What if instead of fighting our family, we fought FOR our family? This is the charge Chris and Julie Bennett are putting in front of us. That sounds like something we want to do, but how do we practically implement it?
The Bennetts give us practical ways to implement grace, forgiveness, and hope into our relationships with our children, our spouse, and those we bring into our family fold. Family is about belonging - so our aim is to create a place of honesty, safety, and grace. Chris and Julie speak from a lifetime of fighting for their family together.
If you are needing both some inspiration and practical help today, this conversation is for you. The world hands us a lot to deal with, especially in midlife. We don't have to fight with those we love, as much as we have to fight for a family culture that demonstrates wild love.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHRIS & JULIE BENNETT
Chris & Julie's - website
Chris Bennett's - Instagram
Julie Bennett's - Instagram
Chris and Julie's book- Fighting For Family
A FEW THINGS MENTIONED
The chosen - Tv show
1 peter 1:23- Imperishable seed
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE
- What would it look like to fight for your family in this season, rather than fight with your family?
- Think of someone in your life who seems particularly complicated, how can you embrace them in their complexity?
- Who or what do you need to forgive?
- What prayer can you craft for your children to pray over them consistently?
LET’S CONNECT!
Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend.
Or message us on Instagram – we’d love to hear from you!
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Have you ever asked the question, "Does anyone like me?" Maybe people used to like you, but you are wondering if they do now. Or maybe your son or daughter is asking that question.
Few admit they have these thoughts, and even less talk about them out loud. We're changing that! Today on the podcast we are discussing the topic of feeling liked and building friendships. We explore the middle school mentality that often resurfaces in adulthood, the impact of transitions on confidence, and the transfer of insecurities from failed relationships.
You will learn how many hours it takes to build a new friendship and what we can do to open ourselves up to new relationships.
Midlife can shift our friendships - we're here to help!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SARAH
Website: sarahbragg.com
Instagram: sarahwbragg
Sarah's Book- Is Everyone Happier Than Me?
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The middle school mentality of questioning whether people like us often resurfaces in adulthood, especially during times of transition.
- Being introspective and self-aware can help us recognize and address our insecurities and negative patterns of thinking.
- Building friendships takes time, with casual friendships requiring 40-60 hours, and deeper friendships requiring over 200 hours of quality time together.
- Being open to new friendships, even on a casual level, can lead to meaningful connections and a sense of belonging.
- Noticing the good in ourselves and approaching relationships with curiosity and compassion can enhance our ability to build and maintain friendships.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE
- Has there been a season or circumstance where you have been more prone to feeling like no one likes you?
- How could you focus on showing how much you enjoy others around you today, rather than focus on how others feel about you?
- What are some qualities you have that make you a good friend?
- How could you convey a posture of openness to others around you today as you are out in the world?
Molly Stillman's story is not all laughter and fun. She lost her mother at an early age. But it was watching her parents maneuver through hardship with levity and humor that modeled to her that life is always a combination of good and hard. Through their story and her own - Molly offers concrete examples of how taking ourselves and our circumstances too seriously can rob of us the joy that is also available.
In this episode, Molly emphasizes the importance of the human experience in balancing joy and pain. Whether it's cracking a joke to break tension in a moment or realigning what is important when details of life surprise us, you will be encouraged that in your disappointment, frustration, or grief, you can have a lens of holding everything with lightness. God's plan is always at work. We can allow laughter and levity in to places and moments that need the reminder that there is still good news and goodness in our days.
Connect with Molly
Molly's Book: If I don't laugh, I will cry
A few things mentioned on the show
Questions to Help You Rise
- What kind of humor do yo enjoy?
- What is your natural response when faced with a stressful situation?
- How could you add some levity to your responses?
- What could you incorporate to your life to bring more lightness?
- In what relationship do you need to add some humor, some play, or levity?
Do you fear artificial intelligence (AI)? or augmented reality (AR)? Do you wonder what is going to happen if we, as a culture, transition to using these technologies more and more?
We wonder that too. That's why we decided to have Jen Richey on the podcast. Jen is the Chief Strategy Officer of Gravity Jack, Inc. an augmented and virtual reality company. She is also a committed Christian who is striving to use their technology to further the gospel message in the world.
In this conversation, Jen helps us define artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) and how they can be used as tools. Most notably, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations and biases of AI and the need to be discerning when using AI tools (this was an especially surprising part).
Jen also shares her personal journey with technology and how her faith has influenced her work in the tech industry. She encourages all of us to approach technology with wisdom and to find ways to do our creative best to use it for the Kingdom purposes.
You will walk away from this episode less fearful of technology and more inspired to use it for good!
Find out more about Jen Richey
on LinkedIn
follow on Instagram
or check out her website gravityjack.com
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
War Tribe of Benyamin AR game
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE
What new insight did you discover about AI or AR after listening to this episode?
In what way have you allowed fear to root inside of you surrounding technology?
What action do you feel led to take after listening to this episode?
What good could you bring to the world using technology?