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The Session with Tom Russell

Tom Russell & Scott Saunders

The Session is where faith and life connect. Tom Russell and Scott Saunders explore issues facing the family and the church today. Tom’s heart is to encourage marriages and Pastors. We try to approach every issue through the lens of Scripture, with a sensitivity to the families listening, and use humor when we can. No matter what the issue, we celebrate life in Jesus, and celebrate success! Which for us, means getting through more than 2 points a week!

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Yesterday · 20 min
The Session: Parenting Today’s Teenager - Part 1
The Session: Parenting Today’s Teenager - Part 1 Mark Gregston, Parenting Today’s Teen "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 Christian parenting today involves guiding teens through cultural pressures by replacing lectures with meaningful conversation, grace, and relational connection. Core Strategies for Christian Parents Ask questions instead of lecturing: Modeled after Jesus, asking open-ended questions invites reflection and reduces teen defensiveness. Shift from control to training: Move away from micromanagement and allow teens age-appropriate responsibilities and ownership of their faith. Lead with grace and authenticity: Admit your own imperfections to create a safe space where teens know mistakes do not define them. Balance boundaries and resilience: Avoid overparenting by letting teens experience healthy trials and natural consequences to build lasting character. For daily faith-based advice and resources, explore Parenting Today's Teens (A Great resource) Teen Issues. (Gallup Pole 2006). The results show that 3 in 10 teenagers (31%) mention consumption of drugs, tobacco, or alcohol as the most important problem. This issue is followed by peer pressure, fitting in, personal appearance, or popularity (17%); sexual issues like teen pregnancy, abortion, or STDs (14%); education (14%); ignorance or lack of youth being involved (10%); and careers, employment, money, or the future (10%). Fewer than 1 in 10 teenagers mention morality, lack of respect, violence or gangs, or world politics as the top problems. 2024 to 2026 Met Teen Issues (National Institute of Health) Anxiety and Depression: Millions of adolescents experience clinical anxiety or major depressive episodes, with rates significantly higher among teen girls and LGBTQ+ youth. Persistent Sadness: Roughly 40% of high school students report ongoing feelings of hopelessness or sadness. Suicidal Ideation: High rates of serious psychological distress have led to alarming numbers of reported suicidal thoughts and self-harm incidents. Social Media and Digital Pressures Constant Comparison: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok fuel unrealistic body image standards, envy, and low self-esteem. Tom: What difference do you think the settlement between the Government and Meta will have on social media’s impact on our kids? Indicators of positive mental health are present in most children. National U.S. data from 2023-2024 show that: Nearly 4 out of 5 children ages 6 months to 5 years (79%) exhibit all of 4 indicators of flourishing 96% usually or always are affectionate and tender with parents or caregivers. 83% usually or always bounce back quickly when things do not go their way. 96% usually or always show interest and curiosity in learning new things. 99% usually or always smile and laugh. 3 out of 5 children ages 6 to 17 (61%) exhibit all of 3 indicators of flourishing. 84% usually or always show interest and curiosity in learning new things. 72% usually or always stay calm and in control when faced with a challenge. 81% usually or always work to finish tasks they start. Teen issues in the 1990s Drugs and alcohol Teen pregnancy Violence Teen problems in the 1960s (prayer was removed in 1962 from the schools) Strict Control: Adults imposed rigid dress codes, curfews, and bans on items like jeans or long hair for boys, viewing them as rebellious. Conformity vs. Rebellion: Teens navigated a massive divide from their parents, famously popularized by the phrase "Never trust anyone over 30". Music and Media: Rock and roll, Beatlemania, and loud transistor radios served as symbols of youth identity that clashed with traditional adult values. To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
September 17 · 24 min
The Session: The META Settlement
The Session: The META Settlement META settlement-up to $17.1 billion to 29 states, including Ohio, alleging META’s social media policies contributed to depression and other mental health issues in young people. META is accused of knowing about the addictive issues, but doing nothing about it, and hiding the information from the public. They are also accused of breaking state consumer protection laws and violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting data about children under the age of 13. Even though kids under 13 aren’t supposed to be allowed on the platforms. More time on-line is directly related to depression, body image issues, and susceptibility to addiction. From Fox News: Settlement includes default 2-hour combined daily time limit for Facebook and Instagram users under 18. Time spent scrolling on either app counts toward the total. In addition, Meta says it will count usage across multiple accounts when it detects that one teen operates more than one account. Direct messaging, time spent in settings and qualifying long-form audio or video are excluded from the two-hour limit. Under the agreement, qualifying long-form content generally means audio or video that lasts at least 22 minutes and has not been artificially extended. A teen can only turn off the two-hour limit with a parent's permission. That creates a much firmer stopping point than another reminder that can be dismissed. Night Mode will block most Facebook and Instagram activity from midnight to 6 a.m. During that window, teens will no longer be able to view or post to areas such as Feed, Stories, Explore or Reels. Direct messaging will remain available. That exception lets teens continue communicating with friends and family. For families dealing with late-night scrolling, this could create a clearer boundary without requiring someone to change the setting every evening. Meta will also disable push notifications by default from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., except for urgent account security or platform integrity alerts. Parents using supervision can change that setting. School Mode focuses on daytime distractions. