Heidi St John - Off The bench

Are you considering adoption? Today, Harry and Kayla Alicea join me to share their beautiful story of bringing home their daughter, Sola Grace. From writing a letter of introduction to the birth mom and finally, being chosen to raise Sola, the Alicea’s testimony is a powerful reminder that nothing is ever wasted in the hands of God. Have tissues handy and settle in with your family to hear what it’s like to walk through the adoption process from start to finish.

Have you ever considered what you will be doing after your kids are done homeschooling? For many homeschool moms, the last child to graduate creates a struggle that Steve Lambert says can be avoided if we’ll have the conversation about the next season early rather than late. Today, we’ll talk about why it’s so important to consider what you’ll do after homeschooling as well as touch on the invaluable role of a mentor in the life of a younger homeschool family. --------- Fiveinarow.com

Today we celebrate our nation’s independence from England and the freedom we have here the United States. But over the last several years, we have seen unelected bureaucrats wield power over our private health care decisions that they were never intended to have. This is wrong, and today, Heidi Hartnell from Informed Choice Washington joins me to discuss why we must engage in this battle, why it’s a different from the abortion argument, and where we go from here. --------- Informedchoicewa.org

Today more parents than ever are taking the leap away from government schooling and choosing to educate their kids at home. The concern over lost income is real; and today, homeschool work-at-home mom turned entrepreneur Kelly Harbaugh joins me to offer insight, ideas and encouragement to help you manage childcare and time constraints. It’s not as hard as you think! LINK workinghomeschooler.com

Last week a ruling from SCOTUS came down in favor of religious freedom in education funding. Within minutes, homeschoolers worried aloud if this would impact homeschooling. Today I’ll discuss this, the importance of seeking wisdom and a few other questions from listeners. LInk: SCOTUS Slaps Down Religious Bigots in Maine – PJ Media

“Fake news.” We live in a time that tends toward believing that truth is subjective, and that people can have “their truth” instead of asking, like Pilate, “What is truth?” Sadly, some Christians today seem to be comfortable with the false notion that the Bible is like any other book, and that it, too, contains errors. This is an alarming belief, because it asserts that some of the Bible is true, and some is not. Further, the notion that “There is truth, but we cannot know it” is driving people away from the concept of absolute truth, and that’s a dangerous place for Christians to be. Why? Because truth matters. God’s Word claims to be truth, in keeping with the character and omniscient nature of God. In an age of “fake news,” perhaps, we have simply gotten used to being lied to. However, the Bible stands alone without error. This essential doctrine is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. Inerrancy deserves high regard among evangelicals and has rightly earned the status of being essential to the Christian Faith. LINKS https://www.gotquestions.org/Biblical-inerrancy.html https://defendinginerrancy.com/why-is-inerrancy-important/ https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-errors.html For further study https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1011693&item_no=071584 (please link in Amazon) https://www.logos.com/free-bible-study-software

The pro-life movement saw a seismic shift in the legal landscape when on Friday, the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. Today I’ll be discussing this and two other landmark decisions handed down by the high court. It’s a great day for freedom—and now we have a reason to CELEBRATE IN THE MONTH OF JUNE! Links https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2-dozen-states-restrict-abortions-roe-v-wade-overturned-dobbs-decision https://www.foxnews.com/politics/coach-joe-kennedy-celebrates-victory-supreme-court https://pjmedia.com/culture/marktapscott/2022/06/27/high-courts-6-3-decision-for-coach-joe-is-a-warning-shot-against-faith-freedoms-foes-n1608485 List of companies that pay for employee abortions https://pjmedia.com/culture/athena-thorne/2022/06/26/from-airbnb-to-zillow-you-subsidize-abortion-when-you-patronize-these-companies-n1608175

An anonymous listener is struggling in her marriage because of a disagreement over permanent birth control. While there are no direct and easy answers to this issue, one thing is certain: God cares about children. He says they are “a blessing.” There are equally committed Christians with strong opinions on both sides of the issue, but the fact remains that the Bible does not directly address all of the moral and spiritual implications of many modern medical procedures such as vasectomy and tubal ligation. Today, I’ll be talking about what matters most, starting with protecting unity inside of marriage, especially in issues regarding children. LINKS https://disntr.com/2022/05/24/liberty-u-hires-walmart-goldman-sachs-diversity-expert-as-executive-vp-of-inclusion-diversity-equity/ https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/practical-moral-and-spiritual-implications-of-sterilization/ https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-permanent-birth-control-a-sin https://www.gotquestions.org/permanent-birth-control.html

My brother-in-law Ryan Choate is back on the show today. He is a West Point Grad and retired Major of the US Army. Today we are discussing what it looks like to be drafting women into the military. Listen in, you do not want to miss this one!

I am thrilled to have my brother-in-law, Ryan Choate, on the show today. He is a West Point Grad and Retired Major of the US Army. Ryan is joining me today to discuss the state of the military and how the cultural shift has influenced the military. Listen in, you do not want to miss this one!

