Shows
Louisiana ConsideredHow USAID cuts are impacting Louisiana farmers; Super Bowl’s impact on sex workers; lottery opens to build resilient homesSince President Trump has taken office, he’s made massive cuts to American foreign aid. According to USAID, over 10,000 American jobs have already been lost, and estimates suggest more than 100 thousand global jobs could be lost. These job cuts don’t just directly affect aid workers, but also everyday Americans whose incomes rely on some foreign investment.For more on how the cuts to the program will impact Americans, including Louisiana farmers, we speak with a former humanitarian assistance expert at USAID who is choosing to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. In the lead up to...2025-02-1224 min
OCF Crosspoint Podcast"Take the biblical viewpoint”: Reframing parents’ conversations with kids about sexGot an idea for a guest or topic? If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org Show Notes: Earlier this season, Nicole Breining spoke about her husband’s pornography addiction that resulted in betrayal trauma and a serious strain on their relationship. But what impact does pornography addiction have on the rest of the family...2023-07-2639 min
The Boundless ShowWhen You Choose to Keep the Baby (Part 1): Episode 723Part one of a difficult pro-life story, plus accepting grace after an abortion, and honoring God with your sexuality as a single adult.Featured musical artist: David Baloche ( https://www.louderthanthemusic.com/product.php?id=2437 )Roundtable: The Hard Side of Choosing Life (Part 1) High school sweethearts at a Christian school, they seemed to be heading toward a bright future. Then came the news that they were pregnant. When faced with this reality, Jarod and Glory Adducci had a big decision to make: have the baby and forever alter their life plans, or choose...2021-12-0958 min
The Boundless ShowObsessing About Marriage: Episode 690Wanting marriage vs. obsessing about it, plus Tim Ross on sharing the gospel with difficult people, and trusting God with unanswered questions. Featured musical artist: Phil WickhamRoundtable: Do You Want Marriage Too Much?We dream of the beautiful wedding and of doing life with an amazing spouse. After all, that’s what God wants for us, right? While desiring marriage is a gift from God, it’s dangerous when it consumes our thoughts and becomes the thing. Our guests explain ways they and others they know have struggled with marriage obsession. They’ll also...2021-04-2251 min
The Boundless ShowThe Creators of “The Chosen” (Part 2): Episode 688Helping a friend through a hard time, plus part two with Dallas and Jerry Jenkins on dramatizing the life of Christ, and rebuilding friendships after sexual sin. Featured musical artist: Darlene ZschechRoundtable: How to Help a Friend in NeedHaving a true friend to help you through life’s tough seasons makes such a difference. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, a break-up, a bleak medical diagnosis or some other discouraging situation, God loves to use other Christians to help carry our burdens when we’re low. Our guests share h...2021-04-0858 min
Teens, Tech & GodParents: How is Social Media Affecting Your Teen?Did you know? A report by Common Sense found: 51 percent of teens visit social networking sites on a daily basis. More than a third of teens visit their main social networking site several times a day. 1 in 4 teens is a heavy social media user, using at least two different types of social media each day. (June, 2019) Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snap Chat can be great ways for teens to connect with one another; but social media can be problematic for several reasons. For instance, social media can expose your teen to cyberbullying, slut shaming, and so m...2020-02-1725 minTeens, Tech & GodWhy is teen suicide on the rise?In this episode, Dr. John addresses the rise in teen suicide and shares an important message to help parents understand the current situation and what to do to help their teens. /// According to the Mayo Clinic, the warning signs of teen suicide include: Talking or writing about suicide. Withdrawing from social contact. Experiencing sudden mood swings. Using alcohol or drugs more frequently. Expressing a sense of hopelessness. Taking part in risky or self-destructive behavior. Changing eating or sleeping patterns. Giving away belongings for no apparent reason. The new study was published June 18, 2019 in the Journal o...2019-12-2421 minTeens, Tech & GodWhat can I do if my teen is struggling with depression?Did you know? According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 13.3% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 had “at least one major depressive episode” in 2017. That equates to 3.2 million American teens. What’s more, 70.77% of depression sufferers experienced at least one instance of “severe impairment” that interfered with life. What are some of the common signs or symptoms of depression? Fatigue Sleep problems Irritability Headaches, aches, indigestion, etc. Difficulty with concentration Loss of interest in food or compulsive eating Sadness, anxiety, or feeling hopeless Sudden drop in grades Loss of interest in things once enjoyed Use of alcohol or...2019-11-2018 minTeens, Tech & GodDealing with Teen DepressionIn this episode, Dr. John addresses the growing problem of teen depression, which is being exasperated by the prevalence of and exposure to pornography. Dr. John will help parents identify if their teen could be suffering from depression. // DID YOU KNOW? According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 13.3% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 had “at least one major depressive episode” in 2017. That equates to 3.2 million American teens. What’s more, 70.77% of depression sufferers experienced at least one instance of “severe impairment” that interfered with life. Here are some other relevant statistics: 20% of females a...2019-09-1417 minTeens, Tech & GodWhat Teens Need to Know About Sex from the ChurchIn this episode, Dr. John addresses the need for the church to speak to teens about sexuality as a part of a teen’s discipleship and within the context of the gospel narrative. You’ll also learn about 6 crucial ways the church can support parents in this effort. A quote shared by Dr. John: John Freeman with Harvest USA uttered these prophetic words: I remembered talking to a church’s prayer team years earlier. They had been praying with people for more than ten years at a weekly intercessory healing prayer meeting...2019-08-1825 minTeens, Tech & GodPart 3: A Digital Protection Plan for ParentsDr. John shares an important message for parents: If