifts, or clean before or after Christmas and New Year’s. Draw near to Jesus as you celebrate this year. Allow Him to wash over your spirit and hold you close as you celebrate His birth. It’s so easy to get caught up in preparations and celebrations with friends or family, shopping, and baking. Yet, the only One who gives us true, everlasting, deep peace is Jesus. Make time to step back and rest in Him. He always puts life, thoughts, attitude, and actions back into perspective and soothes the concerns of our heart. He is truly all we need. Heavenly Father, gracious Lord, how we adore You. Come, let us sing with joy to, Lord. Bring us into Your presence with humble thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to You. For You are a great God, a great King above all gods. By Your hands, we have the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks that belong to You. The sea is Yours, for You made all of it, and Your hands formed the dry land. Cause us to worship and bow down; help us kneel before You, Lord, our Maker. You are our God, and we are but the people of Your pasture, the sheep under Your care. Humbly, and obediently, You came for us, a pure and innocent sacrifice we still cannot grasp enough. Thank you for loving us, for coming to us in the form of a babe, sacrificing all. Thankyou for bringing us nearer to You moment by moment as we surrender, trust, and obey. May those who do not know You see You in and through us and be drawn to You. You bless us, Lord with so much as we become more like Your image. Thank you for all You are. May we please You ever more each day. In Your precious name I 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. I have two requests. 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 039 - How to Stop, Breathe, and Live Simply Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast God has given me a desire to help you mature your relationship with Christ so you’ll raise set-apart children for Jesus. Today we’ll look at another way to be purposed in connecting with your child and Christ. Episode #039 – How to Stop, Breathe, and Live Simply Yesterday my middle daughter and I went to the bank late in the afternoon. As we waited in the drive-through, I looked at her and asked, “When we finished here, do you want to go to the park and swing?” Her eyes lit up like they did when she was 6 years old and I would ask the same question. “Really?” she asked. “Yes!” I replied quickly. We had so much fun. We swinged with our legs in sync with each other, pumped as hard and high as we could go, and twisted the swings sideways, twisting the chains tightly, then letting go and getting dizzy as we unwound. We had the park to ourselves and we reveled in the simple sweetness of spending time together outside with absolutely no cares. I have always stated that people would be happier and exhibit more joy if they took time to be in nature and enjoy activities like swinging and coloring. We left when children arrived with their mother, allowing them to take control of the swings, but that time we had alone in the park brought back such sweet memories of the many, many times we spent there as my girl grew up. Just as with other “last times” in our lives, I never knew the last time I took her to that park would be the final time she would run and play with the carefree life of a young girl. It felt so good to go back and enjoy that feeling together. When is the last time you took time to stop, breathe, and live simply? How regularly do you step outside to listen to the birds sing? Have you recently explored wooded trails or searched for insects to study in your backyard? Being so connected to nature is one of the ways to connect closer to God. I believe being outside allows our mind to connect with His love, creativity, passions, and longings. Our muscles unwind and relax, and out attitudes become softer. After all, we were created to be outdoors attuned to His creation. Philippians 4:12 says, “ I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want .” Sharing time in nature with our children, no matter their age, brings connection. Chores and jobs cease to exist for a time. Problems or concerns drift away as we experience freedom and fullness. Of course, you create connection with your child with any activity you do. There is just something special about fueling your body in nature. Spending time surrounded by the creations of God together, recognizing Him and His glory simply adds a special bond and beauty to your relationship. If you are a regular listener of this podcast or the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast, I have explained in previous episodes that I am taking time to fully enjoy summer. I plan to rerun some popular podcasts and create shorter new ones. It is my hope that you are outside with your family or are spending time relaxing and living simply with them. I hope you are allowing yourself to build what needs to be completed and are stopping to breathe in the sweet time you have with those closest to you and those you wish to be closer to. Make the time. Stop and enjoy life. Enjoy nature. Enjoy each other and praise the Fahter.You will be glad you did. Dear Heavenly Father, You are the One we need to make the most time for. You alone are the One who complete us, who created us for a purpose at this very time. We thank you for the gift of life and the gift of Christ. Help us to seek Him daily and allow a transformation of our soul to match His with a clarity seen by those around us. Please carry us and allow us to shine in new ways daily because we so clearly reflect You. Help us to make the time to pursue You and to show You clearly to our children. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast. This summer the episodes will be shorter and I may occasionally offer favorite replays as I spend time with my family and follow a special collective I believe God is calling me to complete for Him. Remember, this podcast, and the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast, may be found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, 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

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #026 – Mind Fixed On Eternity 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. This episode is beginning a little differently. I want to start with a specific request. Right now I want you to concentrate on where your mind is focused. Search beyond this podcast to what was on your mind before it started. Have you ascertained what is engaging your attention? Now think about what is attracting your heart. Deep questions, I know. But ponder your conclusions. Do your answers cause you to fumble or to seize opportunities to draw nearer to God today? We know it takes concentrated effort to live a life pleasing to God. What about a life protected for God with a mind fixed on eternity? Proverbs 4:20-23 says,“ My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.” The springs of life. Some Bible translations say the “wellspring” of life. What does that mean? A wellspring is the head or source of a river, stream, or a spring. It is the source or supply of something that is considered inexhaustible. Who is our wellspring of life? Our Heavenly Father. Does your heart contain what the Father’s would? What He desires for you? Now let’s look at water that flows from a wellspring. Have you ever thought about the purpose of a river? From the mountaintop down to the delta where the river flows into a lake, ocean, or reservoir, the river doesn’t just flow. It changes the surface of the earth as it moves. Just like Jesus did and still does. The water cuts rocks, moves boulders, and permanently changes the land in its path. The river continues on to create a wide and flat valley where it can flow smoothly toward the ocean. Water movement has purpose. Our lives must be as intentional, not just flowing along without a course. As we stay connected to God, our wellspring, life has purpose. We access mighty strength and abilities through the Lord as He works through us, permanently altering and influencing not only us, but those we come into contact with as they witness Him alive and flowing through us. Deuteronomy 11:18 says, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” If we are to fix His words in our hearts and minds, and bind them on our foreheads, it means we must diligently keep our heart with all vigilance, we are to guard it. To place barriers around it. When we think of protecting something precious to us, we imagine setting a barrier that keeps the item far from harm. Imagine if you lived next to a cliff with a drop of 500 feet. Your curious two year is toddling around the yard. You are distracted and take your eyes off them for just a few moments. As your toddler heads toward the cliff, you continue with your task, unaware that they are almost to the edge. At the last second you look up. Are you devastated that you can’t reach them before they plunge off the side? Or are you relieved that you had the foresight to place guardrails to protect from disaster? Did you build your fence at the edge of the cliff? Or did you build an extra tall, secure, and strong barrier many hundred feet away from the cliff so that your child would never be at risk? Examining our heart inclinations and desires, then placing proper guardrails to protect and nourish our relationship with God is essential if we wish to stay connected to the wellspring and maintain a healthy passage. Instead of feeling restricted, as we place godly boundaries on our heart and mind, we draw nearer to God. We become more sensitive to His heart, ways, and desires for us, and expose ourselves to become attuned to what God is showing and speaking to us. We are to keep God’s words, instructions, and