Motherhood is often described as one of life’s greatest joys—and it is. But for many women, it can also become one of life’s darkest and most disorienting seasons. Exhaustion, isolation, hormonal changes, overwhelming responsibility, and the quiet fear that “I’m not the mother I’m supposed to be” can converge into something much deeper than ordinary discouragement.For some, that darkness has a name: postpartum depression. For others, depression arrives later and lingers silently behind the daily responsibilities of raising a family. Unfortunately, Christian mothers can also feel an additional burden—the fear that admitting they are struggling somehow means they are failing spiritually.So, how should the church understand depression in motherhood? How do we take seriously the relationship between the body and the soul without surrendering our confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture? And how can husbands, pastors, friends, and churches recognize suffering and respond with truth, compassion, and genuine biblical hope?Today, I’m joined by Christine Chappell, author of Midnight Mercies: Walking with God Through Depression in Motherhood, for an important conversation about postpartum depression, the pressures mothers quietly carry, and how the gospel meets women in some of their darkest moments—not merely with explanations, but with the enduring hope of Christ.Follow the links to get Christine Chappell's book Midnight Mercies: Walking with God Through Depression in Motherhood and upcoming devotional Crying Out in Faith.Visit: https://www.lfbi.org
In this episode of the Ps+ Pastor Chris Allred walks through the different stages of spiritual growth—and how they relate to our involvement in the call of ministry.
The Book of Judges is one of the most sobering leadership books in the entire Bible. It tells the story of a people who had been given a clear mission, a rich spiritual inheritance, and every reason to move forward in faith. Yet generation after generation drifted. Compromise led to spiritual weakness, spiritual weakness led to oppression, and God raised up leaders to set things right.But the judges were not all the same. Some were courageous and decisive. Others were reluctant. Some were deeply flawed, while others became ambitious for the wrong reasons. Their stories give us an honest picture of biblical leadership—how God develops leaders, how fear can hinder them, how pride can corrupt them, and how character determines whether a person's influence becomes a blessing or a liability to the ministry.What does Judges teach us about raising the next generation of Christian leaders? How can pastors, fathers, and mentors develop men who are willing to take responsibility and faithfully serve God? What happens when giftedness exists without character? How can fear, pride, self-promotion, ambition, or a desire for comfort derail a leader?Brandon and Lee discuss Joshua's leadership and the generation that followed him, the warning of Judges 2:10, the importance of discipleship and spiritual inheritance, and the examples of leaders including Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Barak, Gideon, Abimelech, Jair, Jephthah, and Samson.They also address the dangers of self-promotion, the difference between gifting and godly character, the temptation to maintain ministry rather than advance the mission, the importance of humility and contentment, and the need for fathers and mentors to intentionally train the next generation.The Book of Judges reminds us that biblical leadership is not ultimately about charisma, position, or gifting. Faithfulness, humility, character, discipleship, and obedience matter. The question for every Christian leader is whether we will faithfully steward what God has entrusted to us and help prepare others to serve Him.Whether you are a pastor, ministry leader, father, young man preparing for ministry, or simply a Christian seeking to grow in biblical leadership, this conversation offers practical lessons from one of the Bible's most challenging books.The Postscript Show is Living Faith Bible Institute's weekly podcast and YouTube series featuring in-depth theological and ministry conversations with pastors, Bible scholars, missionaries, and professors.For more information, follow the link to read the notes for Episode 283Visit http://lfbi.org/learnmore
In this episode of the Ps+ Pastor Chris Allred leads a discussion about the important role a worshipful heart plays in a life of ministry leadership.
Prayer is one of the most familiar practices in Christianity—and yet it may be one of the least understood.In Episode 282 of The Postscript Show, Brandon Briscoe sits down with Pastor Troy Stogsdill to discuss the biblical theology of prayer and to preview this year's Certainty Conference: The Theology of Prayer.What actually happens when we pray? Does prayer change things? What does it mean to pray "in Jesus' name"? How should we understand God's promises to answer prayer? And how does prayer relate to God's sovereignty, providence, and His work through the local church?Brandon and Troy discuss:• Why prayer is fundamentally an act of worship• Prayer as a relationship and spiritual connection with God• How Jesus' prayer life teaches us dependence upon the Father• Why prayer prepares us for temptation, suffering, and ministry• What it means when God answers prayer differently than we expected• God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in prayer• Whether our prayers can genuinely move God to act• Why the Great Commission must be accompanied by prayer• How prayer relates to evangelism, church planting, and spiritual fruitfulness• The danger of becoming self-sufficient in ministry• Why churches in these last days should not give up on fruitfulnessThe discussion ultimately challenges believers to move beyond treating prayer as either a way to manipulate circumstances or merely a mystical experience. Biblical prayer brings us before God in worship, faith, submission, and dependence—and it has profound implications for the mission of the church.Troy also shares what listeners can expect from the upcoming Certainty Conference, including teaching on the doctrine and practice of prayer and a fellowship-wide time of prayer.Visit https://www.lffellowship.com/certainty to register for Living Faith Fellowship's 2026 Certainty Conference.Visit http://lfbi.org/learnmore