No Higher Calling

We finish our Couples of the Bible study with Mary and Joseph. Why add this couple to the "undesirable couples" list? Though God saw them as highly favored, man misunderstood and deemed this couple undesirable. That did not matter to them! They knew they had received a command from God, and they were willing to fulfill it, no matter the cost.  Simeon and I talk about what it means to be wholly giv...

Simeon and I share our vision for No Higher Calling in 2025- year 5 of the ministry! Hear an update on our family and ministry life in Australia. We also share some very exciting things coming to the podcast plus the FIRST sneak peek into a brand new project for your KIDS! This is an episode you don't want to miss!   Resources Referenced: Great Hymns for Growing Hearts by Brettnay Brazzell NHC Pod...

There is a scarlet cord woven throughout all Scripture. God had a plan for the redemption of mankind. His plan was Jesus Christ. For centuries, women wondered if they would be chosen to be the mother of the promised Redeemer. Out of the pages of history, God chose Mary to have that honored privilege.  Jesus Christ has come and paid the price for our sins. He fufilled all the longings of man's hear...

Miscarriage is a devastaing loss to navigate. In 2021, Simeon and I lost a baby that we named Victory. That was a dark trial for us to walk through as a couple, but it was a loss that also affected our entire family. Though our children were young, we decided to tell them of their sibling that went to heaven.  I have been asked before for advice on helping your children process miscarriage. Every...

Come on a journey with me as we follow Mary and her ponderings as she considers God's plan for her Son. From the manger to the cross, we see God weaving His plan of redemption through the life of Jesus Christ. Years of expectation led to this moment in time. The Messiah had come!  What does this mean for us? How can we ponder on these things and keep them in our hearts?   Scriptures Referenced: Lu...

Gratitude: An emotion of the heart, excited by a favor or benefit received; a sentiment of kindness or good will towards a benefactor; thankfulness.  We have so much to be thankful for. When we start counting our blessings, we realize that we are a very blessed people. Yet, we often forget to express our gratitude to the One who has given us these good and perfect gifts. God has challenged me in t...

Many parents struggle with the question, "What do we do about Santa?" As Christians, we desire to have a holiday that is centered on Christ, yet secularism entices our focus in another direction.  Simeon joins me to talk through this topic as we share what we've come to as a family. You'll also enjoy some fun rabbit trails as we share what it's like to celebrate Christmas in Australia!   Resources...

God has given our family the unique privilege of serving Him as missionaries in Sydney, Australia for almost two years. Because I am a missionary wife, I have often been asked to share my "calling" to missions. My story is different from others. It's not the testimony of other missionary heroes you might read about. My heart was encumbered with fears and doubts. But God has given clarity and purpo...

Does your home bring feelings of peace and rest or angst? Do you struggle to stay on top of all the tasks motherhood brings? Are you racing to try to stay ahead of the laundry, dishes, and toys? Elisabeth Beam, from Balancing Beams, joins me to discuss these questions and give practical help for leaving overwhelm behind and thriving in your life. We chat about... Simplifying and decluttering your...

Throughout this year, we have been looking at undesirable couples of the Bible seeing that most of them struggled because they did not have a oneness in marriage. This is beyond physical oneness, but also spiritual and emotional.  We come to Ahasuerus and Esther, and we discuss what to do when a spouse is unequally yoked with a non-believer. Esther gives a beautiful example of God's love and grace...

What is God's will for my life? That is a big question. We are asked this, espcially during our teenage years, but as time moves on, we continue to ask, "God, what is your will for me?" We tend to ask this with a 5 year or 10 year objective. We want the answer to the long-term plan.  In Psalm 119:105, God gives us a key to unlocking the mystery of this question. His Word is a lamp unto our feet. T...

Confidence: a trusting or reliance; an assurrance of mind of firm belief in the integrity, stability, or veracity of another, or in the truth or reality of a fact -Webster's 1828 Dictionary Confidence: that which has a firm foundation; steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage -definition of the Greek word hypostasis (confidence) We live in an instable world that seeks to shake our confidence. We m...

