Episode 70

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Published on:

18th Apr 2024

Sticks, Stones, and Texting

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" isn't a wise adage. It's the comeback of someone who’s been hurt by words but doesn't want to let it show.

Words wound or heal. They tear apart or bring together. They strengthen or destroy.

The first 14 verses of Nehemiah 4 are an opportunity to teach (and re-teach and re-teach) kids these truths:

1. Following God and achieving success will make you a target of resistance and maybe even ridicule.

2. Words have a powerful impact, whether they are typed, heard, or spoken.

3. God calls us to both prayer and action.

4. There’s a time to take a situation only to God, and there’s a time to speak up and act on behalf of yourself and those being impacted by harmful words.

Teaching about words isn’t a “one & done” activity. Rather, it’s an ongoing task. No matter how much kids may roll their eyes or say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” wise parents continue to teach about this critical topic. The power of words – whether those said or heard, texted or read – can’t be overstated, especially with today’s technology. It’s crucial we teach children to be mindful of the words they are sending into the world and those they are absorbing.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

#bible

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#truth

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#familydevotions

#christianfaith

#christianfamilies

#christianparenting

#christianwomen

#christianity

#familybiblestudy

#biblestudyforkids

#biblestudyforchildren

#lifeskey3

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About the Podcast

Living Wide and Deep
Growing a life of spiritual strength, emotional health, and relational wisdom
You want to be the best possible person, parent, or spouse. Yet sometimes you may not know how. You may feel alone. I understand.

The "Living Wide and Deep" podcast helps you grow spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and relationally wise. Your good intentions and abilities will thrive through learning and applying principles from research, real-life experience, and the Bible.

You don't have to choose between deep and narrow or wide and shallow. You can live wide and deep! Stephanie brings depth and winsomeness, authority and vulnerability. A wife, mom, mother-in-law, and Nana, Stephanie is a speaker and writer who loves helping others flourish.
Learn more at her website, https://www.stephaniepresents.com/

About your host

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Stephanie Smith

Stephanie knows from experience good intentions aren't enough to be spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and relationally smart--or to raise kids who are. She shares powerful Scriptural principles and science-backed insights into human behavior to equip people to grow good intentions into godly impact.

Stephanie's authenticity creates immediate connection with audiences both virtual and on the stage, while gracious authority provides clarity and confidence for listeners. Her leadership experience includes being a certified Primal Question coach, Christian school founding board member and teacher, homeschool cooperative founder, and Teen Theater Director.

Stephanie is a wife, mother of five grown sons, mother-in-law of four, and Nana to a growing tribe of awesome grandkids. She is committed to Psalm 17:17-18, proclaiming God's power to generations through wisdom forged in real life.