Welcome to the Simply Joyful Podcast Episode #007 with Heidi St. John   Show Notes: KristiClover.com/007 Counter-Cultural Parenting   We live in a hurting and broken world. The influences of our culture try to seep their way into our homes any way they can. The hearts and minds of our children are under attack daily. However, often this battle begins with us -- parents. Often we are the ones who are battling the pressures of this culture and allowing ourselves to get stuck in the "ditches" that the enemy seems determined to put us in. Heidi and I  discussed these "ditches" in the first episode of this interview. These are the places we get stuck and off-track from the path that the Lord wants us walking on. In this episode we jump back in where we left off and discuss how parenting and womanhood are under attack today. We need to strive to live counter-culturally for our family's sake.   Now, if you are unfamiliar with Heidi St. John, she is a dynamic speaker and has a very popular blog called The Busy Mom. Equally as popular is her podcast, The Busy Mom Podcast.    On a “Simply” & “Joyful” side note…   Heidi has some great advice on how she simplifies…she shares it right after she laughs at me for asking the “busy mom” how she lives more “simply.” Ha! Hey, even busy moms can find ways to simplify their lives…and she has some great advice. Wait until you hear what she did with her husband's power tools!   In This Episode   In this episode Heidi and I get borderline controversial. If you follow Heidi anywhere online you know she is known for speaking truth on current events and how they relate to the Word of God. We dive into the recent Women's March in D.C. and how we should respond as women and mothers. I typically don't get into topics like this on my blog or on the podcast, but Heidi's wisdom is so good in how she relates everything back to the Lord. This podcast interview was so awesome…and long…that I split it into two episodes. Don't miss Part One of this interview where Heidi shares some incredible encouragement for busy moms. I hope you will be encouraged with every episode of this podcast…starting with this one!   Highlights from This Show…   Heidi shares about how weak women are in the culture today as mothers, and how we don't even know what being a woman means anymore.   "We take our worth and our role from the Lord" —Heidi St. John   "Women need to be strong in who they are and strong in the Lord, so that they can train their children.”  —Heidi St. John   With over 28 years of being married, having children, and now having grandchildren, Heidi talks about the fact that she has "the gift of perspective" which she shares in her new book, Becoming Mom Strong. Heidi and Kristi talk a bit about the Feminist Movement. Heidi shares about the history of Planned Parenthood and Margaret Sanger.   "I feel like womanhood is under attack." — Kristi Clover   "I want to embrace my femininity."  — Heidi St. John   Heidi talks about the recent Women’s March in Washington D.C. -- and her Facebook post that got millions of views!   “These women want to be heard, but they won't listen. They want to be respected, but they won't give respect.” — Heidi St. John   "Unfortunately, we have allowed culture to get to the point where our kids think that's how it's done!"  — Heidi St. John   Kristi shares about how she sees one of the biggest problem we have in society right now is our view of  “parenting."   “I think right now it's not parenting, it's friending. — Kristi Clover   Heidi talks about how she's seen a lot of people taking things that are happening in our culture out of the context of the Bible, because they don't know the Bible. Heidi discusses the Johnson Amendment and how this affects our pastors ability to speak the truth of the Bible.   “We have a lot of problems in this country, but we have a big God! — Heidi St. John   Kristi talks about the amazing resource Heidi has on her website on Scripture writing.   "I