Pardon the Mess with Courtney DeFeo - Christian Motherhood, Biblical Parenting, Raising Christian Kids

Are you going through an unwanted divorce? Or have a friend or family member going through an unwanted divorce? This powerful episode with Lysa TerKeurst is for you. I’m so thankful that Lysa is using her own divorce experience, healing journey and biblical understanding to encourage other women.

Lysa shares about the significant challenges of an unwanted divorce. She shares about the unhelpful comments and ve...

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” (Ruth 1:16 NLT)

We often hear Ruth 1:16 recited at weddings, and rightfully so; it is a beautiful verse about family and loyalty. When Ruth’s husband died, she decided to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, even though it meant leaving behind life a...

Did you know that once a month we are doing a mentor episode? What does that mean? I have come across a lot of moms that desperately want a mentor, but don’t have time to read a book. So! Each month, there will be a podcast topic and your only job is to:

1) listen to the episode

2) talk about it with a mentor or friend that is a season ahead of you

If you’re just getting started - d...

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? (James 2:14)

Rahab is an unlikely hero. She started as a Canaanite prostitute, meaning she was a fallen woman living in a fallen city, and she eventually was listed in the genealogy of Jesus. Rahab’s life shows us that while faith is not about our works, a bold faith is actively lived out.

When two ...

I love the topic of family legacy! The Robertsons surely have made a name for their family that is all about faith. Joining me today on the podcast is author, speaker and TV star Korie Robertson. She is so genuine and the love that she has for her family is so evident. You have likely seen the Robertson family through their show Duck Dynasty but I love that we hear about Korie’s side of the family too. What a tre...

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Joshua was one of only two people who left Egypt and entered the promised land. He was a military leader and a spy, and eventually took over as leader of the Israelites after Moses died. He continually led the Israelites into battle and trusted in God’s promise that they w...

This episode is one we don’t want to think about - but we must. The average age of first exposure to pornography is between age 8 and 11. Porn is everywhere. As a parent, it can feel super intimidating and scary to think about these discussions. How do we talk to our kids? What language do I use? When is the right time? How can I protect them? How can I help through this struggle?

Greta Eskridge is the author of <...

Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you.” (Exodus 4:14)

Aaron was chosen by God to support Moses in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. When Moses doubted his ability to speak, Aaron stepped in and delivered God’s messages to Pharaoh. He was Moses’s helper! He wasn’t the ma...

You will recognize the last name “Shankle” because Melanie Shankle is a frequent guest on Pardon The Mess. Melanie is one of my favorite authors out there and it’s so fun to have her daughter, Caroline Shankle, on the podcast today.

She is so delightful and gives such a great perspective of what it’s like to be a young girl learning hard lessons with God by your side. She reflects on “3 giants teens are facing today.” From “fitt...

The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11–12 NLT)

Moses’s life was full of ups and downs. But he is forever known as a great and humble leader. When Moses was born, Pharaoh had ordered all Hebrew baby boys to be killed, but God had a different plan for Moses’s life: He was saved by God’s plan and raised in Pharaoh’s ...

How are the habits of your family? How is your physical health? Mental health? Spiritual health? This is an episode that is so needed for couples. I would LOVE for you to listen with your spouse and then find time to discuss it.

Justin Earley shares about this mental health breakdown as a young dad and how God brought him to this current place of healing. As you know, I have struggled with my health for many years and I needed e...

I will praise the Lord at all times.

I will constantly speak his praises.

I will boast only in the Lord;

let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;

let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.

He freed me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:1–4 NLT)

The story of Job is a tough story to read and process through. Why would God allow such immense suffering? Job was a righteo...

I believe the key to parenting, marriage and life is this topic right here - intimacy with God. Are we spending time with God? How do we do this as moms? What if we tried and it's too hard? 

It can be so intimidating to learn about “quiet times” and “prayers.” We are joined today by author, speaker and Bible teacher Stacey Thacker. I love her heart for God’s word and prayer. She gives us so many p...

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:20 NLT)

Joseph had every reason to be angry and bitter at the world. His brothers picked on him, tricked him, and sold him into slavery. He was taken to Egypt where he was eventually imprisoned for something he didn’t even do. It would have been easy for Joseph to call life unfair and ...

Do you have a child that is wrestling with their faith? Or maybe you fear this scenario with your little ones? What if they grow up and deny their faith or doubt God? What you will hear today through Alena’s story is that God is faithful. She is confident in that truth after a 7-year wrestling period with God.

Alena’s quest to know God helped her to know herself in a foundational way. This conversation not only helped me as a mo...

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3–5)

Jacob fought and wrestled and did things his own way his entire life: He grabbed his twin brother’s heel as he was being born and ...

Buckle in for a fantastic and thought-provoking chat with author and speaker Vicki Courtney. Have you ever heard the phrase, “motherhood is your highest calling” ? Did you believe it? And do you agree with it?

I love that Vicki is looking back as a grandmother and assessing this common phrase and belief that impacted her motherhood journey. She wants to help our generation properly grapple with our highest calling. She believes ...

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

Think about the amount of trust Abraham had in the Lord: He was told to leave his home and move to a new land and wandered for decades, not knowing where he was going, but he went anyway. He was told he would be the father of a great nation, but he didn’t hav...

My natural reaction is to CONTROL my kids and I wish that wasn’t the truth. I know that the best thing for them and for me is to surrender all of it to God every day. Why is this so hard for me? Do you also struggle with wanting to control and hold onto your kids? 

Join me today as I chat with Christy Nockels about this idea of surrendering our kids through various seasons. Christy has been writing songs and leading worship for ...