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday between Aug. 15 and June 15, Meta will mute most push notifications by default. However, teens will still be able to receive direct messages. Meta will also allow account security and safety alerts during those hours. The idea is simple. A school day should come with fewer reasons to keep checking Instagram or Facebook. Meta will also add more frequent reminders. Teens will receive a prompt after every 15 minutes of continuous screen time on Facebook or Instagram. In addition, Meta will send prompts when total daily use reaches 60 minutes and again at 90 minutes. The settlement requires these prompts and pauses to be implemented within four months of the agreement's effective date. Those alerts arrive before a teen reaches the two-hour limit. As a result, the hard cap becomes the final boundary rather than the first warning. The agreement also changes parts of the viewing experience. Teens will be able to choose a non-personalized feed as their default. That feed will avoid Meta's recommendation systems when deciding what to show next. Meta will hide like and reaction totals by default for teen accounts. That applies to a teen's own posts as well as content posted by other people. The company is also expanding its restrictions on appearance filters. Meta already blocks teens from using cosmetic surgery filters. Under the agreement, teens will also lose access to what Meta calls extreme makeup filters. These changes target parts of the social media experience that can keep attention focused on appearance and social feedback. Age verification sits at the center of these protections. A teen limit only works if the platform correctly identifies the person behind the account. Meta says it will invest in stronger technology to find accounts that may belong to children under 13. The company also plans to improve systems that identify users ages 13 to 17 who enter an adult birthday. Once Meta identifies those accounts, it can place them into experiences designed for teens. Meta also plans to expand its parental supervision tools. For example, parents will receive a notification when a teen links a secondary account. The company also plans alerts involving interactions with accounts it considers potentially suspicious. In addition, parents will get periodic updates about their teen's usage and attempts to change protective settings. Those alerts could make it easier to catch changes without constantly checking a teen's account. META now wants other companies to do the same, including TikTok and YouTube. Participation from Snap, TikTok and YouTube could trigger stricter Meta limits under the agreement's broader industry-adoption framework. The agreement requires most of its provisions to remain in place for 10 years. However, Meta's Time Limit and Night Mode commitments initially run for five years. If industry peers join the agreement, those commitments extend to 10 years. The defaults would get tougher too. The agreement also creates outside oversight. An independent auditor will test Meta's compliance and report to participating states. Those reviews will happen annually for five years. Meta says the agreement will also establish an independent social media research foundation. The company says it will provide consented user data to the foundation for research into teens well-being. That outside review could help show whether the protections work once they reach millions of accounts. Fox called this the big tobacco moment for big tech. When we looked back and saw the results of big tobacco’s marketing to kids come back to haunt them decades later. US News & World Report said, “Governments around the world are trying to ‌curb children's access to harmful online content, including a world-first ban in Australia late last year on social media for children under 16. Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells said in an email to Reuters that social ⁠media companies "have the tools ⁠at their disposal to protect young people from their addictive features but have chosen not to use them". Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion over a decade and limit how teenagers use Facebook and Instagram under an agreement with nearly all U.S. states to resolve claims that it designed those platforms to addict children. Meta denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. The deal brings sweeping changes to Meta's Facebook and Instagram platforms in the United States, including imposing a default two-hour limit on its apps for users under the age of 18. In South Korea, the media regulator said some of Meta's measures should be applied to young users worldwide, rather than just in specific markets. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum said, “the government needed to review its ⁠potential ⁠impact for Mexico.” A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
September 10 · 23 min
The Session: Love Languages - Part 2
The Session: The 5 Love Languages, by Dr. Gary Chapman Resources (includes quiz for how to learn your love language) What are The 5 Love Languages? The 5 Love Languages: Words of Affirmation: Encourage, affirm, appreciate and listen actively Physical Touch: Non-verbal use of body language and touch to show love Receiving Gifts: Thoughtfulness, make your spouse a priority Quality Time: Uninterrupted and focused conversations. One on one time Acts of Service: Let them know you are wanting to help, to lighten their load A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
September 3 · 29 min
The Session: Love Languages - Part 1
The Session: The 5 Love Languages, by Dr. Gary Chapman Resources (includes quiz for how to learn your love language) What are The 5 Love Languages? The 5 Love Languages: Words of Affirmation: Encourage, affirm, appreciate and listen actively Physical Touch: Non-verbal use of body language and touch to show love Receiving Gifts: Thoughtfulness, make your spouse a priority Quality Time: Uninterrupted and focused conversations. One on one time Acts of Service: Let them know you are wanting to help, to lighten their load A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
August 27 · 24 min
The Session: Help for Bullying - Part 2
The Session: Help for Bullying Psalm 138:7, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.” First, let’s define bullying. Tom, how do you feel about this, from www.stopbullying.gov: Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior by one person or group toward another, involving a real or perceived power imbalance, and repeated over time. In today’s world, bullying is not just physical, but psychological, and on-line. Links to some of what we share are included in the notes below. 2019 statistics Between 1 in 4 and 1 in 3 U.S. students say they have been bullied at school. Many fewer have been cyberbullied. In one large study, about 49% of children in grades 4–12 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month, whereas 30.8% reported bullying others during that time. Defining "frequent" involvement in bullying as occurring two or more times within the past month, 40.6% of students reported some type of frequent involvement in bullying, with 23.2% being the youth frequently bullied, 8.0% being the youth who frequently bullied others, and 9.4% playing both roles frequently. 2024 statistics WHERE ARE THEY? The Monique Burr Foundation for Children is an organization that offers evidence-based bullying prevention and education programs. They report: About 19.2% of students aged 12-18 enrolled in grades 6-12 experienced bullying nationwide during the 2021-2022 school year. 13 million students will be bullied in the US this year. 1 in 3 will be victims of cyber bullying. 