promises to us within our heart and on our mind. We are to be attentive to them, to see and listen to them as we complete our days. They are healing life to us when we obey. Our heart, the feelings we hold in it such as what we love or desire, will govern how we live because we always make the time to do and follow what we think about and enjoy. In Proverbs, Solomon instructs us to make sure we concentrate on what will guard our heart and keep us directed toward God. We are to keep our focus fixed above, with blinders on to what would distract us, and not be sidetracked or detoured by the sin that so easily rules and entangles us in this world. In order to positively influence others for the Lord, we must be living with a mind fixed on eternity, focused with the purpose of making each moment we experience now count for eternity. We live in the present, but our motives are not fixed here. We know our life is a fast blink compared to everlasting days with God. Christians understand that we are supposed to live our lives and manage our priorities in ways that honor God and take each moment captive for Him. Jesus could return at any moment! It’s easy to be caught in the rush of the world we live in and allow the thought of eternity to be shoved into the recesses of our mind, never becoming a thought that causes us to act. Or change. How do we ensure that we purposely seize our moments and days captive for the Lord? How do we make them matter for eternity? How do we ensure that all we experience draws us nearer to Him? How do we focus on living with a mindset fixed on eternity? How do we set on minds on things above, not on earthly things as instructed in Colossians 3:2? We must release ourselves in order for God to transform and revive us. 1. Focus our heart on Jesus. He is the destination and the way simultaneously. 2. Accept God’s sovereignty. 3. Own a study Bible and absorb His word. 4. Follow the Spirit of the Living, Holy God inside us. 5. Pray. 6. Live with an abundant gratitude attitude. 7. Serve Jesus by serving others. Each one of these steps serves a very important purpose in building a strong foundation for living with an eternity-focused mindset and growing and deepening our walk with God through Jesus. Self-evaluation is crucial when we truly desire God to lead our life. Some live with the mindset of having additional time to do what we want and reflect on God later. Or often we think we have released expectations, desires, unforgiveness, bitterness, heartache, dreams, plans, and more to God, but our Heavenly Father is a Master at knowing what is deep within our heart. He understands exactly what we need to surrender and the timing and actions in which He must allow us to do so. One question we need to be brave enough to regularly ask ourselves is, “What am I clutching that I need to release?” Seek the ways you experience emotions or feelings that are contrary to God’s. Feel them and surrender them to Him. Once they are removed, fortify your mind to keep them out. We simply cannot draw nearer to God in a deep and full relationship without trusting His supreme power and authority. While it is beneficial to know that He is good, capable, and in control, it is different than trusting absolutely everything in our life by yielding to God and His dominion over us. We must choose to place our confidence in God in order to fully release our life to Him. It is the only way to begin living with minds fixed on eternity rather than what we experience now. What steps can we take to enable us to surrender ourselves to Him? 1. Read His word. Take that best-selling book off the shelf and invest precious time learning His commands and promises. We cannot recognize deceit and imposters if we do not know the truth. God’s truth. We cannot prepare, strengthen, or protect our mind without modeling His. 2. Pray. Talk to our Heavenly Father. He allows us to call Him father for a reason. He intentionally created each of us and deeply desires intimate relationship with every single one of us. Listen for Him to respond and instruct you. Listen for His discipline. We need both. 3. Pray His words. Mighty power flows through the words of our Father as we pray scripture back to Him with trust and faith. 4. Live with gratitude. Doesn’t it feel good to gift someone and receive their grateful acceptance? Our Father offers us so much, even blessings we fail to see, and we can never give Him enough credit for all He does or has sacrificed for us. Living with gratitude despite circumstances prepares our heart and mind to consistently live with an attitude of gratitude that He richly deserves. 5. Visualize the relationship you want with God and the eternity you would love to share with Him. We must keep our mind focused on what truly matters to create and sustain the lifestyle we need to achieve it. If you want to live a life that will please the Father, you must create and live it today. 6. Seek and Share Him. As we live in ways that honor God and we grow and deepen our walk with Him, He will automatically make a difference in the way we live, speak, and react. He will shine through us in ways that attract others to His light and love and He will direct us to step outside the safety of our comfort zone to serve Him and discover His strength flowing through us. Psalm 143:8 says, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” How much joy each new morning should bring when we commit our ways to Him. Though the days be harsh or afflictions in this life press against us, we can still choose to place our hope and trust in Him. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” God is our shelter, our protection from danger. Run to Him. Cry out to Him. Place your hope in Him. Trust Him. Even when we perceive what is happening in our life as good or bad, right, or wrong. Remain full of hope and confident that the Lord is present through any emotion or feeling that may feel otherwise. Recall past faithfulness of God or seek His trustworthiness from His word or the testimony of others. He loves all of us the same. He will be just as steadfast to you. Work to build trust just as you would with any other relationship. It takes effort and desire to grow healthy communication and faith. A person growing a strong relationship with God finds joy in viewing eternity as our final destination and perceives this world as one piece of their life journey. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We cannot live in true freedom through Jesus if we do not view every moment through our Father’s eternity-driven motives. Even on the cross, Jesus was not centered on Himself, but His Father’s will. He was focused on our eternity. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 says, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” Most of us believe we are alive and here for a purpose. We must remember the purpose should be centered in God’s will. We must strive to know and obey what He directs for our life. Pivot is such a popular word in our culture right now. Let’s use it for eternity-driven lives. Shift or pivot your mindset and heartset to pattern the life of Jesus and what He came to model for us. Allow Him to teach you how to follow the eternity-driven purposes God has tailor-made for you. If we authentically, with our wounds, scars, pivots, and heart pursue God, then we will also develop the ability to authentically show Him to others. As we deepen and grow our love for Jesus, we are able to genuinely serve Him through the gifts and talents He graced us with for the purpose of serving Him and others. We don’t have to say, “yes” to everyone or everything in order to serve, but a close and obedient relationship with God prompts our response for Him to be, “yes.” Living with eternal perspective encompasses every aspect of our life, as well as those around us. Absolutely everything we do or say, our attitude, gratitude, and mind or heartset, impacts those others for eternity. Our heart, whether purely fixed on following Jesus or corrupt through our flesh and this fallen world, will direct our life. We must guard our heart, allow God to set boundaries, and follow Him through faith, trust, and obedience. Our mind and thoughts become our will and affections. Where are yours directed? How are you affecting others today? How is your life affected by Jesus today? Where are you placing your boundaries? How far are you from the ledge? Where is your mind fixed? Luke 9:25 says, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” Jesus calls us to crucify this temporary life to gain eternal life with and through Him. 1 John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” This verse is speaking to three important ways the word, “world” is used in the Bible. We have the system of this world, which opposes the Lord and follows Satan. We see the world of creation, which would mean false gods or idols that this world serves so well, and we know the love of the world, meaning human beings, which might mean that a person has never experienced salvation through Christ. Guard your heart and fix your mind beyond this world. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. 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.” God is so clear in these verses. Our Heavenly Father urgently instructs us to fix our minds upon Him and to teach of Him diligently at all times. Our thoughts are to remain fixed on Him, through Him, in every way, safeguarding and preserving our minds for Him while we live in this temporary stopping point. Isaiah 40:6-8 says, “The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” His word stands forever. John 12:24-25 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” We must fix our minds and hearts on eternity. Revelation 21:1-4 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Our present will pass away. He will dwell with us. Will our hearts and minds be ready? Build your security now. Fix your mind for eternity and drive your actions and attitudes with it. Build that fence far from the cliff. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement to learn how to live with more of an eternal perspective? Right now, because the podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media and 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 026 Mind Fixed On Eternity Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #026 – Mind Fixed On Eternity 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. This episode is beginning a little differently. I want to start with a specific request. Right now I want you to concentrate on where your mind is focused. Search beyond this podcast to what was on your mind before it started. Have you ascertained what is engaging your attention? Now think about what is attracting your heart. Deep questions, I know. But ponder your conclusions. Do your answers cause you to fumble or to seize opportunities to draw nearer to God today? We know it takes concentrated effort to live a life pleasing to God. What about a life protected for God with a mind fixed on eternity? Proverbs 4:20-23 says,“ My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.” The springs of life. Some Bible translations say the “wellspring” of life. What does that mean? A wellspring is the head or source of a river, stream, or a spring. It is the source or supply of something that is considered inexhaustible. Who is our wellspring of life? Our Heavenly Father. Does your heart contain what the Father’s would? What He desires for you? Now let’s look at water that flows from a wellspring. Have you ever thought about the purpose of a river? From the mountaintop down to the delta where the river flows into a lake, ocean, or reservoir, the river doesn’t just flow. It changes the surface of the earth as it moves. Just like Jesus did and still does. The water cuts rocks, moves boulders, and permanently changes the land in its path. The river continues on to create a wide and flat valley where it can flow smoothly toward the ocean. Water movement has purpose. Our lives must be as intentional, not just flowing along without a course. As we stay connected to God, our wellspring, life has purpose. We access mighty strength and abilities through the Lord as He works through us, permanently altering and influencing not only us, but those we come into contact with as they witness Him alive and flowing through us. Deuteronomy 11:18 says, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” If we are to fix His words in our hearts and minds, and bind them on our foreheads, it means we must diligently keep our heart with all vigilance, we are to guard it. To place barriers around it. When we think of protecting something precious to us, we imagine setting a barrier that keeps the item far from harm. Imagine if you lived next to a cliff with a drop of 500 feet. Your curious two year is toddling around the yard. You are distracted and take your eyes off them for just a few moments. As your toddler heads toward the cliff, you continue with your task, unaware that they are almost to the edge. At the last second you look up. Are you devastated that you can’t reach them before they plunge off the side? Or are you relieved that you had the foresight to place guardrails to protect from disaster? Did you build your fence at the edge of the cliff? Or did you build an extra tall, secure, and strong barrier many hundred feet away from the cliff so that your child would never be at risk? Examining our heart inclinations and desires, then placing proper guardrails to protect and nourish our relationship with God is essential if we wish to stay connected to the wellspring and maintain a healthy passage. Instead of feeling restricted, as we place godly boundaries on our heart and mind, we draw nearer to God. We become more sensitive to His heart, ways, and desires for us, and expose ourselves to become attuned to what God is showing and speaking to us. We are to keep God’s words, instructions, and promises to us within our heart and on our mind. We are to be attentive to them, to see and listen to them as we complete our days. They are healing life to us when we obey. Our heart, the feelings we hold in it such as what we love or desire, will govern how we live because we always make the time to do and follow what we think about and enjoy. In Proverbs, Solomon instructs us to make sure we concentrate on what will guard our heart and keep us directed toward God. We are to keep our focus fixed above, with blinders on to what would distract us, and not be sidetracked or detoured by the sin that so easily rules and entangles us in this world. In order to positively influence others for the Lord, we must be living with a mind fixed on eternity, focused with the purpose of making each moment we experience now count for eternity. We live in the present, but our motives are not fixed here. We know our life is a fast blink compared to everlasting days with God. Christians understand that we are supposed to live our lives and manage our priorities in ways that honor God and take each moment captive for Him. Jesus could return at any moment! It’s easy to be caught in the rush of the world we live in and allow the thought of eternity to be shoved into the recesses of our mind, never becoming a thought that causes us to act. Or change. How do we ensure that we purposely seize our moments and days captive for the Lord? How do we make them matter for eternity? How do we ensure that all we experience draws us nearer to Him? How do we focus on living with a mindset fixed on eternity? How do we set on minds on things above, not on earthly things as instructed in Colossians 3:2? We must release ourselves in order for God to transform and revive us. 1. Focus our heart on Jesus. He is the destination and the way simultaneously. 2. Accept God’s sovereignty. 3. Own a study Bible and absorb His word. 4. Follow the Spirit of the Living, Holy God inside us. 5. Pray. 6. Live with an abundant gratitude attitude. 7. Serve Jesus by serving others. Each one of these steps serves a very important purpose in building a strong foundation for living with an eternity-focused mindset and growing and deepening our walk with God through Jesus. Self-evaluation is crucial when we truly desire God to lead our life. Some live with the mindset of having additional time to do what we want and reflect on God later. Or often we think we have released expectations, desires, unforgiveness, bitterness, heartache, dreams, plans, and more to God, but our Heavenly Father is a Master at knowing what is deep within our heart. He understands exactly what we need to surrender and the timing and actions in which He must allow us to do so. One question we need to be brave enough to regularly ask ourselves is, “What am I clutching that I need to release?” Seek the ways you experience emotions or feelings that are contrary to God’s. Feel them and surrender them to Him. Once they are removed, fortify your mind to keep them out. We simply cannot draw nearer to God in a deep and full relationship without trusting His supreme power and authority. While it is beneficial to know that He is good, capable, and in control, it is different than trusting absolutely everything in our life by yielding to God and His dominion over us. We must choose to place our confidence in God in order to fully release our life to Him. It is the only way to begin living with minds fixed on eternity rather than what we experience now. What steps can we take to enable us to surrender ourselves to Him? 1. Read His word. Take that best-selling book off the shelf and invest precious time learning His commands and promises. We cannot recognize deceit and imposters if we do not know the truth. God’s truth. We cannot prepare, strengthen, or protect our mind without modeling His. 2. Pray. Talk to our Heavenly Father. He allows us to call Him father for a reason. He intentionally created each of us and deeply desires intimate relationship with every single one of us. Listen for Him to respond and instruct you. Listen for His discipline. We need both. 3. Pray His words. Mighty power flows through the words of our Father as we pray scripture back to Him with trust and faith. 4. Live with gratitude. Doesn’t it feel good to gift someone and receive their grateful acceptance? Our Father offers us so much, even blessings we fail to see, and we can never give Him enough credit for all He does or has sacrificed for us. Living with gratitude despite circumstances prepares our heart and mind to consistently live with an attitude of gratitude that He richly deserves. 5. Visualize the relationship you want with God and the eternity you would love to share with Him. We must keep our mind focused on what truly matters to create and sustain the lifestyle we need to achieve it. If you want to live a life that will please the Father, you must create and live it today. 6. Seek and Share Him. As we live in ways that honor God and we grow and deepen our walk with Him, He will automatically make a difference in the way we live, speak, and react. He will shine through us in ways that attract others to His light and love and He will direct us to step outside the safety of our comfort zone to serve Him and discover His strength flowing through us. Psalm 143:8 says, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” How much joy each new morning should bring when we commit our ways to Him. Though the days be harsh or afflictions in this life press against us, we can still choose to place our hope and trust in Him. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” God is our shelter, our protection from danger. Run to Him. Cry out to Him. Place your hope in Him. Trust Him. Even when we perceive what is happening in our life as good or bad, right, or wrong. Remain full of hope and confident that the Lord is present through any emotion or feeling that may feel otherwise. Recall past faithfulness of God or seek His trustworthiness from His word or the testimony of others. He loves all of us the same. He will be just as steadfast to you. Work to build trust just as you would with any other relationship. It takes effort and desire to grow healthy communication and faith. A person growing a strong relationship with God finds joy in viewing eternity as our final destination and perceives this world as one piece of their life journey. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We cannot live in true freedom through Jesus if we do not view every moment through our Father’s eternity-driven motives. Even on the cross, Jesus was not centered on Himself, but His Father’s will. He was focused on our eternity. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 says, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” Most of us believe we are alive and here for a purpose. We must remember the purpose should be centered in God’s will. We must strive to know and obey what He directs for our life. Pivot is such a popular word in our culture right now. Let’s use it for eternity-driven lives. Shift or pivot your mindset and heartset to pattern the life of Jesus and what He came to model for us. Allow Him to teach you how to follow the eternity-driven purposes God has tailor-made for you. If we authentically, with our wounds, scars, pivots, and heart pursue God, then we will also develop the ability to authentically show Him to others. As we deepen and grow our love for Jesus, we are able to genuinely serve Him through the gifts and talents He graced us with for the purpose of serving Him and others. We don’t have to say, “yes” to everyone or everything in order to serve, but a close and obedient relationship with God prompts our response for Him to be, “yes.” Living with eternal perspective encompasses every aspect of our life, as well as those around us. Absolutely everything we do or say, our attitude, gratitude, and mind or heartset, impacts those others for eternity. Our heart, whether purely fixed on following Jesus or corrupt through our flesh and this fallen world, will direct our life. We must guard our heart, allow God to set boundaries, and follow Him through faith, trust, and obedience. Our mind and thoughts become our will and affections. Where are yours directed? How are you affecting others today? How is your life affected by Jesus today? Where are you placing your boundaries? How far are you from the ledge? Where is your mind fixed? Luke 9:25 says, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” Jesus calls us to crucify this temporary life to gain eternal life with and through Him. 1 John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” This verse is speaking to three important ways the word, “world” is used in the Bible. We have the system of this world, which opposes the Lord and follows Satan. We see the world of creation, which would mean false gods or idols that this world serves so well, and we know the love of the world, meaning human beings, which might mean that a person has never experienced salvation through Christ. Guard your heart and fix your mind beyond this world. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. 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.” God is so clear in these verses. Our Heavenly Father urgently instructs us to fix our minds upon Him and to teach of Him diligently at all times. Our thoughts are to remain fixed on Him, through Him, in every way, safeguarding and preserving our minds for Him while we live in this temporary stopping point. Isaiah 40:6-8 says, “The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” His word stands forever. John 12:24-25 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” We must fix our minds and hearts on eternity. Revelation 21:1-4 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Our present will pass away. He will dwell with us. Will our hearts and minds be ready? Build your security now. Fix your mind for eternity and drive your actions and attitudes with it. Build that fence far from the cliff. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement to learn how to live with more of an eternal perspective? Right now, because the podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media and 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 #100 – Journey to Hope - Interview with Dwyatt Gantt 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. Did you notice the episode number in the title? One hundred. That means there have been 100 Live With Eternal Perspective episodes! What a blessed journey I have been honored to travel as I stepped forward in obedience when I heard God call me to podcast. Our gracious Heavenly Father amazes me weekly as He continues to grow and deepen my maturity and relationship with Him through producing each episode. If you have enjoyed or grown through any of the Live With Eternal Perspective podcasts, give our Almighty God the glory! I knew absolutely nothing about podcasting when I began, but my heart was focused on obeying where I heard God calling me to walk. He has made sure the resources I need are available at each step. When we trust and follow the Lord, we see that His vision is always larger than we imagine and the blessings more abundant! God doesn’t seek the equipped to serve Him. Our Heavenly Father yearns for us to release self, doubt, fear, and anything that hinders or holds us back from stepping out for and through Him. He desires to complete us as we completely trust, love, and obey Him. Walking in faith through trusting the Lord is one of my favorite ways to obey God. It is exactly what my husband and I chose to do back in 2004 when we began our adoption journey. It was the definitely one of the biggest blind steps of faith we had taken so far. Why is that important? That piece of our faith and life journey is why it is an honor for me to share my special guest with you today. Dwyatt Gantt also lives each day to hear and follow where he believes God is calling him to go. Because of faith and obedience, Dwyatt’s life, and miracles of God, intertwined with ours and with thousands of others. Dwyatt Gantt is the Founder and Executive Director of Children’s Hope International, and is committed to the mission of compassionately engaging in changing the lives of the vulnerable, orphans, sick, weak, and the poorest of children and families. The organization places its hope in God and the staff is intent on taking His love to those whose hope has died. Through strongly focusing on children who are orphans, abandoned and forgotten, often sick or with special needs, or families struggling with debt and despair because of the health of their children, this non-profit organization brings hope and relief with Dwyatt at the helm. Dwyatt is also the proud patriarch of four children, seven grandchildren, and twenty-one great grandchildren. When my husband and I knew for certain that God had a daughter for us in China back in early 2004 and we began completing all of the paperwork, it was the local branch of Children’s Hope that guided us as extended family. Every person on staff was a true joy to know and an absolute pleasure to work with. Through personal guidance and monthly meetings designed to educate and equip parents as we walked the precious journey we were privileged to travel, we experienced joy and peace as the trajectory of our lives was forever changed. Please enjoy this very special episode of Live With Eternal Perspective as I speak with Dwyatt about the way God has provided him with a purpose and passion that was written on his heart long before Dwyatt realized it was there. Listen as Dwyatt shares how God revealed Himself and the blind faith journey his life was to take. As he says in the interview, “Discover your purpose and never let it go.” -----------------------------------------------INTERVIEW-------------------------------------------------- Corrie Ten Boom said, “Never be afraid of an unknown future with a known God.” Dwyatt has captured this quote as inspiration and lived it well. Mark Twain wrote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Dwyatt believes he discovered his purpose at age 50. He doesn’t want you to wait that long. What is God whispering to you? Are you ready to take a blind faith journey with the Lord carrying you every step of the way? Dear God, our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, our Creator and Keeper, our Provider and Protector, how Great You are. Thank you for placing us on this earth with a purpose straight from You. May we discover more clearly day by day what you have for us to do in Your name and through Your will and ways as we draw nearer to You. Help us cling to You through good and bad, easy and hard. Through persecution may we rise up in Your strength and may we be concerned with what concerns You. May we wait upon You to have our strength renewed, may we mount up with wings like eagles, may we run and not grow weary, walk and not faint because we humbly rely on Your strength and provision. Thank you Father, for Your goodness and grace. 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 help others find the podcast. I have two requests. 