• The Session with Tom Russell

  • Written by: RISE FM Ohio
  • Podcast
The Session with Tom Russell cover art

The Session with Tom Russell

Written by: RISE FM Ohio
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Join us every Thursday at 10 a.m. as we 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!
    2020
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Episodes
  • The Session: Imaginary Friends

    The Session: Imaginary Friends
    Jun 13 2024

    I promise....Tom and I are not just voices in your head OR imaginary friends! We are real people! And in this episode, we share some important information that parents need to hear about the imaginary friends your kids may have. We get real in this episode too. They have popped up in both of our families.

    The Session: Imaginary Friends

    Research suggests that imaginary friends are normal for children and can have many benefits.

    II Timothy 2:7: Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

    · A best friend is someone who is supportive and reliable.

    · Benefits of an imaginary friend

    You receive: attention, affirmation, approval, acceptance

    · Cognitive development -imaginary friends can help children develop skills like perspective-taking, problem-solving, and social communication.

    · Emotional well-being-Imaginary friends can help children learn how to deal with difficult emotions and may be a coping mechanism for stress, trauma, or loneliness.

    · Social skills -Imaginary friends can help children practice interacting with others and their environment.

    · Creativity -Children with imaginary friends tend to be more creative and confident.

    · Insight into a child's mind -Watching a child interact with an imaginary friend can help parents learn more about their child's thoughts, feelings, likes, and dislikes. Research Educational and Child Psychology , 34 (3)

    5 purposes for having an imaginary friend

    In 2017, researchers described these five purposes for having an imaginary friend:

    1. problem-solving and emotion management

    2. exploring ideals

    3. having a companion for fantasy play

    4. having someone to overcome loneliness

    5. allowing children to explore behaviors and roles in relationships



    Focus On The Family

    Imaginary friends are normal. The imaginary friend will usually disappear as your child matures and builds friendships with real-life peers.

    When will imaginary friends usually appear?

    Is there an age where a parent should be concerned if the imaginary friend is still present and very involved with their child?
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    25 mins
  • The Session: Father's Day, part 2

    The Session: Father's Day, part 2
    Jun 6 2024
    NOTE: If you would like to send us a question for our “Ask me Anything” episode, please email scott@risefmohio.com or tom.hccm@gmail.com We would love to hear from you! Serious or silly, it doesn’t matter! Father’s Day, Part 1 (We didn’t intend for a 2-parter, but it’s us, so….)Luke 15:20So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Father’s Day is:· A day to be thankful for the men who take on the responsibility and obligations of guiding us through life.· Jesus gave thanks to the Father as an example to us. Father’s Day is the time we designate to thank our earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father, just as our Savior did. Stephen Scott & Focus on the Family.· Scripture clearly shows the importance of the relationship between Jesus and God, the Father· John 20:17 is a good example; Jesus said, 'Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'How do fathers want to be celebrated on Father’s Day?· They are more into a family activity. That may mean a hike or a family kickball game. They may enjoy a family bike ride.· If you're wanting to surprise the father of your children this Father's Day, plan a romantic night or weekend getaway. Yes!!God, our Heavenly Father, is the ultimate example of a righteous father. Even amid our shortcomings, His love is complete and endless. He invites us to talk with Him in prayer. He wants us to be happy. Through Jesus Christ, we can know God as our heavenly Father. In a sense, the Creator is the Father of all humanity. However, it's only through trusting in Jesus that a person becomes a child of God (Galatians 3:26).—Jesus calls God “Father” over 165 times! See how important this is to God? And I wish I could say Jesus settled the matter. But, no—to this day God longs to be called "Father." He will forever want His children, seeking those who walk away. But in the New Testament, although God remains holy and majestic in our eyes, Jesus adds a strikingly clear emphasis on God as Father—both his Father and our Father (John 20:17). It is Jesus who calls God “Abba, Father” (Mark 14:36). It is Jesus who teaches us to pray to God as our Father (Matt. 6:9). Ray Ortlund said, “That God the Father has made himself God our Father means that he is personally, emotionally, and even sacrificially involved with us.” Step Dads Let’s celebrate all the dads who, like our Heavenly Father, selflessly infuse their own spirit into the lives of others. Is there someone in your life that fills that father role – thank him today. A special note from a stepdaughter to a stepdad, from LuAnn Prater-“I was thinking about it, and there is a difference between Dad and Step-dad. A Dad just is. It’s Dad. But the word Step is one of those polite substitutes for what it truly is: a LEAP; a PLUNGE; a FREEFALL on to the side of an unknown mountain, knowing no matter where you land on it – you MUST climb and fair the weather along the way if you want to reach the top. A different view for step childrenThe Step – “much like the jagged blender blades which create the blended family – is what it takes to bridge the chasm from your heart to mine. And you took that Step, that Leap, that Plunge. I cannot thank you enough. You stand by me. You listen – really listen. And perhaps what most impresses me is that you opened your arms to me – from the first day we met. You were willing to love me, and hold me. For once I could be held by a man and trust, to feel SAFE. I cannot thank you enough…for being a father to me…my incredible Step-dad. I love you, Tiffany.” What causes a stepchild to resist the relationship with a step parent?· Comparing a parent to your biological parent· Fear of losing a bio parent because there is a step parent in the picture· Lack of trust and not having control in their lives that cost them their bio parentLet’s look at Father’s Day and a familiar Bible story from a different perspective. Let’s look at the story of the Prodigal Son from the Father’s perspective. What can we learn from him, and from God, about a father? An additional resource for another “dad” story and perspective: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/what-fathers-day-means-to-me/
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    25 mins
  • The Session: Father's Day, part 1