160,000 students miss school daily for fear of being bullied 1 out of 4 children are bullied over their lifetime (US Dept. of Justice) Every 7 minutes a child is bullied on a playground Between 50% and 77% of students report having been bullied Of teachers, 25% see nothing wrong with bullying and consequently intervene in only 4% of bullying incidents 85% of bullying is not responded to appropriately or at all For more info, go to https://mbfpreventioneducation.org WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF BULLYING? Victims often suffer academically and from long-term psychological effects Bullies often go on to commit crimes – former bullies have a 4-fold increase in criminal behavior by age 24 Both victims and bullies may later become depressed or even become suicidal After interviewing 41 school shooters in 37 incidents, the Secret Service found that 2/3 had been bullied, and their attacks were motivated by a will to seek revenge. Core Biblical Principles Inherent Worth: Recognizing that every person is made in the image of God and deserves respect. Defending Others: Encouraging children to step in safely, as standing up for the vulnerable reflects biblical justice. Healthy Boundaries: Balancing grace and forgiveness with clear limits against abusive behavior. Practical Steps for Prevention Establish Safe Environments: Teach youth groups and schools to prioritize healthy relationships over mere rule-compliance. Empower Bystanders: Train youth to refuse to give a bully an audience, include isolated peers, and notify a trusted adult. Use Structured Programs: Implement dedicated frameworks like The Protectors Faith-Based Anti-Bullying Program or explore advice from Christian Bullying Prevention by Jeff Veley. Do you need help addressing a specific type of bullying (verbal, physical, or cyberbullying)? How do I protect my kids from school bullies? Jeff and Terra Mattson are Christian Parenting spokespeople, and cohosts of the Living Wholehearted Podcast. They suggest parents use the green light, yellow light and red light method. More info is at https://www.christianparenting.org Teach that friends or people are greenlight are very safe. Yellow light just like on the highway are questionable and not totally safe. Use with caution. They are people that would be questionable. Red light would be people who are absolutely not safe and you should stop immediately. Parents should check after school if something has changed, if you can open that door, you can ask them an important question, “Is this a relationship? Is this a situation where you need some help? Scott’s “rubber meets the road” question: What are some things parents should look for in their children to raise concerns that they might be a victim of bullying? A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
August 20 · 27 min
The Session: Help for Bullying - Part 1
The Session: Help for Bullying Psalm 138:7, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.” First, let’s define bullying. Tom, how do you feel about this, from www.stopbullying.gov: Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior by one person or group toward another, involving a real or perceived power imbalance, and repeated over time. In today’s world, bullying is not just physical, but psychological, and on-line. Links to some of what we share are included in the notes below. 2019 statistics Between 1 in 4 and 1 in 3 U.S. students say they have been bullied at school. Many fewer have been cyberbullied. In one large study, about 49% of children in grades 4–12 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month, whereas 30.8% reported bullying others during that time. Defining "frequent" involvement in bullying as occurring two or more times within the past month, 40.6% of students reported some type of frequent involvement in bullying, with 23.2% being the youth frequently bullied, 8.0% being the youth who frequently bullied others, and 9.4% playing both roles frequently. 2024 statistics WHERE ARE THEY? The Monique Burr Foundation for Children is an organization that offers evidence-based bullying prevention and education programs. They report: About 19.2% of students aged 12-18 enrolled in grades 6-12 experienced bullying nationwide during the 2021-2022 school year. 13 million students will be bullied in the US this year. 1 in 3 will be victims of cyber bullying. 160,000 students miss school daily for fear of being bullied 1 out of 4 children are bullied over their lifetime (US Dept. of Justice) Every 7 minutes a child is bullied on a playground Between 50% and 77% of students report having been bullied Of teachers, 25% see nothing wrong with bullying and consequently intervene in only 4% of bullying incidents 85% of bullying is not responded to appropriately or at all For more info, go to https://mbfpreventioneducation.org WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF BULLYING? Victims often suffer academically and from long-term psychological effects Bullies often go on to commit crimes – former bullies have a 4-fold increase in criminal behavior by age 24 Both victims and bullies may later become depressed or even become suicidal After interviewing 41 school shooters in 37 incidents, the Secret Service found that 2/3 had been bullied, and their attacks were motivated by a will to seek revenge. Core Biblical Principles Inherent Worth: Recognizing that every person is made in the image of God and deserves respect. Defending Others: Encouraging children to step in safely, as standing up for the vulnerable reflects biblical justice. Healthy Boundaries: Balancing grace and forgiveness with clear limits against abusive behavior. Practical Steps for Prevention Establish Safe Environments: Teach youth groups and schools to prioritize healthy relationships over mere rule-compliance. Empower Bystanders: Train youth to refuse to give a bully an audience, include isolated peers, and notify a trusted adult. Use Structured Programs: Implement dedicated frameworks like The Protectors Faith-Based Anti-Bullying Program or explore advice from Christian Bullying Prevention by Jeff Veley. Do you need help addressing a specific type of bullying (verbal, physical, or cyberbullying)? How do I protect my kids from school bullies? Jeff and Terra Mattson are Christian Parenting spokespeople, and cohosts of the Living Wholehearted Podcast. They suggest parents use the green light, yellow light and red light method. More info is at https://www.christianparenting.org Teach that friends or people are greenlight are very safe. Yellow light just like on the highway are questionable and not totally safe. Use with caution. They are people that would be questionable. Red light would be people who are absolutely not safe and you should stop immediately. Parents should check after school if something has changed, if you can open that door, you can ask them an important question, “Is this a relationship? Is this a situation where you need some help? Scott’s “rubber meets the road” question: What are some things parents should look for in their children to raise concerns that they might be a victim of bullying? A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
August 13 · 26 min
The Session: Helping Children Adjust to the Stress of a New Teacher or School