God has an order. Culture disrupts that order and dwells in compounded confusion. This is clearly seen in context of marriage and the roles within marriage.  When God established the first marriage in Genesis, He called what He designed very good. Simeon and I go back to the beginning to dicuss... -Responsibilities and roles within marriage -Husband and wife working as a team -Satan's attack on th...

Our lives can be inundated by fear, yet God's Word tells us again and again to fear not. How are we to obey that command when there are so many things that cause us worry and concern? We discuss identifying irrational versus rational fears. We must not waste our time worrying about fears that are not based in reality. But when we do have real fears, we need to learn to give them to the Lord, remem...

Laundry can be quite the pain point for homemakers. The endless mountains of clothes to wash, fold, and put away can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I share some tips that have helped me stay on top of our laundry as a family of seven. I also share great tips from some of my audience! Thank you to all those who added your input. I hope maybe one of these ideas will help you find better rhythms...

Throughout this study, we have continually seen the theme of couples who were not one whether that be spiritually, emotionally, or physically. Ananias and Sapphire were one, but it was in sin. This led to a disastrous end for this couple.  As we look at their marriage, we discuss the importance of being sober-minded and true to the promises that we make to God.   Scriptures Referenced: Exodus 21:1...

Obedience brings blessing. This is a principle found all throughout Scripture. In the New Testament, God commands His people to be "given to hospitality." Obedience in this area brings abundant blessings!  In this episode, we discuss blessings that come from ministering to others through hospitality. -The blessing of influencing others for Christ -The blessing of cultivating relationships -The ble...

After working as a pediatric RN for over a decade, Elizabeth Parsons left the hospital to pursue a more holistic approach to health. On this episode, she gives advice on how to fight sickness naturally. We discuss... -Transitioning from conventional medicine to a holistic approach -Simple, free steps to pursuing a healthy lifestyle -Cooking nourishing foods from scratch -Cleaning your home with na...

For the past 2 years, our family has been TV free. That is not the norm in 2024, but there are many families who are concerned about the constant overstimulation and who are making the decision to remove the TV from their homes. Simeon and I share our why for this decision and the benefits we have seen from this choice. Spoiler alert: We have ZERO regrets! It has been one of the BEST decisions we...

As we wrap up another quarter of 2024, I share the books that I've been reading.  The Bucket List Family by Jessica Gee Simulated by Nova McBee The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis Love Without Borders by Angela Braniff Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur   Resources: NHC Blog: 2024 Reading...

There are many different approaches to introducing solids to your baby. As a mama who has done this 5 times, I share the approach that has worked well for us. This is based upon experience and research. What is baby led weaning? It is when you offer your baby food from your family meals cut up into finger sized foods allowing them to self-feed. We discuss: -How to know your baby is ready for solid...

Our children are going to face lies. Some lies come from within their own minds, and others come from outside influences. We know from God's Word that Satan is the father of lies. How can we as Christian parents equip our children to take a stand for truth in a culture that says there is no truth? Join Simeon and Brettnay as they talk about the importance of... Understanding the culture Recoginzin...

How do I find joy in motherhood? How do I grow in patience as a mother? How can I be more gentle in my responses to my children? We all ask those questions as mothers. There is no doubt that motherhood is a sanctifying work. The fruit of the spirit (joy, patience, gentleness) aren't things we can "work up" on our own. Growth can only be accomplished through the Holy Spirit's work in us! Developing...

Have you ever tried to keep all the plates beautifully spinning only to find broken pieces shattered at your feet? I think most mamas have been there. We juggle alot, and on top of that, we often put expectatons on ourselves that do not align with what God expects of us. This causes us to leave in defeat, guilt, and comparison. We look around and see "supermoms". But what is supermom? And is that...

Abraham and Sarah are the father and mother of God's chosen people, Israel. They set an amazing example of faith as they leave all they know in the city of Ur, and set out to follow God into the unknown. But they also make some big mistakes, some of which cause a lack of unity in major aspects of their marriage.  Join us as we look into the famous laugh of Sarah. As we study the context and the He...