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Dr. Layne McDonald
Connect & Online Pastor


Bark and Kid Phone Options: Stay Connected, Stay Protected – Christian Tips for Modern Families
Parenting in the digital age feels like navigating uncharted waters, doesn't it? One minute you're helping with math homework, and the next you're trying to figure out if your 10-year-old really needs a smartphone or if you're just giving in to peer pressure. As Christian families, we want to protect our children while also preparing them for the real world: including the digital one. That's where smart parental controls and kid-friendly phone options come into play. Tools li
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


What's the Difference Between VidAngel and Enjoy Movies Your Way? A Christian Parent's Guide
Movie nights with the family should be enjoyable, not a minefield of content that conflicts with your values. As Christian parents, we want entertainment that brings our families together rather than exposing our children to inappropriate material. Two popular movie filtering services have emerged to help families navigate this challenge: VidAngel and Enjoy Movies Your Way. Both platforms promise to help you watch your favorite movies and shows while filtering out content you
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


Clean Videos and Family Movie Filters: Why VidAngel is the Reliable Choice for Watching Your Way
Picture this: It's Friday night, you've got the popcorn ready, the family gathered on the couch, and you're scrolling through Netflix trying to find something everyone can watch together. Then it happens – you find the perfect movie with an amazing storyline, stellar reviews, and just the right runtime. But wait... it's rated R for language and brief nudity. Sigh. Back to scrolling through the same tired collection of animated movies your kids have seen seventeen times. Soun
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


Budget Options for Family Safety Tools: Best Tech Apps and Devices for Every Christian Household
Protecting your family online doesn't have to drain your church tithe or break the family budget. As Christian parents, pastors, and ministry leaders, we're constantly looking for ways to create safe digital environments for our children and congregations without spending a fortune. The good news? There are incredible budget-friendly safety tools that align with our faith values and actually work. After working with countless families through my ministry work, I've discovered
Layne McDonald
Nov 76 min read


School and Home Safety Tips: Every Christian Parent's Checklist for Connected Kids
Parenting in today's world feels like navigating uncharted waters. Between school shootings making headlines, online predators lurking behind innocent-looking apps, and the constant worry about whether your child will make it home safely, it's enough to make any parent want to homeschool in a bunker. But here's the thing: fear doesn't have to drive our parenting decisions. As Christian parents, we're called to be wise as serpents yet gentle as doves (Matthew 10:16). That mean
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


From Stranger Danger to Screen Time: The Hilarious (and Holy) Shift in Parenting Safety Since the 1980s
Remember when your biggest parenting worry was whether your kid would accept candy from a stranger in a windowless van? Ah, the good old days! Back in the 1980s, we had it so simple. Our parents just had to worry about us riding our bikes without helmets, staying out until the streetlights came on, and maybe, just maybe, talking to someone we didn't know at the mall. Fast forward to 2025, and we're over here installing tracking apps, setting up internet filters, and having de
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


Digital Safety Bootcamp: A Christian Guide to Keeping Families Safe Online
Picture this: You're scrolling through your phone while your kids are "doing homework" on their devices in the next room. Suddenly, that parental sixth sense kicks in: you know, the one that makes you wonder if they're actually researching the Revolutionary War or discovering things that would make George Washington roll over in his grave. Welcome to modern parenting, where keeping our families safe requires more than just teaching them to look both ways before crossing the s
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


Christian Healing Explained in Under 3 Minutes: What It Really Means (No Confusion)
You've probably heard the term "Christian healing" thrown around in church circles, but what does it actually mean? Maybe you've seen televised healing services that left you skeptical, or perhaps someone promised you instant healing that never came. The confusion around this topic has led many believers to either dismiss it entirely or chase after it with unrealistic expectations. Here's the truth: Christian healing isn't what most people think it is, and understanding this
Layne McDonald
Nov 74 min read


Are Christian Coaching Sessions Worth It? Here's What Actually Happens
You've probably heard the buzz about Christian coaching, but you're wondering what actually goes down in those sessions. Are they just fancy prayer meetings with a hefty price tag? Or do you walk away with real, measurable changes in your life? I get it. Investing in coaching feels like a leap of faith, especially when you're not sure what you're signing up for. The good news? Christian coaching is far from mysterious, and the results speak for themselves when you find the ri
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


The Simple Trick to Multiply Christian Leaders Right Now (Works Every Time)
Have you ever wondered why some churches seem to effortlessly develop leader after leader while others struggle to fill even basic ministry positions? The answer isn't about having better programs, bigger budgets, or more charismatic pastors. It's about understanding one fundamental principle that Jesus himself modeled: and it's so simple, most leaders completely overlook it. The secret isn't addition. It's multiplication. The Biblical Blueprint That Changes Everything Jesu
Layne McDonald
Nov 74 min read


