Treehouse Storyteller

Rest, Reset, and Be Still - A Recipe for the tired Mama

This episode we talk all about rest and why it is so necessary to find time to rest. The creator of the universe found time to rest, Jesus rested, so while in the world do we think we are so incapable of slowing down for a minute. We are merely humans and as busy and tired parents, this episode will encourage you to prioritize time each day or week to be one on one with the Lord and allow Him to give us rest! 
The Lord gives us so many scriptures relating to this very topic! The Bible mentions the word ‘rest’ 257 times! God clearly knows the weariness of this earthly life. He knows our burdens become heavy.
Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’
God is a god of rest and not of striving and works.
He would so much rather we rest in His presence than work on our own.
We are called to communion with Him! 
At the end of the episode, I encourage you to sit and rest with the Lord and listen to music with Him. 
Current favorite playlists!
FREE SPIRIT - APPLE PLAYLIST
CHRISTIAN FOLK - APPLE PLAYLIST
 

PART 2: How to Navigate a Comparison Girl with Guests Shannon Popkin & Lee Nienhuis

In this 2-part high speed episode, the three of us mama's walk through so many crucial topics of parenting and motherhood!
Guests Shannon Popkin, and Lee Nienhuis give insight into the problems of comparison.
We dig into topics such as anxiety, depression, and what we can do about it!
We talk about perfectionism and what their book Comparison Girl for Teens has to say about it!
This episode lays the truth filled foundation for God's definition of gender and we explore has His boundaries are actually larger than the world's definition.
We explore the pop culture obsession with people like Taylor Swift and how to best navigate this with your kids. 
We close by discussing parenting rolls of who we are called to be and who we are not from a Biblical perspective.
BIO:
From the platform, page, and podcast mic, Shannon Popkin invites you to drink deeply of God’s story, and live like it’s true. Shannon’s books include Control Girl, Comparison Girl, Comparison Girl for Teens (2024), and Shaped by God’s Promises (2024). Shannon also hosts the Live Like It’s True Bible podcast and has been featured on Revive Our Hearts, FamilyLife Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Proverbs 31. She’s happy to be sharing life with Ken, who makes her laugh every day. Together, they have the joy of watching their three young-adult kids become the amazing people God created them to be. You can connect with Shannon at shannonpopkin.com, or on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube. 
Lee Nienhuis is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She cohosts the Martha & Mary Show and the You Can Tell the Children podcast with Bible2School. Lee’s books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting are a clarion call for parents looking to raise wholehearted Christ followers. Lee and her husband, Mike, have four kids and live in West Michigan. Find her at leenienhuis.com.
 
ABOUT COMPARISON GIRL FOR TEENS:
 
Teen girls discover purpose in a world that says they aren't enoughMost teen girls struggle with comparison. The pressure to measure up to peers and social media influencers is relentless. Everyone seems to have their own standard for what a teen girl should be, and those expectations feel impossible to meet. Comparison Girl for Teens is the teen girl guide to navigating these tricky waters. Best-selling authors Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis have teamed up to show teens how to break free from the comparison trap and embrace the incredible life that Jesus has in store for them.A journey of self-discovery with forty readings, Comparison Girl for Teens includes quizzes, evaluations (don't worry-- they’re fun), discussion questions, and plenty of heartwarming stories to keep teen girls company along the way. Whether the reader is a seasoned believer or just exploring her faith, she is invited to new freedom, confidence, and influence as she adopts Jesus's "me-free" mindset in this toxic, measure-up world.
 

PART 1: How to Navigate a Comparison Girl with Guests Shannon Popkin & Lee Nienhuis

