What if heaven wasn’t something we only thought about at funerals—but a reality that shaped the way we live every single day?

On this episode of Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom, Vicki Parker welcomes author Cindy Hamilton for a heartfelt conversation about her book, Walk Me Into Heaven: Getting Ready for the Adventure of My Forever Life.

Cindy shares the personal story behind the book, including how a battle with stage three breast cancer caused her to think more deeply about eternity and how a statement she heard decades ago inspired the title: wanting to walk so closely with the Lord in this life that, when death comes, you simply “keep right on walking” with Him.

Vikki and Cindy explore some of life’s biggest questions: What is heaven really like? How can we know we’re going there? Why should Christians think about eternity before the end of life? And how should the promise of heaven change our priorities, relationships, forgiveness, grief, and use of our time today?

They also discuss the importance of preparing both spiritually and practically for the end of this earthly life—from deepening our relationship with Jesus and resolving unfinished business to organizing important family and estate matters so those we love aren’t left carrying unnecessary burdens.

Along the way, Vikki shares deeply personal stories surrounding the deaths of her mother and husband, Charlie, and the peace she experienced in knowing that death does not have the final word for those who belong to Christ.

Most importantly, this conversation points listeners back to the Gospel. Heaven isn’t earned by being a good person, attending church, being baptized, or doing good deeds. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Eternal life begins with knowing and surrendering to Him.

If you’ve ever wondered what heaven will be like, struggled with the fear of death, grieved someone you love, or simply asked yourself, “Am I ready for eternity?”, this episode is for you.

Pull up a stump and join Vikki Parker and Cindy Hamilton for an encouraging, joyful, and hope-filled conversation about living today with eternity in view.

What if heaven wasn&rsquo;t something we only thought about at funerals&mdash;but a reality that shaped the way we live every single day?
On this episode of Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom, Vicki Parker welcomes author Cindy Hamilton for a heartfelt conversation about her book, Walk Me Into Heaven: Getting Ready for the Adventure of My Forever Life.
Cindy shares the personal story behind the book, including how a battle with stage three breast cancer caused her to think more deeply about eternity and how a statement she heard decades ago inspired the title: wanting to walk so closely with the Lord in this life that, when death comes, you simply &ldquo;keep right on walking&rdquo; with Him.
Vikki and Cindy explore some of life&rsquo;s biggest questions: What is heaven really like? How can we know we&rsquo;re going there? Why should Christians think about eternity before the end of life? And how should the promise of heaven change our priorities, relationships, forgiveness, grief, and use of our time today?
They also discuss the importance of preparing both spiritually and practically for the end of this earthly life&mdash;from deepening our relationship with Jesus and resolving unfinished business to organizing important family and estate matters so those we love aren&rsquo;t left carrying unnecessary burdens.
Along the way, Vikki shares deeply personal stories surrounding the deaths of her mother and husband, Charlie, and the peace she experienced in knowing that death does not have the final word for those who belong to Christ.
Most importantly, this conversation points listeners back to the Gospel. Heaven isn&rsquo;t earned by being a good person, attending church, being baptized, or doing good deeds. Jesus said, &ldquo;I am the way, the truth, and the life.&rdquo; Eternal life begins with knowing and surrendering to Him.
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered what heaven will be like, struggled with the fear of death, grieved someone you love, or simply asked yourself, &ldquo;Am I ready for eternity?&rdquo;, this episode is for you.
Pull up a stump and join Vikki Parker and Cindy Hamilton for an encouraging, joyful, and hope-filled conversation about living today with eternity in view.

Dig Yourself Out of Life's Deepest Pits & Discover the Diamonds Hidden in the Process

Dig Yourself Out of Life's Deepest Pits &amp; Discover the Diamonds Hidden in the Process

Sit on that Stump in Muddy Bottom

Dig Yourself Out Of Life's Deepest Pits And Discover The Diamonds Hidden In The Process

Dig Yourself Out Of Life's Deepest Pits And Discover The Diamonds Hidden In The Process

Walk Me Into Heaven: How Eternity Changes the Way We Live Today | Vikki Parker with Cindy Hamilton

What happens when God’s people stop treating prayer as a last resort and begin making it the starting point?

On this episode of Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom, Vicki Parker welcomes Charlotte Mead Lear, Regional Director with the National Day of Prayer, for a powerful conversation about prayer, repentance, revival, and the spiritual future of Arkansas and America.

As America marks its 250th anniversary, Charlotte shares the vision behind the America 250 Prayer Breakfast and Summit at Renewal Ranch near Conway and its theme, “Back to School, Back to God.” The gathering is designed to bring believers together across different areas of influence—including pastors, educators, business leaders, media, military, creatives, and intercessors—to seek God together in unified prayer.

Vicki and Charlotte discuss why revival must begin with God’s people, the importance of repentance within the church, and why Christians cannot simply complain about the direction of the culture while remaining spiritually disengaged. They also talk about protecting and praying for the next generation, bringing faith into our workplaces and communities, and following Jesus’ own example of intentionally withdrawing from the noise to spend time with the Father.

