The Session with Tom Russell

View the complete article from our discussion at The 5 Most Important Issues Christian Families Face - Beliefnet We WILL get through this in this episode!  Promise! 1. Divorce We’ve all read the statistics. Divorce rates have steadily increased over the past few decades, and splitting up is more commonplace and acceptable than ever before—sometimes even applauded. With the shrinking of religious t...

View the complete article from our discussion at The 5 Most Important Issues Christian Families Face - Beliefnet We won't get through all of this article in this episode.  Make sure you join us next time for the conclusion! 1. Divorce We’ve all read the statistics. Divorce rates have steadily increased over the past few decades, and splitting up is more commonplace and acceptable than ever be...

The Session:  Helping Aging Parents-Part 2 of 2 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12) It is a biblical mandate to honor elderly loved ones. Honoring parents is a way to love others as yourself and to love God. Prayer and meditation Prayer and meditating on Scripture can provide comfort, wisdom, and protecti...

The Session:  Helping Aging Parents-Part 1 of 2 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12) It is a biblical mandate to honor elderly loved ones. Honoring parents is a way to love others as yourself and to love God. Prayer and meditation Prayer and meditating on Scripture can provide comfort, wisdom, and protecti...

Did you make a New Year's resolution?  According to research, most resolutions have already been broken.  If that's you, don't give up!  Tom & Scott have a way to get you back on track! The Session: Goal Setting & Research Scripture: Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” 1.   SMART = Specific Measurable Vision Action Plan Who,...

This episode is going to be a bit different.  Rather than cover a heavy topic on this week of Christmas, we decided to talk about our favorite characters in the Biblical Christmas story, and some of our favorite movies/programs and other characters outside of the Biblical account.   Luke 2:7: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son,  and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger,...

You might recognize this episode from earlier this year.  As we looked back, it seemed like an important topic that doesn't get talked about enough.  Maybe a sub title would be, "Journaling....it's not just for 12 year-old girls anymore".  See what you think... The Session:  Journaling, A Helpful Treatment Strategy   Psalm 119:27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,...

Ahhh....young love.  Remember that first broken heart you had?  Your kids will experience that for sure.  It's how we help them as parents that can help them cope.  That's what we cover in this episode. The Session:  Helping Teens Navigate Through The Tumultuous Teen Years And Dating…or, how to help your teen heal a broken heart… Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But...

What started as an idea for one episode covering the 3 Fuels of Anger has now become....3????  We WILL wrap this up today!  Criss cross applesauce promise!   The Session:  The 3 Fuels of Anger Ecclesiastes 7:9   Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 1. Fear Those things that we fear in life also fuel our anger. A good example when I was a school teacher...

What started as an idea for one episode covering the 3 Fuels of Anger has become 2 episodes.  We hope it won't anger you if we stretch it to 3..... The Session:  The 3 Fuels of Anger Ecclesiastes 7:9   Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 1. Fear Those things that we fear in life also fuel our anger. A good example when I was a school teacher I als...

What started as an idea for one episode covering the 3 Fuels of Anger has become 2 episodes, with Scott pouring out his anger issues for you and Tom to sort out.  Who's bright idea was this? The Session:  The 3 Fuels of Anger Ecclesiastes 7:9   Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 1. Fear Those things that we fear in life also fuel our anger. A goo...

The Session: The Power of Extending & Receiving Grace Ephesians 2:8  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…” The Impact of Receiving Grace What are the benefits of grace to Christian? Dr. Gregory Jantz wrote, “But grace is much more than just erasing the past; it is about writing the future. That’s because when we are free...

Sorry, no show notes for this one.  This is the first of a two-episode conversation I had with my daughter, Erin about her daughter, Allison.  My hope is that our conversation raises awareness about just how truly beautiful and special kids with exceptionalities are, and that they have a role in our world today. To reach Tom Russell, visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofma...

Sorry, no show notes for this one.  This is the first of a two-episode conversation I had with my daughter, Erin about her daughter, Allison.  My hope is that our conversation raises awareness about just how truly beautiful and special kids with exceptionalities are, and that they have a role in our world today. To reach Tom Russell, visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofma...

The Session: How We Are Different Because of Faith And 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 seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) We Will be More Confident The writer of Hebrews 11:1-2 explains faith like this, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what th...

School's been in session for a bit, maybe you're noticing some changes in your child.  Maybe their teacher is telling you about some behavioral issue.  It could be Attention Deficit Disorder, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  In this episode, Tom & Scott talk about some symptoms and possible treatments. The Session:  AAD/ADHD SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT Romans 5:4-5, “Sufferin...

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  In this episode, Tom & Scott share some ideas on how to bless your Pastor (AND their families) this October...and really, all year! The Session:  Pastor Appreciation Month 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (NIV): “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the h...

Here's your first reminder!  Pastor Appreciation Month is just a couple weeks away!  As you think about how to honor the Pastors (AND their families) in your church, Tom & Scott talk about some alarming statistics about why it's important to honor those who serve the Lord and teach you. The Session: The Pastoral Grind Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart for it is th...

Screen Time.  It's become the age-old fight of the home.  But how much screen time is really appropriate and healthy for our kids?  Tom and Scott talk through that in this episode. The Session:  Screen Time and Our Kids     Based on an article from Fox News Aug. 11, by Melissa Rudy That’s according to a recent Denmark study led by Dr. Jesper Schmidt-Persson from the University of Southern Den...

National Grief Awareness Day is August 30, so on this episode, we talk in some detail about grief.  What causes it, how to handle it in a productive way, and some possible therapies that might help. The Session: National Grief Awareness Day (Aug. 30) II Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our...

The Session: Preparing Your Children For The School Year With Maslow’s Heiarchy as a Guide, from Simon & Schuster Matthew 19:14  "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'" Scott’s question:  Does this work for home schoolers as well as traditional students? Who is Maslow? Abraham Maslow was...

The Session: National Grief Awareness Day (Aug. 30)  We honor this day with a conversation about dealing with grief, and the 5 stages of grief. II Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which...

In this "retro" episode from 2022, Tom & Scott look at a tough topic as school starts...bullying.  How do you know if your child is a victim?  How do you if your child IS a bully?  We talk through it. Scripture We should treat others the way we would like to be treated (Luke 6:31).   Definition:  Bullying occurs between two students who have different degrees of power. Researchers wh...

The Session: Role models-who are/were your role models?  Who do/did you look up to?  What characteristics led you to make them a role model?  We sort that out in this episode!   Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, (Titus 2:7)   Characteristics of Jesus, Leadership · Compassion Jesus demonstrated compassion in all interactions and...

The Session: The Impact of Anxiety on our brains and bodies   Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. · Mental Anxiety can cause feelings of dread, fear, panic, or uneasiness. It can also lead to difficulty concentrating, irritability, and a sense of detachment from yourself or the world. People with anxiety may also have o...