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 100 Journey to Hope Interview with Dwyatt Gantt Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #100 – Journey to Hope - Interview with Dwyatt Gantt 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. Did you notice the episode number in the title? One hundred. That means there have been 100 Live With Eternal Perspective episodes! What a blessed journey I have been honored to travel as I stepped forward in obedience when I heard God call me to podcast. Our gracious Heavenly Father amazes me weekly as He continues to grow and deepen my maturity and relationship with Him through producing each episode. If you have enjoyed or grown through any of the Live With Eternal Perspective podcasts, give our Almighty God the glory! I knew absolutely nothing about podcasting when I began, but my heart was focused on obeying where I heard God calling me to walk. He has made sure the resources I need are available at each step. When we trust and follow the Lord, we see that His vision is always larger than we imagine and the blessings more abundant! God doesn’t seek the equipped to serve Him. Our Heavenly Father yearns for us to release self, doubt, fear, and anything that hinders or holds us back from stepping out for and through Him. He desires to complete us as we completely trust, love, and obey Him. Walking in faith through trusting the Lord is one of my favorite ways to obey God. It is exactly what my husband and I chose to do back in 2004 when we began our adoption journey. It was the definitely one of the biggest blind steps of faith we had taken so far. Why is that important? That piece of our faith and life journey is why it is an honor for me to share my special guest with you today. Dwyatt Gantt also lives each day to hear and follow where he believes God is calling him to go. Because of faith and obedience, Dwyatt’s life, and miracles of God, intertwined with ours and with thousands of others. Dwyatt Gantt is the Founder and Executive Director of Children’s Hope International, and is committed to the mission of compassionately engaging in changing the lives of the vulnerable, orphans, sick, weak, and the poorest of children and families. The organization places its hope in God and the staff is intent on taking His love to those whose hope has died. Through strongly focusing on children who are orphans, abandoned and forgotten, often sick or with special needs, or families struggling with debt and despair because of the health of their children, this non-profit organization brings hope and relief with Dwyatt at the helm. Dwyatt is also the proud patriarch of four children, seven grandchildren, and twenty-one great grandchildren. When my husband and I knew for certain that God had a daughter for us in China back in early 2004 and we began completing all of the paperwork, it was the local branch of Children’s Hope that guided us as extended family. Every person on staff was a true joy to know and an absolute pleasure to work with. Through personal guidance and monthly meetings designed to educate and equip parents as we walked the precious journey we were privileged to travel, we experienced joy and peace as the trajectory of our lives was forever changed. Please enjoy this very special episode of Live With Eternal Perspective as I speak with Dwyatt about the way God has provided him with a purpose and passion that was written on his heart long before Dwyatt realized it was there. Listen as Dwyatt shares how God revealed Himself and the blind faith journey his life was to take. As he says in the interview, “Discover your purpose and never let it go.” -----------------------------------------------INTERVIEW-------------------------------------------------- Corrie Ten Boom said, “Never be afraid of an unknown future with a known God.” Dwyatt has captured this quote as inspiration and lived it well. Mark Twain wrote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Dwyatt believes he discovered his purpose at age 50. He doesn’t want you to wait that long. What is God whispering to you? Are you ready to take a blind faith journey with the Lord carrying you every step of the way? Dear God, our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, our Creator and Keeper, our Provider and Protector, how Great You are. Thank you for placing us on this earth with a purpose straight from You. May we discover more clearly day by day what you have for us to do in Your name and through Your will and ways as we draw nearer to You. Help us cling to You through good and bad, easy and hard. Through persecution may we rise up in Your strength and may we be concerned with what concerns You. May we wait upon You to have our strength renewed, may we mount up with wings like eagles, may we run and not grow weary, walk and not faint because we humbly rely on Your strength and provision. Thank you Father, for Your goodness and grace. 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 help others find the podcast. I have two requests. 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 111 - SugarFreed - Interview with Christine Trimpe Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 111 – SugarFreed - Interview with Christine Trimpe 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. I’m blessed and excited to introduce my guest on today’s podcast. Christine Trimpe is a transformative wellness leader dedicated to empowering professional Christian women to reclaim their health and vitality through her faith-based, holistic approach to weight loss. As the founder of The SugarFreed Me Method and a certified SUGAR® Licensed Practitioner, Christine helps clients achieve lifelong healing from sugar addiction and food-related struggles. Her clients experience dramatic transformations, including sustained weight loss and breakthroughs in physical, emotional, and spiritual health, with over 80% retention in her programs. After a 100-pound weight loss journey, Christine created a method beyond conventional dieting, integrating faith, emotional regulation, and metabolic health principles. Christine’s own story—marked by a significant health journey, an embrace of ketogenic eating, and a breakthrough lifestyle change—has inspired thousands since she first shared it on her blog and across social media. Her journey has been highlighted in leading wellness magazines, including Woman’s World and First for Women , and featured on DietDoctor.com , where she was named a top low-carb success story. Let’s welcome Christine. -------------------------------------------------INTERVIEW ---------------------------------------------- I hope you enjoyed hearing this incredible story. Christine’s extensive career in corporate America, paired with her BBA degree, uniquely equips her to guide women in tackling complex health challenges and finding balance in all aspects of life. Her just released book, SugarFreed , follows her acclaimed devotional, Seeking Joy (2021), which received the Christian Market Book Award and Christian Indie Award. Christine and her husband, Rob, have been married for over thirty years and enjoy life in Metro Detroit, where she leads worship, hikes the outdoors and loves spending time with her family and pets. With her passion for exhortation, faith, and generosity, Christine’s mission is to equip women to overcome years of weight struggles, embrace freedom from sugar addiction, and ultimately live with joy and purpose. You can connect with Christine at ChristineTrimpe.com . Dear Heavenly Father, Our great, sovereign Lord. Thank you for the ability to come to You at any time with any praise or request. Thank you for sending Jesus as our lifeline and hope, our Savior, who leads us straight to You. I pray every woman who listened to Christine’s story today will see Your mighty hand in her life and know that You wait for each of us to come to you with all concerns. Help us remember that You are capable and waiting to carry us through every detail in life. You wait for us to call on You, to submit to You and Your tender care and healing. Please be with each of us in the areas we need and draw us ever nearer to Your heart and mind. Help us rest in Your mighty arms and keep us reliant on You. Thank you that You care for us in every way and desire deep fellowship with us. Equip us to be strong in You and to step out in faith and obedience in all the ways You call for us. 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. 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 103 - The Power of Teaching Patience to Your Child Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 103 – The Power of Teaching Patience to Your Child 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, then leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast and are helping affect generations for Jesus. Would you agree that being a parent tests and develops patience? I think we all know that being a parent uncovers the best and worst in us. However, when we rely on the Lord to parent through us, when we let go of self and submit to Him to guide and grow us, we discover how to parent in ways that lead our child to God. When we attempt to parent in our strength, we fail mightily and the effects hit our children mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This is why we must desire to be more Christlike. It’s why we must purposely work toward that goal so that we will become patient . Most mothers understand what a privilege it is to be a parent! Hopefully, you recognize ways God is working through you personally and uniquely to instill the godly character of patience. How ironic it is that we need godly patience to parent, but we refine it while doing the job. That is – if we submit to God and ask Him to grow that beautiful fruit of the Spirit within us. One of the many ways God helped me become more patient was with my middle daughter. While I don’t remember exactly what grade she was in, I know it was during her younger elementary school years that God finally opened my eyes to