Prosperity Parenting, Rock 'n' Roll Running, and Prevailing Prayers

Third Monday / September, '23

Welcome to this monthly “Third Monday” edition of Greatheart’s Table where we share random chit-chat around the table. This is a print only feature, so if you know those who are audio only, tell them to scoot on over here, subscribe, and check out what’s going on.

I

Primarily what is going on is my working to get the final preparations done for the “Off-Script Kids” retreat which is rapidly approaching. Yikes! If you don’t know what this is, head over to the web site and read up on it. As I write, there are still three seats remaining, which I expect will fill soon. Registration ends October 13.

Many of us have parented within a Christian culture that has been very toxic and psychologically burdensome. We have been fed a prosperity parenting framework and mistaken but institutionalized interpretations of Scripture (I’m looking at you, Proverbs 22:6), all the while being led to dismiss some helpful common grace insights of modern psychological research. It’s my desire to untangle our hearts from much of this and once again to find hope and to map a path toward rebuilding loving relationships with our adult children.

II

I’ll be presenting this same content to a church in South Florida in mid-October. It’s not a public event, but it will serve as something of a model of how this content can be brought into a church for wider distribution. Drop me a note (randy@greatheartstable.com) if you’d be interested in how this might work in your church.

III

Along with children still living in Orlando, I have children living in Maryland, North Georgia, and now Nashville. This makes it very hard to stay in touch, but it opens up great excuses for running exotic races! Last November I ran the Battlefield Half Marathon on the Chickamauga Battlefield while staying with my N. GA daughter, and in May I ran the Flying Pig Half, while visiting my sister and brother in Cincinnati. I’m hoping (entry is by lottery) to run the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile in DC in April while visiting our MD daughter. And now that I have a son in Nashville, the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Half is beckoning. And of course, I live in Orlando, and so for the fourth year, I’ll be running the Orlando Half the first weekend in December. I’d seriously love to connect with any of you who might be running in any of these races.

IV

If you happen to see social media posts promoting Greatheart’s Table or Off-Script Kids, you are seeing the work of my amazing daughter Jerusha, a social media marketing professional. She’s a whiz at what she does, and I’m so grateful for her help!

But for GHT to reach those who would benefit by it, I need you all as well. I need you to share posts and to encourage others to subscribe. Greatheart’s Table is all done on a shoestring - we are a very DIY organization here - but we are committed to quality presentation, and that requires some resources. Your patronage, through a paid Substack subscription or Patreon support, gains nothing, really, for you. We don’t have bling or special access. But it certainly helps keep GHT afloat, especially the podcast side, and it makes it available to those who can’t support it. I appreciate all the words of encouragement and word of mouth advertising.

V

Years ago I wrote on a card I use to keep track of prayer a request that God would allow me to write and that my writing might be read. In a modest way, God is answering that prayer. Thanks for being along for the ride.