The Session with Tom Russell

NOTE: If you would like to send us a question for our “Ask me Anything” episode, please email scott@risefmohio.com or tom.hccm@gmail.com    We would love to hear from you!  Serious or silly, it doesn’t matter!   Father’s Day, Part 1 (We didn’t intend for a 2-parter, but it’s us, so…. Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was...

If the title of this episode freaked you out a bit, don't worry, we aren't going to the Hundred Acre Wood.  One of Scott's nicknames is "Eeyore".  He tends to see things through a glass half empty lens.  As we discuss journaling today, see if God isn't inviting you to move into this way of expressing yourself and your feelings. The Session:  Journaling, A Helpful Trea...

We don't say it enough!  Your input on episode topics is VERY welcome!  This episode was suggested by Autumn, and we are really grateful! The Session  The Impact of Trauma  (Suggested by Autumn) Psalm 91:4–6 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that...

"Mom"...."Stepmom"  Such important names, such important people.  On this episode, Tom & Scott share thoughts on honoring mom. The Session:  Helps For Honoring Your Mother On Mothers Day Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother,” and Leviticus 19:3, “Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father.” By Amy Bost Henegar.  She has been a pastor for the Manhatt...

In this episode, we see Mother's Day through the eyes of a woman hurting on Mother's Day.  It a different perspective that deserves to be looked at. The Session: When Mother’s Day isn’t a normal Mother’s Day, or, How to Handle Mother’s Day When It Feels Hard Shannon Kaney with Hope Griffin  Mother’s Day is not an easy one for me. I am an unmarried woman with no children. Each year, and e...

Feel like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling?  Like nobody's listening?  You are NOT alone.  On this episode of The Session, we talk through what to do, what that feels like. And please listen for a special request we have during the episode too!  We are asking for your input on future episodes! The Session: When God Appears Silent-Recognize That Silence Can Be Intimate Psalm 13:1 How...

Our Missionaries.  Serving our Lord all over the world, in places we won't go.  They need our continuous love and support.  In this episode, we wrap up our talk about some struggles our missionaries have, and how we can support them.  And remember, you can always suggest a topic for us to cover on The Session!  Just email scott@Risefmohio.com   The Session: Dynamics of the Missionary Family B...

Our Missionaries.  Serving our Lord all over the world, in places we won't go.  They need our continuous love and support.  Tom and Scott talk about some struggles our missionaries have, and how we can support them.  And because it's Tom and Scott, it's going to be a two-parter.... The Session: Dynamics of the Missionary Family By: alifeoverseas.com   Acts 13:47 For so the Lord has...

We usually only talk about celebrating our Pastors in October.  We feel like that's a mistake, and the article we base today's show on shows that. Our notes are listed first, with the article following. Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Data Shows P...

Happy Easter!  He is risen!  In this episode, we talk about the importance of Jesus rising from the grave.  It won't sound like it at first, but we really will get there.... The Session:  Implications From Jesus Victory On The Cross Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive?  He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Gal...

YOU are something special to God! If, like Scott, you sometimes feel like "Eeyore", this episode is for you! The Session: 10 Beautiful, True Things God Says about You Self Confidence in Christ; or, how to turn Eeyore into an optimist!  1. I Am Beloved (Ephesians 2:4-5)  2. I Am a Masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)  3. I Am Chosen (Ephesians 1:4)  4. I Am Holy (Ephesians 1:4)  5. I Am Forgiven...

Being single in today's world is hard.  Being single in the church today shouldn't be.  But there are ways we make singleness harder than it needs to be in the church today.  Tom and Scott examine some ways we do that in this week's episode. 10 Ways We Unintentionally Make Singles Feel Invisible in the Church By Brenda Rogers, ibelieve.com I dreaded Sunday; it was my least favorite...

Our kids are under more pressure than ever to conform to the world's idea of what is "successful", what is "right", what is "appropriate".  There are way we can help our kids face and stand up for what's right with a Christian worldview. 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Stand for What’s Right Joshua 24:15 But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom y...

Scott and Tom were surprised this topic went two weeks.  But it's Tom and Scott, so you never know.  This week, the guys get down into surviving dating in the digital age, whether you are just starting dating, or getting back into dating after several years. The Session:  Dating Etiquette in a Digital Age by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin, Focus on the Family, from Oct., 2023 Texting and online mess...

I'm so sorry I'm late with this post!  Let's face it, dating today is NOTHING like dating when we were younger!  No more notes in lockers, now it's texts and ghosting and more.  We've got some tips for surviving dating in the digital age! The Session:  Dating Etiquette in a Digital Age by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin, Focus on the Family, from Oct., 2023 Texting and online mess...

The Session:  The Five Cylinder Intimacy Engine of Marriage & Goal Setting in Marriage Genesis 2:24: “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The Five Cylinder Intimacy Engine explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. 1.     Spiritual   2.     Physical · Bed...

We are thrilled when listeners suggest topics for the podcast!  We appreciate Theresa suggesting this topic for our podcast this week!  You can suggest topics about faith, family, or psychological issues to scott@risefmohio.com The Session:  Suggested by Theresa: Fear of Intimacy & How to Get Passed it   John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have l...

This week, an episode from the archive! The Session  Relationship between premarital counselling and marital success: Perceptions of married Christians in Ghana  Reported in Academic Journal  Proverbs 13:20   20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.   Research Shows:  A Correlation Between Premarital Counseling and Marriage Satisfaction  Fowers and Olson found...

This episode was suggested by Teresa.  Tom & Scott would love to discuss topics you suggest about faith and the family.  Email scott@risefmohio.com or tom@hccm.gmail.com The Session: Forgiving And Healing Hurts Of The Past Scripture Isaiah 40:29: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.   Excerpts...

This episode concludes our conversation about the impact social media is having on our kids.  Scott and Tom offer hope and ideas for controlling the screen time our kids have.  The Session: Social Media’s Impact on our Lives   I John 2:16 “For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world."   Be...

Your kids spend hours every day in front of screens - computers at school, tv at home.  And there's the computer at home PLUS their phone.  What are they watching?  What impact is it having? The Session: Social Media’s Impact on our Lives   I John 2:16 “For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from th...

Maybe you've found "the one".  First, congratulations!  But, are you READY for marriage?  All the feelings may be there.  But after the joy of the wedding, a marriage happens.  In this episode, Tom & Scott talk about how to know if you are really ready for marriage. The Session:  Am I Prepared For Marriage? Psalm 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that bui...

Christmas is a time of memory making.  In this rusty trusty episode from 2015, we talk about the memories of Tom's now grown children.  Everything from Christmas to family vacations to dating.  So no show notes today, just sit back and enjoy, and we will be back with you in 2024!  And if making positive memories has been a challenge for your family, know that you can always start fresh.  Tom...

We don't know much about Joseph, other than he was husband to Mary, and earthly father to Jesus.  So what can we learn from him about Biblical Manhood? The Session: 4 Lessons We Can Learn about Biblical manhood from Joseph’s Story   https://www.lcbcchurch.com/articles/4-lessons-we-can-learn-from-josephs-story   Open with the Matthew account of Joseph, in Matt.1:18-24 1. Acknowledge the truth...

This week, we look at the Wise Men not from the perspective of what they DID, but what we can LEARN from what they did.  And there are things we can take away and apply not just at Christmas, but every day. The Session:  4 Lessons The 3 Wise Men Can Teach Us   12/23/2020   By: Jan Lashbrook, Early Childhood Dir. at Calvary Christian Academy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL   Matthew 2:1-2   After Jesus was bor...