Our 1 Blessed Mess

Send us Fan Mail What happens when faith collides with real-world suffering? We tackle this question head-on, diving deep into a conversation most would rather avoid. Pain is universal—no one escapes it—yet our Western church culture often lacks a robust theology for navigating life's darkest valleys. Through the lens of Job's ancient story, we uncover how God never explains the "wh...

Send us Fan Mail The ability to hear God's voice is a cornerstone of authentic faith, yet many believers struggle to recognize when the Lord is speaking to them. In this heartfelt conversation, Ben and Liz unpack Jesus's powerful metaphor of sheep recognizing their shepherd's voice, revealing how this ancient imagery perfectly illustrates our spiritual relationship with God today. D...

Send us Fan Mail What happens in your brain when you give generously? Ben and Liz tackle the fascinating science behind "cheerful giving" and reveal how our brains actually release dopamine and endorphins during acts of generosity – the same reward chemicals we experience when receiving gifts ourselves! They share vulnerable stories of their giving journey, including a surprising mountai...

Send us Fan Mail Having experienced international travel in our youth—Liz on a mission trip to Jamaica at age 12 and Ben as an exchange student in Russia at 15—we knew we wanted cultural exploration to be part of their family DNA. Despite the logistical challenges of traveling with half a dozen kids (including marathon 20-hour road trips), we discovered that the benefits far outweighed the occasio...

Send us Fan Mail What if the secret to a thriving marriage isn’t found in perfection, but in the messy, beautiful journey of serving one another? After 20 years of marriage, raising six kids in eight years, and now navigating life with four teenagers (plus seven chickens, two dogs, and our newest additions—two goats), we've gathered a kind of wisdom that only comes through lived experience. I...

Send us Fan Mail Download a free 30 Day Digital Detox Guide The digital revolution promised connection, but delivered an epidemic of isolation. In this deeply personal and science-backed exploration, we reveal how screen addiction is fundamentally altering our children's brain development and mental health. With depression rates among teens increasing 250% since smartphones became mainstream...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered if enjoying the teenage years is actually possible? As parents of four (soon to be five) teenagers, we've discovered it's not just possible—it's happening in our home right now. Despite the cultural narrative that teen years are something to survive rather than savor, we've found these to be some of our most rewarding parenting seasons. In this ep...

Send us Fan Mail Ever caught yourself thinking, "At least I'm not like THAT person"? This episode dives into the uncomfortable truth about our natural tendency toward self-righteousness and why it might be the biggest obstacle in our spiritual journey. Ben and Liz unpack Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and tax collector from Luke 18, revealing how easily we all slip into compari...

Send us Fan Mail God's thoughts about us and our thoughts about God hold tremendous power, shaping our identity, relationships, and entire worldview in ways we rarely recognize. But what if we allowed God to define Himself? Join us in this God thoughts episode as we discuss: • How small thoughts about God can have big impacts on how we view ourselves and the world • Creating healthy thought l...

Send us Fan Mail Life in a dual entrepreneurial home is an intricate dance of responsibilities, creativity, and the occasional chaos that comes with raising a family. In this episode, we navigate the joys and challenges of our unique journey as we run two separate businesses while caring for our six children. Our conversation dives into the realities we face, strategies we've adopted, and how...

Send us Fan Mail This episode focuses on the importance of raising anti-fragile children who thrive on challenges and adversity. We discuss the dangers of overprotecting kids and share practical strategies to foster resilience, including allowing rough play and encouraging emotional growth through difficult experiences. • Discussing the concept of anti-fragility  • Sharing personal parenting stori...

Send us Fan Mail Practicing The Way Book (affiliate link) Rule of Life builder website Psalms in 30 days Book (affiliate link) Dwell App Family devotions serve as both a source of laughter and a foundation for spiritual growth in our household of six kids. We share the humorous moments, the chaos, and the importance of creating a rule of life that prioritizes intentional living and meaningful conn...

Send us Fan Mail Click here to get the book The Great Sex Rescue mentioned on this episode. (affiliate link) Click here to get a free pdf guide on being a servitarian   This episode deepens the exploration of marriage dynamics through humor and personal stories while contrasting egalitarian and complementarian views. We advocate for a "servitarian" mindset, emphasizing love as mutual ser...

Send us Fan Mail View the Creative Legacy Website  Through a joyful recap of their experiences at the Creative Legacy Conference, we explore the themes of creativity and calling. With insights from engaging speakers, personal stories, and valuable reflections, we encourage listeners to step out of their comfort zones and embrace their creative potential while fostering community among fellow artis...

Send us Fan Mail Get Brant's Book "Unoffendable" (affiliate link) Who knew a rubber rat could spark such hilarity in our household? Join us as we share the chaos of losing Mama Jean, our beloved chicken, to a fox, and the unexpected levity that followed when Liz stumbled upon what she thought was a real rat during a cleaning spree. The ensuing family prank involving the rubber roden...

Send us Fan Mail Click here to get a free We Retreat Guide pdf! Have you ever found yourself face-to-face with a snake in your chicken coop, and wondered what parenting and farming have in common? Get ready for a rollercoaster ride as we recount our snake saga—complete with startled kids and a paper-bagged snake in our living room. This amusing adventure is just one colorful page in our family&apo...

Send us Fan Mail (Welcome to our new podcast! We are dropping 4 episodes initial but stay tuned for a weekly release every Friday.) Can you imagine balancing the chaos of nearly five teenagers, homeschooling, and a flock of chickens, all while unraveling the mystery of a genetic mutation within your family? Join us on a rollercoaster adventure through our lively household, where towering laundry p...

Send us Fan Mail (Welcome to our new podcast! We are dropping 4 episodes initial but stay tuned for a weekly release every Friday.) What if the secret to a harmonious household with six kids lies in the seemingly old-fashioned concept of first-time obedience? Discover how our chaotic, stressed-filled home turned into a place of peace and respect as we share our transformative journey with this str...

Send us Fan Mail (Welcome to our new podcast! We are dropping 4 episodes initial but stay tuned for a weekly release every Friday.) Can a single strategy like teaching first-time obedience make parenting smoother? On "One Blessed Mess," we navigate the whirlwind of raising six kids, managing businesses, homeschooling, and dealing with a house full of pets. We relive a delightful holiday...

Send us Fan Mail (Welcome to our new podcast! We are dropping 4 episodes initial but stay tuned for a weekly release every Friday.) What happens when two completely different worlds collide in the chaos of family life and entrepreneurship? We, Ben and Liz, invite you to join our journey as we blend our different upbringings—one from a single-parent home facing financial struggles, the other from a...