you want to protect your children from developing an addiction to the computer, Internet, smartphone, or other digital influences, you need to have a clear plan of action. In the previous episode, Dr. John shared how the digital invasion has reduced our capacity to live a “real life” and has robbed us of true meaning, pleasure, and fulfillment. The framework for that conversation came from the book “The Digital Invasion,” by Dr. Archibald Hart and Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd. This episode will conclude our conversation about digital t...2019-08-0418 minTeens, Tech & GodPart 2: Don't waste your real life on a virtual lifeIn this episode, we continue the conversation about digital technology themes found in the book “The Digital Invasion” by Dr. Archibald Hart and Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd. Specifically, we’re going to look at how the digital invasion has reduced our capacity to live a “real life” and has robbed us of true meaning, pleasure, and fulfillment. Did you know? Here are a few stats from a chart Dr. Hart has compiled and called the Digital Invasion Chart. In 2000, the average person spent 2.7 hours per week online. In 2013, that number jumped to more than 3...2019-06-0219 minTeens, Tech & GodPart 1: Four areas being affected by the digital invasionThe purpose of this broadcast is to share critical insights from The Digital Invasion, written by Dr. Archibald Hart and Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd. In part 1 of this three-part series, Dr. John will share how the wave of digital technology is changing us from within, physically, mentally, and especially spiritually, and he will offer some biblical strategies to become good stewards of our digital lives. _ DID YOU KNOW The following stats come from Brandwatch.com: https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/amazing-social-media-statistics-and-facts/ For context, as of January 2019, the total world population is about 7.7 bi...2019-05-1926 minTeens, Tech & GodHow to Help Your Teen Find Their Identity in ChristThe purpose of this broadcast is to share helpful insights in how to nurture and teach your teen about their spiritual identity. We will offer some biblical strategies to help teens become established in their identity in Christ. Did you know George Barna, one of the world’s leading statisticians said in his book, “Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions-Why Children Should Be Your Church’s #1 Priority,” “moral foundations of children are generally determined by the time the individual reaches age nine. Our research confirms a parallel outcome in the spiritual dimension: By age nine, most c...2019-05-0525 minTeens, Tech & GodHelp! I just discovered my teen has been looking at pornography.What should parents do when they have just learned that their teen is viewing pornography? Are there some things not to do? What is the best way to initially respond? In this episode, Dr. John helps parents to know how to respond when they find out that their teen is viewing pornography. We will also address some of the most frequently asked questions from parents when they make this shocking and disturbing discovery. DID YOU KNOW? Just how prevalent is the exposure of teens to pornography? Between 2008 and 2011, exposure to porn among boys u...2019-04-2116 minTeens, Tech & GodHow should I respond when my teen announces they are gay?We know that many parents are dealing with a son or daughter announcing that they are gay. In this episode, Dr. John shares critical insights from “Messy Grace” by Pastor Caleb Kaltenbach, and he’ll offer some biblical strategies to bring together both the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. This episode will speak to those who want to know how to respond to the LGBTQ issue. Caleb Kaltenbach is a pastor and founder of The Messy Grace Group where he helps churches love and create belonging for those who relate as LGBTQ without sacrificing theological convictions. Find more...2019-04-0718 minTeens, Tech & GodSomeone Wants to Destroy Holy SexualityEPISODE 4 We must be clearly aware that there is a spiritual battle going on around us. We can better preserve the reality of holy sexuality if we realize that it is under attack in the spiritual realms. As Christians, we engage in the battle to help people because we care for them. This is not really a battle between political parties or cultural interest groups. It’s a battle for God to be lifted high and win the hearts of people for whom He died. What we talked about [3:15] Juli Slattery sta...2019-03-2428 minTeens, Tech & GodWhat should be the church’s role in sexual discipleship?EPISODE 3 In this episode, Dr. John discusses more critical insights from the book “Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters,” by Dr. Juli Slattery of Authentic Intimacy, particularly in the area of sexual discipleship and the role the church should play in shaping sexual values. Dr. Slattery’s book can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Sexuality-Gods-Design-Matters/dp/0735291470/ Dr. Slattery’s ministry, Authentic Intimacy, can be found here: https://www.authenticintimacy.com/ --- DID YOU KNOW Recent findings from The Porn Phenomenon… https://www.barna.com/the-p...2019-03-0926 minTeens, Tech & GodWho’s discipling your youth: the church or the culture?Episode 2: Who’s discipling your youth: the church or the culture? Teens, Tech & God is a podcast resource brought to you by Dr. John Thorington, director of Restoring Hearts Counseling in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and author of the book “Pure Teens.” The podcast is dedicated to equipping parents with the tools and knowledge to raise kids committed to God’s purpose for sexuality, the family, and the honorable use of all technology. In this episode, Dr. John shares critical insights from the book "Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters," by Dr. Juli Sl...2019-02-2416 minTeens, Tech & GodIntroduction: Laying a Foundation For Recovery From Sexual Addiction and PornographyTeens, Tech, and God is a podcast resource brought to you by Dr. John Thorington, director of Restoring Hearts Counseling in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and author of the book "Pure Teens." The podcast is dedicated to equipping parents with the tools and knowledge to raise kids committed to God's purpose for sexuality, the family, and the honorable use of all technology. In this introductory episode, Dr. John lays a foundation for recovery from sexual addiction and shares more information about the mission of the podcast and Restoring Hearts Counseling. Episode outline 1:25, Dr. John...2019-01-2525 min