Marriage is a creation of God’s and is meant to be a blessing. So, how can we do that better? Advice - Recognize you are on the same team. Submit to one another for the good of the team, i.e. marriage. Ephesians 5:21-33 - Verse 33: … every husband must love his wife as himself, and every wife must respect her husband. One of you is not better than the other. You are equal players in this endeavor. No more trying to win for the SELF - now it is win for the MARRIAGE. Many parts - one body, all are...
Apr 25, 2024•36 min•Season 6Ep. 284
Back ground - Philippians 2:14-15 Do All things without complaining and disrupting that you may become blameless and harmless children of God. Let’s just start with an example: Your child is quick to tell you about every time they have an ache or pain. When they are telling you about the ache it is often with such emotion that you wonder how they are even living through it. Then, five minutes later, you hear laughing and playing outside and you look only to see that same child playing with their...
Apr 22, 2024•31 min•Season 6Ep. 283
Are you fit enough to do every day life? We often hear about building muscle and scuptling the perfect body, but the truth is, many of us don't have the time or interest to build the perfect body, we just want to be active and healthy. In today's show Merrill discusses the concept of building Work Capacity. Work Capacity is our abiltiy to do work. Nothing fancy. Work by definition is Force x Distance. That means you apply a certain amount of force in order to move an object. Work Capacity is sim...
Apr 15, 2024•28 min
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the thought of incorporating the Bible into your family's daily life? Fear not! Our latest conversation provides a relatable and supportive guide to navigating scripture and its enduring teachings. Merrill and Linda are transparent about their ignorant beginnings in their faith and how they felt overwhelmed by all they didn't know. However, it was from a thirst for understanding and incredibly loving people that surrounded them that they began to experience the ...
Apr 08, 2024•42 min
We live in a culture of excess. We have more stuff now than ever. More clothes, more food, more comforts, and more parenting. Yes, even more parenting. In this age when our kids seem to have it all, they also have way more parenting hovering over them. As we have indulged our kids with stuff, we also have found ourselves indulging in way too many aspects of their lives. Total lack of parental involvement definitely is not a good thing in today's world. But, governing the details of their lives i...
Mar 25, 2024•33 min
No doubt about it, marriage can be difficult. Anytime we are putting two people with differing ideas and opinions together for one common cause, we are bound to have conflict. Yes, we can and we should develop our communication skills, build our trust, and treat each other with respect. However, these essential relationship attributes could be meaningless if we have unhealthy individuals. If one has significant past trauma, drug or alcohol addiction, or mental illness, to name a few, the marriag...
Mar 17, 2024•30 min•Season 6Ep. 279
Lots of exciting things going on with Rock Solid Families and the mission! In this show we introduce the newest employee of Rock Solid Families, Jenna Helton. Once we decided to have a banquet in 2024, we recognized the need for more help. Jenna to the rescue! We first brought Jenna on just as a subcontractor to help with the organizing and set up of the banquet. It didn't take long for us to recognize what Jenna brought to the table. She is an initiator, creative, hardworking, and loves the ide...
Mar 11, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 278
So why this topic of Shame Free parenting? As parents, our job is to help our children meet their physical, cognitive AND emotional needs. Physical abuse or neglect is a lot easier to spot and call out. Even cognitive is easier. If the child isn’t getting to school or learning how to walk, talk, or read or socialize….it shows pretty early. But emotional needs are just as important. They give our kids stability, self confidence, and the ability to have empathy and compassion for others. So we wan...
Mar 01, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 277
As with all our shows, we’re approaching this topic of dating later in life from a Christian perspective. We believe it’s the healthiest way to approach dating. Looking at every date through the lens of a good, good father who is crazy about you and has amazing plans for your life is very different than how the world views dating. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our heart above all things because everything you do flows from it. We say all this knowing already we are swimming up stream in a ho...
Feb 26, 2024•31 min
Today’s topic is one we have visited before. But today, we would like to address the topic from a different angle. As parents we would never want to intentionally hurt our kids. We desire the best for them and all of the best opportunities to do well in life. But, over the years we have lost sight of what “the best” really means for our kids. In many cases we have recognized what we have earned or achieved as adults and want to hand that right over to our kids. This might sound like a nice thing...
