About the Episode
In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, Christine Chappell interviews Marty Machowski about his book, Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged. During the conversation, Marty explains why parents sometimes feel isolated when walking through challenges involving their children, and offers practical insights on how to handle heated exchanges in the home. He also discusses the importance of keeping an eternal perspective when parenting trials come, comforts listeners with the reminder that God understands what they are going through, and exhorts discouraged parents to reflect on key gospel truths that can persevere them through seasons of heartbreak or disappointment.
About the Guest
Marty Machowski serves as both the Executive Pastor and Family Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for over 30 years. He is the author of The Ology, a systematic theology for children, Long Story Short, Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God, The Gospel Story Sunday School Curriculum and the companion Gospel Story Children’s Bible. Marty enjoys writing “study fiction,” a genre he developed that combines Bible study with engaging fiction. Dragon Seed, a novel for teens, and Prepare Him Room, an Advent devotional for families combine these two elements. He and his wife Lois and their six children reside in West Chester Pennsylvania area. Marty’s other books include Wise Up, Listen Up, Don’t Blame the Mud, God Made Boys and Girls, Leading Your Children to Christ, Teaching Your Children About Money, and Parenting First Aid. View all of Marty’s books here.
Places to Listen & Subscribe
Additional Resources from Marty Machowski
Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged
In this uplifting and faith-strengthening devotional book for parents, best-selling children’s author Marty Machowski encourages parents in the midst of trials. Full of Scripture, testimonies of faithful parents, and insightful meditations, Parenting First Aid equips moms and dads to run to God and trust his ability to do what they can’t.
Parenting isn’t getting any easier, especially with the introduction of insta-porn on electronic devices, the ease of access to drugs, and the ever-increasing blurring of sexuality. This useful resource is for the weary and overwhelmed parents struggling with their children’s choices, and the culture that wars against their souls.
For families with small struggles or weighty parenting trials—such as children involved with drugs, sexual sin, and teenage rebellion—Parenting First Aid is full of personal, real testimonies of God’s faithfulness to those experiencing hardship.
The easy-to-use format provides encouragement to turn to God in the midst of family difficulty. While God does not promise happiness and ease in parenting, all can find comfort in God and peace beyond understanding through the Scriptures and meditations found in Parenting First Aid.
Related Resources from IBCD
- Peacemaking for Families (Ken Sande)
- Parenting Your Young Adult Children | Part 1 • Part 2 (Jim Newheiser)
- Living at Peace with Your Young Adult Children (Jim Newheiser)
- Dealing with Rebellion (Jim Newheiser)
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Author
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Christine is a certified biblical counselor, conference speaker, and host of the Hope + Help Podcast for IBCD. She has authored several books, including Midnight Mercies: Walking with God Through Depression in Motherhood, Postpartum Depression: Hope for a Hard Season, and Help! I’ve Been Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder. Christine also serves as a council member for the Biblical Counseling Coalition. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and three children and is a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Easley. Connect with Christine and learn more about her resources at christinemchappell.com.