Some women are tall; some are short. Some have blue eyes, and some brown. Some women excel at art and music while others make medical breakthroughs that save lives and change the world. But, none of this defines a woman. A woman isn't even defined by long hair, or pronounced hips. A woman is a life-giver and a life-sustainer. Not just anyone can be a woman, or do the things a woman can do - only a woman can.In this episode, that covers womanhood from all angles, Ciara and Jessi explore the controversy that has erupted over what should be a fairly straightforward question, with an uncomplicated answer. But, in a world that hates God, and all He has designed, even the most obvious and plain things need explaining. While women each have many things unique and special in common with each other, how that commonality is expressed will look different for each of us. And to this point, Ciara and Jessi get a bit personal about future plans for their homes, their lives, and this podcast.We hope you'll join us for this episode!Show Notes:Ep 39: Raising Girls https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/9555919-ep-39-raising-girlsEp 38: Raising Boys https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/9516739-ep-38-raising-boysElisabeth Elliot: Let Me Be A Woman https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/let-me-be-womanWield the Sword: Biblical Manhood and Womanhood https://youtu.be/fAkyogF1VskDesiring God: The Science of Male and Female https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-science-of-male-and-female

A Christian pastor set off a firestorm last week when he suggested believing women had no good reason to post immodest photos on the internet. It's no surprise the secular world went into a tailspin over such a thought, but to see Christian women link arms with the God-reviling culture was not as expected - or appropriate.In this episode - the season 3 finale - Ciara and Jessi explain why they planned to take on this topic even before "Dear Brian" became a trending topic on Twitter, where clothing came from, who designed it, for what purpose, how we should view it and wear it, and why Christian woman should be celebrating how precious and sacred their bodies are, so much so, that they should be kept for our husband's eyes only.Show Notes:Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America by Jeff Pollard https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Modesty-Public-Undressing-America/dp/1929241348The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today's Students  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003719GL8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0Desiring God: Modesty Misunderstood https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/modesty-misunderstoodBrian Sauve and Eric Conn: Why Should Christians Care About Modesty? https://ericconn.com/podcast/why-should-christians-care-about-modesty/Follow crosswise on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosswisepodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crosswisepodcast/

At the request of a young listener looking for information to refute the claims of a high school science teacher, Ciara and Jessi explore the truth behind dominate theories including evolution and the Big Bang with special guest, and creation enthusiast, Ben Bridges.Ben answers questions from how science and the Bible aren't incompatible, but work together to inform our understanding of life, how advancing science actually disproves long-standing theories about how life and the universe began, why the idea that the Earth is billions of years old should be rejected by Christians, and so many more.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, not really. That may sound like a nice thing to say, and it may even be an attempt to remain neutral or inoffensive when someone mislabels something objectively ugly as beautiful. But what ends up happening is an ushering in of the truly offensive because the world has defined the act of discriminating what is true, beautiful, and good as being hateful.Despite what the world says, we can know what is objectively beautiful, and what isn't, because the God who made all of creation is beauty Himself and has set forth what defines it. Ciara and Jessi explore the degradation of beauty, and the uplifting of the ugly in an episode that is sure to get you reconsidering if our observations about the world -and the art, music, and literature we enjoy - are really as subjective as we think they are. Show Notes:Why Beauty Matters (documentary film) https://vimeo.com/128428182Evan Sayet: How Modern Liberals Think https://youtu.be/eaE98w1KZ-cLigonier | The Triune God: Good, Beautiful, and True https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/triune-god-good-beautiful-and-truePraguer U: Why is Modern Art So Bad? https://youtu.be/lNI07egoefc

If your dog and a perfect stranger were drowning in a lake, side by side, who would you try to save? Would it surprise you to learn that nearly 2/3 of American adults would choose their dog? This disregard for our fellow man, in favor of animals is permeating society to a degree that many married couples are choosing to have pets instead of having children, and many animal species have greater legal protections than unborn babies. As Christians, we ought to be aware of how our attitudes about animals and their relative value to human beings can mimic that of the secular world, and this is exactly the consideration - and many more - that Ciara and Jessi look at in this episode.Show Notes:Chewy.com Christmas commercial: https://youtu.be/iIavnj8qGa0PragerU: Are Humans More Valuable Than Animals? https://youtu.be/7JATJv8HlV8Episode 15: Is God A Wo(Man)? https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8151370-ep-15-god-is-a-wo-manA Rate is a Pig is a Dog is a Boy: The Human Cost of the Animal Rights Movement https://www.amazon.com/Rat-Pig-Dog-Boy-Movement/dp/1594033463The New England Journal of Medicine: The Groningen Protocol https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmp058026"Euthanizing Children" by Wesley J. Smith https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2016/10/euthanizing-childrenCDC 2020 Birth Rates https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr012-508.pdfPopulation Trends in the Middle East and North Africa https://www.prb.org/resources/population-trends-and-challenges-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/Why Muslims Are The Fastest Growing Religious Group https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/06/why-muslims-are-the-worlds-fastest-growing-religious-group/Voddie Baucham: The Centrality of the Home in the Evangelism and Discipleship of the Next Generation https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/gracefamilybaptist/sermons/5209234630/Follow crosswise on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosswisepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crosswisepodcast/