The Session: The Session: Helping Children Adjust to the Stress of a New Teacher or School. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Take Time to Talk to Them As you help them prepare for a season of change, take time to talk with them about how messy change can be. This most certainly includes grieving the loss of past relationships. Often called peer priority, children struggle because their peers are a priority and they are losing them. Be Prepared Plan ahead some fun things they can invite others to do or talk about in order to make friends. But as they arrive at school, they may find that everyone else already seems to know each other. They might find they feel shy in the moment. Or maybe, they try to be friendly but the kids around them are shy. Tom’s Important Suggestions: Take your child to school and have them tour it if that’s possible. Or tour it as soon as it is possible. Find out if there are summer activities or extracurricular, activities like soccer, swimming, a local church, where your child can make friends before they enter the classroom Pray with your child and help your children feel comforted about the change Scott’s thought: · Celebrate every success in the transition! Monitor Your Child’s Feeling Level Major changes like a new school can leave our children, fearful, disappointed, sad, and concerned. Coping with the new school can also cause them to be wiped out physically. Normalize for Them This Experience Point them to Christ. As you do so will require more patience than usual. Being willing to hear them and extend grace will reassure them you’re present, God is present, and they are loved even if they’re struggling to feel it. Normalizing it also includes telling your children when you may have struggled with a new situation when you were a child A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
August 6 · 28 min
The Session: 8 Simple Steps to a Lifelong Marriage
The Session: 8 Simple Steps to a Lifelong Marriage Genesis 2:24 “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Housekeeping: How to become a Friend of the Session, book release update · Build and maintain a solid foundation in Christ A recent Harvard study shows that attending worship weekly reduces the likelihood of divorce by 57% · Spend Regular Time in Prayer Research by David Stoops found couples who pray together have less than 1 percent chance of divorce. · Speak Highly of Each Other Make a regular habit of saying positive things about each other. Also avoid negative comments about each other. · Enjoy Regular Time Together Spending time together causes a natural byproduct of closeness · Forge an Unrelenting Commitment to Each Other From day one, realize that divorce is not an option. A Christian marriage is a covenant between a husband, a wife, and God. · Keep strong boundaries Keeping marriage intact often means needing to protect it from outside influences. This means both spouses avoid situations where integrity could be compromised. · Humbly Serve Each Other Employ the “others first mentality!” · Own your struggles and get help Go before the Lord asking Him for help. Help to be what He has called you to. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
July 30 · 26 min
The Session: 5 Important Fundamentals of Strong Marriages
The Session: 5 Important Fundamentals of Strong Marriages, from The Gottman Institute Genesis 2:24, "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." Research shows that the primary keys to staying married are not about avoiding conflict, but about building positive emotional habits, managing conflict constructively, and actively choosing the relationship. The top five actionable things that significantly increase your probability of staying married include: Maintaining the "Magic Ratio": Couples who experience a ratio of at least five positive interactions for every one negative interaction during normal daily life are highly likely to have lasting marriages. This means building an emotional bank account through small compliments, expressions of appreciation, and inside jokes. Turning Toward Bids for Connection: In relationships, a partner makes "bids" when they reach out for attention, connection, or a response (e.g., pointing out a bird or sharing an interesting thought). According to The Gottman Institute, couples who stay together respond positively and lean into these bids 86% of the time, compared to 33% for couples who divorce. Avoiding the "Four Horsemen": Research shows you can predict divorce with scary accuracy if you allow four toxic communication patterns to take root: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling. Contempt—such as eye-rolling or mocking—is widely recognized as the single biggest predictor of relationship failure. Prioritizing Shared Time and Experiences: Research indicates that couples who engage in regular, dedicated date nights and invest in shared social and religious activities report significantly higher marital quality. Shared couple time reinforces your identity as a team rather than just two individuals co-existing. Accepting Influence and Tolerating Imperfection: Lasting relationships are built on compromise and accepting that most marital problems (about 69%) are perpetual issues rooted in personality differences. In heterosexual relationships specifically, research highlights that men who allow their wives to influence them and actively work to compromise have notably happier marriages. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
July 23 · 29 min
The Session: The Importance of Laughter
The Session: The Importance of Laughter Proverbs 17:22: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Joyce Meyer writes in her article, “The Benefits of Laughter!”, “Laughter is so important! It’s the outward evidence of inward joy, and it is proven to make you feel better. The joy of the Lord can ease any emotional and physical pain and bring you a new level of satisfaction in life.” It has been said that laughter is like internal jogging, and I think that is so true. Laughter improves emotional and mental health, it lifts our spirits, and it dispels worry. It’s almost impossible to be anxious and laugh at the same time. This is why we would be wise to express joy in laughter every chance we get. Laughter helps in the battle against anxiety, fear and worry. It also helps in the battle against stress, which is the body’s response to what the mind is thinking. Therapeutic Benefits of Laughter in Mental Health: A Theoretical Review, from the National Library of Medicine Laughter is a strategy that has physical, psychological, and social impact in relationships improving health, ultimately improving the quality of life. Laughter has a positive effect on the mental health and immune system. Laughter reduces the stress making hormones found in the blood stream. This helps the impact on your health. Laughter impacts cortisol, epinephrine, and dopamine levels. Laughter releases endorphins- happy cells. If laughter isn’t a “normal” part of us, how do we find it? Watch squirrels act squirrely out our office window? (no….no, I haven’t done that….) How do we change a culture of battle or sadness to a culture of laughter in our home? A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
July 16 · 28 min
The Session: Children of Divorce 2026