The conversation challenges believers to ask a personal question: What am I doing to move the needle? Prayer isn’t merely asking God to change our nation—it can begin by allowing Him to change us.

Charlotte also explains the effort to place “As for me and my house, we will pray for our nation” signs throughout all 75 Arkansas counties as believers pray for their communities and the future of the state.

Could revival that impacts America begin right here in Arkansas? Could it begin in your church, your workplace, your family—or in your own heart?

Vicki and Charlotte believe it can.

Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom airs Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at noon on 99.5 The Word.

What happens when God&rsquo;s people stop treating prayer as a last resort and begin making it the starting point?
On this episode of Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom, Vicki Parker welcomes Charlotte Mead Lear, Regional Director with the National Day of Prayer, for a powerful conversation about prayer, repentance, revival, and the spiritual future of Arkansas and America.
As America marks its 250th anniversary, Charlotte shares the vision behind the America 250 Prayer Breakfast and Summit at Renewal Ranch near Conway and its theme, &ldquo;Back to School, Back to God.&rdquo; The gathering is designed to bring believers together across different areas of influence&mdash;including pastors, educators, business leaders, media, military, creatives, and intercessors&mdash;to seek God together in unified prayer.
Vicki and Charlotte discuss why revival must begin with God&rsquo;s people, the importance of repentance within the church, and why Christians cannot simply complain about the direction of the culture while remaining spiritually disengaged. They also talk about protecting and praying for the next generation, bringing faith into our workplaces and communities, and following Jesus&rsquo; own example of intentionally withdrawing from the noise to spend time with the Father.
The conversation challenges believers to ask a personal question: What am I doing to move the needle? Prayer isn&rsquo;t merely asking God to change our nation&mdash;it can begin by allowing Him to change us.
Charlotte also explains the effort to place &ldquo;As for me and my house, we will pray for our nation&rdquo; signs throughout all 75 Arkansas counties as believers pray for their communities and the future of the state.
Could revival that impacts America begin right here in Arkansas? Could it begin in your church, your workplace, your family&mdash;or in your own heart?
Vicki and Charlotte believe it can.
Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom airs Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at noon on 99.5 The Word.

Back to School, Back to God: A Call to Prayer for Arkansas and America

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation about adoption, Vikki Parker welcomes Terri Rosson back to Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom to go deeper into the realities of adoption, identity, belonging, and the role of the Church.

How can adoptive parents help a child understand their story without shame or feelings of rejection? How can Christians change the language surrounding birth mothers and adoption? And what would happen if churches became places where women facing unexpected pregnancies knew they would receive grace, practical help, and genuine support?

Vikki and Terri explore the biblical picture of adoption and God's heart for vulnerable children, while challenging believers to move beyond simply being pro-life in principle and become actively involved in the lives of women, babies, and families. They discuss practical ways churches can partner with pregnancy centers, support single mothers, encourage adoption, provide resources, and create communities where no woman feels she has to face an unexpected pregnancy alone.

Terri also shares from her personal experience as a birth mother and explains why healthy conversations, testimony, grace, and carefully chosen words can make such a profound difference. As the conversation makes clear, adoption isn't about a mother simply "giving away" her child—it can be an extraordinarily difficult parenting decision made out of love.

This episode ultimately asks an important question of every Christian and every church: What can we do to make sure women facing unexpected pregnancies know they are loved, supported, and never alone?

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation about adoption, Vikki Parker welcomes Terri Rosson back to Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom to go deeper into the realities of adoption, identity, belonging, and the role of the Church.
How can adoptive parents help a child understand their story without shame or feelings of rejection? How can Christians change the language surrounding birth mothers and adoption? And what would happen if churches became places where women facing unexpected pregnancies knew they would receive grace, practical help, and genuine support?
Vikki and Terri explore the biblical picture of adoption and God's heart for vulnerable children, while challenging believers to move beyond simply being pro-life in principle and become actively involved in the lives of women, babies, and families. They discuss practical ways churches can partner with pregnancy centers, support single mothers, encourage adoption, provide resources, and create communities where no woman feels she has to face an unexpected pregnancy alone.
Terri also shares from her personal experience as a birth mother and explains why healthy conversations, testimony, grace, and carefully chosen words can make such a profound difference. As the conversation makes clear, adoption isn't about a mother simply "giving away" her child&mdash;it can be an extraordinarily difficult parenting decision made out of love.
This episode ultimately asks an important question of every Christian and every church: What can we do to make sure women facing unexpected pregnancies know they are loved, supported, and never alone?

Adoption, Identity & the Church: Are We Doing Enough?

In this heartfelt episode of Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom, host Vicki Parker welcomes Terri Rawson to share her deeply personal adoption story and the journey that led her to choose an open adoption for her daughter.

Vicki begins by reflecting on the meaning behind the show's title: the “muddy bottom” represents those difficult seasons of life when circumstances become messy, fear feels louder than faith, and the future looks nothing like we expected. Yet, even in those places, God is present. Sometimes we simply need to “sit on that stump,” get alone with Jesus, quiet the noise, and listen for His voice.

