The Session with Tom Russell

With all the activity and stress during this time of year, it's easy to get down.  But there is hope, with a little effort on your part.  Remember - we serve a big God who knows and understands!  Take your burden to Him! Ball State University’s Counseling Center released 10 ways to beat the holiday blues. Lower your expectations and accept that no holiday gathering is perfect Make a holiday b...

As only Tom and Scott can do, they take what was supposed to be a one week episode, and have to turn it in to two.  The full notes are here from both episodes.  If you have a topic you would like us to cover, please email scott@risefmohio.com. The Session: 5 Tips for Becoming a Blended Family Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the...

As only Tom and Scott can do, they take what was supposed to be a one week episode, and have to turn it in to two.  The full notes are here, and will be repeated on next week's episode. The Session: 5 Tips for Becoming a Blended Family Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to so...

Raw Emotions, a Look at Managing the Step Family. Five Important Emotions That Are Common In Step Family Living Luke 1:34-35 And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Fir...

Every family struggles with it.  You want to attend church as a family, but there's soccer practice, summer leagues, mid-week practices & more to pull your kids and family out of church.  How do you strike a balance? The Session:  Managing Sports in the Christian Family 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 says “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? FOLLOW THE...

To trick or treat or not to trick or treat...THAT is the question!  Well, not really, but you get the idea.  How can we be Christians and still do (or should we do) Halloween? The Session:  A Christian view of Halloween Proverbs 4:25-27   Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  Do not...

In this episode, Scott & Tom talk about the unique challenges a Pastor's spouse face.  As you think about how to honor your Pastor this Pastor Appreciation Month, consider how you can  support your Pastor's spouse. The Session:  Helping the Pastor’s Spouse   Lord of peace, may You give our pastor(s) and their families peace at all times and in every way (2 Thess. 3:16).   Support you...

We are continuing our celebration of Pastor Appreciation Month on the Session with this episode's 3 Essential Keys to Thrive in Ministry.  If you have an idea for a topic for us to discuss, please email scott@risefmohio.com! 3 Essential Keys to Thrive in Ministry from Loganleadership.com A vital relationship with God The first key is, Who’s helping you explore this? ·  Where do you experience...

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  To celebrate, we bring back a classic episode from 2021, 5 Ways to Support Your Pastor.  We also have ideas for how you can celebrate Pastors at https://www.risefmohio.com The Session:  5 Ways to Support Your Pastor  Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account....

Disclaimer: In this episode, we talk about the loss of a spouse or child.  You may want to distract little ears with this episode. 5 Ways to Love Your Spouse After a Deep Loss Alicia Searl Contributing Writer   crosswalk.com As I write this, I look up into a beautiful, picturesque landscape. My heart needed this. My soul needed this. I needed a space to breathe, to absorb all that had taken place...

In the last episode, we unpacked what TO do as you parent an adult child who's an addict.  In this episode, we flip it around, and share what NOT to do.  You'll see notes for both episodes here. The Session:  Parenting The Adult Addicted Child   II Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." From Mountainside.com What TO Do  (BOLD lines...

We never know how long an episode of the Session will run.  Sometimes, we dig deep enough into a topic that it requires more than 1 episode.  That's the case with this topic.  It's split right down the middle.  We talk about the things TO do when parenting the adult child that's an adict.  We'll cover the flip side in the next episode. You'll see notes for both episodes he...

It's a first of the school year tradition on The Session.  A reminder to parents about the signs of bullying.  We even briefly discuss what to do if you find your child is the bully! The Session:  7 Christian Tips for Dealing with Bullying by CRYSTAL MCDOWELL   Psalm 138:7   Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; wi...

There's at least one family in every church, maybe more.  One of their children has "left their faith".  Some would call them "the prodigal".  No matter what you call it, there is hope!  And that's what we are sharing today. The Session: 5 Ways to Maintain a Relationship with a Child Who Has Left the Faith From Michelle S. Lazurek   Romans 8:38-39    (Parents, Rest As...

How is it that teenagers seem to be able to stay up until all hours?  It's NOT a good thing.  This week, we talk about why on The Session.   Psalm 4:8:  In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.   From Health Day.com: Studies shows that if you can get teens to go to bed earlier, they will increase their time asleep by 41 minutes for each additional hour...

How do our kids learn how to behave around the opposite sex?  How do you as a parent develop a strong relationship with your child?  The Mother-Son/Daddy-Daughter Date!   Proverbs 1:8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching;   A Mothers Love for Her Son · Love is patient even when explaining the same thing for the hundredth time. · Love is kind when family...

In this episode from earlier this year, Tom & Scott welcome in Jeff & Donna Heck.  Together they discuss a hard topic, suicide.  33 Forever is a non-profit created by Jeff & Donna Heck, after their 33-year old daughter, Dani, committed suicide.  They connect people fighting with depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health issues with the care they need.  On today's episo...

Whether you are sending your kids to college, to marriage, or to life, this episode can help.  Tom & Scott also discuss the obvious question...how long do you wait before turning their room into a man cave?   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10   Breathe.  Seriously. Inhale and exhale. Take a moment. Grab some quiet time. Saying goodbye for the first time is...

In this "best of" episode from 2019, there's a new sheriff in town, and he says there are ways to behave on the hiway of communication in your marriage.  There are rules of the road to keep the lanes of communication open.  Tom (the sheriff) & Scott (Barney Fife to Tom's Sheriff Andy Taylor) talk about the importance of keeping the lanes of communication open in your marria...

Exercise, A Definite Treatment For Depression and Anxiety  (aka how to put Tom out of business) Is Scott really trying to put Tom out of business by discussing how exercise can replace therapy as a treatment for depression and anxiety?  You decide.     Matthew 6:33   But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   Research by the University of South A...

The Session:  Having a sense of purpose may have an impact on teens emotional well being.  (aka the "DUH" show)   Study by UI indicates a sense of purpose may have significant impact on teens, emotional well-being   Jeremiah 29: 11-13   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. Then you will ca...

Why Should We Protect Our Christian Heritage? This 4th of July, let's celebrate not only our freedom as a nation, but our freedom in Christ. Isaiah 61:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Most Founders appear to have been orthodox (or “right-believing”) Christians. Most were baptized, listed on chu...

Burnout - Exhausted, Too Pooped to Pop, Wiped Out, Lost Your "Umph".  However you describe it, burnout is a real thing.  This week, we help you get your Get-Up-And-Go back.   Jeremiah 31:25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.   Burn out is a psychological syndrome, emerging as a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job. Three key symptoms are overwhelm...

Burnout - Fried, Wiped Out, Exhausted, Too Pooped to Pop, My Get-Up-And-Go has Got-Up-And-Went...however you want to say it, burnout is a real thing!   Jeremiah 31:25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.   Burn out is a psychological syndrome, emerging as a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job. Three key symptoms are overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynic...

Connecting With Your Family. Taken From Five Out-Of-The-Box Ways To Connect As A Family By All Pro Dads And Proverbs 31 Deuteronomy 6:4-9  Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be on your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your chil...