The Session: Children of Divorce, an Overview of Research and Articles Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me.” Children of divorce, living in two households face complex emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. The Emotional Impact The impact of two houses has a direct hit or impact on the child’s security and stability The impact of two houses also causes a grieving process of the loss of having two biological parents in their house Children also feel torn between both houses. They fear showing allegiance to one. Parent may hurt the other parent. Children off, so feel hesitant and fearful of sharing their feelings in the two households because of the ramifications that could happen Often times children do not want to alienate the parent that appears to be hurt or could be hurt The impact of divorce and two houses on a child relationship with God Children can struggle with issues a prayer, trust, and why did God allow this to happen to their family? Coparenting Strategies for Healing It is important for split families to focus on grace, forgiveness, and the child's well-being. Todd Taylor writes in his article, the Secret to Success in Christian Coparenting Christian parenting in a split-home environment requires focusing on grace, forgiveness, and the child's well-being. The cornerstone of successful Christian co-parenting is always prioritizing your child’s physical and emotional well-being. DLM Christian Lifestyle Daniel Maritz in DLM Christian Lifestyle states that broken families lead to broken societies Focus on the Family, One Child Two Homes, elaborates on the problems, children face They live a life of constant transition. Life has two sets of parents, two groups of siblings and two different beds. It means switching between different rules and routines and having two homes yet often feeling as if he were not a part of either. Parents are often unaware of the stress a child endures when he’s shuffled between two homes. Children crave stability. In its absence, they may become territorial about their belongings and their space. Their “things” become their security. Ways to help children of divorce living in two separate homes The major challenge is in having consistent rules between the two houses. It’s about making it safe for the children to talk and be heard It’s about providing as much stability as possible. It’s about security and consistency in their lives A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
July 9 · 29 min
The Session: Giving our Children Tough Love
The Session: Giving our Children Tough Love Romans 8:38–39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Emotions, Teens, and Hormones Emotions can be very tumultuous for a teen. Emotions for teenagers can be like unto the life interruption that pre menopause, menopause, and a midlife crisis for a man If the upheaval were strictly environmentally driven, it would be hard to predict its onset. If it’s hormonally driven, it can be very predictable. Reality suggests it is predictable. It has the capability of changing a person’s attitude. An attitude is the total of what a person’s thinking and feeling. When you put it together, you have their attitude. The emotional changes coincide with the physical maturation of a teen. Human chemistry goes crazy for a period of time. The chemistry issues also impact a teens, mind and decision-making process. At the age of 13 to 14, boys awaken to a whole New World, and all of a sudden becomes very aware of what he feels. He can be very stressed by social situations and the fear of being ridicule and embarrassed. Adolescent society is dominated by beauty for girls & physical maturation for boys. The girls beauty is scary for boys (TERRIFYING, ACTUALLY...SCOTT) Boys physical characteristics that help in sports intimidate physically immature boys (SCOTT ALWAYS WANTED A 6 PACK) Physical strength in boys facilitates the bully into hurting the weaker boys The junior/senior prom is dominated by the fear of rejection reaction and ridicule The fear of going to school due to harassment and humiliation Our memories of teen life for our children and us…OH, NOW YOU’RE MEDDLIN’! Have a New Kid by Friday, by Kevin Lehman Kevin promotes tough love by letting our teen children know if they are disrespectful to us that we are less cooperative. A great example would be you were disrespectful to me, so I am not taking you to your friend’s house tonight. Reality Therapy Reality therapy was created by William Glasser to help troubled teens. Similar to Kevin Lehman, reality therapy lets teens learn on their own. We allow life to teach them and not be the heavy ourselves. A great example is if they need to be ready to catch the team bus to one of their sporting events, but they’re poking around and not motivated to get there on time, we allow them to miss the bus. ANY FINAL THOUGHTS FROM DR. DOBSON THAT YOU STUDIED OVER THE YEARS? A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
July 2 · 26 min
The Session: The Importance of Dad in the Home
The Session: The Importance of Dad in the Home - a Collection of Tom’s View on Dads Luke 22:41-44: "He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." From Manhood Journey The biblical role of a father extends beyond biology, including stepdads, mentors, and spiritual leaders who invest in others’ lives. Scripture calls fathers to lead spiritually, model Christlike love, and be encouragers in both words and actions. From Focus on the Family The Significance of a Father’s Influence Our culture seems to place little value on the role of fathers. I see evidence of this everywhere, from pop culture and media to government policy. Dads bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring. They provide protection and economic support and male role models. They have a parenting style that is significantly different from that of a mother and that difference is important in healthy child development. David Popenoe, Life Without Father, Dads tend to stress rules, justice, fairness, and duty in discipline. In this way, they teach children the objectivity and consequences of right and wrong. They give kids insight into the world of men. 82% of studies on father involvement and child well-being published since 1980 found “significant associations between positive father involvement and offspring well-being…” Paul R. Amato and Fernando Rivera, “Paternal Involvement and Children’s Behavior Problems,” Journal of Marriage and the Family 61 (1999): In an analysis of over 100 studies on parent-child relationships, it was found that having a loving and nurturing father was as important for a child’s happiness, well-being, and social and academic success as having a loving and nurturing mother. Kyle D. Pruett, Fatherneed: Why Father Care is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child, Dr. Pruett states, “positive father care is associated with more pro-social and positive moral behavior in boys and girls.” Pruett, 2000, p. 52. This is borne out by research from the University of Pennsylvania which indicates that children who feel a closeness and warmth with their father are twice as likely to enter college, 75 percent less likely to have a child in their teen years, 80 percent less likely to be incarcerated and half as likely to show various signs of depression. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
June 25 · 30 min
The Session: Defeating Alzheimer’s