You know those times when you're really struggling and could use some solid encouragement, but then, someone tries to sum up God's provision like its a bumper sticker? Yeah. Cringe, right? The problem here is that these catchy little phrases take hold because rarely do we stop and consider what they mean, if they hold up against scripture, and what the implications are when saying this stuff?Well, in this episode Ciara and Jessi take on all the cringe - well, not all of it, but some of it - and look at three common phrases you may have heard believers use, or maybe you have even used yourself, and discern their way through what they all really mean.Try not to cringe too hard. Show Notes:The Holiness of God by RC Sproul https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007V698MW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0Chosen by God by RC Sproul https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OEIODS/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i2Ligonier: State of Theology https://www.ligonier.org/posts/state-theology-cosmic-treasonSinners in the Hands of an Angry God https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1053&context=etasThe Meaning of Holiness, RC Sproul https://youtu.be/K96e1tK7eN4God's Love and God's Hatred https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/gods-love-and-gods-hatredEpisode 33: Sola Feelz https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/9077953-ep-33-sola-feelzTodd Friel and the Tearful Woman https://youtu.be/mACbV4xweHE

They are the stuff of sci-fi horror films and mystery documentaries - extraterrestrial life, just waiting to be discovered. Some have speculated we’ve already made contact, while others theorize they could be the source of our own existence. But what should the Christian believe about life beyond our planet?Ciara and Jessi take a trip into the cosmos to explore the possibility that life exists into the reaches of our universe, using scripture as the guide.  Is it always a battle between science and faith, or is it possible they aren’t as mutually exclusive as they seem?Show Notes:UFO Gallup Poll https://news.gallup.com/poll/266441/americans-skeptical-ufos-say-government-knows.aspxRolling Stone: Demi Lovato and aliens https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/demi-lovato-becky-g-aliens-1256457/Rolling Stone: Tom Delonge's UFO research https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tom-delonge-ufo-research-931845/Wall Street Journal: Eric Metaxas article on the odds of life on other planets https://www.wsj.com/articles/eric-metaxas-science-increasingly-makes-the-case-for-god-1419544568PragerU: Does Science Argue For or Against God? https://youtu.be/UjGPHF5A6PoSETI: Drake Equation https://www.seti.org/drake-equation-index

It seems there are a million reasons Christians could find to boycott any number of businesses. But which reasons actually qualify as valid? Which reasons should compel us to take our business elsewhere or even encourage others to do so? And if we have valid reasons for boycotting the ungodly actions of others, doesn't that make us no better than the woke mob which has sparked the controversial "cancel culture" that has destroyed countless lives and businesses?Ciara and Jessi kick off the new year by examining these questions, considering them against scripture, and sharing their own struggles when deciding who gets the ax from our list of approved vendors and suppliers. Spoiler alert: it turns out agreement on that list was hard to come by. Show Notes:1689 Chapter 21: Christians Liberty and Liberty of Conscience https://founders.org/library/1689-confession/chapter-21-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/Jon Harris: What was Cracker Barrel Thinking? https://youtu.be/Q-VMwj_Fn8MThe Tyranny of the Weaker Brother, RC Sproul https://youtu.be/_hX-ifma5-kGregory Koukl's response to The Salvation Army https://www.facebook.com/greg.koukl/posts/4475055825893602WSJ: Wokeness Infiltrates the Salvation Army https://www.wsj.com/articles/wokeness-infiltrates-the-salvation-army-discussion-guide-racism-diversity-and-incusion-christian-11639690409

During the holiday break, Ciara and Jessi decided to revisit their most popular episode yet - a look into the false gospel promoted and taught by celebrity pastor Steven Furtick. His popularity is growing, which increases the need for discernment and biblical literacy so that well-meaning Christians can avoid the wolves in sheep's clothing. Enjoy this flashback episode as we head into a new year!

