Cheers, Liv & Allie

Episode 15 | Adoption & Foster Care: Biblical Perspective + Our Personal Experiences

Adoption and foster care can be challenging topics to discuss because we either don’t know where to start or have a deeply personal connection to them. However, the conversation surrounding adoption and foster care can be beneficial rather than discouraging and scary. In this episode, we provide a biblical perspective on the gift of adoption and share our personal experiences.
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Genesis 4
Psalm 10:18, 27:10, 68:5-6, 82:3
John 14:18
Romans 8:15, 8:23
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
Galatians 4:5
Ephesians 1:3-14
James 1:26-27
Resources
ESV Study Bible
“Data & Research.” U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Children’s Bureau. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/data-research.
“The AFCARS Report.” U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Children’s Bureau. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/afcarsreport28.pdf.
Font, S. A., Sattler, K. M. P., & Gershoff, E. (2018). When home is still unsafe: From family reunification to foster care reentry. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(5), 1333-1343. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12499.
Leathers, S. J., Spielfogel, J. E., Geiger, J., Barnett, J., & Vande Voort, B. L. (2019). Placement disruption in foster care: Children’s behavior, foster parent support, and parenting experiences. Child Abuse & Neglect, 91, 147-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.03.012.
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod! If you have questions, want to suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 14 | Get Your Priorities Straight: A Study of Haggai

Haggai, with its brief 38 verses, is very easy to miss as it usually only takes up two pages in our Bibles. However, this prophecy book is packed with wisdom applicable to our daily lives. This book convicts us, asking us where our priorities lie and if we are using our lives to build something eternal. Don’t miss out on the wisdom of Haggai!
Timestamps
(00:00) Welcome back!
(06:09) Setting up the scene (ch. 1, v. 1-6)
(13:45) Excuses for not rebuilding the temple (ch. 1, v. 7-11)
(22:03) The people are convicted and begin rebuilding (ch. 1, v. 12-15)
(27:55) The people get discouraged (ch. 2, v. 1-9)
(37:03) Works mean nothing without heart alignment (ch. 2, v. 10-19)
(43:20) God’s promises to Zerubbabel (ch. 2, v. 20-23)
(48:57) Reflection and challenge – today is the day to realign your priorities with God!
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Exodus 20:3, 28:1–29:46
Leviticus 8, 21:1–24
1 Kings 6-7
Proverbs 4:23
Ecclesiastes 
Haggai 1-2
Matthew 6:21
Romans 13:11
Ephesians 5:14
1 Thessalonians 5:5-6
Resources
ESV Study Bible
ESV Study Bible, “Introduction to Haggai”
Bible Project, “Overview: Haggai”
David Guzik, “Enduring Word: Haggai Commentary”
Got Questions, “What does it mean that Zerubbabel was the LORD’s signet ring (Haggai 2:23)?”
Got Questions, “What was the Babylonian captivity/exile?”
John Barton & John Muddiman, The Oxford Bible Commentary
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod! To share questions, suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 13 | “Let Us Not Grow Weary”: Encouragement for Daily Life

Many of us have heard from Galatians, “let us not grow weary of doing good,” but this is often easier said than done. Life can sometimes feel like a meaningless pattern of tasks, or we can be thrown through a rollercoaster of emotions, never able to catch our breath. In this episode, we chat about finding meaning in daily life, pursuing intentional contentedness, and encouragement for the Christian walk.
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
1 Corinthians 10:23-32
Galatians 6:1-10
Philippians 4:11-13
Resources
ESV Study Bible
Tim Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod! If you have questions, want to suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 12 | Is Masculinity Toxic?

Now more than ever, we need clarity on masculinity. It seems everyone has a different idea of what a man is and how his role should be lived out. In this episode, we discuss the hallmarks of biblical masculinity, the characteristics of toxic masculinity, and common pitfalls in our theology. Join us for this special guest episode with Liv’s husband Charlie!
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Genesis 3
Luke 15
Romans 1:20; 11
1 Corinthians 6:9; 11
Galatians 2
Ephesians 5
Philippians 2:6
1 Peter 3
Revelation 21
Resources
ESV Study Bible
John Mark Comer, “The Secular Salvation Schema” (Podcast Episode)
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod! If you have questions, want to suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 11 | Who is Jesus?

Yeshua was a Jewish man born in Bethlehem in the first century. From a young age, he amazed people with his wisdom and knowledge of the Torah. He grew into a man who healed miraculously, commanded nature’s elements, criticized Jewish religious leaders, and claimed to be God incarnate. Eventually, the Roman Empire crucified him at the demand of his own people. In this episode, we break down the personhood of Jesus and the roles he fulfills, answering the question, “Who is Jesus?”
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Genesis 3; 14:18–20
Isaiah 53
Daniel 7:13-14
Matthew 8; 14:13-21
Mark 4:35-41
John 1:1; 9; 11:38-44
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Hebrews 4:14-16
Revelation 1:7
Resources
ESV Study Bible
David Guzik, “John 1: The Word and the Witness (Commentary)”
Got Questions, “Was Jesus a Prophet?”
J. B. Lightfoot, The Gospel of St. John: A Newly Discovered Commentary
Moses Lee, “Who Is Melchizedek?”
Rich Robinson, “The Top 40 Messianic Prophecies”
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod! If you have questions, want to suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 10 | Faith-Filled Deconstruction

We have witnessed a great emigration of people from the Church who have walked away from God and the Christian faith. In this episode, we share our testimonies about watching friends leave the faith and offer recommendations for how we can retain, equip, and disciple people in the Word.
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Judges 21:25
Proverbs 3:5-6
Romans 8:1-4, 8:30
2 Timothy 3:16-17
1 Peter 2:9
2 Peter 3:9
Resources
ESV Study Bible
Jon Bloom, “What Does ‘Deconstruction’ Even Mean?”
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod! If you have questions, want to suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 9 | Mental Health and the Church

Mental health is perhaps one of the hottest button issues today. We are inundated by social media and outside influences with advice for handling our experiences and thought patterns. Join us today for a fresh view of mental health and the Church’s history of handling mental health.
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Genesis 1
1 Kings 19:4
Proverbs 4:23
Jonah 2:5-7
Matthew 6:34, 11:28-30
Romans 12:2
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Ephesians 6:12
Philippians 4:6-7
1 Peter 5:7
Resources
ESV Study Bible
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod! If you have questions, want to suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 8 | Word Study: Grief, Loss, and Mourning

Lost loved ones, unmet expectations, and shattered dreams. In this episode, we study grief and why loss hurts so deeply. Through the lens of the original language, we will explore biblical examples and discuss how God heals our brokenness.
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 34:8
2 Samuel 1:11-12
1 Kings 18:45
Job 1:20, 5:11
Psalm 38:6
Esther 4:1-3
Matthew 5:4
Luke 22:45
John 11: 1-44, 16
2 Corinthians 2
Hebrews 4:14-1
Resources
ESV Study Bible
BibleHub, Topical: Mourn
Blue Letter Bible
GotQuestions, What did the Israelites do during a mourning period?
GotQuestions, What does “blessed are those who mourn” mean?
GotQuestions, What does the Bible say about mourning?
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod. If you want to share questions, suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 7 | Tips for Reclaiming Your Bible-Reading Time

Does reading the Bible seems like a chore some days? Are you feeling disconnected from the Scriptures or unsure of where to start? In this episode, Allison offers some tips and pointers for reconnecting with God and engaging with the Scriptures.
Thank you for joining us! Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Exodus 24:3
Matthew 7:15-16
Philippians 4:8
2 Timothy 3:16–17
Hebrews 4:12
James 1:17
2 Peter 3:16
Resources
ESV Study Bible
JingJing Jiang, “How Teens and Parents Navigate Screen Time and Device Distractions”
Bible Study Resources
(Please note that the inclusion of a source is not necessarily an endorsement of every idea or message purported by said author or individual. However, these are helpful resources to be used with discretion.)
Bible App (YouVersion)
Bible Gateway
Bible Hub
Bible Project YouTube
Blue Letter Bible
Daily Grace Co 2022 Bible Reading Plan
Enduring Word Commentary
ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Got Questions - FAQs about Christianity
New Morning Mercies Devotional
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod! If you have questions, want to suggest an episode topic, or connect with us, you can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com.

Episode 6 | Singleness: A Gift or Curse?

Are you single and wondering how you can make the most of your time? In this episode, we break down and address the messages that seek to undermine the value of contentment in singleness.
Below, you can find the information we studied for this episode.
Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Philippians 4:11–13
James 1:2-4
Resources
ESV Study Bible
Jon Bloom, “The Secret to Peace and Contentment”
To be alerted of new episodes, please follow us on Instagram @cedarandcypresspod. You can reach us at cedarandcypresspod@gmail.com to share questions, suggest an episode topic, or connect with us.