Audio Library

This episode introduces the start of a series called "The ABCs of Parenting," focusing initially on principles A through F. The hosts, Dr. Steve and Dr. Rebecca Wilkey, introduce the first principle: Acceptance. The discussion also includes insights from a Barna Group survey revealing that the majority of parents (80%) do not prioritize faith as one of the most important outcomes for their children. The hosts recommend external resources, including Gary Thomas’s book Sacred Parenting, which suggests that parenting is a process God uses to make the parent holy, and books on Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.

The discussion continues the parenting series, beginning with a quick review of A (Acceptance), B (Boundaries), and C (Character). Resources mentioned for these topics include John MacArthur’s What the Bible Says About Parenting and Cloud and Townsend's boundary books. The main focus shifts to D, E, and F. The concept of Education (E) is explored, emphasizing that it should start with spiritual principles, referencing Deuteronomy 6:6-7. The educational process should also involve exposing children to the world to help them discover different things. Resources are recommended for parenting teenagers and understanding multiple intelligences, such as Thomas Armstrong's books. The hosts promise that the next show will focus on how to become an expert in your child.

This installment focuses specifically on the concept of "How to be an expert in your child". The parent's primary responsibility is to understand each child's unique gifts, characteristics, and attributes, rather than treating them as a group. This discussion is framed around the academic theory of Multiple Intelligences. Seven distinct areas of intelligence are outlined, emphasizing that competence extends beyond traditional book smarts. These intelligences include Linguistic (word smarts), Logical Mathematical (logic smart), Spatial, Musical (music smart), Bodily Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal. Parents are encouraged to develop these strengths, using resources like Thomas Armstrong's Seven Kinds of Smart.

This episode covers principles H, I, and J in the parenting series. The principle H is High Expectations, which the hosts note must be held in balance. I is Independence, defined as freedom from dependence upon others or a spirit of self-reliance, which parents should strive to teach their children. The hosts briefly mention the importance of two-person involvement in parenting.

The discussion focuses on K, L, and M of the parenting alphabet. K is Kindness, an essential skill that parents must teach, starting by being kind to themselves (a concept rooted in biblical self-love). L is Listening, which requires active application in all areas of life. M is Meaning and Purpose, stressing that children need to understand they possess both. Four core qualities necessary for a meaningful life are identified: the opportunity to be loved and to love, and the need to feel secure and significant. The hosts reference Dr. James Dobson's book Parenting Isn't for Cowards, acknowledging that parenting is hard and often frustrating work.

Dr. Steve Wilkey speaks with guest Pastor Dennis Keading about Confident Decision Making. The central framework is understanding God’s will in three dimensions: Sovereign Will, Moral Will, and Individual Will. Key specific elements of God’s moral will discussed are salvation (reconciling oneself with God) and sexual purity. The purpose of the discussion is to help listeners gain clarity and remove obstacles (filters) that prevent them from understanding God's will.

This episode, featuring Pastor Dennis Keading, explores the role of faith in family and daily living. Faith is defined as taking God at his word and acting accordingly. Since faith requires knowledge, the Word of God is discussed as inspired, inherent, and authoritative. Dr. Wilkey identifies a man's three primary family roles as prophet, priest, and king, and Pastor Keading asserts that male leadership is predicated upon a commitment to serve the household. For women, the focus should first be on their relationship with God, followed by roles related to her husband and being a worker at home, subjugating other activities to the family calling.

Dr. Steve and Dr. Rebecca Wilkey host Dr. Ron Jensen to discuss Finding the Balance in conflict resolution. Conflict is viewed not as an intruder but as a natural tension that accompanies achievement and success. Dr. Jensen shares his 12 Steps to Conflict Resolution. The principles include learning to embrace and resolve conflict, addressing anger, and seeking understanding, not victory. The most important step is identified as seeking and granting forgiveness. Forgiveness is characterized by three actions: not dwelling on the offense, avoiding gossip, and not bringing it up to the person again.

Dr. Steve Wilkey and Pastor Dennis Keading explore Foundations in Faith and its impact on spiritual and psychological well-being. Pastor Keading reiterates that faith is acting upon the understanding of God's Word. The lack of knowledge of God's Word (low "Spiritual Quotient" or SQ) is considered a fundamental problem underlying emotional and psychological issues. The local church is presented as a crucial resource for teaching scripture, mentoring, and providing resources for family struggles and addictions.

