LOVING LIFE AT HOME - Christian Marriage, Biblical Parenting, Creative Homemaking, Purposeful Living

Father's Day is right around the corner. So this seems like a good time to revisit the topic of fathers and fatherhood – including how to make peace with the dad you had, whether he was warm and loving and generally around. Or cold and distant and seldom available. Or somewhere in between. Show Notes VERSES CITED: Psalm 68:5 – “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy d...

Today we're talking about research-based, proactive steps you and I can take now to (hopefully) avoid developing Alzheimer’s dementia later. I hope you'll listen in and be encouraged! Show Notes VERSES CITED: John 3:30 - “He must increase; I must decrease.” Thessalonians 5:17 - “Pray without ceasing.” Colossians 4:2  - “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Ephesians 6:18  - “...

Thirty-eight years, eight months, one week, and six days. That's how long I've been married to my husband. You might think that after nearly four decades, we'd have this marriage thing down pat. That by now, the hard work would be behind us. That maybe we could just coast through the rest of our marriage with the wind on our faces, enjoying the view. But being married is like riding a bike. You ca...

The Bible tells us children are a blessing, but we can sometimes lose sight of that fact amid all the diaper changes and temper tantrums and bedtime struggles. Then our joy dries up like a baby's crusty drool on the shoulder of Mom's T-shirt. What can be done to regain it? That's the topic of this week's podcast, sent in by a young mother who feels guilty for not being more joyful and playful. If...

The topic for this episode is something that is absolutely essential to building a strong and happy marriage. In fact, I have never seen a marriage truly thrive without this thing, but I’ve seen many a marriage crumble in its absence. Tune in to find what this important ingredient is, and how it can miraculously transform a not-so-happily-ever-after marriage. Show Notes VERSES CITED: Ephesians 4:1...

In today's episode, I share what my family has been doing lately and answer a fellow homeschooler's question about how you can tell when you need a break. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Mark 2:27 - "The Sabbath was created for man, not man for the Sabbath." - Matthew 12:11 - “What man is there among you who, if he has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and...

I'm cleaning out my inbox for the new year and answering some of the questions that have piled up there since my last Q&A. Show Notes VERSES CITED: 1 Thess. 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.” Titus 1:7-9 – “For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good...

I love the fresh start January represents, so I normally kick it off with a list of New Year’s resolutions as long as my arm. Some of my goals are specific and easily quantifiable: Walk a mile a day. Read a book a week. Get 7 hours of sleep a night. That way, even if I only walk 5-6 miles a week, read 3 books a month, or occasionally stay up late, I’ll still be better off than if I didn’t try to d...

I love all the bright lights and decorated trees and beautiful packages and cheerful songs that so characterize Christmas in so many people’s minds, but if we miss the real reason behind all those things, we’ll miss the whole purpose and most important part of the season. Show Notes VERSES CITED: Matthew 2:9-10 – “...when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” John 8:12 – “......

I took a longer break from podcasting than planned, thanks to all that must be done for my daughter's upcoming wedding. But I didn't want to let Thanksgiving pass without encouraging you to count your blessings and to discuss the importance of giving thanks, even through hardship. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Proverbs 30:8-9 - "Keep deception and lies far from me, God. Give me neither...." - James 4...

Few things stir up as much controversy or elicit as many strongly held opinions in Christian circles this time of year as the question of how believers should handle Halloween. Today, we'll look at what the Bible has to say about the matter and discuss the need for extending grace to anyone who doesn't share our viewpoint. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Titus 1:15 – “To the pure, all things are pure.....

My daughter eloped last week, and my husband and I couldn't be more delighted. Yet some of our friends are baffled by our reaction. So I'm unpacking the reasons we think it was a smart move on this week's episode of Loving Life at Home. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Ephesians 3:20 - "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think...." - Proverbs 18:22 - “He who fi...

Researchers from Emory University have found that the #1 predictor of a child’s emotional well-being is how well that kid knows his family history. So this week, I’d like to talk to you about storytelling, about how important stories are for the growth and development and emotional wellbeing of our children, and about what kinds of stories we as parents need to make sure we are passing down to our...

I'm answering more questions from listeners this week -- all about announcing pregnancies, corralling toddlers, and dealing with disapproving parents. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Matthew 6:27 - "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" - James 1:5   - "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to...

Jesus calls believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. But what does a life wholly yielded to God even look like in this day and age? It's marked by a willingness to: - Die to yourself - Trust God completely - Know His Word - Submit to His will - Point others to Jesus - Suffer for His name - Follow Christ alone - Love others selflessly We are unpacking all this and more thi...

Romans 12:18 tells us, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” How does that play out in real life? Is there a place for meaningful debate on important topics? And, if so, how can we keep such discussions calm and civil and God-honoring? What steps can we take to defuse a disagreement and keep it from escalating into a full-blown fight? That's the topic of this...

This week, I’ve been cleaning out my inbox and answering some of the questions my blog readers, podcast listeners, and/or newsletter subscribers have sent in, and I've decided to tackle several of those topics on today's podcast episode. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Proverbs 29:17 - "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.”  - James 1:5 - "But if any of yo...

Since September is National Good Neighbor Month, I thought this would be the perfect time to share some ways to be a good neighbor. Compiling this list of ideas was easy. Our family has been blessed with lots and lots of wonderful neighbors throughout the years, so it was a simple matter of remembering all the kind things they’ve done for us along the way. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Colossians 4:5...

We have an uber-competitive family who loves any kind of contest, physical or mental, especially when prizes are involved. We recently gathered to compete in a Family Shark Tank Challenge. And in Episode 95 of Loving Life at Home, I'm dishing up all the details as to how it went down. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - 1 Corinthians 9:24 - “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one...

This week I'm answering a question from a listener who'd like to know how to raise kids who won't resent your family rules or rebel against them. Is that even possible? Listen in on Episode 94 as we discuss what parents can do to reduce the risk of rebellion. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Philippians 1:6 - "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesu...

There is no coasting in marriage. You’re either growing closer together or drifting further apart. You must be intentional about investing in your marriage and nurturing your relationship to your spouse every chance you get. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Romans 12:10 - "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." - Ephesians 5:33 - "However, each one of you also mu...

The CDC announced last week that the US General Fertility Rate has recently hit an all-time low of only 1.6 children per woman of childbearing age. That makes me sad, because I know how much joy children bring to life. The more, the merrier! In fact, as parents of twelve, my husband and I have reaped a lot of blessings from having a large family we could have never anticipated beforehand -- and so...

A listener wrote me recently to say she's made more mistakes that she can count. She wanted advice as to how she could get back on track. "How do I change course when I've done everything wrong?" She had lots of other great questions, too, so in Episode 91, I'm tackling all of them. I hope you'll listen in and be blessed. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - James 1:5 - “If any of you lack wisdom, let him a...

We don't have to wonder or make wild guesses about what Jesus would do -- the Bible tells us clearly how He lived when He was here on earth, the kind of things He prioritized, and what He expects of anyone who chooses to follow Him. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Philippians 2 - "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ..." - Mark 10:45 - “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to...

I read a book last week called The Art of Making Memories. It was fascinating, though nothing like I expected. In this week's episode, I share what I learned and what I think of this work. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - John 16:21 - "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the wor...