Feb 18, 2024•30 min•Season 6Ep. 275
Embark with Linda and me on an intimate exploration of the complex tapestry of love, from its passionate beginnings to the profound connections we cherish in friendships and family. We're unwrapping the mystery of love's many forms, starting with a look at 'Eros' - the romantic, fiery love that often gets our hearts racing. But we won't stop there; we're threading through the realms of 'Phileo' and 'Storge', illuminating the bonds that fortify friendships and family ties. Together, we'll navigat...
Feb 12, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 274
In a perfect world I think we could agree that keeping marriages healthy and two parents in the house raising the children is the optimal situation. But, we live in a less than optimal world. As this relates to the home we often have marriages coming apart and children being raised by parents or step parents that often desire little to do with each other. The result can be a devastating environment to raise a child. In our work at Rock Solid Families we see divorced or separated parents attempti...
Feb 05, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 273
Should I seek counseling or therapy for my child? Here are some things to consider Advice - Before jumping into therapy, have you considered that you, as the parent, are likely to have the greatest influence and support in helping your child through many situations. Oftentimes we suggest that we spend our counseling sessions with the parents to help give them the tools necessary to tend to their child. The counselor is typically only going to see your child a couple times a month for about an ho...
Jan 22, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 272
Making difficult decisions can be stressful and even paralyzing. "Should I take the job or not? "Where should I live?" " How should I spend my money?" "What should I study in school?" "Who should I marry?" As you can see the list can seem to go on and on. The "right" answer seems to be hidden and rarely appears to give us that definitive statement that we are searching for. Seeking God's Will can be challenging, but in this episode, Linda and Merrill discuss six things we can do to help us disce...
Jan 15, 2024•22 min•Season 6Ep. 271
Now that the new year is started, have you taken any time to recalibrate your goals? Did you even have any goals? Often we stop setting goals because we seem to fail at reaching them more than we would like to admit. This leads us to stop the goal setting process and just let life happen. How about this year you take a different approach. How about setting S.M.A.R.T. goals? In this show Linda and Merrill specifically guide you through the process of making goals more realistic and achievable. S ...
Jan 08, 2024•18 min•Season 6Ep. 270
Here we are, starting a New Year! It's hard to believe but great to know that we can take some time to re-prioritize and get back on track in areas that we may have strayed. In particular, how have you been doing with your relationships? Do you have your priorities straight with them? Where do you place your kids relative to your spouse? How about God? Where does he rank in the priority list? Having your priorities right is more than a matter of words, it is a matter of actions. Do your actions ...
Jan 01, 2024•16 min•Season 6Ep. 269
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Dec 25, 2023•34 min
Rock Solid Families EP 267: Mean Girls, Drama Queens, What's Up With All This Stuff? Linda Hutchinson and Meredith Scudder Are you tired of getting caught up in drama and conflict? Ready to break free from the toxic triangle that keeps you stuck? Then you need to listen to this episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast. In this eye-opening conversation, hosts Linda Hutchinson and Meredith Scudder dive deep into the Drama Triangle and its ineffective way of handling conflict. But here's the twis...
Dec 18, 2023•32 min•Season 6Ep. 267
Rock Solid Families - EP266 - Teaching Your Kids the Value of Money Merrill and Linda Are you tired of feeling like an ATM for your kids? Do you want to teach them the value of a dollar and help them become financially responsible adults? Then you need to listen to this episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast. In this eye-opening conversation, hosts Linda and Merrill Hutchinson discuss the importance of teaching kids about money from a young age. They share personal stories and practical tips...
Dec 11, 2023•39 min•Season 6Ep. 266
Are you tired of the same old family drama ruining your holiday season? Well, in this episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast, hosts Merrill and Linda Hutchinson dive into the topic of navigating family dynamics during the holidays. They discuss the commercialization and disruption of Christmas, as well as the struggles and broken relationships that often arise. But fear not, because they provide practical advice and strategies to help you navigate these challenges and make the most of the ho...
Dec 04, 2023•44 min•Season 6Ep. 265
How do we, as Christian parents, guide our children through the complex topics of marriage, sex, and homosexuality from a biblical perspective? This challenging question sets the stage for our latest podcast episode. Our hosts delve into the delicate task of educating children about these important subjects, emphasizing the necessity of age-appropriate, biblically grounded discussions. They highlight the Christian view of marriage as a union between a man and a woman and discuss sex as a sacred ...