Dr. Steve Wilkey and Dr. Ron Jensen discuss Jensen’s book, "Glow-in-the-dark," co-authored with Dr. Bill Bright. The book focuses on strategies for becoming a "light in a dark world" and positively impacting the culture. The legacy of Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (which includes ministries like the Jesus film and Family Life), is highlighted. One core strategy for "glowing" is "learning to see in the dark," which involves thinking biblically and adhering to absolute truths found in the Word of God (illustrated by the lighthouse analogy).

Pastor Dennis Keading and Dr. Steve Wilkey discuss the subject "God I Don't Get It," using the questions posed by the prophet Habakkuk (three chapters) to address contemporary life struggles. The core questions wrestled with are: "God, I don't get it," "God, that's not fair," and "God, they're getting away with murder". God's answer is summarized as a command to trust that He has a plan, even if it is not understood or seems unfair, and that the righteous must live by faith. The hosts assert that spiritual health and emotional health are interconnected.

This episode provides Seven Strategies for a Successful School Year. Key strategies include being Stress-free; establishing consistent Study habits and daily routines; and promoting a child’s unique Multiple Intelligences/Gifts. Parents are encouraged to be a child’s advocate at school. Success requires a clear strategy, commitment, buy-in from all parents, and accountability. An eighth, highly important bonus strategy is Sleep, with specific minimum requirements given for children ages 3-18.

Dr. Steve Wilkey and Pastor Dennis Keading discuss the Highlights of Heaven, advocating for the importance of having an eternal perspective in daily life. Pastor Keading explains that the spiritual dimension is the basis for wholeness in every dimension. The conversation addresses fundamental questions about heaven: how we know it exists, what the scriptures say about its nature, and the promise of new life, emphasizing that departing this life is "going to a better place".

This special replay addresses Holiday Blues, confirming that this condition is real. The roots of holiday blues include media pressure, unresolved family issues (family of origin), grief, and life transitions. The hosts recommend that listeners maintain a positive perspective and offer two of their self-authored books as resources: Dealing with Depression and Answers to Anxiety.

This special "Moms in Touch Connection" features Founder and President Fern Nichols discussing how to make a difference in children's schools through prayer. Nichols shares that Moms in Touch International (MIT) began 21 years prior when she sought a prayer partner for her sons attending junior high. MIT is now worldwide, thriving in 15-20 countries. The prayer format involves four life-changing prayers: Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Intercession. Nichols stresses that MIT helps mothers with their personal spiritual development ("personal before it is parental").

Pastor Dennis Keading and Dr. Steve Wilkey tackle How to Manage Money, Marriage, and a Merry Christmas. Financial issues are often the primary source of marital stress, related to character flaws and a lack of contentment. Regarding holiday gift giving, the goal should be intentionality and purpose. The Wise Men's gifts to Christ are cited as a model of intentional gift giving. The hosts provide six summarized principles for navigating the holidays, emphasizing finding joy in giving oneself away (selflessness). They acknowledge that stress and conflict are normal (not pathology) and that a biblical mindset promotes positively responding to stress (ustress).

Dr. Ron Jensen presents Maximizers: 10 principles to both successful and significant living. The discussion differentiates Success (achieving objectives/power) from Significance (leaving a legacy/investing in people). The principles are faith-based but applicable in secular settings. The 10 principles forming the MAXIMIZERS acrostic include: Make things happen (M), Achieve personal significance (A), X out the negatives (X), Internalize right principles (I), March to a mission (M), Integrate all of life (I), Zero in on caring for people (Z), Energize internally (E), Realign rigorously (R), and Stay the course (S).

In this candid discussion, Pastor Dennis Keading shares his musings on his personal faith journey (specifically studying the letter to the Hebrews), the church, and Christian living. Keading emphasizes that the church's purpose is to be people who teach God's word and mentor one another. His church offers eight different worship styles (classic, blended, Resonate), all committed to substance and explanatory preaching (teaching the scripture). He also addresses the unrealistic expectations people have of pastors, noting that pastors are imperfect people who need accountability and should not be compared to others.

