Episodes

This is the third episode of a three-part series on Prayer that Opens Doors. We looked at Praise first, then Thanks last week. And today we consider a powerful key that can open tightly shut doors—and minds and hearts. When someone near you sneezes, do you, or does someone nearby say, “God bless you”? It happens often, doesn’t it.Do you hear or say “God bless you” any other time? Not too often, I imagine. Yet we are called to be people of blessing—as a way of life. Judy’s Resources: Read The ...

The pattern has been the same with all my grandkids. Whenever someone does something for a child, the parent says, “What do you say?” The correct answer, of course, is “Thank you.” We humans aren’t naturally grateful and it takes years of training for us to remember to say “Thank you” when someone is kind or helpful or generous to us. God has observed the same reality. He felt it was necessary to remind us on several occasions to say “Thank you” Judy’s Resources: Read Gratitude: A Doxology in...

The key was in the lock box. I had the code. But my normal inability to decipher how things work prevailed. My husband quickly figured it out. But the lock on the door seemed obstinate, and it took several tries to actually unlock the door to the lovely mountain cabin we were staying in for a week. Too often, that’s how it is with events and relationships and opportunities in our lives: Unlocking them is challenging. I have found, however, that prayer can be the key to unlock those seemingly s...

You are going to enjoy my guest today. She is a feisty mom, teacher, author, CEO, and mental health advocate from Calgary, Canada. Welcome, Connie Jakab. Her son's mental health issues took her on a long, hard journey. But she learned so much she wrote a book: Bring Them Closer. I believe you will find so much help from Connie today. Connie’s Resources: Connie’s website: https://conniejakab.com/ Bring Them Closer Book: https://a.co/d/6ldaZKw Enter to win a copy of Connie’s book: https://judydo...

I believe you will find today’s episode helpful and practical. My guest, Nancy Johnson, is a mom with experience and has been a counselor for many years. We talk about balancing grace and truth rather than tough love, unraveling a trauma story, building a bridge toward a wounded child and restoring relationship with an estranged adult child. About Nancy:"I believe that everyone can have a redemptive story. If you are feeling helpless or hopeless, let me walk alongside of you exploring ways to b...

Steve always wanted his life—the way he lived, loved, spoke, treated people, used his time, everything—to reflect Jesus. He wanted people to be drawn to Jesus because of the way he lived. Most of us desire that too—for all the people in our lives, but especially for our loved prodigals. Hopefully these words from Steve will encourage us and help us as we seek to demonstrate what it looks like to walk with God to a watching world, and personally too our wanderers. Steve’s Resources: Experiencing...

Today I am sharing with you an article Steve wrote on living through tough times. He wrote this in the midst of the Covid shut down. Everyone was experiencing challenges. Steve wrote:In the midst of this shutdown, life seems so uncertain, even out of control. Perhaps you can identify. So what can you do? I have asked that question, and God has reminded me what has strengthened me time after time. These three things about God really help me cope. Steve’s Resources: Experiencing God’s Peace https...

How often do you wonder what God’s will is for you in a certain opportunity or decision? Pretty often I imagine. And when it comes to your prodigal, do you desperately ask God what you should do? Today Steve Douglass will share (from an article he wrote) some helpful steps as you seek to know what God wants you to do in any situation. Steve’s Books: Enjoying Your Walk with God: https://tinyurl.com/4mhfy2cj How to Achieve Your Potential and Enjoy Life: https://tinyurl.com/4t2dfawe How to Get B...

On October 29, 2022, my wonderful husband was called Home by our Lord. It has been a hard, tearful, but joyful year. I have represented him, received awards for him, written and spoken about him. And visited all of our children and grands at least twice, giving and receiving love and comfort. Steve was a wise, godly man. He was intentional in how he lived and walked with God and loved people and shared the gospel. I knew him so well—52 years together including 5 dating and 47 married. I am ded...

Bob Tiede, ministry leader, author, wise question asker, caring and compassionate dad and granddad, has some great help for us today. I believe learning the best questions to ask—and how to ask them—will be one of the most helpful things we do in maintaining good relationships with our loved prodigals—and others you hope never become prodigals. Bob’s Resources: Website and Blog: https://leadingwithquestions.com/ Bob’s Free Ebooks: https://leadingwithquestions.com/books/ Buy Bob’s New Book: htt...

Did you know there are six primary conversations? These are ways or topics for having loving conversations with friends, neighbors, co-workers, strangers—your loved prodigal. Last week Penn State professor, author, mom Heather Holleman introduced us to Four Mindsets to help in talking with our wanderers. Today you will love her ideas for the type of conversations we can pursue. Heather’s Resources: Free resources on her website: heatherholleman.com Heather’s Books: https://heatherholleman.com/...