The Session: Defeating Alzheimer’s (from Defeating Dementia, by Dr. Furman) I Corinthians 6:19-20, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." Start with the name. How did we come to calling it Alzheimer’s? 7.4 million adults suffer from Alzheimer’s Jan’s story The Notebook with James Gardner Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s lose: memories fellowship with God childhood loss of marriage memories of dating valuable relationships Millennials have parents and grandparents that may be showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s Symptoms losing car keys getting your cell phone out but forget why calling someone and forgetting why driving somewhere that you frequently go to and forgetting how to get there Historically it was believed that Alzheimer’s was inherited. 2 Genes showed evidence that made it appear to be inherited. Beta Amyloid and long protein Genes are only 5% responsible 3 Healthy Preventions of Alzheimer’s Healthy eating vs. bad eating Healthy eating was 40% less likely to get Alzheimer’s Exercise vs. not those who exercise were 48% less likely to get Alzheimer’s Those who ate well and exercised were 67% less likely to get Alzheimer’s than those who did not do both Weight those who were overweight doubled their chances of Alzheimer’s. Those who were obese increase their odds 3xs Health of the arteries is vital for blood flow to the brain Taking care of the heart is taking care of the brain Weight health effects our immune health A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
June 18 · 26 min
The Session: Faith of our Founding Fathers Part 2
The Session: Faith of our Founding Fathers You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you." Psalm 128:2 Patrick Henry Famous for “ Give me Liberty or give me death” He was a member of The House of Burgesses First Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia The Commonwealth of Virginia traces its roots back to the church of England, which was predominantly a Christian church Said, “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations.” “An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us.” o “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians… not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” John Jay First chief justice of the Supreme Court President of the American Bible Society, in 1816 He strongly advocated for our country to have Christians in public office o In a 1816 letter, Jay explicitly connected national well-being with Christian leadership: “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” o “The best of all possible worlds depend on the general diffusion of the Bible.” Samuel Adams Often referred to as the "Father of the American Revolution," he was a staunchly Calvinist, practicing Christian who viewed the revolution as a defense of Christian liberties Said, “Religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness.” While Gov. of Mass. in 1795, Adams said this in a Thanksgiving proclamation: “It is therefore recommended… to set apart a day for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts… and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations.” Benjamin Rush A signer of the Declaration of Independence, a physician, and a civic leader. He uniquely blended Enlightenment thinking with traditional faith, even advocating heavily for the use of the Bible in public schools. An active Presbyterian, Rush wrote, “The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty.” He also advocated Bible-centered learning: “The Bible… should be read in our schools in preference to all other books.” Also said, “Christianity is the only true and perfect religion… and… it is friendly to liberty and the rights of mankind.” Rev. John Witherspoon An ordained Presbyterian minister and president of Princeton Univ., who signed the Declaration of Independence. He was the only clergyman to sign the declaration. In a 1776 sermon, he said, “He is the best friend to American liberty who is most sincere and active in promoting true religion.” George Washington The Commander of the Continental Army and the first U.S. President maintained a lifelong affiliation with the Anglican (Episcopalian) church. Throughout his writings, he frequently credited "divine Providence" for the nation's survival and success He was shot four times in the French and Indian war and the bullets went through his coat, but never hit him Two horses were shot out from under him. His hat was also struck by enemy fire He wrote to his brother after the chaotic battle, and said that he only survived because of Divine Providence He was first to sign The Constitution of the United States of America Washington said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.” Thomas Jefferson Said, “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.” Benjamin Franklin Said, “I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence.” Faith in the Founding of Ohio Christian faith was a foundational pillar of Ohio’s early settlement, providing structure, community, and moral direction for the pioneers carving communities out of the frontier. As white pioneers moved into the territory, they faced significant hardships, and the church quickly became the central hub for stabilizing community life. Methodism emphasized a personal, practical Christian experience that resonated deeply with frontier farmers and eventually outpaced other Christian groups in the state. Manasseh Cutler-Minister, Congregational minister, scientist and political leader, who helped draft the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Secured provisions for public education, religious freedom, and a ban on slavery in the territory. He said, “The Divine counsels… give us just ground to believe that one great end God had in view in the discovery of this American Continent… was that a new Empire should be called into being.” Also, “It is not possible… that human laws… can be adequate substitutes for religion… Freedom… cannot be enjoyed without virtue, nor can virtue be maintained without religion.” Rufus Putnam, known as the “Father of Ohio”. Founded Marietta in 1788, the first permanent American settlement in Ohio. He helped design and fund a Congregational church in Marietta, and helped form a Bible Society. Edward Tiffin, Ohio’s first governor, was a Methodist pastor and politician. He often preached while in office. He believed in evangelism: “The situation of the Indians… might be considerably ameliorated by the propagation of Christianity among their various nations… the blessings of Christianity [should] be propagated among the heathen.” Thomas Worthington, major advocate for Ohio statehood. US senator, later Ohio governor. Served as vice president of the American Bible Society. Helped write Ohio’s constitution, which says it is the right of all people to, “worship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience” His family helped establish Methodist worship spaces. Influence on Education and Society Early Ohioans did not just form congregations; Christian faith heavily influenced early education and community outreach. Many of Ohio's historical colleges and learning institutions were founded by Christian denominations. CNN does not promote the idea that George Washington was an evangelical or traditional Christian in the modern sense. Instead, network coverage and analysis on the topic typically point out that many historians dispute the claim that the US was founded as a Christian nation, and note that Washington's actual religious beliefs were more aligned with 18th-century Deism. They did post how they believe President Trump dissed George Washington A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