In this 2 part - high speed episode, the three of us mama's walk through so many crucial topics of parenting and motherhood!
Guests Shannon Popkin, and Lee Nienhuis give insight into the problems of comparison.
We dig into topics such as anxiety, depression, and what we can do about it!
We talk about perfectionism and what their book Comparison Girl for Teens has to say about it!
This episode lays the truth filled foundation for God's definition of gender and we explore has His boundaries are actually larger than the world's definition.
We explore the pop culture obsession with people like Taylor Swift and how to best navigate this with your kids. 
We close by discussing parenting rolls of who we are called to be and who we are not from a Biblical perspective.
BIO:
From the platform, page, and podcast mic, Shannon Popkin invites you to drink deeply of God’s story, and live like it’s true. Shannon’s books include Control Girl, Comparison Girl, Comparison Girl for Teens (2024), and Shaped by God’s Promises (2024). Shannon also hosts the Live Like It’s True Bible podcast and has been featured on Revive Our Hearts, FamilyLife Today, The Gospel Coalition, and Proverbs 31. She’s happy to be sharing life with Ken, who makes her laugh every day. Together, they have the joy of watching their three young-adult kids become the amazing people God created them to be. You can connect with Shannon at shannonpopkin.com, or on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube. 
Lee Nienhuis is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She cohosts the Martha & Mary Show and the You Can Tell the Children podcast with Bible2School. Lee’s books, Brave Moms, Brave Kids and Countercultural Parenting are a clarion call for parents looking to raise wholehearted Christ followers. Lee and her husband, Mike, have four kids and live in West Michigan. Find her at leenienhuis.com.
 
ABOUT COMPARISON GIRL FOR TEENS:
 
Teen girls discover purpose in a world that says they aren't enoughMost teen girls struggle with comparison. The pressure to measure up to peers and social media influencers is relentless. Everyone seems to have their own standard for what a teen girl should be, and those expectations feel impossible to meet. Comparison Girl for Teens is the teen girl guide to navigating these tricky waters. Best-selling authors Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis have teamed up to show teens how to break free from the comparison trap and embrace the incredible life that Jesus has in store for them.A journey of self-discovery with forty readings, Comparison Girl for Teens includes quizzes, evaluations (don't worry-- they’re fun), discussion questions, and plenty of heartwarming stories to keep teen girls company along the way. Whether the reader is a seasoned believer or just exploring her faith, she is invited to new freedom, confidence, and influence as she adopts Jesus's "me-free" mindset in this toxic, measure-up world.
 

Moving Mountains, Prayer, Doubts, & Why the Sunday School answer is *THE* Answer!

It is NORMAL to have doubts. The disciples were literally walking, eating, and traveling with Jesus, and they all went through seasons of doubts! It’s our response to these thoughts and feelings that matter the most!
MARK 11:20-26 20Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”22So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.  23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Forgiveness & Prayers 25“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  26But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Why the Sunday school answer is THE ANSWER!
The Sunday school answer is: READ YOUR BIBLE, GO TO CHURCH, AND PRAY. OR THE LITTLEST KID JUST YELLS OUT JESUS! 
The single reason that the Sunday school answer remains the Sunday school answer is because it is TRUTH. We have let it feel watered down and too simple to actually have meaning, but the reality is that reading your Bible spells out the truth, and if we know the truth, then we will be more likely to rebuke the lies.
What does the Bible say about PRAYER?
Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Matthew 26:41 - Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Colossians 4:2 - Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Matthew 6:6 - But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
James 5:16 - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Resources Mentioned:  Andrew Wommack's book Spirit Soul and Body https://www.awmi.net/reading/teaching-articles/spirit-soul-and-body/ 

Guest Heidi St. John - Education is NOT neutral, Time to Jump Ship!

This was a very special episode for me personally. I have been a huge fan of Heidi St. John and thankful to sit down with her this year at National Religious Broadcasters in Nashville, TN. I was privileged enough to have the space in the Nfluence booth to record this on video as well as podcast audio. Make sure to check out the YouTube video option as well!
In this episode, we discuss education, the history of our current public school system, homeschool, and family balance. We explore some of Heidi's new endeavors including her homeschool resource center and her recent Brave Book: 'The mouse and the Sea'. We also discuss busy motherhood and how we can't do it all! 
Favorite Quote from Heidi during our interview, 'I  used  to,  to  sort  of  soft -step  this  issue  and  tell  parents,  oh,  hey,  you  do  you.  And  now  I'm  like,  the  Titanic  is  sinking,  the  barn  is  on  fire.  At  what  point  do  we  get  the  horses  out?'
Reference verses:
Luke 6:40
BIO:
Heidi St. John is the author of nine books, including Becoming MomStrong: How to Fight with All That's in You for Your Family and Your Faith and its corresponding Becoming MomStrong Bible Study, as well her latest, MomStrong 365: A One Year Devotional to Encourage and Empower Everyday Moms and her first children’s book The Mouse and the Sea with Brave Books.  Her podcast, “Off the Bench with Heidi St. John” has been downloaded over 24 million times, and you can join her community of women studying the Word in monthly Bible studies at FaiththatSpeaks.com (https://www.faiththatspeaks.com/).
Heidi has been married to Jay, her college sweetheart, since 1989. The St. Johns reside just outside beautiful Vancouver, Washington, where their non-profit organization, Firmly Planted Family (https://firmlyplantedfamily.com/), and the Homeschool Resource Center are based. The St. Johns have seven children, all of whom have been homeschooled, and four grandchildren.
 