How would you describe most of your conversations? Interesting? Boring? Too political? Gossipy? And how would you describe recent conversations with your prodigal? Tense? Loud? Angry? Hurtful? On today’s episode we talk with Heather Holleman, a Penn State professor, author of eight books and a conversation specialist. Today we had a great chat on “Loving Conversation” and the mindsets we need to help our ability with the people we are talking with. Next week we will talk about six kinds of lov...

“Jeedoo, it’s dark.” My grandson was spending the night. He whimpered, “I’m afraid of the dark.” After a few reassurances and a night light, he went back to sleep. I understand. I’m still a little afraid of the dark too. I am grateful that “the people living in darkness have seen a great light.” That light is Jesus. Resources: Read Be the Light! https://bit.ly/3gWQH4U Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit...

Invisible. I almost didn’t see her, pressing tightly to the road sign, practically invisible. She was clearly homeless, preferring to hide, but needing to be seen with her cardboard sign: Homeless. Please help. God has given me many opportunities to interact with homeless people. Do you know the most consistent word they use to describe how they feel? Invisible. And that’s how prodigal lovers often feel—they are invisible to God. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https:...

“This is hopeless! I’m done. There’s nothing more I can do.” Have you ever said these words? Or at least felt them? Today in our second look at Treasures in the Wilderness we will consider holding on, keeping on, persevering, not giving up—truly a gift from God. Resources: Read: Never Give Up https://bit.ly/3R7t1J4 Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prod...

I have always been amazed at the idolatry of the children of Israel throughout the Old Testament. I was sure I could never worship an idol. Until I discovered I had serious idolatry problems. The prophet Isaiah repeatedly mocks them for carving idols to worship out of half a log, and cooking dinner with the other half. How could anyone think that “god” could save them? Resources: A Problem with Idolatry https://bit.ly/3y2rrAe Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSW...

Over the past year and a half, we have talked about many ways to help our prodigals, and many ways to help ourselves walk through this wilderness journey. And all of those are legit and helpful. But the bottom line is, God is the one who knows what they need and we need—and He can do it. Prayer is our means to connect with God. But most of us need some help knowing how to keep praying. Resources: Prayers for Your Wilderness Journey: https://bit.ly/38CXcWv Prayers for My Prodigal on Prodigal P...

Carol and Gene Kent were awakened late one night with unbelievable news: Their son Jason had killed a man and was in jail. That was the beginning of an horrific journey. Jason was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Carol and Jean moved to Florida to be near their son, to continue their “Speak Up” and writing ministry. There they discovered life transformation for all three of them, and opportunities to touch lives they couldn’t have imagined. Please listen to their p...

My prodigal had lied again. With a sincere assurance that he was speaking the truth. When I knew it was a lie, anger overwhelmed me. Harsh words came from my mouth. I almost said, “Don’t bother to come home.” Fortunately, God seemed to stop the last word—home—before it came out. Is it possible to forego reprimand and harsh punishment and instead choose forgiveness and blessing? Is it even wise? Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s ...

When our prodigal, Josh, was 15, and in one of his better seasons as a prodigal, he served for a week as a junior counselor at a wilderness camp for at-risk boys. One activity included a five-mile hike, with each counselor leading a small group. Josh and his boys came to a crossroads, looking for the right turn to take. Unfortunately they took the wrong turn, and their five-mile hike turned into 10 miles. When they finally made it back to camp, they were sore, tired and unhappy. Whether we cho...

When you love a prodigal, you live with fear. One mom named some of the fears she had for her daughter. She could: Be kidnapped and held against her will; Be abducted and sold into sex trafficking; Disappear and never be seen or heard from again; Move away and sever ties with us forever; Suffer irreversible brain damage from drug use; Die from a drug overdose; Die from alcohol poisoning; Give up and commit suicide to end her suffering. What do you do with your fears? Resources: To rea...

“You can trust me.” How many times has your prodigal said that? How long has it taken you to realize, No, you can’t trust them? But our God says: “You can trust me.” Join us this week to discover why that is true. Resources: Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQ Sign up for Judy’s monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYt Purchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9 Stay connected: Website: jud...

Do you ever struggle with communicating with your teen or adult childrens? Today I am happy to introduce you to Esther Joy Goetz, who focuses often on helping Moms of Bigs. Her intro says: “I have a fierce passion to restore hope for the sacred space where our hearts and our homes meet. This includes faith, marriage and motherhood. I love how she pulls together truth, wisdom, compassion and humor as she relates to and communicates with her “bigs”—older teens and adult children. You will love—a...

Spencer graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and held senior positions in the Office of the Secretary at the Department of Labor and the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. He has been a consultant and speaker for almost 50 years serving both public and private leadership on multiple continents in the areas of strategic effectiveness and interpersonal relationships. He has four grown children and has walked the same path we have. Resou...