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

EP 81: When You Feel Like You're Just Treading Water

Sometimes life's responsibilities seem so overwhelming and inescapable that you feel like you're barely treading water. How do you cope when the going gets tough, and your energy's already depleted? Here are seven strategies that have kept me afloat during the busiest, most exhausting seasons of mothering 12 children and managing a increasingly busy household.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you may have peace....” - John 16:33 
- “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials....” - James 1:2-4
- "...God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God...."- Romans 8:28
- "If anybody lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all freely..." - James 1:5
- “When [people] measure themselves by themselves... they are not wise.” - 2 Corinthians 10:12
- “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31
- "Be strong and courageous... He will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6
- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” - Philippians 4:13
- “Yet those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength....They shall walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31
- “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” - Psalm 50:15
- "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit...." - John 15:5
- “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest...." - Proverbs 6:10 (see also Prov 24:33-34)
- “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it...” - Psalm 127:1-2
- “He will feed His flock like a shepherd... and gently lead those who are with young.” - Isaiah 40:11
- “Come to Me, all you who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest....” - Matthew 11:28-30
- “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12
- “Love you neighbor as you love yourself” - Mark 12:30
- "From everyone to whom much has been given will much be required...” - Luke 12:48
- "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." - Romans 14:12
- "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength...." - Mark 12:30
- “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.” - Proverbs 17:1
- “Better is a portion of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened ox served with hatred.” - Proverbs 15:17 
- “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we don't lose heart.” - Galatians 6:9 
- "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin..." - Zechariah 4:10
 
RELATED LINKS: 
- Flanders Family Freebies - use ths link to subscribe to my weekly newsletter
- Episode 53: Microsystems for Home Management
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
 
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies - (weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, free printables) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)
 
 

EP 80: Our Family's Favorite Easter Traditions

We're right in the middle of holy week, which makes this a great time to discuss some of our family's favorite Easter traditions -- especially those that keep our focus on the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Matthew 13:44 - “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” 
- 1 John 4:10 - “God loved us and sent His Son.” 
- Matthew 28:6 - “He has risen, just as He said.”  
- John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
- Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
- John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
RELATED LINKS:
- Resurrection Eggs Printable
- Scripture Eggs Printable
- Empty Tomb Kids Craft
- Easter Bible Verse Coloring Pages
- The Easter Story (book by Carol Heyer)
- Easter Scripture Chain
- Passion Week Quiz 
- Resurrection Day Word Scramble 
- Resurrection Day Word Find
- Easter Conversation Starters
- Let Them Know Music Video
- All About that Grace Music Video
- Never Enough Music Video
- The Jelly Bean Gospel
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies - (weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, free printables) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)
 

EP 79: Let's Adopt a Winston Churchill Mindset in Marriage

Little known fact: Today (April 9) is Winston Churchill Day in the US. So today, I'm taking some of my favorite quotes from the British Bulldog, examining them in light of scripture, and applying them to marriage. I hope you'll listen in!
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Luke 12:48 - “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required....”
- Romans 12:10 - “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” 
- Philippians 4:8 - “...whatever is true... honorable... right... pure... think about these things.”
- Luke 6:38 - “Give, and it will be given to you...good measure—pressed down, shaken together....” 
- James 1:19 - "Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.”
- James 1:2-3 - “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials....” 
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 - “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief ....” 
- 2 Cor. 4:17 - “For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory...."
- Heb. 12:11 - "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however...."
- Isaiah 41:10 - “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you....”
- Psalm 23:4 - "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...."
- Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- Galatians 6:9 - “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap...."
- John 15:5 - “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit..."
 
RELATED LINKS:
- Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara - “the remarkable power of giving people more than they expect”
- EP 78: 7 Ways to Ruin Your Marriage
- EP 75: Emphasize Your Husband's Good Points
- The Good News about Marriage by Shaunti Feldhahn
 
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies - (weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, free printables) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)

EP 78: 7 Ways to Ruin Your Marriage

Proverbs 14:1 tells us, “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”
I normally like to focus on the first part of that verse and consider, “What are some wise ways we can build our homes and strengthen our family relationships?”
But instead of taking my usual approach and discussing how to nurture your marriage and make it better, today I’d like to examine some very common and very foolish habits that tear down our homes and the people we live with and put unnecessary strain on relationships and threaten to ruin marriages. 
So today, I present you with 7 WAYS TO RUIN YOUR MARRIAGE--GUARANTEED.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Proverbs 14:1 - "The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands."
- Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merelylook out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
- Philippians 4:8 - Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 
- 1 Corinthians 13:7 - "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
- Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
- Ephesians 5:33 - "However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."
- 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 - "The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
- James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
RELATED LINKS:
- 5 Ways to Ruin Your Day — Guaranteed
 - EP 75 - Emphasize Your Husband's Good Points
- Enough with the Excuses
- Time to Turn Your Thinking Around  (the poem I wrote that can be read forwards and backwards)
- One-Year Bible Reading Plan
- 31 Verses to Pray over Your Husband
- Praying Boldly for Yourself
- Prayer for a Happy Marriage
- A Wise Woman Builds Coloring Page
- Love Your Husband/ Love Yourself - the first book I ever wrote (and I still stand behind every word!)
- 25 Way to Communicate Respect for Your Husband: A Handbook for Wives
- 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife: A Handbook for Husbands
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies - (weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, free printables) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)
 
