The Christ Centered Life

As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, Derek and Lindsay discuss the question, "Is America a Christian nation?" They consider several angles of the question and review historical documents, treaties, and the founding leaders' writings to support their conclusions. They also address the question, "Why does this matter?"

In this episode, Pastors Brent Vance and Jonathan McKenzie join Derek and Lindsay to review the Southern Baptist Convention.

Derek and Lindsay aim to help parents view the sending of their grads as more than just flying the nest. It's a commissioning. Christian parents have worked to disciple their children, so why stop when it matters most? In this episode, the Allens share 4 ways to commission your graduate when the time comes for them to leave home.

In this episode of The Christ-Centered Life, Derek and Lindsay explore how Christians should think about war in light of Scripture, focusing especially on the recent conflict unfolding in Iran. Drawing from the historic Christian Just War tradition, they walk through the key biblical and ethical principles believers must consider when evaluating warfare, national defense, and the morality of armed...

A listener asked, and Derek and Lindsay responded. How should parents approach allowing kids to have and use pocket knives and other potentially dangerous tools or weapons? Derek and Lindsay share insights from their childhood and parenting experiences, along with a few concepts from Scripture to guide parents in making these decisions.

What does it take for a boy to become a man? How are moms and dads instrumental in this process? In this episode, Derek and Lindsay discuss a Christ-centered perspective on helping boys grow to become young men by identifying three main markers of maturity to look for and cultivate.

If you find yourself thinking "I went to the danger zone", you're not alone. It is easy to slip into one of these 5 danger zones as it relates to church involvement. Derek and Lindsay offer guidance on evaluating your relationship with the local church, recognizing the dangers that may be just around the corner, and taking some next steps to get back to a healthy place with the church family.

Derek and Lindsay share simple, meaningful ways to make much of Jesus this Christmas. It’s surprisingly easy to rush through the season and miss the One we’re celebrating. Don’t let the holidays leave you drained and distracted. Choose to pursue the deep joy of worship, and make this Christmas a season that truly glorifies God. Here are seven ways to get you started.

In this episode of The C2 Life, Derek and Lindsay tackle a topic that sparks curiosity and confusion: ghosts. Are they real? What does the Bible actually say? Derek explores common stories and cultural beliefs about the supernatural, then tests them against Scripture—clarifying the difference between demonic deception, the hope of the resurrection, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We also talk...

This is a unique moment in our nation. We feel its implications on our communities, our churches, and our congresspeople. Derek and Lindsay share five lessons they have learned from the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk.

In this episode, Derek and Lindsay introduce a formula that explains why the current culture is experiencing such disaster. They break down the equation and think through the proper way to address the problem from a Christ-centered worldview. The over sexualized, over-romanticized culture mixed in with the delayed responsibility and extended adolescence is resulting in catastrophe. Christian paren...

In this episode, Derek and Lindsay answer questions from the minds of the FBTC office staff. This Q&A session covers a wide range of topics, including climate change and addressing gossip within the church.

In this episode, Derek and Lindsay discuss some interesting but inaccurate Bible teachings they have heard over the years. They also provide a solid three-step process for how to discern truth when it comes to people's ideas about Scripture.

The mission field in North America is ripe unto harvest, but we need laborers! Believers in our region have a great responsibility and opportunity to see the Great Commission realized in our lifetime, but that means we all need to be intentional about using our resources and influence for the advancement of the gospel. Tune in as Derek and Lindsay discuss how the North American Mission Board is wo...

The world says someone best helps by feeling the pain with those who are hurting. Emotions are king as shared experiences take precedence over truth. Derek and Lindsay discuss this trap by looking to Scripture to guide their conversation. Where does empathy fit in our interactions with others?

In this episode, Derek and Lindsay examine the gifts of the Holy Spirit, also known as the sign gifts, evaluating what Scripture has to say and the implications for our lives today. Some believe these special gifts have ceased, while others believe they are abundant still today. Listen in to hear Derek and Lindsay's thoughts, and most importantly, the Scripture that guides their thinking.

Grief hits us all again and again throughout life. How do we face that grief in a way that points us to the hope of Christ? How do we get to the other side of the grief stronger than we were to begin with? In this episode, Derek and Lindsay share three keys to grieving with Gospel hope, along with the Scripture that helped them discover these keys.

Immigration is an issue everyone has opinions about, and we all know it's a problem. It can feel like humans are often being used as political bargaining chips for one party or the other to gain power. We can do our part at the ballot box, but what do we do during the hundreds of days between elections? How do we as Christians live in this moment? How do we reconcile obedience to law and loving ou...

Derek and Lindsay complete their series, which began with their dating story, by jumping all the way to parenting their five children. They discuss nuances that came with each addition to the family and lessons learned from being a family of seven.

Is anyone ever truly ready to become a parent? Derek and Lindsay certainly weren't! But with the support of godly mentors, trusted resources, and lots of hands-on experience, they didn’t just survive those early years — they thrived. Listen in to this episode as they recap some highlights of going from none to one.

Ever wonder what it takes to build a rock-solid marriage? What about once kids come along? Join us as we look back at the first five years of our marriage. In this episode, Derek and Lindsay share their story, the lessons they learned, and why they believe those early years were crucial in building a solid foundation on which their family could grow.

In this episode of the Christ-Centered Life, hosts Derek Allen and Lindsay Allen continue their personal story, discussing their journey from dating to engagement, including the proposal and their early marriage years. They share details about their relationship, including memorable experiences, the significance of God's grace in their marriage, and lessons learned while preparing for a lifetime t...

Derek and Lindsay discuss their dating journey, emphasizing the importance of intentionality in relationships and how their experiences shaped their marriage.

Link to the Allen Family devotional plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wkczpIXCtNJXrExjFTJPCF7ynwwFHLtR8LtRaaYbqeI/edit?tab=t.0

What are Christians to do with Mardi Gras? Is it just another way to have good, clean family fun, or is it a celebration of immorality and debauchery? Listen in as Derek and Lindsay talk about it on this episode of The C2 Life.