Author: Christa Threlfall
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Don’t Go to Church on Sunday*
Summary Hang on . . . Don’t go to church on Sunday? OK, admittedly it’s a clickbait-y title, but hopefully it will help reinforce the overall point of this episode: *church is not just something you attend; it’s a family you are part of. Clearly, the main gathering on Sunday morning should be a non-negotiable…
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When an Optimist Marries a Pessimist
Summary They say that opposites attract. For Jonathan and Christa, this is true in terms of how they view life. One tends to see the cup half full; the other sees the cup half empty. In this episode, Jonathan presents his case for optimism, Christa presents her case for her outlook, and they both identify…
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A PhD Journey: Dissertation, Dollars, & Desperation
Summary In this episode, Jonathan and Christa talk about Jonathan’s PhD journey, including how he landed on his dissertation topic, and the challenges of managing time for family, pastoring, and academics. We answer several questions from listeners, including: Listen to the full episode at the links below—and catch the first episode here! Resources
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Why Jonathan Got His PhD
Summary Getting a PhD isn’t the usual route to preparing for the pastorate, but several years ago, Jonathan embarked on this academic journey. Actually, it was a team effort, requiring a tremendous amount of commitment and help from Christa and many others. In this episode, Jonathan and Christa talk about why Jonathan decided to pursue…
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5 Mindsets Christian Parents Need
Summary Let’s face it. As wonderful as it is to have children, being a parent can be overwhelming. It exposes our flaws and frailties, and often leaves us bewildered and exhausted. Often our problem is not merely a lack of time or technique, but our overall mindset about parenting. In this episode, Jonathan and Christa…
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How to Ruin Your Marriage (Part 2)
Summary We had such a great conversation the first time we talked about how to ruin your marriage that we thought—why not do it again?! (Find part 1 here.) Here are ten more ways to ruin your marriage, including what you tease about, who you hang around, something you might bring home, and church involvement.…
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When Your Pastor Hurts You
Summary When you go to church, you don’t want to be hurt or disappointed—not by anyone, but especially not by a pastor. But it happens. Sometimes a pastor disappoints people simply because he is a flawed human who makes honest mistakes. But other times, the reasons are less innocent. A pastor might foster a church…
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Did I Miss God’s Will?
Summary Some people worry that they have “missed God’s will.” Maybe they made a bad decision seven years ago, and now their life seems out of whack. Is the only solution to travel back in time? Is that how “God’s will” works? In this episode, Jonathan and Christa discuss what the Bible means when it…
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How to Talk to People You Disagree With
Summary In this episode, Jonathan & Christa unpack the art of how to talk with people you disagree with, a skill that’s increasingly vital in today’s diverse and interconnected world. Hint: It involves listening. They also talk about why it’s important to have conversations with people who hold opposing viewpoints. Second hint: You probably need…
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Encouragement From People You’ll Never Meet
Summary You can find out a lot of things from good old Google. Need an expert on something? Just search YouTube or hit up your local bookstore for an authority on the subject. In this episode, Jonathan and Christa tell stories about people you’ll never meet. They’ve never written books, you can’t find them on…