Pardon the Mess with Courtney DeFeo - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

Can I be honest for a quick second?  If anyone should have a podcast that talks about parenting, it’s sweet Dorothy Wilkinson (a.k.a. my mom). She’s kind, she’s funny, she’s the best cook around, and she loves Jesus and her family like few others.  Thankfully, today she’s making her debut appearance on Pardon the Mess, and let’s just say you’re going to walk away wanting more Dorothy and less Cynthia. 🤪 As we’re praying for our kids to be marked by the Nativity this week, my mom talks about using the living room Nativity to talk about Jesus with our kids. She also encourages us to pray boldly for our kids to have a faith like Mary and a spirit that seeks Jesus like the wise men.  And then, of course, she shares a fairly embarrassing story from my childhood involving a small mix-up in the McDonald’s drive–through.  I couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to my mom today. Join us to pray for our kids!Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It may be hard to believe that one of the greatest Christian apologists of our time grew up in a home with an alcoholic father, suffered sexual abuse as a child, and made it his life’s goal to disprove Christianity in college.  It’s clear that the only explanation for Josh McDowell’s incredible impact is the Lord’s hand. What a great honor it is to have him with us on Pardon the Mess today. His work with Campus Crusade, as well as his books, have had a tremendous impact on my own life, and I know so many of you feel the same way.  Josh talks with us about the importance of teaching our kids how to defend their faith because a faith without conviction will not be sustainable in this culture. He walks us through the practical steps of addressing their hard questions while keeping an open dialogue in our conversations.  But I think my favorite part of the interview is when Josh shared this truth he’s learned over his many years of mentoring college kids through Campus Crusade: rules without relationship leads to rebellion. We can all chew on that for a good while.  Josh McDowell has addressed more than 46 million people, giving talks in 139 countries. He’s written or co-authored over 150 books, including More than a Carpenter, with over 27 million copies distributed, and Evidence that Demands a Verdict, which was named one of the twentieth century’s top forty books.  Today he’s with us, and you don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear his wisdom.Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If there’s anything we need these days, it’s some good news.  Can I get an amen?    Some days I find myself mindlessly searching online for some hint of good news in the midst of all the hard.   I love how Luke 2:10 very simply reminds us that the birth of Jesus is our good news.  “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” —Luke 2:10 NIV Vaccines and good health are blessings we will never again take for granted, but the only lasting good news comes from the baby born in a manger all those years ago.  This week we’re praying our kids are marked by joy, which is especially fitting as we celebrate Christmas.  My friend Jonathan Pitts is joining us with encouragement on how to find joy in the midst of hardship. Losing his wife unexpectedly two years ago, he shares with us the “choice” in joy and how that guides him in parenting their four daughters.   Jesus is the only good news we need today.  Let’s have abundant joy as we celebrate Christmas and pray the same for our kids. Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I don’t know what weird world we live in where Chris Tomlin kicks off our Christmas season on Pardon the Mess, but I’m completely giddy about the show today.   The lyrics from his newest Christmas album and title song, Miracle of Love, go like this:  A baby born, a baby born A miracle of love A gift from God sent to us From heaven above And I thought I heard angels singing Hallelujah A baby born, a baby born A miracle of love  Chris shares with us the double meaning behind these words as his family welcomes a “surprise” baby this month. We also get a peek into what inspires the songs that have been so impactful in how we worship, like “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”.   I can’t think of a better way to start December than with an encouraging word from Chris Tomlin.  Oh, and trust me when I say you’ll want to download his newest album, Miracle of Love, for all the Christmas errands on your list this month.   Parenting, worship songs, collaborating with Florida Georgia Line . . . we cover it all today!  Don’t miss it. Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When I was in fourth grade, I had a class assignment to prepare a report on a well-known person we considered to have strong integrity.  Not joking, I did my report on Lee Iacocca (a famous automobile executive from the 1960s–80s).  I know about as much about Lee Iacocca today as I did then: nothing.  But I liked how his name sounded.   What’s the point to this story?  Basically nothing—other than that integrity matters and our kids need strong examples of integrity in their lives. 😂  Enter Nehemiah.  Today, we’re wrapping up our study of Nehemiah and considering the ways his life was marked by integrity.  We’ll talk about how Nehemiah:  answered God’s call on his life, waited on the Lord,  fasted and prayed routinely,  and pointed people back to God rather than himself.  