Playfully Faithful Parenting: Encouraging Christian Mamas to Disciple & Discipline with Play & Joy

Episode Summary: Do you encounter God in the little everyday moments of life that bring you joy? If you aren’t, you may be missing the fullness of joy from that moment. In today’s episode, I highlight ways that my mama friends encounter God through play and what that might mean for you. Verses from the episode: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Deuteronomy 31:6 Matthew 5:37 Hebrews 13:8 Romans 2:4 Isaiah 40:11 La...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at 2 Thessalonians 3:16 through a parenting lens. It is a reminder that because Jesus is with us, we can experience his peace in ALL situations. Your Turn to Play: Next time you are feeling triggered or anxious, as Jesus to make his presence known and his peace felt. You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Links: (This may...

Episode Summary: Do you encounter God in the little everyday moments of life that bring you joy? If you aren’t, you may be missing the fullness of joy from that moment. In today’s episode, I highlight ways that my mama friends encounter God through play and what that might mean for you. Verses from the episode: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Psalm 16:11 Links from the episode: (This may contain some affiliate...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at a Connected Families favorite verse, Philippians 4:8. I share how our focus directs our actions and our kids’ identity. Your Turn to Play: Create an image or list of the true, noble, right, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy things about each of your kids. You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: Philippians 4:8 John 4 Links: (This may co...

Episode Summary: In his work on play, Dr. Stuart Brown describes the 7 properties true play must include: purposelessness, voluntary nature, inherent attraction, freedom from time, diminished self-consciousness, improvisational potential, and continuation desire. In today’s episode, I look at these 7 properties theologically and how embracing them could help us more fully reflect and worship God....

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at Revelation 19:1. We have the freedom to enjoy life and enjoy parenting because “Salvation and glory and power belong to God” and not to us! Hallelujah! Your Turn to Play: Play without worrying about those things that do not belong to you! You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: Revelation 19:1 Revelation 5:9-12 Matthew 5:16 Ephesians 3:20 2...

Episode Summary: Today I am excited to invite you to a Discipleship Parent Coaching Program that God has been working on for years with me. Through my seminary experience, certifications, walking with families in churches, coming alongside my friends, and my own parenting journey God has laid out an amazing family discipleship plan that will help you use your gifts, talents, personality, and authe...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at Luke 10: 41- 42.   This comes from the well-known story of Mary and Martha. I also read a  prayer from To Light Their Way. Your Turn to Play: Embrace Jesus’ peace and play. You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: Luke 10:41-42 Links: (This may contain some affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost...

Episode Summary: This episode is our fourth and final episode of Interview June. I chat with Lee Ann Mancini. I contacted Lee Ann about being on the podcast because my kiddos love Sea Kids and I thought a producer of a show would have some great insight into how to wisely use shows in discipleship.  I love Lee Ann’s passion for helping kids know Jesus and helping families to know how to help...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at Acts 16:14. In this verse, we are introduced to Lydia. I love that she sells purple cloth. Are you a purple girl, too? We focus on the phrase, “the Lord opened her heart.” We get to create an environment and relationship with our kids where they want to listen, but God opens their hearts. Your Turn to Play: Pray God would open your child’s heart t...

Episode Summary: This episode is the third of Interview June. This was a bold ask for me, y’all but she said yes! It’s Yancy!! I used her music in my first full-time church position. If you don’t know her, check out her music online, on Amazon Music, on Apple Music, on Right Now Media, or wherever! Your kiddos will love it.  Mine think I am a total rockstar just by association now. Yancy’s Bi...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at one of my favorite play verses, Ecclesiastes 11:8. We read a quote from The Screwtape Letters of how the enemy wants to steal us away from abundant life with Jesus through the mundane, but we can battle that and disciple our kids through living life to the full. Your Turn to Play: Do something YOU enjoy with God. You can do it, mama! Verses from t...