the way her mind and heart worked. Throughout my daughter’s life, when asked questions, she ponders her response. Most of the time you can’t see any hesitation, but when the question carries a deeper importance, there is a delay in her answer. Before I understood this hesitation (and the reason why) I sometimes wondered what was taking so long. However, about the time I was ready to jump in and relieve her of having to answer, she would respond. One day God opened my eyes to the fact that she cared deeply about truth. Responding with integrity and offering a genuine response was of utmost importance. I understood how deeply she considered what she wanted to say. Her mindfulness made her message all the more important. Through that experience, God showed me how to wait. I didn’t need to think of rescuing others. I needed to control my impatience and wait for others to carefully formulate the unique responses they were purposed to contribute. What wisdom my girl shows when she responds. I’m usually in awe of the way God wired her brain to work. She is able to assess different sides of issues and still answer with a godly response aligned with Scripture, not just voice an opinion. Each day we receive countless opportunities to develop the art of patience. Praise God that He continues that good work in us moment by moment when we ask Him to. As patience grows in you, use your deepening walk with Christ to help you foster patience in your children. Today I’m going to suggest several ways you can help your child grow the skill and gift of patience. One thing I want to remind you as we begin is that your kids want to know you’re present for them. They want to feel that you care. What that means is that connection is key to teaching your child anything. Often, parents will feel as if interruptions from their children are a disruption to their schedule. How would you feel if someone you loved viewed any time you need them as a disrupted day or plan. This doesn’t mean that I’m saying your child needs you to be at their beck and call. What it does mean is that they need to know you love them and are accessible. Children are often still learning the concept of time. When young, they believe their needs are the most pressing item in your day. Their needs are felt very big and “right now.” They believe the world and everyone in it revolves around their needs. In a safe, loving home, parents usually are present. Children are used to time with one or both parents. When phone calls, errands, or unexpected events occur, schedules and expectations are interrupted. However, because they are used to the ability to reconnect with parents, they trust their needs will be taken care of. They are able to remain more patient until that happens if they have been taught the foundations of connection. We must remember that children are just that…children. You and I had to learn patience, and are actually still learning. The gift of patience continuously grows if we seek it. Parents have to seek ways to teach children to be patient. For example, when you tell your children to “give you a moment” to finish something – a phone call, washing dishes, etc., they understand if you count down time with them either verbally or with a timer or visual reminder of time passing. However, the word, “moment” means nothing. This can actually cause more frustration if you are not finished in a moment . A blink of an eye. When you are visiting with someone, perhaps a friend or are at a doctor’s office and you are trying to finish a conversation, you can take your child onto your lap, offer a distraction such as a hug, gently bounce them on your knees, give a book for them to look at, or give them a miniature hourglass to watch the sand. These will help as long as you complete your activity when you say you will - or as quickly as possible. This allows your children to see that you are true to your word. It helps them believe you when you promise something and allows them to act without frustration, enabling them to construct brain pathways needed to build patience. In these examples, the children are young. If your children are under the age of five, of course more guidance and time with them is needed. Remember that this age will take your words literally,. At this time, books, puzzles, coloring, building blocks, etc. for a set time works well. If you’ve taken time to play alongside your child in quiet, consistent times, she will be more apt to handle a bit of independent play when you need time alone or are spending time with others. Of course, factors such as being tired, hungry, or not feeling well will play a factor in how your child reacts on any day. You must also consider your children’s temperament and maturity so that you don’t exasperate them. Don’t set them up to fail by scheduling activities such as private time with friends or shopping when you need to focus on what you’re doing with your children. Don’t schedule activities or parties when it’s nap time or a time they usually share one-on-one quiet time with you. As long as you’ve worked with your child to develop the art of patience, and as your child grows and matures, she should be able to handle activities while waiting. Small activities such as reading, crafts, writing, building blocks, playing with dolls, etc. also help children build the skill of patience and independent play or study time. Spend time with your children before you need them to be patient. Each time you enable your children to be successful by setting them up to avoid tantrums or irritability actually builds the strengths they need to choose pleasing habits and behaviors. You are helping them build patience when you consider their needs and abilities and gently strengthen while slowly stretching them in the right ways. Remember, you want to parent for the future, not the moment . This means self-work for you, too. Most of what your children learn is from how you teach them to act and react through observing you. 1. How do you tend to react? Do you usually react to stress or surprises with calmness? With anger? Yelling? Perfectionism? Frustration? Inappropriate language? Overwhelm? 2. What causes your reactions? A strong and growing walk with Christ? Sleep deprivation? Perfectionism? Health issues? Marriage issues? Your child’s abilities? 3. Are you ever triggered by your children? How do you handle it? Is it because of your emotional background? Your child’s challenging behaviors? Your insecurities? Your spouse’s expectations? 4. Do you rely on God to heal areas you’ve identified as unpleasing to Him or hurtful to your children? 5. Do you pay attention to the needs your child is speaking, whether by his words or with actions? The behavior of children exposes needs they may not know how to articulate. Even adults react with behavior and words they shouldn’t. Your child depends on you to grow in the Lord and be the godly, connected adult with them and Jesus. 6. Do you give yourself grace as you continue to learn and change? Do you do the same for your children and spouse? You want to set them up to be Christlike. 7. Do you demonstrate patience? In what ways are you patient? In what ways do you need to humbly ask God to grow patience? Your children are simply immature, needy humans placed under your care by a loving and wisdom-filled God. He entrusted those children in your home to you for a purpose. Allow Him to heal you where needed. Ask Him to equip you to raise godly sons and daughters that give you joy and who please and honor Him. As mothers, we have the God-given privilege of tilling the ground and planting the seeds of faith and fruits of the spirit, yet God brings the harvest. We must patiently mature our walk with Christ and bring our children to the feet and heart of Christ through the way we live, love, speak, act, and react. If you desire your child to exhibit great patience, remember that you are the first person to teach them the way to holding and sharing that gift. Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are. How wonderful it is that You have entrusted Your children to us. Thank you for the honor and responsibility. We know we are not capable of raising children to please and honor You. This world is full of hardships, trials, temptations, and we are sinful and shallow reflections of You. How far we are from Your holiness, yet You assigned this task to us. Thank you for allowing us this honor. Thank you for letting us know we are incapable of such a task without You. Thank you for giving us Jesus to show us the way to You so that we can show our children. Thank you that the more we reflect Your godly character and cultivate the fruits of the spirit, including patience, the closer we lift our children to You. Help them to be better reflections of You. Help them to desire to carry patience and help us reflect it in ways that give You great satisfaction. 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 #119 – Conquer Overwhelm 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. What a month we’ve had at our house! Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, you can’t get ahead or things keep happening to throw your plans off-balance?? Maybe you can’t stay on schedule due to unexpected events. Perhaps your family has been through bouts of sickness. Or maybe you’re just tired from the various demands life brings. No matter the reason, I believe it’s sometimes easy to be discouraged, frustrated, or simply overwhelmed by life. We are traveling through a season of what I will just call, “too much” right now. So much going on and way too little sleep!! It’s not even that we’re overscheduled, although we are busy. Life simply happens whether or not we’re ready, and sometimes that means things pop up that demand our attention or that stop the plans already made as we’re forced to shift focus. For example, a few days ago I was washing dishes. We’ve had some illness in our home recently and I always double wash dishes the sick person has used. It usually takes about two weeks of extra washing before I’m convinced that the person is fully well and they aren’t contagious anymore. Right after I finished our two weeks recently, someone else got sick with another virus. Already weary from the first bout of illness, I was not enjoying double-washing dishes. As I thought about what a pain it was and how tired I was of doing it, I felt the Lord whisper to my spirit, “Don’t do this work because you have to keep people from getting sick. Do the work because you love the person you’re serving for Me.” If you want to conquer overwhelm, master your perspective. Release it to God and view your situation through His eternal viewpoint. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Sometimes it feels impossible to complete a difficult task. It often feels impossible to release a stronghold in your life. Sometimes it feels like you can’t even make it through the day when one thing after feels like an attack formed against you. Everything builds up to form overwhelm. When this happens, stop to remember that feelings are just emotions. Emotions have no power unless you allow them to. Emotions are feelings that rise up within us to create strong sentiments. Sentiments reflect our attitude toward something, and our attitude can quickly cause anxiety. Unless we purposely take emotions, feelings, sentiments, or attitude captive and release them to the Lord, deceptive feelings easily and quickly morph into overwhelm. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.” No matter what situation or burden you are facing, know through the model Jesus set for each of us that you can submit your struggles to Him through prayer. I want to be clear on this point. Simply muttering a prayer, hoping that God hears it and changes everything so you can get back to your normal schedule isn’t what I mean. Nothing that has lasting value in our walk with Christ will come easily. It is only through release of self and purposed humility focused on growing our personal relationship with Christ that true change occurs. Standing freely in the grace of God and allowing Him to carry burdens takes determination and release of fleshly will. Jesus is our perfect example of a humble, obedient spirit releasing self. As Jesus turned to the Father through prayer, He also used the power of God’s word. Through prayer and scripture, we see Jesus model the way we are to come to God and offer self, thus truly trusting Him to do the work needed. With our selfish, limited vision we hope He changes our circumstances, making the day easier or more tolerable. Through the beauty of the gospel, however, we learn that submission brings glory to God. In His goodness, our Heavenly Father allows us to be cleansed and transformed through trials and daily occurrences. Instead of easily changing our day, God purposes to take our burdens and turn them into blessings that move us closer to Him and make us more like Him – even when we don’t think it feels good or comfortable. Even when life feels incredibly overwhelming. Jeremiah 1:19 says, “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” God’s truth makes the difference. When we rely on the legitimacy of God’s word to steady us, we understand that He is truthful; He is faithful. Walking closely with the Lord will prevent much of overwhelm. When we recognize that life is coming too fast or that we have lost peace, or we may not be feeling presence with God, it’s especially important to remember to react in those moments preceding great overwhelm. What we do before overwhelm washes over us like a flood sets the tone for our attitude. Attitude will determine our thoughts and actions or reactions. When overwhelm or agitation begins to creep into your spirit, stop to identify what is happening to cause the feelings or attitude you are experiencing. Remember the truth of your situation. It’s easy to get sucked into deceitful feelings and lies about our life and surroundings or events. Fear, trials, illness, lack of rest, new situations, and much more can work against us to create overwhelm. Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” God is sufficient. He has the desire and the holy, sovereign ability to carry your burdens, while strengthening you in Him as He does. Everything in our life, small or large, is meant to be evaluated and purposed for His glory. The imperfections of our day or relationships, the scary emergencies or illnesses, the interruptions that frustrate or delay, and the strongholds that threaten to cripple or disable us are each allowed to bring forth the fruit of Christ in our life. They are allowed or purposed to bring us to our knees in front of a Holy God who loves us with an everlasting love and deeply desires that we rest in Him and rely on Him to carry us through the fires of life. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” When we bring our burdens, overwhelm, or anxiety to the Lord, especially when we first notice it begin to take shape in our heart or mind, we grasp the perfect peace only God offers. God, the Author of peace carries it to us through the Holy Spirit within us. Through His presence, comfort, and protection, we are made new – and so is our attitude as He captures and rids us of overwhelm. Sometimes His help is instant. At other times, we may have been struggling to carry a sin or burden for too long on our own and it will take time to shed the fake covering we used to protect or hide us. Keep your eyes and mind focused on Christ, the true guide out of the confusion and chaos of overwhelm. Psalm 119:114 says, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I put my hope in Your word.” Through the Lord, we have a true hiding place, a strong and mighty shield to cover us despite whatever is happening in our life. How often do you trust God, accept His offer to find comfort and protection under His wing, to hide in His care? One of the reasons we put our hope in Him is because His word is true, it is powerful, it is alive. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Because we have the light of Jesus and the word of God to illuminate our way, we can count on Him to shine His truths and peace into the dark corners of our world. No matter our obstacle, no matter the amount of overwhelm that creeps into our life, God is present and able to erase it and fill us with His peace that passes understanding. Through relying on Him and trusting that God will take captive of overwhelm before it becomes anxiety, we learn that: 1. God is present. 2. God is able to set us on a steady path. 3. God will allow us to learn faithfulness and provisions. 4. God will work through us to set us apart as a witness to others that He is competent. 5. God sees and hears us. 6. God cares about every detail. 7. God is our Mighty Rescuer. As you feel the spirit of overwhelm threaten to take over, I have 4 suggestions that may help. 1. Take a break from what you are doing (even when it feels like you can’t). 2. Focus on one thing at a time. 3. Voice how you feel (sometimes it helps to talk aloud to yourself and let the frustration out so you can focus clearly without emotional deceit). 4. Turn to God through prayer and/or scripture reading. The healing power of God never fails when our spirit humbly turns to Him. Dear Heavenly Father, how great Thou art! Father, thank you for Your goodness to us, despite the way we fail to grasp the love and guidance You have for us every moment, the peace You offer freely. Help us to delight in Your law day and night, and to be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. Father, enable us, to create such strong relationships with You that we don’t worry about life, what we will eat or drink; or about the burdens that assault from every angle. Help us to see the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet You provide for them. May we remember the provisions You offer that bring us eternal life, the only thing that matters. Search us, God, and know our heart; test us and know our anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting, for we know Your grace is sufficient, Your power is made perfect in our weakness. May we allow Your work to be done and see the beauty of the masterpiece as You create it within us. May we allow the power of Christ to rest within us. May we carry the attitude that delights in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. For when we are weak, then we are strong in and through You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, and you would like more information on the topic we discussed today, I invite you to listen to previous episodes. You may find them on the terrihitt.com website. Click on podcasts and type in the topic or title you wish to hear in the search bar at the top of the page. I can suggest three episodes that tie to the topic we discussed today. Episode 82, “Peace That Guards,” Episode 84, “No Worry,” and Episode 2, “Protecting Our Thoughts.” Have you listened to my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” yet? I hope you will listen, follow it, 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 119 - Conquer Overwhelm Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #119 – Conquer Overwhelm 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. What a month we’ve had at our house! Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, you can’t get ahead or things keep happening to throw your plans off-balance?? Maybe you can’t stay on schedule due to unexpected events. Perhaps your family has been through bouts of sickness. Or maybe you’re just tired from the various demands life brings. No matter the reason, I believe it’s sometimes easy to be discouraged, frustrated, or simply overwhelmed by life. We are traveling through a season of what I will just call, “too much” right now. So much going on and way too little sleep!! It’s not even that we’re overscheduled, although we are busy. Life simply happens whether or not we’re ready, and sometimes that means things pop up that demand our attention or that stop the plans already made as we’re forced to shift focus. For example, a few days ago I was washing dishes. We’ve had some illness in our home recently and I always double wash dishes the sick person has used. It usually takes about two weeks of extra washing before I’m convinced that the person is fully well and they aren’t contagious anymore. Right after I finished our two weeks recently, someone else got sick with another virus. Already weary from the first bout of illness, I was not enjoying double-washing dishes. As I thought about what a pain it was and how tired I was of doing it, I felt the Lord whisper to my spirit, “Don’t do this work because you have to keep people from getting sick. Do the work because you love the person you’re serving for Me.” If you want to conquer overwhelm, master your perspective. Release it to God and view your situation through His eternal viewpoint. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Sometimes it feels impossible to complete a difficult task. It often feels impossible to release a stronghold in your life. Sometimes it feels like you can’t even make it through the day when one thing after feels like an attack formed against you. Everything builds up to form overwhelm. When this happens, stop to remember that feelings are just emotions. Emotions have no power unless you allow them to. Emotions are feelings that rise up within us to create strong sentiments. Sentiments reflect our attitude toward something, and our attitude can quickly cause anxiety. Unless we purposely take emotions, feelings, sentiments, or attitude captive and release them to the Lord, deceptive feelings easily and quickly morph into overwhelm. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.” No matter what situation or burden you are facing, know through the model Jesus set for each of us that you can submit your struggles to Him through prayer. I want to be clear on this point. Simply muttering a prayer, hoping that God hears it and changes everything so you can get back to your normal schedule isn’t what I mean. Nothing that has lasting value in our walk with Christ will come easily. It is only through release of self and purposed humility focused on growing our personal relationship with Christ that true change occurs. Standing freely in the grace of God and allowing Him to carry burdens takes determination and release of fleshly will. Jesus is our perfect example of a humble, obedient spirit releasing self. As Jesus turned to the Father through prayer, He also used the power of God’s word. Through prayer and scripture, we see Jesus model the way we are to come to God and offer self, thus truly trusting Him to do the work needed. With our selfish, limited vision we hope He changes our circumstances, making the day easier or more tolerable. Through the beauty of the gospel, however, we learn that submission brings glory to God. In His goodness, our Heavenly Father allows us to be cleansed and transformed through trials and daily occurrences. Instead of easily changing our day, God purposes to take our burdens and turn them into blessings that move us closer to Him and make us more like Him – even when we don’t think it feels good or comfortable. Even when life feels incredibly overwhelming. Jeremiah 1:19 says, “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” God’s truth makes the difference. When we rely on the legitimacy of God’s word to steady us, we understand that He is truthful; He is faithful. Walking closely with the Lord will prevent much of overwhelm. When we recognize that life is coming too fast or that we have lost peace, or we may not be feeling presence with God, it’s especially important to remember to react in those moments preceding great overwhelm. What we do before overwhelm washes over us like a flood sets the tone for our attitude. Attitude will determine our thoughts and actions or reactions. When overwhelm or agitation begins to creep into your spirit, stop to identify what is happening to cause the feelings or attitude you are experiencing. Remember the truth of your situation. It’s easy to get sucked into deceitful feelings and lies about our life and surroundings or events. Fear, trials, illness, lack of rest, new situations, and much more can work against us to create overwhelm. Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” God is sufficient. He has the desire and the holy, sovereign ability to carry your burdens, while strengthening you in Him as He does. Everything in our life, small or large, is meant to be evaluated and purposed for His glory. The imperfections of our day or relationships, the scary emergencies or illnesses, the interruptions that frustrate or delay, and the strongholds that threaten to cripple or disable us are each allowed to bring forth the fruit of Christ in our life. They are allowed or purposed to bring us to our knees in front of a Holy God who loves us with an everlasting love and deeply desires that we rest in Him and rely on Him to carry us through the fires of life. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” When we bring our burdens, overwhelm, or anxiety to the Lord, especially when we first notice it begin to take shape in our heart or mind, we grasp the perfect peace only God offers. God, the Author of peace carries it to us through the Holy Spirit within us. Through His presence, comfort, and protection, we are made new – and so is our attitude as He captures and rids us of overwhelm. Sometimes His help is instant. At other times, we may have been struggling to carry a sin or burden for too long on our own and it will take time to shed the fake covering we used to protect or hide us. Keep your eyes and mind focused on Christ, the true guide out of the confusion and chaos of overwhelm. Psalm 119:114 says, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I put my hope in Your word.” Through the Lord, we have a true hiding place, a strong and mighty shield to cover us despite whatever is happening in our life. How often do you trust God, accept His offer to find comfort and protection under His wing, to hide in His care? One of the reasons we put our hope in Him is because His word is true, it is powerful, it is alive. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Because we have the light of Jesus and the word of God to illuminate our way, we can count on Him to shine His truths and peace into the dark corners of our world. No matter our obstacle, no matter the amount of overwhelm that creeps into our life, God is present and able to erase it and fill us with His peace that passes understanding. Through relying on Him and trusting that God will take captive of overwhelm before it becomes anxiety, we learn that: 1. God is present. 2. God is able to set us on a steady path. 3. God will allow us to learn faithfulness and provisions. 4. God will work through us to set us apart as a witness to others that He is competent. 5. God sees and hears us. 6. God cares about every detail. 7. God is our Mighty Rescuer. As you feel the spirit of overwhelm threaten to take over, I have 4 suggestions that may help. 1. Take a break from what you are doing (even when it feels like you can’t). 2. Focus on one thing at a time. 3. Voice how you feel (sometimes it helps to talk aloud to yourself and let the frustration out so you can focus clearly without emotional deceit). 4. Turn to God through prayer and/or scripture reading. The healing power of God never fails when our spirit humbly turns to Him. Dear Heavenly Father, how great Thou art! Father, thank you for Your goodness to us, despite the way we fail to grasp the love and guidance You have for us every moment, the peace You offer freely. Help us to delight in Your law day and night, and to be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. Father, enable us, to create such strong relationships with You that we don’t worry about life, what we will eat or drink; or about the burdens that assault from every angle. Help us to see the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet You provide for them. May we remember the provisions You offer that bring us eternal life, the only thing that matters. Search us, God, and know our heart; test us and know our anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting, for we know Your grace is sufficient, Your power is made perfect in our weakness. May we allow Your work to be done and see the beauty of the masterpiece as You create it within us. May we allow the power of Christ to rest within us. May we carry the attitude that delights in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. For when we are weak, then we are strong in and through You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, and you would like more information on the topic we discussed today, I invite you to listen to previous episodes. You may find them on the terrihitt.com website. Click on podcasts and type in the topic or title you wish to hear in the search bar at the top of the page. I can suggest three episodes that tie to the topic we discussed today. Episode 82, “Peace That Guards,” Episode 84, “No Worry,” and Episode 2, “Protecting Our Thoughts.” Have you listened to my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” yet? I hope you will listen, follow it, 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.