Above The Treeline

With divorce rates dramatically on the rise in America, it's important for married couples to know and apply proven principles that contribute to healthy marriages that stand the test of time. Forward Foundation Director Sol Skaff joins us again this week to share what those proven principles are.

Everyone desires to be happy; though happy can be a fleeting emotion. What disciplines can we regularly practice to help contribute to what research calls a ‘happy life,’ and do those practices align with Scripture? Join us for a conversation with professional counselor Sol Skaff.

Though the Jewish and Christian faiths have the same early roots, their beliefs regarding Jesus are drastically different. Join us for a personal discussion with Fran Bates who was born and raised in a Jewish home but encountered Jesus in her adult life.

Many of the heroes of the Christian faith have commonalities -- starting from Genesis up until current day. But what makes those individuals usable? But is God looking for? Join us for a conversation with ACFprayer Pastor Chris Tapken about what we can be on the lookout for in our own lives.

There are a myriad of opinions about what's the best way to parent. Home school or public school? Verbal or physical discipline? Organic or processed food? And the list goes on. We're joined  on today's episode by Carrie Duncan, a homeschooling mom of four, who shares her approach to biblical parenting.

"Church shopping" or "church hopping" are common expressions in Christian circles today, indicating a transactional or consumer-type approach to Sunday worship. Is it OK to leave the church you call 'home' if it does or says something to offend you? Join us for an important conversation with Prayer Pastor Chris Tapken.

When adults start their career after completing their education, their sights are often set on jobs, money, and success. But what happens when God throws a wrench in your plans and calls you to do His work? Join us for a conversation with New York fashion designer McKinzie Balfour about how she heard from God and altered her plans.

The Lenten season is observed more often within liturgical church environments rather than non-liturgical or evangelical churches with the practices of fasting, praying, and almsgiving. Should evangelicals similarly recognize this 40-day season starting with Ash Wednesday and concluding with Maundy Thursday? Join us for a conversation with ACF's Sr. Pastor Kenton Boone.

Everyone has been in a waiting season at least once in their life, and we will all encounter another - whether it's waiting for a job, a relationship, a home, a prognosis... But what do you do when it feels like God has somehow forgotten about you in the waiting or when you don't feel He has a plan for what's next? Join us for a special conversation with author and podcaster Ashley Minor.

It's often the prior generations that pass learning lessons down to their successors, but with Gen Z leading the revival in the Christian Church, should Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers be learning from them? Join us for a conversation with ACFstudents Leader Daven Ballejo.

Social media has been a prominent part of culture for decades now, and we are seeing the negative effects it's having on adults and teens both emotionally and spiritually. How can we as Christ-followers interact with this network (if at all)? Join us for a conversation with ACF's social media manager about the pros and cons of these platforms.

Studies show that these last few years have been hard on pastors, causing many of them to walk away from vocational ministry. What is causing this decline, and how can church congregants respond?

Vocational ministry is a calling, but it does not come without obstacles and attacks. Join us for a personal conversation with ACF Worship Leader Brian Marzolf about reentering ministry after a long, hard break.

In this episode, we hear from a man who purposefully withdrew from society for more than a year, not having relationships in the outside world. Anxiety and depression can often cause people to isolate. What's the remedy for this, and how can Christians respond?

In the last five years, men have reported higher numbers of churchgoing than women. What has caused this shift, and how should the Church respond? Let's dive in!

Attachment patterns in relationships come in several forms. Where does this stem from, and how can Christians both address and overcome it? Join us for a special in-depth conversation with author and speaker Ashley Minor.

Suffering is inevitable on this side of heaven, and that doesn't exclude Christians. How are we supposed to bear and get through suffering? Where is God in the pain? Join us for a conversation with Prayer Pastor Chris Tapken.

Sharing your faith and being a Christian example can sometimes be intimidating for even adults, so how can we equip those younger than us to do the same? Join us for a conversation with ACF Generations Pastor Julie Washington.

There's a direct correlation between cross-generational relationships and one's sense of happiness, but fewer and fewer people are engaging in these relationships – why? Where did the distrust between Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z come from? Join us for an analytical conversation with ACFmen Pastor Colby Huth.

This week, the interviewer becomes the interviewee as host Lauren Thurston shares her personal decades-long battle with clinical OCD and where God has been throughout the diagnosis.

Josh Meyer's story started with the common flu and quickly turned into life-threatening sepsis, which would eventually claim all of his limbs. His sister Kristin joins us to recount the presence and acts of God when facing losing her only brother.

Many have heard of advent calendars and advent candles, but what does "advent" mean? Do only some churches celebrate it? This week, we have a conversation with Sr. Pastor Kenton Boone about the history and meaning of advent and the various ways churches recognize it.

Boundaries can be difficult to set when it comes to complex relationships with family and friends. How are we supposed to enforce healthy boundaries, and when is it OK to step out of a relationship? Join us for a conversation with Licensed Professional Counselor Sol Skaff.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Jack Bailey who shares his life-threatening diagnosis as a child and how God carried him through into adulthood.