June 11 · 25 min
The Session: Faith of our Founding Fathers Part 1
The Session: Faith of our Founding Fathers You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you." Psalm 128:2 Patrick Henry Famous for “ Give me Liberty or give me death” He was a member of The House of Burgesses First Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia The Commonwealth of Virginia traces its roots back to the church of England, which was predominantly a Christian church Said, “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations.” “An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us.” o “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians… not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” John Jay First chief justice of the Supreme Court President of the American Bible Society, in 1816 He strongly advocated for our country to have Christians in public office o In a 1816 letter, Jay explicitly connected national well-being with Christian leadership: “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” o “The best of all possible worlds depend on the general diffusion of the Bible.” Samuel Adams Often referred to as the "Father of the American Revolution," he was a staunchly Calvinist, practicing Christian who viewed the revolution as a defense of Christian liberties Said, “Religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness.” While Gov. of Mass. in 1795, Adams said this in a Thanksgiving proclamation: “It is therefore recommended… to set apart a day for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts… and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations.” Benjamin Rush A signer of the Declaration of Independence, a physician, and a civic leader. He uniquely blended Enlightenment thinking with traditional faith, even advocating heavily for the use of the Bible in public schools. An active Presbyterian, Rush wrote, “The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty.” He also advocated Bible-centered learning: “The Bible… should be read in our schools in preference to all other books.” Also said, “Christianity is the only true and perfect religion… and… it is friendly to liberty and the rights of mankind.” Rev. John Witherspoon An ordained Presbyterian minister and president of Princeton Univ., who signed the Declaration of Independence. He was the only clergyman to sign the declaration. In a 1776 sermon, he said, “He is the best friend to American liberty who is most sincere and active in promoting true religion.” George Washington The Commander of the Continental Army and the first U.S. President maintained a lifelong affiliation with the Anglican (Episcopalian) church. Throughout his writings, he frequently credited "divine Providence" for the nation's survival and success He was shot four times in the French and Indian war and the bullets went through his coat, but never hit him Two horses were shot out from under him. His hat was also struck by enemy fire He wrote to his brother after the chaotic battle, and said that he only survived because of Divine Providence He was first to sign The Constitution of the United States of America Washington said, “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.” Thomas Jefferson Said, “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.” Benjamin Franklin Said, “I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence.” Faith in the Founding of Ohio Christian faith was a foundational pillar of Ohio’s early settlement, providing structure, community, and moral direction for the pioneers carving communities out of the frontier. As white pioneers moved into the territory, they faced significant hardships, and the church quickly became the central hub for stabilizing community life. Methodism emphasized a personal, practical Christian experience that resonated deeply with frontier farmers and eventually outpaced other Christian groups in the state. Manasseh Cutler-Minister, Congregational minister, scientist and political leader, who helped draft the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Secured provisions for public education, religious freedom, and a ban on slavery in the territory. He said, “The Divine counsels… give us just ground to believe that one great end God had in view in the discovery of this American Continent… was that a new Empire should be called into being.” Also, “It is not possible… that human laws… can be adequate substitutes for religion… Freedom… cannot be enjoyed without virtue, nor can virtue be maintained without religion.” Rufus Putnam, known as the “Father of Ohio”. Founded Marietta in 1788, the first permanent American settlement in Ohio. He helped design and fund a Congregational church in Marietta, and helped form a Bible Society. Edward Tiffin, Ohio’s first governor, was a Methodist pastor and politician. He often preached while in office. He believed in evangelism: “The situation of the Indians… might be considerably ameliorated by the propagation of Christianity among their various nations… the blessings of Christianity [should] be propagated among the heathen.” Thomas Worthington, major advocate for Ohio statehood. US senator, later Ohio governor. Served as vice president of the American Bible Society. Helped write Ohio’s constitution, which says it is the right of all people to, “worship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience” His family helped establish Methodist worship spaces. Influence on Education and Society Early Ohioans did not just form congregations; Christian faith heavily influenced early education and community outreach. Many of Ohio's historical colleges and learning institutions were founded by Christian denominations. CNN does not promote the idea that George Washington was an evangelical or traditional Christian in the modern sense. Instead, network coverage and analysis on the topic typically point out that many historians dispute the claim that the US was founded as a Christian nation, and note that Washington's actual religious beliefs were more aligned with 18th-century Deism. They did post how they believe President Trump dissed George Washington A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
June 4 · 26 min
The Session: The Impact of Media on America Part 3
The Session: The Impact of Media on America We Set out to Examine What Impacts the World View of Americans Today Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. The Impact of National News on Society Controversy and Media: Some critics, such as those from the Media Research Center, argue mainstream media overlooks or negatively covers "passionate Christian enthusiasm" while focusing on controversies. (SCOTT: IF IT BLEEDS IT LEADS) Disclaimer: This summary is based on search results and reflects a range of studies and perspectives on the impact of Christian-oriented news, media, and ideological views in the United States. National news in America profoundly shapes public opinion, drives political polarization, and impacts mental health, with over 50% of adults believing it misinforms them. While it highlights national issues, it often triggers anxiety through negative coverage and fosters "us vs. them" mentalities that hinder political. Key Impacts of National News on America: Polarization and Distrust: National news often intensifies political divides, with viewers of slanted, partisan media (e.g., Fox News) often having warped perceptions of opposing viewpoints and key issues like inflation or crime. (FROM SCOTT: REALLY? JUST FOX NEWS? ABC, CNN AREN’T SLANTED & POLITICAL?) Only 23% of Americans believe national news organizations care about their audience's best interests. (FROM SCOTT: THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT THE AUDIENCE’S BEST INTEREST. THEY CARE ABOUT MAKING MONEY FOR STOCKHOLDERS & SERVING THEIR POLITICAL BENT) Mental Health Consequences: Consistent exposure to negative news, which dominates headlines (especially in politics), can spark "fight or flight" responses, increasing anxiety and depression. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