    The Session: Father's Day, part 1
    May 30 2024
    NOTE: If you would like to send us a question for our “Ask me Anything” episode, please email scott@risefmohio.com or tom.hccm@gmail.com We would love to hear from you! Serious or silly, it doesn’t matter! Father’s Day, Part 1 (We didn’t intend for a 2-parter, but it’s us, so….Luke 15:20So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Father’s Day is:· A day to be thankful for the men who take on the responsibility and obligations of guiding us through life.· Jesus gave thanks to the Father as an example to us. Father’s Day is the time we designate to thank our earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father, just as our Savior did. Stephen Scott & Focus on the Family.· Scripture clearly shows the importance of the relationship between Jesus and God, the Father· John 20:17 is a good example; Jesus said, 'Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'How do fathers want to be celebrated on Father’s Day?· They are more into a family activity. That may mean a hike or a family kickball game. They may enjoy a family bike ride.· If you're wanting to surprise the father of your children this Father's Day, plan a romantic night or weekend getaway. Yes!!God, our Heavenly Father, is the ultimate example of a righteous father. Even amid our shortcomings, His love is complete and endless. He invites us to talk with Him in prayer. He wants us to be happy. Through Jesus Christ, we can know God as our heavenly Father. In a sense, the Creator is the Father of all humanity. However, it's only through trusting in Jesus that a person becomes a child of God (Galatians 3:26).—Jesus calls God “Father” over 165 times! See how important this is to God? And I wish I could say Jesus settled the matter. But, no—to this day God longs to be called "Father." He will forever want His children, seeking those who walk away. But in the New Testament, although God remains holy and majestic in our eyes, Jesus adds a strikingly clear emphasis on God as Father—both his Father and our Father (John 20:17). It is Jesus who calls God “Abba, Father” (Mark 14:36). It is Jesus who teaches us to pray to God as our Father (Matt. 6:9). Ray Ortlund said, “That God the Father has made himself God our Father means that he is personally, emotionally, and even sacrificially involved with us.” Step Dads Let’s celebrate all the dads who, like our Heavenly Father, selflessly infuse their own spirit into the lives of others. Is there someone in your life that fills that father role – thank him today. A special note from a stepdaughter to a stepdad, from LuAnn Prater-“I was thinking about it, and there is a difference between Dad and Step-dad. A Dad just is. It’s Dad. But the word Step is one of those polite substitutes for what it truly is: a LEAP; a PLUNGE; a FREEFALL on to the side of an unknown mountain, knowing no matter where you land on it – you MUST climb and fair the weather along the way if you want to reach the top. A different view for step childrenThe Step – “much like the jagged blender blades which create the blended family – is what it takes to bridge the chasm from your heart to mine. And you took that Step, that Leap, that Plunge. I cannot thank you enough. You stand by me. You listen – really listen. And perhaps what most impresses me is that you opened your arms to me – from the first day we met. You were willing to love me, and hold me. For once I could be held by a man and trust, to feel SAFE. I cannot thank you enough…for being a father to me…my incredible Step-dad. I love you, Tiffany.” What causes a stepchild to resist the relationship with a step parent?· Comparing a parent to your biological parent· Fear of losing a bio parent because there is a step parent in the picture· Lack of trust and not having control in their lives that cost them their bio parentLet’s look at Father’s Day and a familiar Bible story from a different perspective. Let’s look at the story of the Prodigal Son from the Father’s perspective. What can we learn from him, and from God, about a father? An additional resource for another “dad” story and perspective: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/what-fathers-day-means-to-me/
    Show more Show less
    25 mins
Spirituality Ministry & Evangelism Psychology Hygiene & Healthy Living
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