How to Use Christian Music for Daily Inspiration (Plus Fund Families in Need)
Have you ever noticed how a single worship song can completely shift your entire mood and perspective? That moment when you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or spiritually dry, and then the perfect Christian song comes on: suddenly you're reminded of God's faithfulness, His love, and His promises. That's the power of intentional Christian music in your daily life. But here's what makes it even more beautiful: when you stream Christian music through the right channels, you're
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


7 Mistakes Christian Leaders Are Making That Drive Young Women Away (And How to Fix Them)
Something's happening in churches across America that should concern every Christian leader. Young women are walking out the door, not just switching churches, but leaving faith communities entirely. For the first time in history, we're seeing a demographic that traditionally formed the backbone of church attendance choosing to step away from organized religion. This isn't about being "woke" or following cultural trends. These are women who grew up in the church, who once fel
Layne McDonald
Nov 74 min read


7 Mistakes You're Making with Christian Leadership (and How to Fix Them)
You know that moment when you realize you've been doing something completely wrong for months? Maybe it was putting the toilet paper roll on backwards, or discovering you've been pronouncing a word incorrectly your entire life. Well, Christian leadership has its own version of those "aha" moments. After years of working with church leaders, ministry teams, and faith-based organizations, I've noticed the same patterns showing up again and again. Good people with great hearts m
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


The Ultimate Guide to Christian Coaching: Everything You Need to Succeed in 2025
Ever wondered if God's calling you into Christian coaching? Or maybe you're already on this path but feeling a bit lost about where to go next? You're not alone. Christian coaching is exploding right now, and for good reason – people are hungry for guidance that actually aligns with their faith. Here's the thing: Christian coaching isn't just secular coaching with a Bible verse slapped on top. It's a completely different approach that weaves Biblical principles into every con
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


Does Christian Forgiveness Really Matter in Leadership? Here's What Experts Don't Want You to Know
You've probably heard leadership experts talk about "emotional intelligence" and "authentic leadership," but there's one crucial element they often dance around or downplay entirely: Christian forgiveness. Why? Because it challenges everything our culture believes about power, authority, and what makes leaders "strong." Here's the uncomfortable truth that many leadership gurus won't tell you: forgiveness isn't just a nice spiritual add-on for Christian leaders: it's the secre
Layne McDonald
Nov 74 min read


Struggling For Christian Personal Growth? 50+ Healing Framework Examples That Actually Work
Personal growth feels overwhelming when you're stuck in the same patterns, doesn't it? You pray, you read Scripture, you attend church: but somehow that breakthrough still feels just out of reach. If you're nodding along, you're not alone in this struggle. The truth is, Christian personal growth isn't about finding one magic formula. It's about discovering comprehensive frameworks that address every part of your life: spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational. After year
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


Christian Music for Inspiration: 25 Creative Ways to Use Worship Songs Beyond Sunday Service
Your favorite worship song doesn't have to wait until Sunday morning to touch your heart. That powerful melody that moves your spirit during service? It can transform your entire week when you discover creative ways to weave it into daily life. Christian music holds incredible power to inspire, heal, and connect us with God's presence throughout every moment of our lives. Whether you're a pastor looking for fresh ministry ideas, a longtime believer seeking deeper spiritual co
Layne McDonald
Nov 75 min read


Paddington in Peru (2025) – Dr. Mac's Christian Movie Review: Finding Home, Heart, and Humor in Every Pawprint
Well, well, well! Our favorite marmalade-loving bear is back, and this time he's trading the cozy streets of London for the wild adventure of Peru. Paddington in Peru has finally graced our screens, and boy, does this little bear know how to pack a spiritual punch along with his sandwich spread! As someone who's spent years helping families navigate the tricky waters of modern entertainment, I've got to say – this film is like finding a perfectly preserved jar of marmalade i
Layne McDonald
Nov 76 min read


A Minecraft Movie (2025) – Dr. Mac's Christian Movie Review: Building Faith One Block at a Time
Remember when your kids first discovered Minecraft and suddenly became architectural geniuses overnight? One day they're struggling to build a simple Lego tower, and the next they're crafting elaborate digital castles that would make Frank Lloyd Wright jealous. Well, Hollywood finally decided to take that beloved pixelated world and bring it to the big screen with A Minecraft Movie (2025), and surprisingly, they didn't completely mess it up! As someone who's spent more hours
Layne McDonald
Nov 76 min read


Habits Worth Building: Is Atomic Habits a Christian Book? What Believers Need to Know
You've probably seen "Atomic Habits" everywhere, from your pastor's bookshelf to your small group leader's Instagram stories. James Clear's bestseller has taken the personal development world by storm, but here's the million-dollar question Christian readers keep asking: Is Atomic Habits actually a Christian book? The short answer? No, it's not. But before you put it back on the shelf, let's dig deeper into what this means for believers and how you can approach Clear's habit
Layne McDonald
Oct 314 min read
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