Is the answer to the gun violence in our nation so-called “Red Flag” gun laws? Mark Sherwood, who was in law enforcement for over 20 years joins me to discuss.

Today I’m joined by Jessica Leveson, candidate for Missouri State House Representative District 62. Listen as Jessica talks about why she decided to get “off the bench” and engage for the sake of her community and the state of Missouri.

We are on the precipice of a new era in the US—a “post-Roe” era. Our culture is awash in the the abortion debate right now, and today, I’ll be speaking with Jennifer Hoffman about the crisis of fatherlessness, the deceptive “pro-birth” argument and what the Church must do to engage this important issue.

We are on the precipice of a new era in the US—a “post-Roe” era. Our culture is awash in the the abortion debate right now, and today, I’ll be speaking with Jennifer Hoffman about her passion to love both a mother and her baby, offering support through pregnancy and the early years of life.

Porn addiction. Strip clubs. Drugs. Sex. Today, Mark and Amber Archer, the producers of the powerful documentaries “Inwood Drive” and “The Mind Polluters” join me in-studio to talk about their amazing story of coming to faith in Christ and how it changed their lives. Mark offers insight to parents who are struggling with prodigal children as well as a clarion call to men about their invaluable role in the culture today. This is a fascinating and encouraging interview about how Jesus changes lives that you will not want to miss!

Porn addiction. Strip clubs. Drugs. Sex. Today, Mark and Amber Archer, the producers of the powerful documentaries “Inwood Drive” and “The Mind Polluters” join me in-studio to talk about their amazing story of coming to faith in Christ and how it changed their lives. This is a fascinating and encouraging interview about how Jesus changes lives that you will not want to miss!

It’s HOME FIRES FRIDAY! Today I’ll be talking about one of my favorite subjects: marriage! If you want to experience greater intimacy in marriage, or even if you’re in a great place right now, this is for you. Grab your spouse and listen in—I know you’ll be glad you did! This podcast is also on video! I’ll have images for those of you who want to watch today’s podcast.

Is your marriage struggling? Is there strife in your home that’s spilling over into your marriage? Today I’ll be answering a question from a worn-out mom who is too tired for sex. Marriage is worth fighting for, and pursuing intimacy is worth it! LINKS https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/chris-queen/2022/06/07/red-wave-watch-cnn-says-the-gop-is-in-its-best-position-since-1938-n1603727

Ultimately, the battle we are facing today is spiritual. But the Bible promises that in the end, we will have victory. Listen in, I know you'll be encouraged.

This is a very confusing time to shepherd children. Every day, I interact with parents who are struggling to navigate the turbulent waters of a culture in spiritual crisis. In five minutes on social media, you’re likely to see articles sowing seeds of confusion and doubt on anything related to Christian values. No time is this more prevalent than the month of June, which has been set aside to celebrate what God says will bring suffering and sorrow. But is the answer to “gay pride” “straight pride?” God’s Word says pride that focuses on us is never pleasing to God. The Bible teaches us that Satan is a master deceiver. From the time of Eve, the devil has been delighting in misleading human beings. Turns out that like Eve, we are easily deceived. In every generation, there are false teachers whom Satan uses to sow seeds of confusion and draw us away from the truth. Shepherding children in the midst of this can make us fearful of our sons and daughters being led astray.

Now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid.” Isaiah 43:1 I love God’s Word. It offers a calm reassurance that we are, and always have been, at the center of His Father-heart. The prophet Isaiah seems to have a window into our weary, sometimes discouraged human hearts as he shares God’s heart with us and reminds us of God’s extravagant love for His children. The echo that comes back to my heart time and time again after reading Isaiah 43:1 is simple: “All is well.” This is a great backdrop for today’s questions as one mom asked, “How can I talk to my kids about things like sex and not expose them too early to these ideas?” The answer of course, lies in knowing the truth about the One who made us.

When was the last time you paused and truly considered the privilege you have under the Gospel? As Christians, this is the ultimate privilege. Listen in today as we look at what Scripture has to say.

Have you ever had a really bad moment? A moment when you let yourself down and others who depended on you? A moment when you were not your best self? A moment that would embarrass you if others knew? Even as I type these words, I am convicted by those moments in my life. Peter had a moment like that in Luke 22. Some might say Peter was the brash disciple; he rushed in with answers and jumped out of a boat only to take his eyes off Jesus and begin to sink. Peter pledged with great boldness that he was ready to go anywhere with his friend and mentor, Jesus, even to death. But in the moment Luke 22, Peter denied not once, but three times that he even knew Jesus. Why? In part, because of fear.

How can we ensure that our families will survive and even thrive in today’s culture? Psalm One has the answers! Listen in or watch on YouTube or Rumble as I talk about it looks like to have strong roots … and strong faith.

Parents everywhere are finding a “new'' normal as they bring their kids home from public school and focus on renewing their hearts at home. Today I’ll be answering questions from parents who are still battling sexually explicit materials in classrooms, a mom who feels like she has waited “too long” to teach Biblical truth and a mom who wants to keep working while homeschooling. You can do it!