"Should Christians celebrate Halloween?" is a question that is asked by MANY, especially around this time of year. Today, the Penners sit down for a chat to discuss their thoughts on whether or not it's okay to let your kids go trick-or-treating. With Derek on one side of the issue and Julia on the other, tune into today's episode to laugh, learn the origins of this 'holiday' and hear the conclusions they reach on whether or not Halloween is okay to celebrate with your family.

Find the Penners online:

On Instagram : www.instagram.com/the.penners

The Website: www.thepennersworship.com

Community Questions to keep the conversation going:

1) Have you ever thought to pray about whether or not your family should participate in Halloween?

2) Do you think it's an over-reaction to bow out, or do you think the western culture today does not take Halloween seriously enough?

3) What are your thoughts surrounding Church's providing alternative fun nights for kids?

It took 5.5 years for the diagnosis of Julia's youngest daughter to come in, and when they finally received the name of what it was... they were left with more questions than answers. Join The Penners as they discuss the seasons of waiting, how the global pandemic affected their daughter in good and bad ways and maybe most exciting, tune in to hear about the miracles they've wittnessed through the life of their 6 year old. Only GOD can do these things!

Questions for you community:
1) Do you know someone with a Disability? How did you meet them?
2) Have you ever had to wait for a diagnosis, what was that like? How did you feel once you got the diagnosis?
3) Are you in a season of waiting? What if you don't get the answer you're hoping for? Is the foundation of your faith firm, regardless of the answer?

Questions for your kids:
1) Do you know what disability means?
2) Do you know someone who has a disability? Maybe someone who is blind, someone in a wheelchair or someone who needs extra help learning at school? Talk about the similarities they have with that kid, not only the differences.
3) Do you know what a Miracle is? They didn't only happen in the Bible, they happen today! Tell your child about one of the miracles from this episode and talk about how cool God is!

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Instagram: www.instagram.com/the.penners
Website: www.thepennersworship.com

Resources mentioned at the end of this episode:

Fast Friends by Heather M. O'Connor
Zoom by Robert Munsch
Questions and Feelings about Having a Disability by Louise Spilsbury
The Goose with Noodles for wings by Jaime Henderson
All about Diversity (Usborne books) by Felicity Brooks and Mar Ferrero

Today, the Penners share their thoughts on how biblical teachings influenced their decisions to enter into second and third marriages. They look at both the Old and New Testaments to explore what scripture says about these choices. They also discuss the insights and advice they received from family and friends along the way. Join Derek and Julia in today's discussion focused on "remarriage".

Resources mentioned in today's episode:
"101 Questions to Ask Before Getting Remarried" - H. Norman. Wright.

We'd love to hear from you about today's episode or future topics you'd like to hear on the podcast. Email us at thepennersworship@gmail.com or find us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/the.penners

Derek was launched into fatherhood at full speed when he joined the family in 2023. In today's episode, the Penners talk about what it was like to not only marry someone with kids, but be a father to those kids. What is the easiest part of Step-Dad life, and what is the biggest challenge he faces? Join the Penners in today's episode to hear all about living that step-dad life.

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Find us on our website www.thepennersworship.com

Join our newsletter www.thepennersworship.com

Join the Penners as Julia opens up about what led to her father's death in 2019. Addiction is messy, hard, chaotic, uncertain and, in this case, led to brokeness that could not be fixed on this earth.

If you are triggered by sudden death, alcoholism or addiction in general, we suggest you take a moment to discern if this is an episode you should be listening to right now.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

* "Imagine Heaven" by John Burke
* "Hope for an Unwanted Journey" by Bill and Donna Lea Dyck
* "Good Boundaries and Goodbyes" by Lisa Terkeurst

When we first met in 2009, we had no idea where life would take us, and we certainly had no idea that we would end up married and in ministry together, but here we are... and we are so thankful! On today's episode, we take you from our meeting at a bible camp to Julia singing at Derek's first wedding, all the way up through divorce and into married life, and how we knew that this was what God had in store for our lives.

What are a few of our favorite worship songs right now? Was Derek shocked when Julia sent him her ring size after 15 days of dating? What 4 questions should you ask yourself before diving into marriage? Find these answers and more on today's episode of "Coffee With The Penners."

Divorce is a tough subject that a lot of Christians today disagree on. So, what does the bible say about it? What are God's thoughts around it? Can you leave, biblically speaking, if there is abuse? Do we all agree that infidelity is a reason to leave?

Join your hosts Derek and Julia as they open up about their previous marriages, dig into scripture, and talk about what it felt like when their lives fell apart.

** If you'd like to hear more of Julia's story of abuse in her first marriage, join hosts Erika.aanne and cj.godfreyy (both found on instagram) on the H.E.R podcast (@its.her.podcast) episode 43.


Resources named in this Episode:

"Forgiving What You Can't Forget" by Lisa Terkeurst
"The Great Sex Rescue" by Sheila Gregoire
"9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage (and the Truths That Will Set You Free)" by Greg Smalley

Find us online:

On our website at www.thepennersworship.com

On instagram at www.instagram.com/the.penners

Join the Penners as they discuss times in their lives that they learned the hard way how to forgive. Through abuse, divorce, addiction and more, the Penners share openly about their lived experiences in this area. Is forgiveness a feeling, or a choice made? What does the bible say about it all? What if we aren't 'ready' to forgive someone who's hurt us or those we love? Tune in to today's converstaion for this and more.

Resources on Forgiveness:

• "The Shack" by William Paul Young
• "Indigenous Healing Circles, Forgiveness & Reconciliation Unpacked" with Brad Jersak (on the Still Growing in Grace podcast)
• "Forgiving What You Can't Forget" by Lysa TerKeurst
• "Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?" by Timothy Keller