COMING SOON! - A Little *sneak*!!

PREORDER HERE!
Miss Understood is a compelling story of the rainbow, personified as a feminine character. It is a refreshing retell of the true history of the rainbow and how its colors came to be.
Miss Understood is a reclaiming of God’s promise to all creation and his children, reflecting back to Genesis and the flood. In this beautifully painted poetic book, young children, and adults alike will shift their modern society thinking to a timeless meaning of God’s bow across the sky.
 
We would love to have you join our Spring 2024 launch team! Influencer packages available!
Contact us at thetreehousestoryteller.com or info@thetreehousestoryteller.com

PRO-God, PRO-America Children's Books, w/ Brave Books' CEO Trent Talbot!

In this fun episode we talk to CEO of Brave Books and discover what inspired him to start the book company to begin with!
Take Aways:
Books are coming after your kids.
There is a false agenda fighting for your kids through reading.
BRAVE BOOKS offers a wonderful alternative of books, subscription based, to inspire and fill your home with truth!
NEWS! How Brave Books is showing up for the traditional book fair.
Shop Brave Books HERE! 
BIO:
Trent Talbot is the CEO and founder of conservative/Christian publishing company, BRAVE Books. After the birth of first child, his eyes were opened to the progressive content downpouring on his daughter’s generation. He couldn’t shake the idea that something had to be done and that it could start with him. Talbot took a giant leap and quit his job as an ophthalmologist to start the company that has swept the nation with Pro-God, Pro-America children's content for the past two years.
Follow for more @bravebooksus (all socials) & @trenttalbot on Twitter
 

Parenting Like Jesus? But How do we do that?

In this episode, we explore several verses in John and what they mean to us as parents and followers of Christ. We chat through how to parent like Jesus, even though He was not an earthly father. 
Take Aways:
Wrapping our heads around the Trinity & how the fullness of the Godhead is still 100% active in our lives today.
What is a cessationist and why I am not one!
The need of the Holy Spirit in today's day and age! 
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Refusing to believe the lies other people have put on your life and your callings!
God equips the called - and surrendering to the call!
YOU have giftings from Jesus!
John 1
John 17
How Jesus 'parented' the disciples and what we can learn from this!
Visit the Treehouse HERE!
 

Exposing Woke Jesus with Guest Lucas Miles

This episode is a special one with Guest and brother of mine, Lucas Miles. We dive into his recent book release, Woke Jesus: The False Messiah Destroying Christianity. 
We talk through the history of woke culture, education, and how to pick a church, what your kids are 'inputing'. 
Practically speaking, we address ways to diagnose a woke church, and what types of things your kids should be reading that they won't be in schools today.
Follow for more:
Instagram and Tik Tok: @mrlucasmiles * Twitter: @lucasmiles *
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MrLucasMiles
Website:  https://lucasmiles.org/*
BIO:
Lucas Miles is a trusted voice in the American church who has consistently addressed some of the most challenging topics in theology, politics, and culture. He is the host of Church & State with Lucas Miles, which was named the 2023 “Program of the Year” by the National Religious Broadcasters organization. Lucas has been syndicated in articles across both political and religious news outlets, such as Newsmax, The Blaze, FlashPoint, Fox News, The Washington Times, CBN, and The Christian Post. In addition to his newest book, Woke Jesus: The False Messiah Destroying Christianity, Lucas is the author of the best-selling book, The Christian Left: How Liberal Thought Has Hijacked the Church, as well as the critically acclaimed book, Good God: The One We Want to Believe in But Are Afraid to Embrace. An ordained minister since 2004, Miles is the lead pastor of Nfluence Church in Granger, Indiana, and the President of The Nfluence Network, Inc. 

The Biggest LIE of all time

This episode discusses Genesis 2&3 and how the fall gives way to lies of today.