Ciara and Jessi get together for a quick hello before re-releasing the second episode of crosswise, where we give all the reasons Christians should take a hard pass on Santa Claus and his little helper, the Elf on the Shelf.Enjoy this early episode, and our tales of getting ready for Christmas this year (oh, and a little surprise for one loyal listener).

After doing an entire show on the evils of abortion and the flawed logic and bad science used to defend the practice last week, Ciara and Jessi noticed an interesting trend. Despite all the interest and timeliness of the topic, the show got suspiciously little traction and all their related social media posts had a noticeably reduced reach.So, this week, they decided not to talk about abortion. Not even a little. Not one word. Nope. Not at all.P.S. Dr. Fauci should be given sainthood and Joe Biden has no diminished mental capacities at all. Oh, and get vaccinated and wear a mask!Show Notes:Episode 42 | Brushing Up on Beating Down Pro-Abortion Distortions https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/9676894-ep-42-brushing-up-on-beating-down-pro-abortion-distortionsWhoopi Goldberg's rant https://twitter.com/TheView/status/1466491958516490245?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwTone Deaf Planned Parenthood Ad https://youtu.be/8Q4hO7o3AFcDobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Oral Arguments https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2021/19-1392_gfbi.pdf

In light of the biggest abortion case to be heard by the Supreme Court in years, and all of the really illogical, anti-scientific, and outright immoral arguments defending the practice that have been circulating social media in recent days, Ciara and Jessi decided to spend this episode breaking down some of the most common arguments made by abortion advocates. From "my body, my choice," to "personally pro-life," this conversation tackles them all. The aim is to arm listeners with the science, medicine, biology, and of course scripture that all make the truth of the pro-life position irrefutable.Show Notes:Texas Fetal Heartbeat Bill https://www.texastribune.org/2021/05/03/texas-house-abortion-heartbeat/ NPR: Heartbeat Bill https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/09/02/1033727679/fetal-heartbeat-isnt-a-medical-term-but-its-still-used-in-laws-on-abortionJackson Women's Health Fee Schedule https://jacksonwomenshealth.com/fee-schedule/Human Life International: Abortion Safer than Childbirth? https://www.hli.org/resources/abortion-really-safer-childbirth/Texas Right to Life: Abortion Myths (back alley abortions) https://texasrighttolife.com/abortion-myths/Washington Examiner: Better Dead than Adopted https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/better-dead-than-adopted-argues-new-york-times-opinion-writerAbort73: The Case Against Abortion https://abort73.com/abortion/Abort73: Prenatal Development https://abort73.com/abortion/prenatal_development/Why Prolife? Resources http://www.whyprolife.com/resources/

This week, Ciara and Jessi took a break to spend Thanksgiving with family, but still lined up a fun episode featuring a few of their favorite mistakes and bloopers from past episodes.We hope you enjoy these funny moments as much as we did.

A chant of frustration, turned otherwise meaningless euphemism, turned cultural phenomenon, "let's go, Brandon" has become the slogan of choice for millions who are wishing to express displeasure with President Biden, and mock the mainstream media for their complacency in distorting the reality which the rest of the world can plainly see.Prominent Christians have been seen wearing shirts and hats with the slogan, members of Congress have used it on social media and inside the nation's capitol, and self-proclaimed Christian musicians have produced chart-topping songs using the phrase as a means of avoiding the overtly vulgar language it's meant to replace.So it's worth asking, what place does "let's go, Brandon" have in the language of the Christian? Ciara and Jessi answer that question, and many more, in this episode that serves more as a way for discerning through complicated social trends than it does as a condemnation of those who come to a different conclusion. Regardless of your position on Christian use of "let's go, Brandon," the episode has something for you.Show Notes:Episode 18 | Beyond Cussing: Saying More Than We Realize https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8279696-ep-18-beyond-cussing-saying-more-than-we-realizeGod, Government, and Granted Authority https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8105365-ep-14-god-government-and-granted-authority