When people say they "hear from God," how do they know it's actually God they're hearing from? Could it be their own voice and their own desires instructing them what to do? Join us for a conversation with ACF Generations Pastor Julie Washington about how to actually hear from God.

Almost 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce, so it's not uncommon for kids to be raised by divorced parents or in two separate homes. How can children navigate the changes that divorce brings, and do they have any lasting affects? Join us for a personal conversation.

Everyone has mourned something or someone at some point in their lives. Is there a healthy vs. unhealthy way to grieve loss? Join us for an important conversation with Licensed Professional Counselor Sol Skaff about heartache and moving forward.

The "American Dream" to achieve prosperity can take its toll on Christian families, especially when God takes a back seat to success. Join us for a personal conversation with one of ACF's deacons about how God brought restoration when all seemed lost.

Join us for a special interview with President of the Forward Foundation Solome Skaff about anxiety, mental health disorders, spiritual warfare, and seeking help.

From some Christians, it can be intimidating to talk about Jesus or their faith while at work. What if peopled disagree or are offended by what you believe? Join us for a personal conversation with one of ACF's deacons about he has chosen to live out his faith in the marketplace.

People in the Church seem to be somewhat divided over the concept of tattooing one's body. Is it sinful to get tattoos? And what if the tattoos are biblical? Join us for a conversation with ACF Sr. Pastor Kenton Boone about why he chose to get tattooed.

If a middle-school or high-school-aged child doesn't want to go to church, should we make them? Join us for a conversation with ACF's Student Pastor about how adults can encourage youth to show up and engage.

Everyone has some sort of relationship with money, but that relationship can become unhealthy and even toxic if it's not in check. How can we as Christians prevent ourselves from falling into the trap of loving money? Join us for a conversation.

It's common for many Christians to walk through a phase in life where you feel more distant from God. What role does fellowship (or Christian friendship) play in getting you plugged back in? Join us for an honest discussion about abandoning toxic habits and re-engaging in the Church.

Now more than ever, the leaders in our schools, businesses, churches, and government need prayer covering from Christians. But how can we pray for the ones we don’t like or agree with? Join us for a discussion with Pastor Chris Tapken.

Join us for a special conversation with Candy Coburn about life as a touring musician and how God was present through the highs and the lows.

Many married couples plan on having children at some point, but what happens when one or both partners can't reproduce? Some consider fertility treatments while others are led to adopt, and both are often challenging processes. Join us for a personal conversation with Pastor Julie Washington who walks us through her journey of infertility followed by adoption followed by (surprise!) a biological child.

Being raised in a home where one or both parents are pastors definitely has its benefits, but it also presents challenges that most other kids don't experience. Let's have an in-depth conversation with a pastor's kid who grew up in the church and also chose to enter ministry as an adult.

An increasing number of year-round sports now play games on Sundays, preventing many students from attending church. Has athletics become more important than church? Join us for an important conversation with Pastor Chris Tapken who raised two college-level athletes while also discipling them in the church.

A surprising number of students who were were raised in Christian homes stray away from their faith when attending college. Why is that, and how can we prevent that from happening? Join us for a conversation between two former university students who had to fight to keep their faith after leaving home.

With the number of marital affairs on the rise in America, it's important to address what circumstances can lead to affairs as well as the shame strongholds that inevitably follow. How can one partner forgive this type of betrayal? Is there hope for the marriage after the affair? Join us for a discussion with Affair Recovery Founder and President Rick Reynolds.

Where do you find God when your spouse is dying? Where is He in the mourning process? This week, we have a special guest to share her journey of walking through terminal illness with her husband and how God showed up for them both.

How do you find hope and peace after you receive devastating news? Join us for a personal conversation with Pastor Julie Washington about her journey through cancer and chemo.

In this episode, we have a fascinating conversation with world traveler John Dorling whose faith evolved from agnostic to Christian while living in different parts of the globe including the Middle East and now America.

After a period of decline in church attendance worldwide, can we expect to see revival in our lifetime? Join us for an interesting conversation with Pastor Chris Tapken about a recent study that shows growth in Christianity within an unexpected demographic.

Join us for an in-depth discussion with Mobile Loaves & Fishes Founder Alan Graham about why he decided to serve the homeless population and what our role is as Christ-followers.

There are many ways to serve others right within our communities, so why do Christians travel abroad to serve? Join us for a conversation about what happens on international mission trips and how it leaves a lasting impact.

More kids than ever are growing up without a dad in America. How does that reflect on having a relationship with a heavenly father? More specifically, how does fatherlessness affect young boys who are becoming men? Join us for an honest conversation with Student Ministry Leader Daven Ballejo.

Are cuss words just meaningless words in the English language or are they sinful? Are some words worse than others? We have a discussion with Pastor Chris Tapken about if there are biblical governances for speech.

With the wide availability of alcohol and various types of drugs, we have easier access to substances that claim to reduce stress. But how much is too much? We sit down for an honest conversation about addiction with recording artist Candy Coburn who shares her journey to sobriety.