Solid Steps Radio

When you hear the word discipline what comes to mind? Often it’s in a negative connotation, as in disciplining your children. But what about spiritual discipline? The root word for discipline is “disciple,” as in being a disciple of Christ. Praying, reading the Bible, going to worship are all staples in most Christian’s lives. But how can the spiritual disciplines be soul transforming in the life of a believer - as a lifestyle - not just a weekly event. On this week’s show, 37 year seminary Professor David Roadcup, along with 3 of his past and current students, talk about spiritual disciplines and the relationship between Gods grace and our effort.

Generosity. When you hear that word what comes to mind? Money? Maybe more importantly, WHO comes to mind? On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad talk with businessman Randy Fields about what generosity looks like in a real and practical way. Randy grew up as the son of a Baptist minister in Eastern Kentucky. His Dad didn’t have much when it came to finances, but Randy learned what true generosity looked like before money even became a factor.

He was born into a cult. His father left when he was 2. He was fatherless until 9. Is it possible to have reconciliation, and even a relationship between the father and son? On this weeks show, Chad and Kurt talk with Chris Ball about his journey - first as a son and then as a father himself. In his words, this is God’s business - Our Father in Heaven is in the business of bringing dead things back to life and making things new. Chris advises Dads - take the first step.

195. That's how many countries there are around the world. Some people see them as destinations, as places on a map. When God sees nations, He sees people. How about you? On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad talk with David Heady Jr and Blake Shively. They have been to over 70 countries on various short term mission trips. David and Blake talk about how they got started in international mission trips, and how an international trip changes you when you’re back at home.

“Freedom isn't free.” That's a bumper sticker for some people, but it's been a way of life for the men, women and families of the United States military. On this weeks special 4th of July show, Kurt and Chad sit down with veterans Don Waddell (Air Force, Vietnam) and Derek Henricks (West Point, Army, Afghanistan). Don and Derek talk about their experiences and perspectives on military service and the high cost of freedom - for the veterans, and for their families as well. (This weekend's show is a repeat from July 4,2017)

“Freedom isn't free.” That's a bumper sticker for some people, but it's been a way of life for the men, women and families of the United States military. On this weeks special 4th of July show, Kurt and Chad sit down with veterans Don Waddell (Air Force, Vietnam) and Derek Henricks (West Point, Army, Afghanistan). Don and Derek talk about their experiences and perspectives on military service and the high cost of freedom - for the veterans, and for their families as well. (This weekend's show is a repeat from July 4,2017)

Four every day, 365 days a year - that is the number of new child abuse cases in the Kentuckiana area. Said another way - from the time you wake up, to the time you go to bed, 4 children will have been newly identified as an abused child. It is likely their life will never be the same. On this week’s show, Chad and Kurt talk with Stephen Whitehead. He works for a 135 year old organization called Family and Children’s Place ( www.familyandchildrensplace.org ). When a child is referred to Family and Children's Place, they and their family find it is a an emotional and physical safe place. Stephen talks about the programs and processes that this wonderful organization uses in the prevention, intervention, and restoration of children and families.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans….” James 1:27 NIV There are 9,000 children in the Kentucky foster care system. What is the role of the church in the lives of these kids? If someone wants to help, what are their options? Are our churches equipped for supporting them? On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad talk with Darren Washausen, the Executive Director of Orphan Care Alliance (OCA) http://orphancarealliance.org as well as Board Member Austin Wilkerson, and Pastor Darren Lewis. They talk about their adoption journeys around the world and the role OCA played in the process. OCA was founded in 2005 and has helped families care for the fatherless.

"Why is this happening to me? “ Every person has had that question run through their mind. Whether it's a car breaking down or a call from the doctor, we have never really been taught how to mourn or grieve. When the inevitable happens, how can we best handle it? On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad welcome corporate chaplain and grief counselor James Santos. James discusses how we can grieve before, during, and after traumatic events. He also talks about how we can lovingly help the ones we care for who are grieving.

On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad finish up a 5 week study on the book "Shepherding A Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp. Kurt and Chad talk with Gabe Smith and Brad Ricca - two Dads who either have a teenager or soon will. 
Listen now to learn 1) Three goals to impart into the worldview of a teenager. 2) The importance of having a healthy perspective of the identity of God and self; 3) How to move from authority to influence with teenagers.

“Spare the rod, spoil the child." (Proverbs 13:24) That proverb was written by King Solomon centuries ago. Is the idea of spanking as old as the phrase? Is there a place for spanking in the families of today? On this week’s show, Chad and Kurt continue the study of the book Shepherding a Child's Heart (by Tedd Tripp). They talk with Family Pastor Bryan Elliott and Family Counselor Chad Stettler (Olive Branch Family Counseling https://m.facebook.com/Olivebranchfamilycounseling/ ) about what good discipline looks like, as well as what it shouldn't look like. The ultimate goal is getting to the heart of the child, not just managing their behavior. Kurt shares the story of how he explained gospel of Christ in a powerful way to one of his children during a spanking. It’s one of the most moving segments on the show (4th segment, it's worth checking out at least to hear the story.)