Episode Summary: This episode is the second of Interview June. I have been looking forward to sharing this for months. I talk with Dr. Milton Uecker about creating a culture of play and the different stages of spiritual development. He shares with us how kids of different ages grow in faith and what we can do to help them. Verses from the episode: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Links from the episode: Dr. Ueck...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at  Hebrews 12:1. It encourages us to let go of the things that weigh us down and let God prune our sins, so we can have the endurance to run our race. Your Turn to Play: Race your kids with a heavy backpack, then do it again after letting go of the things that weigh you down. You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: Hebrews 12:1 Links: Red...

Episode Summary: This episode kicks off a month of interviews each Monday: Interview June, as my oldest calls it.  Valerie Ellis is our first guest and it is a fantastic conversation about play and children’s books. Valerie could not be a more perfect Playfully Faithful Parenting guest. She shares amazing book resources and brings a beautiful freshness to reading picture books. Valerie’s Bio:...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at  1 Timothy 4:16. This verse teaches us the importance of modeling and teaching our kids. We need both! And, we cannot neglect our own faith to focus on our kids’ faith lives. Your Turn to Play: Do something YOU love to do with God and invite your kids along. You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: 1 Timothy 4:16 1 Timothy 4:12-15 Links:...

Episode Summary: This is the last in a 4-part episode on Parenting for Faith’s 5 Key Tools. This week we look at Surfing the Waves.  This is looking for what your child is interested in coming alongside them in that spiritual interest or finding ways to include non-spiritual interests in discipleship. Your Turn to Play: Be a student of your child and add faith to their play and play to their...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday I share a poem I wrote in response to the shooting this week and share John 8:12. Your Turn to Play: Play in the darkness and hug your babies tight. You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: John 8:12 Links: Redeemed for Motherhood Journal Christian Motherhood with Purpose and Play Facebook Group Playfully Faithful Parenting Podcast is a ministry of Crea...

Episode Summary: This is the third in a 4-part episode on Parenting for Faith’s 5 Key Tools. This week we look at Chatting and Catching.  This is basically prayer, but by not calling it prayer we can help kids get to the heart of it, instead of what they think prayer is supposed to be or what they are supposed to do. Parenting for Faith also has some really beautiful and practical ways to tea...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at  Philippians 1.6. This is an encouragement for you mama, that God’s good work in you is not something just to hope for in the future, it has already begun. You already have beauty and goodness in you at play. Lean into that with the help of the Holy Spirit. Your Turn to Play :      Make a self-portrait and consider th...

Episode Summary: This is the second in a 4-part episode on Parenting for Faith’s 5 Key Tools. This week we look at Unwinding.  Unwind is about discovering the ways your children have mistaken views of God and his character, and then helping to gently correct these viewpoints into a more biblical and balanced understanding of God. Your Turn to Play: Have your kids draw a picture of God and the...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at  Luke 11:23. This verse tells us that if we aren’t working WITH Jesus, we are working against him. I know we, as busy mamas with the best of intentions, can easily slip from parenting WITH Jesus to parenting FOR Jesus. Your Turn to Play: Use a playful prayer to invite God into your day and play! You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: Luke 1...

Episode Summary: This is the first in a 4-part episode on Parenting for Faith’s 5 Tools. This week we look at creating windows and framing. A simple, but an intentional way to create an environment where your children can see what a daily walk with Christ looks like and begin to acknowledge God’s presence and power in the world . Your Turn to Play: Playfully (with their own books, crayons, and a h...

Episode Summary: This Theology Thursday we look at  2 Corinthians 2:14-17. Mamas, invite you to listen to these verses over and over through various translations and allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth and life into you today. Your Turn to Play: Have a parade with your kids! You can do it, mama! Verses from the episode: 2 Corinthians 2:15 John 14:15 Links: Redeemed for Motherhood Journal Chr...

Episode Summary: Today I am sharing a conversation with Sasha Star Robertson. We met through podcasting and she’s become one of my Connected Families Parent Coaching clients. In this conversation, we chat about the fruit of the spirit, intentional parenting, and of course, play. Sasha’s Bio: Sasha Star Robertson is an Intentional Living & Biblical Mindset Coach for moms, wife of 12 years to he...