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

Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Does getting ready for the holidays feel burdensome or overwhelming to you? In Episode 63 of Loving Life at Home, we're discussing strategies to steer clear of stress, side-step the hustle-bustle, and enjoy a merry, meaningful, and blissfully peaceful advent season. Show Notes RELATED VERSES: - Philippians 4:6 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in...

Despite the fact the world proclaims with one loud voice, “You are enough!” that has never been the way it has played out in my life. And do you know what? It’s liberating to admit that fact. Join me today as we discuss why we should reject that self-affirmation for the lie it is. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may...

We've all said or done things that we later regret, sometimes profoundly so. But where does regret come from, and how are we supposed to handle this tangle of negative emotions? That's our topic for this week's episode of Loving Life at Home Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Romans 8:28 - "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love...." - Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the wa...

Grandparent's Day is coming up, so this week we're discussing how to cultivate a closer relationship between grandkids and grandparents, including things parents can do to facilitate the connection. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - James 5:16 - “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  - Philippians 4:6 - “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, wit...

To be or not to be a parent... that is the question. Given the dark times in which we live, how are Christian couples to view the prospect of having children? What considerations should they take into account as they try to decide when--or whether--to start a family. I hope you'll listen in today as we examine many of the most common objections couples give regarding the prospect of having childre...

Tune into Episode 58 as we discuss the best wedding gift any couple will ever receive — a gift that God Himself designed and prepared especially for husbands and wives to enjoy and one that will benefit them in more ways than you might ever imagine! Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Genesis 2:21-25 - "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam...." - Proverbs 18:22 - "He who finds a wife find...

This week on the Loving Life at Home Podcast, we’re talking all about children’s chores. I’ve been fielding a lot of questions on this topic lately, and I realize I haven’t shared much about how we handle chores at our house, so today is the day! I hope you'll listen in. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Proverbs 14:4 - "Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strengt...

My topic this week is something that is very basic but is also extremely important. The sooner you master it, the sooner you’ll start reaping the benefits in each and every relationship you have. It will improve your interactions with your spouse, your children, your parents, your siblings, your coworkers, your neighbors, cashiers, waiters, customer service reps--the list goes on and on. What is t...

Parents frequently ask us for tips on successfully launching their young adult kids. While there are no guaranteed formulas, today I'm sharing some general tips to help smooth your child's passage to adulthood. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - 1 Corinthians 14:20 - "Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters...." - 1 Corinthians 15:19 - "If only for this life we...

A marriage is a lot like a garden. Both require a lot of tending. In Episode 54 of the Loving Life at Home Podcast, we'll explore six essentials that must be present if you want your marriage (or your garden) to thrive. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Psalm 139:23-24 - "“Search me, O God, and know my heart..." - Hosea 10:12 - “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love..." - Jer...

This week, I'm tackling a question from one of my most faithful listeners of all time (who also happens to be my daughter-in-law): Rebekah Joy. She asked me to cover some of the microsystems for managing our home that my husband and I put in place to keep everything running smoothly. Once she explained the kind of microsystems she was talking about (including several her husband/our son implemente...

I received a message from a listener this week who was concerned about her husband's health. His diet needs work, he does't get enough sleep or enough exercise, and lately he's been experiencing chest pain. She wondered if I could give her some ideas for motivating him to make better decisions.  On this episode of Loving Life at Home, I'm sharing the four tips I gave her for dealing with the situa...

So much of life is spent in limbo. Waiting for a baby, a ride, or a test result. Waiting for a paycheck, a court date, or summer vacation. We wait… and wait… and wait some more. Is there a way we can do it to the glory of God? How can we wait in a way that honors Him? Show Notes VERSES CITED:  - “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ( Colossians 4:2 ) - "Be alert and of sober...

The marriage lessons we learn by example are often the most memorable. Some of the examples we see teach us what works, what leads to a successful, happy marriage, what we may want to emulate in our own.  But sometimes the examples we see serve as cautionary tales. They show us what doesn’t work, what kinds of attitudes and behaviors will submarine your marriage and undermine its happiness or long...

Since I sometimes hear from women asking for advice on dealing with miscarriages, I wanted to share my thoughts and experience with this topic in hopes of encouraging others who may be suffering from the same kind of grief and loss. Listen in as we discuss recovery, rainbow babies, responding to insensitive remarks, and more. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Psalm 30:5 - “Weeping may last through the ni...

Our family is on the road again this week our way to North Carolina (at least the ones who aren’t taking college classes this summer). As usual, we prayed in the driveway before we left home, asking God to watch over us while we’re traveling and to get us safely to our destination. But a couple of other practices help make sure we get where we're going -- and that's what I want to talk about in th...

Sooner or later, we will all face change of some sort. Change is an inevitable part of life. The question is, how will we deal with change when it comes. Today, I'm sharing six strategies I use to keep my wits when my world is turning upside down. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Philippians 3:13-14 - "...forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead..." - James 1:2-3 - "My brethre...

Show Notes VERSES CITED: - John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  - 1 John 3:16 - "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." RELATED LINKS: The Boy Enlists by Edgar Albert Guest  In Flanders Field by John McCrae Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address   Miss...

Show Notes VERSES CITED: -  “Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)  - “These things I have spoken unto you that in Me ye might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) and… - “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter variou...

One of the first things people usually notice about our children is how well they get along. Sure, they have occasional squabbles , but that is the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, they really love and admire one another and enjoy being in each other's company. They are friends. And cultivating friendship between siblings is the topic of this week's episode of Loving Life at Home...

If you’ve ever had a child who is given to whining, you know how grating it can get on the nerves of every member of the household. But thankfully, there is an effective way to help your little one break this bad habit. Listen to this week's episode of Loving Life at Home to learn six surefire strategies to wipe out whining. Show Notes RELATED VERSES:  - Philippians 2:14-15 - "Do everything withou...

Over the years, our family has found ways to make traveling with children more enjoyable, economical, educational, and easy. Listen in for tips you can use on your next family vacation.  Show Notes RELATED SCRIPTURE: - Psalm 37:23 - "The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey." - Proverbs 16:9 - "A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." RELATED...

This is birthday week for our family: my daughter's birtday is the 20th, mine's the 21st, my husband's is the 22, and we met on the 23rd. That last point -- the story of how I met my husband -- is the topic of today's podcast.  Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Isaiah 55:18 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD." - Proverbs 3:15-16 - "Trust in the LOR...

Goals are important because they provide a sense of purpose and direction. Proverbs 16:9 assures us “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” So even when you aren’t 100% sure what the LORD would have you do with your time, I recommend prayerfully setting a worthwhile goal and working toward it. As long as you hold your plans lightly, you can trust God to redirect you if that...

How should husbands and wives navigate friendships with the opposite sex? That's our podcast topic this week, prompted by an email I got from a reader wanting to know, "Should a married woman have close male friends?"  Show Notes VERSES CITED: - Genesis 2:24 - "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united..." - Mark 10:7-9 - “...therefore what God has joined together, let n...