"Spare the rod, spoil the child.” That's a phrase many people heard growing up, but in today's culture and society, it may be frowned upon. Few people believe that discipline should not be part of child rearing. But what is a correct way to do it? Is spanking too harsh and outdated compared to more "enlightened" methods? On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad continue their walk through the book Shepherding a Child's Heart as we sit down with fathers Max Semenick and Rob Keto to discuss what is proper discipline in a child's life. And, how should we communicate with our children? According to the author Tedd Tripp, most people just use 3 ways to communicate to their children, but there are another 5 that we don't think utilize.

Things we think we want for our children - the skill of hitting a baseball, being well-adjusted psychologically, reading the Bible, behaving well in public, straight A's in school, and not going to hell. But what if they are the wrong goals in parenting? On this week’s show Kurt and Chad welcome fathers Rob Keto and Cameron Howell to discuss the book Shepherding a Child's Heart (by author Tedd Tripp). While all of those things listed above are what we would like for our children, they could be incredibly shortsighted in the big picture of life. The guys discuss how we Dads can rethink our goals as parents and even enjoy our children in the process.

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart. It is the wellspring of life.” How do we parent our children so they will not only be driven by behaving well and will actually have insides that match the outside? On this week’s show, Kurt and Chad welcome Ken Idleman - former pastor, college president and current consultant for The Solomon Foundation. Ken talks about reaching a child's heart without losing the importance of teaching behavior.

The Kentucky Derby is known as “the greatest two minutes in sports.” The Derby is the oldest American sporting event. Every year the city of Louisville, Kentucky celebrates for two weeks in preparation for a two minute horse race. Is the build up worth it? If you've ever been to the Kentucky Derby, you’d have to say it is. And the majority of the time, the intrigue is not about horses, but about the people. On this week’s show, Kurt and Chad talk to racing Hall of Famer Pat Day about how he got into horse racing, and about his meteoric rise to fame and fortune. With 8,803 career wins on some of the greatest championship horses, his favorite win was the 1992 Kentucky Derby. But was that THE defining moment in his career, and life? At the top of the horse racing world, as Rider of the Year, God showed him that success, as measured by this world, can be a dead end.

In this week’s episode, U of L Professor Brad Shuck joins Kurt and Chad to share what he knows about compassionate leadership. Brad travels around the world meeting with corporate leaders who are looking for ways to energize their companies. Listen now and you will learn the six characteristics of a compassionate leader. And the same principles that can transform a giant corporation will also work in a church or at home! (This weekend's show is a repeat from 2016 - an interview with professor Brad Shuck about servant leadership. Enjoy!)

“High profile leaders are often set up to experience high-impact burnout or flatline in their growth, unwilling or unable to scale the wall ahead of them.” (From the website www.leadershipreality.org ) If that's true for high profile leaders, what about for those of us that aren't in the spotlight? On this week’s show, Chad and Kurt talk with Daniel Montgomery - CEO of Leadership Reality and author of the book Leadership Mosiac 
( www.leadershipmosaic.org). Daniel points out that one size does not fit all - there are 5 different leadership styles and a piece of each of them is more effective than just the one that comes naturally.

So how do you make a difference in the 10th most impoverished area in the United States? Pop tarts and hugs. On this weekend's show, Kurt and Chad talk with LoveCity's ( LoveCityInc.org ) co-founder Shawn Arvin and Portland resident Austin Lopesilvero about how the Portland area of Louisville is being transformed by the two greatest commandments from Jesus - love God and love others. From open gym basketball - to fish fry’s - to block parties, loving your neighbor can be as effective and simple as, well, pop tarts and hugs.

"There is a protagonist and an antagonist in our story.” When you hear the word "Satan", do you shudder or chuckle? Typically people have one or the other response, but are either one appropriate? On this week’s show, Kurt and Chad talk with one another about spiritual warfare and what it looks like in the life of a believer.

Pride. Greed. Lust. Envy. Gluttony. Wrath. Sloth. The seven deadly sins have been around over 1700 years - Evagrius Ponticus penned them in the 3rd century. What do they have to do with being a father? On this weeks show, Chad and Kurt talk with Kent Evans. Kent is an author and the founder of Manhood Journey. He and Ryan Sanders have written a book - 7 Deadly Sins of a Disengaged Dad - about how the seven deadly sins can creep their way into the father’s life if he’s not intentional. More importantly, what are the opposites of the seven deadly sins? Also, Kent talks about his upcoming father-son retreat on May 18.