The hosts explore Core Matters: Why Relationships Should Be the Center of Your Universe, focusing on the question, Where Does Love Begin. They contrast Webster’s dictionary definition of love (tender affection and concern for the well-being of others) with popular culture's definition (hormones/passion without responsibility). True love is defined by 1 Corinthians 13 (love in action and unconditional love). The importance of communication is stressed, ranking Face-to-face as best, followed by phone call, voicemail, and email (worst for sensitive issues). The foundation of strong relationships is a firm grasp of self-identity (who we are as men and women).

This segment focuses on the basics of Romance 101. Dr. Rebecca Wilkey stresses that working on romance is vital at all stages of a relationship, not just regulated to certain times. The main obstacle discussed is unrealistic expectations that couples bring into the relationship, often learned from observing parents. The hosts mention that many resources exist to help define appropriate expectations for partners (books, counselors, pastors, seminars).

Dr. Steve Wilkey interviews author Gary Thomas about his book Sacred Parenting. The book’s core thesis is that marriage and parenting are processes God uses primarily to make the parent holy (more like Christ), not necessarily happy. Parenting exposes the parents’ sin and limitations, forcing them to model humility and seek forgiveness from their children when they make mistakes. Thomas emphasizes that following one singular parenting plan is a "disaster," as every child has a unique temperament and gift set.

Gary Thomas joins Dr. Steve Wilkey to discuss the various Seasons of Marriage. Thomas stresses that marriage is a long process that involves going through agonizing, frustrating, yet fulfilling seasons (e.g., seasons of silence, empty nest, menopause). The purpose of these seasons is transformation and building spiritual maturity. The hosts confirm that the primary goal of marriage is holiness, with happiness being secondary and a natural byproduct of holiness.

This episode discusses the topic of Christmas: All or Nothing, addressing the conflict between the holiday's secularization/materialism and liberal attempts to remove religious aspects. The hosts briefly touch on the history and traditions of Christmas.

Dr. Steve Wilkey interviews Gary Thomas about the concept of Soul to Sole (S.O.U.L. to S.O.L.E.). Thomas challenges the popular cultural belief in a singular "soulmate," noting that this notion often leads to unrealistic expectations in marriage. He advocates that committed love, not romantic high, is the foundation of a lasting relationship, quoting a Bono lyric: "I could never take a chance of risking love to find romance". He reiterates the subtitle of his book Sacred Marriage: God designed marriage to make us holy, not happy.

Pastor Dennis Keading and Dr. Steve Wilkey discuss Surviving a Shipwreck (experiencing failure or crisis). Keading argues that failure is not terminal but an opportunity to succeed. Based on the Apostle Paul's experience in Acts 27, five principles are offered: 1. Develop a trusting relationship before any storm hits (finding community). 2. Seek experienced advice on how to avoid storms (and listen/act on it). 3. Find encouragement in the midst of a storm (focus on the positive, affirm God’s plan).

Dr. Ron Jensen presents Taking the Lead, offering 10 leadership principles based on the New Testament's healthiest church, Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12). Leaders should be biblically assertive. The 10 principles include: 1. Team Orientation 2. Disciplined Life 3. Gentleness (like a nursing mother) 4. Fond Affection (appropriate expression of love) 5. Effective Communication 6. Personal Openness 7. Servant Leadership 8. Hard Work 9. Godly Role Models 10. Caring Confrontation (like a father who exhorts, encourages, and implores)

This episode introduces staff members Pastor Randy Armstrong and Marriage and Family Therapist Linda Armstrong. Linda discusses that counselors inevitably bring their personal values and experiences into sessions, aiming to clarify issues without imposing solutions. Pastor Randy emphasizes that life satisfaction begins with one’s relationship with God. The difference between pastoral counseling (often focusing on spiritual guidance/discipleship) and clinical counseling (needed for deeper injuries that require professional expertise) is explored. Crucially, the counselor must first demonstrate biblical self-love to serve effectively ("I will only be able to give what I have inside").

The conversation continues with the Armstrongs, focusing on the practicalities of counseling. The core message is that all people, including ministry leaders, are fallen creatures, and recognizing this is the necessary starting point for growth. Linda notes that counseling sessions are flexible and that help for issues like anxiety, depression, and abuse is available. The breakdown of the family unit is identified as the root of many cultural problems. Randy offers encouragement rooted in being "forgiven from" and "delivered to" a magnanimous future. Linda’s advice is to take the first step towards getting help, as the most important hour (the one that leads to change) is worth the cost.