Terri shares what it was like to become pregnant at 17 and initially plan to parent her daughter. Her daughter was born prematurely at 31 weeks and spent more than a month in the NICU. After bringing her baby home, Terri and the baby's father began reconsidering what would be best for their daughter. What started as something Terri believed she could never do eventually became a courageous decision to create a different future for her child.

The conversation explores the emotional reality of adoption, including grief, fear, uncertainty, healing, and the importance of viewing adoption as a parenting plan rather than “giving a baby away.” Terri explains how she initially wanted a closed adoption but ultimately chose an open arrangement, allowing her daughter to grow up knowing both her adoptive family and her birth family.

Terri describes the remarkable relationship that developed with her daughter's adoptive parents. Over the years, the families have shared birthdays, soccer games, FaceTime calls, sleepovers, family gatherings, and other milestones. Her daughter has also developed relationships with Terri's husband and children, creating an extended family built around love rather than fear.

Vicki and Terri discuss how open adoption can help address some of the unanswered questions that birth parents and adopted children may otherwise carry for years. Terri's daughter knows where she came from, knows that she is loved, and has a safe environment in which to ask difficult questions and express complicated emotions.

The episode also draws powerful parallels between Terri's experience and the biblical story of Moses and his mother, who trusted God with her child's future. Vicki discusses the story of Solomon and the two women claiming the same child as an illustration of sacrificial maternal love—the willingness to put a child's wellbeing above one's own desires.

Throughout the conversation, Vicki and Terri emphasize that adoption does not mean a birth mother feels no pain. Grief can remain part of the journey, and healing may take time. Terri openly shares that she struggled with the decision and feared that she would never be loved or move beyond the pain. Ultimately, she describes how encountering Jesus, learning to live under grace, and forgiving herself transformed her perspective.

The episode offers encouragement to women facing an unplanned pregnancy, birth mothers considering adoption, adoptive parents, grandparents, church communities, and anyone seeking to understand the realities of adoption. Above all, Terri's story is a testimony about trusting God one day, one minute, and sometimes one muddy bottom at a time.

Vicki closes with a reminder that no matter how deep the mud gets, God has not lost sight of you. Find your stump, sit down with Jesus, quiet the surrounding noise, listen for His voice, and trust Him with the rest of the story.

In this heartfelt episode of Sit on That Stump in Muddy Bottom, host Vicki Parker welcomes Terri Rawson to share her deeply personal adoption story and the journey that led her to choose an open adoption for her daughter.
Vicki begins by reflecting on the meaning behind the show's title: the &ldquo;muddy bottom&rdquo; represents those difficult seasons of life when circumstances become messy, fear feels louder than faith, and the future looks nothing like we expected. Yet, even in those places, God is present. Sometimes we simply need to &ldquo;sit on that stump,&rdquo; get alone with Jesus, quiet the noise, and listen for His voice.
Terri shares what it was like to become pregnant at 17 and initially plan to parent her daughter. Her daughter was born prematurely at 31 weeks and spent more than a month in the NICU. After bringing her baby home, Terri and the baby's father began reconsidering what would be best for their daughter. What started as something Terri believed she could never do eventually became a courageous decision to create a different future for her child.
The conversation explores the emotional reality of adoption, including grief, fear, uncertainty, healing, and the importance of viewing adoption as a parenting plan rather than &ldquo;giving a baby away.&rdquo; Terri explains how she initially wanted a closed adoption but ultimately chose an open arrangement, allowing her daughter to grow up knowing both her adoptive family and her birth family.
Terri describes the remarkable relationship that developed with her daughter's adoptive parents. Over the years, the families have shared birthdays, soccer games, FaceTime calls, sleepovers, family gatherings, and other milestones. Her daughter has also developed relationships with Terri's husband and children, creating an extended family built around love rather than fear.
Vicki and Terri discuss how open adoption can help address some of the unanswered questions that birth parents and adopted children may otherwise carry for years. Terri's daughter knows where she came from, knows that she is loved, and has a safe environment in which to ask difficult questions and express complicated emotions.
The episode also draws powerful parallels between Terri's experience and the biblical story of Moses and his mother, who trusted God with her child's future. Vicki discusses the story of Solomon and the two women claiming the same child as an illustration of sacrificial maternal love&mdash;the willingness to put a child's wellbeing above one's own desires.
Throughout the conversation, Vicki and Terri emphasize that adoption does not mean a birth mother feels no pain. Grief can remain part of the journey, and healing may take time. Terri openly shares that she struggled with the decision and feared that she would never be loved or move beyond the pain. Ultimately, she describes how encountering Jesus, learning to live under grace, and forgiving herself transformed her perspective.
The episode offers encouragement to women facing an unplanned pregnancy, birth mothers considering adoption, adoptive parents, grandparents, church communities, and anyone seeking to understand the realities of adoption. Above all, Terri's story is a testimony about trusting God one day, one minute, and sometimes one muddy bottom at a time.
Vicki closes with a reminder that no matter how deep the mud gets, God has not lost sight of you. Find your stump, sit down with Jesus, quiet the surrounding noise, listen for His voice, and trust Him with the rest of the story.

Walk Me Into Heaven: How Eternity Changes the Way We Live Today | Vikki Parker with Cindy Hamilton

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