These things and much more made him a man of integrity whom God used for great kingdom work.   I’m looking forward to praying integrity together for our kids.  And, for good measure, I’ll leave you with my “favorite” Lee Iacocca quote: “The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family.”   I can second that with God at the helm in our families,  Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever.” —Psalm 107:1 Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope today is a wonderful day full of family, food, and ample opportunities to thank the Lord for his provision in your life. I’m thankful for so much this Thanksgiving, but, in particular, I’m grateful for your support of Pardon the Mess.  This year we’ve been blessed to remain in the top 200 of Apple’s Christian podcasts, and we even hit a huge milestone of 1 million downloads.  None of this happens without the support of each of you, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.   It’s Thursday, so we’re also releasing a podcast you won’t want to miss with Rashawn Copeland. He’s quickly become one of my favorite people around because of his joyful spirit and testimony of God’s redemption in his life.  Rashawn will encourage you to accept yourself as a work in progress and trust that God wants to ignite a revival in your life. Don’t miss his story of how addiction, doubt, depression, and fear were transformed by God’s love and acceptance in his life.   The title of his book is a message we all need today: Start Where You Are.   Catch up with Rashawn Copeland  Grab his book, Start Where You Are Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy Thanksgiving week!  Several years ago, I wrote “10 Signs of a Thanksgiving Epic Fail.”  Although our Thanksgiving this year will look quite different from most, the article is still available should you need a litmus test for determining the success of Thanksgiving 2020.  This week, we’re praying for our kids to be marked by thanksgiving.  I can’t help but consider how the hardships of 2020 have revealed what’s truly worthy of our thanks. Even as we miss so many of the things we’ve enjoyed in the past, the promise that Jesus goes before us and protects us is more real and powerful than ever.  We continue considering Nehemiah’s life and his example of making even our secular successes sacred by acknowledging God’s sovereignty. It’s a reminder to pray that our kids will always give thanks to the giver of all good things throughout their lives.  I’m so thankful to each of you for entrusting your time and parenting to our ministry. I’m praying you will have little reminders all week that God works all things for our good and his glory, and that’s reason enough to give thanks!Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today’s podcast is a must-listen to if for no other reason than hearing Matthew West describe 2020 in song.  Yes, he sings in real-time for us, and it’s funny and total greatness.   Most of us have loved Matthew West’s music for many years, but he takes it to a whole new level when talking about his family, raising kids while touring, and his battle with feeling like he has to constantly do more and be more. He’s vulnerable about growing up as a preacher’s kid and going through the motions more than having a deep relationship with the Lord. He also gives us great encouragement on living our lives with no conflicting reports, especially as we’re raising kids who are watching how we live.   Matthew West is a breath of fresh air in a year that needs some transparency and reminders of what really matters. His challenge to us is a worthy one in these days: don’t leave 2020 unchanged.   You’re going to love Matthew West on Pardon the Mess today! Check out Matthew West’s new album, podcast, and much more!Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they only shine.” —D. L. Moody That’ll preach, right?  This week, we’re praying that our kids are marked by light.  In a year full of profound uncertainty and anxiety, our culture desperately needs to hear the gospel message that Jesus loved us to the point of death so that we might live forever.  That’s the message of truth and the light we were created to shine.  On Pardon the Mess this week, we will consider how what we do in private allows us to shine light in public.  And, as we continue looking at Nehemiah’s life, we will see that mourning what God mourns is a great starting place for sharing the gospel.  “Lighthouses blow no horns, they only shine.”  I’m praying that same thing for our families.Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What are some things you wish you would have learned earlier in your Christian walk?  I can think of so many, but I find myself wanting my kids to figure out early on that knowing about God isn’t the same as knowing God. A key ingredient to this is how we communicate with God in prayer.  We’re talking about this and lots more with Sheila Walsh on Pardon the Mess today.  She reminds us that vulnerability is a key component in teaching our kids how to work through the hard stuff they face. Suffering and pain will always exist, but in the middle of it we have the opportunity to point our kids back to God.  Be sure to check out Sheila’s new devotional, Praying Girls Devotional: 60 Days to Shape your Heart and Grow your Faith Through Prayer.  I know you’re going to love this conversation with Sheila Walsh as much as I did!Our Sponsors:* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/MESSPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy