Marked by Grace

When is it right to cut off contact with difficult in-laws? In this Q&A, Pastor Heath Lambert pushes back on today's popular "no contact" culture and turns to Scripture for a wiser way forward. He shares what the Bible actually calls us to aim for in strained family relationships, along with some practical wisdom for setting healthy boundaries. It's an honest, grace-filled look at one of the hardest questions families face today. 0:00 – The question 0:48 – Today's "no contact" culture 1:51 – What the Bible calls us to 2:25 – When it's not that simple 3:49 – Setting ground rules 6:17 – Deciding your response ahead of time 6:58 – Leaving the door open 7:50 – Closing thoughts

Should a couple keep having children when another pregnancy could endanger the mother's life? In this episode, we answer a question about pursuing more kids in the face of preeclampsia and hypertension, walking through what the Bible does and doesn't command about family size, the call to steward the lives already in your care, and what it really means to trust God with a decision like this.

When an unexpected pregnancy happens outside of marriage, what should a Christian do? In this episode, we consider some ethical options of raising the child or pursuing adoption, while emphasizing the importance of involving everyone affected, seeking wise biblical counsel, and resisting emotionally driven decisions.

Is it ever okay for a parent to worry about their child? In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert tackles a question every parent faces: how to be genuinely concerned for a child without crossing into sinful anxiety — and what Scripture says about the difference. 0:00 — Question: Is excessive worry permissible when it's about your kid? 2:01 — Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything" 3:03 — Philippians 2:20: Timothy's "genuine concern" — the same Greek word, translated differently 5:24 — Three ways to stay in concern instead of anxiety: pray 6:04 — Trust the Lord 7:18 — Seek to be productive

Family disagreements about doctrine can be some of the most painful conflicts we face. In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert talks about handling ongoing doctrinal disputes with family members, offering a framework for weighing how serious the disagreement is and how to protect love in the home even when beliefs don't align. [0:12] - Introducing the question: constant doctrinal challenges from family [1:25] - Why this is one of the most common and painful questions Heath receives [2:34] - Two categories to evaluate any family doctrinal debate [3:14] - Theological triage: the ER nurse analogy [4:40] - First order doctrines — issues essential to salvation [5:23] - Second order doctrines — baptism, ecclesiology, and local church practice [7:05] - Third order doctrines — debatable issues like the end times [9:01] - The second category: the dynamics of your family relationships [10:46] - What to do when the environment has already turned hostile (Romans 12:20-21) [12:54] - Closing thoughts: giving your family a path forward