Nov 27, 2023•43 min
Rock Solid Families - EP263 Israel-Hamas War: Talking to Your Kids About Good vs Evil Merrill and Linda Hutchinson “Teach your children to pray so that if their little hearts feel heavy, they can go to God and not the world.” These powerful words from the Rock Solid Families podcast episode on parenting through dark times resonate deeply. As we reflect on war going on between Russia and Ukraine and war going on between Israel and Hamas, both adults and children are seeing and hearing painful, fr...
Nov 20, 2023•41 min
Have you ever felt like counseling is too female-oriented? Well, you're not alone. In the latest episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast, Merrill and Linda Hutchinson delve into the vital role of communication in resolving relationship conflicts. Merrill brings up an interesting point about the counseling field often being skewed towards women, highlighting the importance of communication styles that effectively resonate with men. He emphasizes that men experience deep emotions and the need f...
Nov 13, 2023•48 min
Hosts - Merrill and Linda Hutchinson "Conflict in marriage is not about winning or losing, but about finding a resolution that honors both partners," says Merrill Hutchinson. In this episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast, hosts Merrill and Linda Hutchinson dive into the topic of conflict resolution within marriage. They explore the different points that can lead to impasses in a relationship and discuss the common subjects that often spark arguments, such as money, sex, responsibilities, an...
Nov 06, 2023•31 min•Season 6Ep. 261
Rock Solid Families - EP260 - Should I Home School My Kids? Lisa Cox - certified teacher that chose to bring her craft into her home Considering homeschooling your kids? In today's episode, we're unpacking the world of homeschooling, an educational path that's gaining traction among many Christian families. Lisa Cox, an experienced homeschooling parent, offers a firsthand look into the dynamics and decisions surrounding this approach to education. Key to the conversation is the unity of parental...
Oct 30, 2023•39 min•Season 6Ep. 260
Guest Host - Meredith Scudder Waiting is not a passive act, but an opportunity for growth. In this episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast, the hosts delve into the topic of waiting and the challenges it presents in our fast-paced, instant gratification society. They discuss how the younger generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z, struggle with patience due to growing up in a culture of convenience and immediate access to information and resources. The hosts emphasize the importance o...
Oct 23, 2023•41 min•Season 6Ep. 259
Rock Solid Families - EP258 - Inviting God to School "Bringing God into our schools and homes is not about pushing an agenda, but about equipping our children with the tools to defend their faith and stand for what they believe. It's about instilling in them a strong identity and purpose in Christ, so that they can navigate the confusion and challenges of the world with confidence and hope." - Rock Solid Families In this episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast, hosts Linda and Merrill Hutchin...
Oct 16, 2023•42 min•Season 6Ep. 258
"Men are not less than, they are different. Understanding their needs and meeting them where they are is the key to bringing them back into the church and empowering them to lead their families." - Merrill Hutchinson In this episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast, hosts Merrill and Linda Hutchinson discuss the importance of men's involvement in the church and the home. They highlight the concerning trend of fewer men attending church and being actively engaged in family life. Drawing from th...
Oct 09, 2023•42 min•Season 6Ep. 257
Rock Solid Families - EP256 - Thanks for 5 Years! Merrill and Linda Hutchinson In this heartfelt 5 year anniversary episode, Linda and Merrill reflect on half a decade of their dedicated ministry, Rock Solid Families. They recount the myriad of lives they've impacted: from young adults, parents, and teens, to empty nesters and couples facing challenges. They open up about the inspiring tales of renewal and healing they've seen, attributing these changes to the profound influence of the Holy Spir...
Oct 02, 2023•43 min•Season 6Ep. 256
God's truth has the power to shatter the lies we believe about ourselves and replace them with the value and worth He has bestowed upon us. In this episode of the Rock Solid Families podcast, hosts Merrill and Linda Hutchinson delve into the topic of the lies we believe about ourselves, others, and God. They share personal experiences of the lies they believed growing up and how those lies shaped their self-perception. While certain facts may be true, it is the value we attribute to those facts ...
Sep 25, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 255
