Author: Christa Threlfall
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Our First Fight: Why is Communication in Marriage So Hard?
Summary Have you ever had a time when you were fighting with someone and hardly knew why? That’s what Jonathan and Christa experienced during the first fight of their marriage. And the fight was about . . . toilet paper. In this episode, Jonathan and Christa talk about what they learned from this silly but…
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What Do You Do About Fake Christians?
Summary Fake Christians have been around nearly as long as Christianity itself. As early as the 1st century, Christian leaders warned about people whose faith claim was inauthentic. “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works” (Titus 1:16). “Many deceivers have gone into the world” (2 John 7). In this episode,…
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The Anxious Generation
Summary In his book, The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has an urgent message for parents: don’t let your kids have a social media account. Social media, smartphones, and the tech industry, he argues, have been complicit in the massive uptick in mental health issues especially for Generation Z. In this episode, Jonathan and…
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4 Reasons People Doubt Christianity
Summary In today’s world, we encounter numerous competing beliefs and face various reasons to reconsider our own. Despite the Bible’s encouraging Christians to maintain their faith, several factors can challenge it. In this episode, Jonathan and Christa explore four reasons why Christians might experience doubt and offer insights on how to approach these significant challenges.…
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Let Your Kids Question Christianity
Summary Is it okay to let your kids question Christianity? Jonathan and Christa definitely think so, and explain how they have tried to engage with their kids’ questions about the Bible and theology. Far from being a threat to a child’s faith, sincere questions and honest answers can be the path for a child’s richer…
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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…