May 28 · 27 min
The Session: The Impact of Media on America Part 2
The Session: The Impact of Media on America We Set out to Examine What Impacts the World View of Americans Today Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Does Social Media Help or Hurt America? From Ron Sellers at Grey Matter Research and Infinity 1,000 American evangelicals protestants surveyed Fifty-eight percent of evangelicals believe social media is more harmful than helpful, while 42% say the benefits outweigh downsides. The top reason this group cites for distrusting social media is content that is harmful to Christians (34%). This includes material that is unsafe, sexualized, worldly, hateful, and/or negative. (FROM SCOTT: HOW ABOUT INFO THAT IS A LIE OR INACCURATE?) More surprising is how little difference there is between the two groups when it comes to social media habits. Among those saying social media is more harmful than helpful, 94% still use it at least monthly. 96% use social media. The most popular social media platforms among evangelicals are Facebook (with 81%visiting at least monthly); YouTube (71%); Instagram (45%); and TikTok (35%). (FROM SCOTT: THE TIK TOK ONE SCARES ME. WHY ARE WE USING A PLATFORM OWNED BY CHINA, A NATION THAT HATES US & WANTS TO DESTROY US?) Evangelicals are more likely than the average American to use Facebook (81% vs. 68%), and slightly less likely to use YouTube, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Reddit. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
May 21 · 27 min
The Session: The Impact of Media on America Part 1
The Session: The Impact of Media on America We Set out to Examine What Impacts the World View of Americans Today Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Religious Radio Across America, from the Pew Research Center The project took place over the last year and analyzed 440,000 hours of radio broadcasts in July 2025 with over 5,000 adults in the survey. Those questioned were asked about their experience listening to Religious content on the radio. Key findings in the Pew study: 45% of Americans listen to Religious programming on a regular basis Most religious radio stations describe evangelism as part of their mission The survey revealed that adults ages 18–29 account for 87% of online religious audio streaming, while also demonstrates the format’s broad appeal across generations. Notably, 65% of adults aged 50–64 also listen to religious content online. Approximately 37% of religious stations focus primarily on music, 35% emphasize talk programming, and 28% maintain a more balanced mix of the two. According to the survey of U.S. adults, most listeners do not cite news and politics as a primary reason for tuning into religious audio programming. Only 14% of listeners say keeping up with current events is a major reason they listen, though 40% say it is at least a minor reason. Issues that people listen for, according to the survey: The economy, crime, and immigration — issues that consistently rank among the most important concerns in national surveys of Americans. Two social and cultural issues: abortion and LGBTQ rights. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, the Republican Party, and the Democratic Party. Modern-day Israel and the Palestinian territories, including references to the war in Gaza. 98% of the U.S. adult population lives within range of at least 1 religious radio station 18 to 29-year-olds represent 87% of online religious streaming Summary: 45% of Americans listen to religious radio that have a evangelism focus 18 to 29-year-olds represent 87% of online religious streaming. 65% of Americans 50 to 64 listen to religious radio. Two social and cultural issues discussed on religious radio was abortion an LGBTQ Presidential differences A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”
May 14 · 31 min
The Session: For a Successful Marriage, Avoid “The 5 R’s”!
The Session: For a Successful Marriage, Avoid “The 5 R’s”! From Focus on the Family. Here’s the link to the full article, if you want to read more: For a Successful Marriage, Avoid These 5 Rs - Focus on the Family Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” 1. Rejection Something happens or is said, done, not said, or not done that results in a spouse feeling rejected. 2. Resentment Resentment is any negative emotional reaction to what you think was said or done, or not said or not done. 3. Resistance Resistance is putting up walls and cutting off communication and relationship. Resistance is being shut down emotionally and relationally to someone. The solution: Engage. What emotions are you avoiding? Make eye contact, have conversations. Consider getting clear by saying, “The story I’m making up in my head about ________ is _______________.” 4. Revenge Revenge is the attempt to get even. Revenge is taking advantage of a situation or setting up an opportunity so another can feel the rejection you felt. Examples include. Revenge is the attempt to get even. Revenge is taking advantage of a situation or setting up an opportunity so another can feel the rejection you felt. 5. Repeat A toxic pattern is to believe that because you are hurt, you have the right to be unkind and hurtful. Then you hurt someone, and they hurt you, and you are offended, and they are offended, and in that offense both parties deeply dive into the 5 Rs. Coaches Feedback If we are intentional in our marriages, we will have less time with or when the five R’s show up. Making your marriage, a priority will also help prevent the five r’s from showing up. Particularly for families with children still at home it is very important to think about what you want your children to think about marriage and what they believe in about marriage based on what they saw their parents do? What do you want your children say someday at your celebration of life? The powerful part of that is when that day comes there is nothing that you’ll be able to do about it. However, today you can write what you want them to say, based on how you manage your own life and marriage. A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey! To reach Tom Russell, please call 419-709-8447, email Tom at tom.hccm@gmail.com, or visit his website at https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com Click this link to purchase Tom’s devotional, “Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of God: A Weekly Devotional for Improving Self-Esteem.”

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