"Who run the world?" Girls. But then why do we keep telling them it's so hard for them to make it in a man's world? Why is the rate of young girls "transitioning" and rejecting biological realities about themselves at an historic high? Why do girls always want to be "one of the boys"? All of these messages, not to mention the sexual pressure put on young women to embrace promiscuity because "men get to," are destroying young women and girls and progressivism is to blame.Sadly, there is nothing progressive about disregarding the uniqueness of womanhood and femininity. In this follow up episode to "Raising Boys," Ciara and Jessi take on the dangerous influences the culture is having on girls, how they view their place in the world as women, and how the sexual revolution has caused irreparable damage to our impressionable and fragile daughters.*Parental discretion is advised, as this episode contains adult themes that may not be suitable for younger listeners.Show Notes:Episode 38: Raising Boys https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/9516739-ep-38-raising-boysEpisode 19: Sex, Submission, and Standing Up to Sin https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8539917-ep-19-sex-submission-and-standing-up-to-sinEpisode 21: Husbands, Hierarchy, and Headship in the Home https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8622240-ep-21-husbands-hierarchy-and-headship-in-the-homeThe Federalist- Women and STEM https://thefederalist.com/2018/04/12/science-male-female-brains-helps-explain-women-dont-choose-tech-careers/The Guardian: Smashing the Patriarchy https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/nov/02/smashing-the-patriarchy-why-theres-nothing-natural-about-male-supremacyIrreversible Damage https://www.amazon.com/Irreversible-Damage-Transgender-Seducing-Daughters/dp/1684510317The Flipside of Feminism https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935071270/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i5Where's Mom? The High Calling of Wife and Mother in Biblical Perspective https://www.amazon.com/Wheres-Calling-Mother-Biblical-Perspective/dp/0997588624Guttmacher- Abortion Rates Demographics https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/report_downloads/us-abortion-patients-table1.pdfHome Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001D1SRXW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0Find us here:Crosswise on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crosswisepodcast/Crosswise on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosswisepodcastCrosswise on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crosswise/id1544007646

Is it really true that "boys will be boys"? And if it is, shouldn't we put a stop to that? Isn’t all that unbridled "toxic masculinity" bad for the world? Maybe what our boys need is to be more like girls.Or maybe, God made boys to be rough, physical, and rambunctious for good reason. Maybe we ought to be embracing the amazing attributes of our sons, appreciating them for how they're made, and encouraging God-fearing men to father our boys, raising them to harness their energy for good. That's the argument Ciara and Jessi make in this episode, with a look at how the culture is trying to rob the boyishness from our boys and shame them into being something they just aren't meant to be, and how Christian parents should view the "war on boys" and push back.Show Notes:Episode 10 | Forbidden Series: Female Pastors https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/7755187-ep-10-forbidden-series-part-2-female-pastorsEpisode 15 | God is a (Wo)Man? https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8151370-ep-15-god-is-a-wo-manEpisode 19 | Sex, Submission, and Standing Up to Sin https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8539917-ep-19-sex-submission-and-standing-up-to-sin Episode 21 | Husbands, Hierarchy, and Headship in the Home https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8622240-ep-21-husbands-hierarchy-and-headship-in-the-homeWar on Boys | Christina Hoff Sommers https://youtu.be/OFpYj0E-yb4APA Guidelines for Practice with Men and Boys https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/01/ce-cornerNew York Times | What is Toxic Masculinity? https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/22/us/toxic-masculinity.htmlUniversity Missouri Study https://munewsarchives.missouri.edu/news-releases/2011/0822-males-believe-discussing-problems-is-a-waste-of-time-mu-study-shows/It's Good to Be a Man | Biblical Manhood in an Effeminate Age https://itsgoodtobeaman.buzzsprout.com/266333/1293271-biblical-manhood-in-an-effeminate-ageThe Male Brain | Louann Brizendine https://www.amazon.com/Male-Brain-Breakthrough-Understanding-Think/dp/0767927540The Washington Post | Too Many Men https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/world/too-many-men/Tim Challies | Christian Men and Their Godly Moms Series https://www.challies.com/series/christian-men-and-their-godly-moms/

It's not just another way to celebrate Halloween, and it isn't just a day to remember those who have died. Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead - is a tradition of reuniting with loved ones and building altars in their honor. The practices should concern professing Christians and Ciara and Jessi and here to break down all the reasons why in the season 3 premier of crosswise.Not all cultures are equal, and in a time when we aren't supposed to say that, it's even more important to say. Strap in for a fun, but deadly serious conversation about this Mexican holiday and how American culture is joining in with enough sugar skulls to go around. Show Notes:Episode 9: Forbidden Series, Part 1: Communing with the Deadhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/7630543-ep-9-forbidden-series-part-1-communing-with-the-deadSesame Street Promotes Dia de los Muertoshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PczY27gDjpkGotQuestions.org: What is the difference between veneration and worship?https://www.gotquestions.org/veneration.htmlBAR Party: Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?https://youtu.be/fPi39nm7lc0Mike Winger: 7 Sides of Halloweenhttps://youtu.be/ALY9aLKm9YIHalloween's Improbable Origin and Meaning for Christianshttps://americanvision.org/9630/halloweens-improbable-origin-and-meaning-for-christians/