 
 
 
 
 

EP 77: Good Timing for Big Decisions

This week on Loving Life at Home I'm answering a couple of questions about starting a family during medical school, but the principles also apply to other decisions people put off while waiting for perfect timing.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Ecclesiastes 4:12 - "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
- Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD."
- Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
RELATED LINKS: 
- Having Babies in Medical School? - the post I wrote 17 years ago on this same topic
- Then Comes Baby in a Baby Carriage - having babies matures us in important ways
- Postponing Motherhood: At What Cost? - another good argument for not waiting for "the perfect time"
 
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies - (weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, free printables) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)

EP 76: After Valentine's Day... A Plea for Perseverance

Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
- Romans 12:10 - “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
RELATED LINKS:
- A Prayer for Singles - free printable prayer guide
- The State of a Union - How grows your marriage?
- In Praise of the Manly Man - a poem I wrote for my husband
- A Fish wihout Fins - one of my very first poems to my husband
- A Hero in the Making - yet another poem I wrote me husband
- 30-Day Love Your Wife Challenge - free email challenge for husbands
- 30-Day Respect Challenge - free email challenge for wives
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies - (weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, free printables) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)
 

EP 75: Emphasize Your Spouse's Good Points

Pop quiz: Which would you prefer?
(a) That your husband focus his thoughts on your loveliest, most noble and praiseworthy characteristics?
(b) That he ignore your good points completely and concentrate instead on your most annoying and bothersome flaws?
That's an easy answer, as far as I'm concerned. So shouldn't you make every effort to treat your spouse the way you'd want to be treated yourself by emphasizing your husband's good points?
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
RELATED LINKS:
- EP 10 - We Find What We Look For
- Love Is a Verb by Gary Chapman
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -(weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, lots of free printables!) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)
 
 

EP 74: Standing in the TRUTH

My youngest daughter and I just got home from a fun-filled mother-daughter retreat our homeschool co-op sponsors every January. The theme of this year's retreat was "Standing in the Truth," and in this week's episode, I'm sharing the major points of a talk I gave at the retreat on that same topic. I hope you'll listen in and let me know what you think in the comment section below.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- John 14:6 - ""I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
- Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
- James 2:19 - "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder."
- 2 Peter 1:10 - "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble."
- Matthew 7:22-23 - "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? ..."
- Ephesians 4:13-14 - "...no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine...."
- Psalm 139:13 - "For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb."
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing."
- Philippians 4:6 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
- James 4:8 - "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..."
- Heb 10:23-25 - "Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful...."
- Isaiah 64:6 - "...all our righteous acts are like filthy rags...."
- Eph 6:10-18 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God..."
RELATED LINKS:
- EP 27: God Wants the Whole Pie
- EP 28: Bible Memory Tips
- One-Year Bible Reading Plan
- Free Printable Prayer Guides
- Armor of God Printables
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -(weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, lots of free printables!) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)

EP 73 - How to Get Your Kids to Stop Fighting

Are sibling squabbles driving you crazy? Do you crave a respite from all your kids' bickering? Then listen in today as I answer another reader's question: "How can I get my kids to stop fighting?"
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
-1 John 4:20-21 - "...the one who loves God should love his brother also."
- Luke 6:31 - "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
- Galatians 5:13 - "...do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
- Proverbs 6:16-19 - "... things which the LORD hates... one who spreads strife among brothers."
- Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not grow weary of doing good, in due season we shall reap."
- Psalm 133:1 - "Behold how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to live together in unity!"
RELATED LINKS: 
- EP 44: Cultivating Friendships between Siblings
- Stop Sibling Squabbles in 5 Simple Steps
- Help! My Kids Won't Stop Fighting!
- Teaching Kindness (Free Printable)
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -(weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, lots of free printables!) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)
 
 

EP 72: Dealing with Unneighborly Neighbors

For the new year, I want to tackle some of the questions that have been piling up in my inbox, starting with how to deal with neighbors who aren’t very neighborly. Listen in for four tips on getting through to the people who live nearby.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Matthew 5:14  - “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”  
- Proverbs 27:10 – “...Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.”
- Matthew 22:36-39 - "... You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
RELATED LINKS: 
- 25 Ways to Be a Good Neighbor -  a blog post I wrote several years ago
- On Loving Your Neighbor - more about our move into the Mayberry-ish neighborhood
- Love Your Neighbor Coloring Page - hand-drawn design featuring Mark 12:31
- Good Neighbor Conversation Starters - to prompt good family discussions on this topic
- The Gospel Comes with a House Key - book by Rosaria Butterfield
- Loving My Actual Neighbor - book by Alexandra Kuykendall
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -(weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- Shop my books: Flanders Family Store
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (parenting tips, homeschool help, lots of free printables!) 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home  (encouragement in your roles as wife, mother, believer)