Co-hosted initially by Dana Sturgeon, this show centers on The Passion Week (Good Friday to Easter) and the spiritual significance of the resurrection. The Christian faith is presented as the foundation for addressing problems of living, as it answers questions of identity, purpose, and eternity. The hosts and Dana Sturgeon encourage listeners to take a spiritual inventory and remove distractions that keep them from God's will. Dana uses the analogy of the Israelites moving from Egyptian bondage to the wilderness (sanctification) to the promised land (glorification), urging listeners to claim the freedom Christ provides. Pastor Dennis Keading recommends reading Matthew 21-28 for the story of Passion Week.

Pastor Dennis Keading discusses The Power of your Words in marital, parental, and professional relationships. Destructive words can only be overcome by allowing the Holy Spirit to control our response, leading to supernatural responses instead of human reactions. The scriptures emphasize the unique, powerful role of a father's words in the life of his children. Gossip is defined as talking about a person's faults to people who are neither part of the problem nor the solution. Gossip is destructive because it maligns people and is often driven by the desire for power (information). The solution to misuse of the tongue must come from the heart.

Dr. Ron Jensen discusses The Tight Rope of Life: Balances Everything, focusing on integrating life. He shares his framework of the Seven Fs, covering Faith, Family, Fitness (spiritual, emotional, and physical), and Friendship. The hosts emphasize that personal fulfillment requires practicing appropriate self-love (self-care). This is discussed in contrast to selfishness/narcissism, noting that women often struggle with self-care due to sacrificial roles. The show concludes by stressing that the goal is leaving a legacy in the future.

The topic is Time Travel: Past, Present, and Future, encouraging listeners to take a personal inventory of their lives. The past involves researching family history (genealogy) to identify patterns like substance abuse. If family members are abusive or resistant to sharing information, seeking a professional mentor, coach, or counselor is advised. The present focuses on giving the gift of relationship (effort and concern) and addressing the boundary between self-care and selfishness. The future is about leaving a legacy and having hope centered in the Lord.

Dr. Ron Jensen shares his acrostic for Unity: United We Stand, Divided We Fall, based on the 173 "one another" passages in the Bible. The five principles forming the UNITY acrostic are: 1. U: Uplift one another (using appreciation and compliments). 2. N: Need one another. 3. I: Intimately relate to one another. 4. T: Trust one another (avoiding gossip and cutting slack). 5. Y: Yield to one another. The discussion also addresses the balance needed between having a positive attitude and being a critical thinker when engaging in issues of diversity and tolerance.

Dr. Steve and Dr. Rebecca Wilkey discuss What to do about Conflict at Christmas (handling family feuds). They address common holiday conflicts related to kids, boundaries, and finances. The hosts provide a review of Dr. Ron Jensen's 12 Steps to Conflict Resolution as a practical solution. Emphasis is placed on the importance of seeking and granting forgiveness (whether the person deserves it or not, for one's own physical and emotional health), and dealing with conflict personally (not publicly).

Dr. Ron Jensen focuses on stress management and finding your center on What to do on a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. The hosts discuss the common struggle women face in balancing their multiple roles (wife, mother, professional) and meeting the demands of biblical womanhood (Titus 2). Jensen advocates that one should live life based on non-negotiable values rather than external priorities (which lead to a scattered life driven by the urgent). The marriage is the center of the family, with vocation ranked fourth in importance, helping to resolve the question of "greed versus need".

The episode offers guidance on What to do with your Children this Summer. Key recommendations include setting a schedule, strategically managing TV and computer time, and planning activities (e.g., family discussions, outdoor activities, canoeing). The hosts stress that quality time is more important than quantity. Parents are encouraged to utilize resources like Focus on the Family. The underlying message is that all summer activities should be used to build relationship with the spouse first, and then the children, as relationship is the center of the universe..

The hosts explore Core Matters: Why Relationships Should Be the Center of Your Universe, focusing on the question, Where Does Love Begin. They contrast Webster’s dictionary definition of love (tender affection and concern for the well-being of others) with popular culture's definition (hormones/passion without responsibility). True love is defined by 1 Corinthians 13 (love in action and unconditional love). The importance of communication is stressed, ranking Face-to-face as best, followed by phone call, voicemail, and email (worst for sensitive issues). The foundation of strong relationships is a firm grasp of self-identity (who we are as men and women).