In the final episode of the season, Ciara and Jessi answer listener questions regarding salvation, the second commandment, baptism and more. Be sure to check out this conversation as Season 2 comes to a close.Show Notes:Episode 16: Inadvertent Idolatry Part I https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8193123-ep-16-inadvertent-idolatry-part-1Banner of Truth: The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-childrens-books/the-childs-story-bible/Reformation Heritage Books https://www.heritagebooks.org/Search.html#/Search.html?search=children+bibleCharles Spurgeon: The Holy Spirit's Intercession (Transcript) https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-holy-spirits-intercession/#flipbook/Charles Spurgeon: The Holy Spirit's Intercession (Audio) https://youtu.be/TJjoQ2aBCfEThankful Homemaker: 10 Books on Prayer https://thankfulhomemaker.com/10-great-books-on-prayer/Thankful Homemaker: Spiritual Disciplines, Prayer https://thankfulhomemaker.com/podcast-ep-56-prayer-spiritual-disciplines-series/Dr. Josh Buice, Why Women Should Not Teach the Bible to Men https://g3min.org/why-women-should-not-teach-the-bible-to-men/Michelle Lesley, Women Teaching Men Questions https://michellelesley.com/2015/12/18/rock-your-role-faqs/Michelle Lesley, Priscilla Didn't Teach Men https://michellelesley.com/2015/11/13/rock-your-role-oh-no-she-di-int-priscilla-didnt-preach-deborah-didnt-dominate-and-esther-wasnt-an-egalitarian/John Piper, Is There A Place For Female Professors at Seminary? https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-there-a-place-for-female-professors-at-seminary

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works... encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)Ciara and Jessi talk sanctification, worldly desires, sinful passions of the heart, temptations of envy and sloth, and how by the power of the Holy Spirt, they are working to put those things away and live a life that seeks to glorify God and live for him.Christians are still sinners while in this world, but because of faith in Jesus, and by the means of being "stirred up" and encouraged by others, we are able to mortify those sins, praying and working each day to see progression toward holiness.Things get a little personal in this conversation, but for all the right reasons.Show Notes:Episode 7: Putting the “You” in Worship Music https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/7376572Mortification and Vivification by AW Pink https://www.monergism.com/mortification-and-vivificationTransforming Grace by Jerry Bridges https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XKYJS5Y/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4Ciara's instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNprL0TM2Aj/Jessi's instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8b_L0BhRY/

People seem to have this perpetual need to find a way to tell others who they are through the use of personality labels. Almost like there needs to be this universally understood and accepted language that when when spoken, it tells others all they need to know - and all we need to know - about who we are and what makes us tick.For decades it has been astrological signs. "What's your sign?"Then it became the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. "What's your type?"And now, growing in popularity and influence, it's the Enneagram. "What's your number?"These questions, but especially that last one, have become such common questions that they don't even need any context or explaining. But what most Christians don't know is that the Enneagram has some dark and dangerous roots and some questionable proponents, which should give believers more than a moments pause when considering whether the Enneagram is worth taking.In this episode, Ciara and Jessi examine the rise of the Enneagram, where it came from, how it found its way into Evangelical Churches, and what we should do about it. Show Notes:CANA: The Enneagram GPS (Gnostic Path to Self) http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Enneagram.aspxMarcia Montenegro: The Origins of the Enneagram https://youtu.be/k9Jo90cl7IoThe Sword and The Trowel: The Enneagram and the Christian Life https://youtu.be/0UySM_Q9t-QTent Making Christianity: What's Wrong With the Enneagram? https://tentmakingchristianity.com/whats-wrong-with-the-enneagram/Center for Action and Contemplation (Richard Rohr): The Enneagram: An Introduction https://cac.org/the-enneagram-an-introduction/Why Christians Should Avoid the Enneagram https://fb.watch/7JY0JEctE_/The Enneagram: A Developmental Study (In depth history of origin) https://runningfather.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/enneagram-a-developmental-study-james-moore/