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

EP 87: Lost and Found (A Story about My Dad)

Father's Day is less than a week away, so I thought this would be a wonderful time to share a story about my father. I have lots of cherished memories to choose from, but this is one of my all-time favorites.
I'm sure that, in the midst of the childhood crisis I was experiencing at the time, my dad never dreamed what a lasting and long-reaching effect of his response would have in my life, but it did.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED: 
1 John 3:1 - “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
Romans 8:38 - “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
John 1:12 - “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” 
RELATED LINKS:
5 Lessons I Learned by Losing a Diamond
Fathers Matter (Every Day of the Year)
A Letter to My Father
Free Printable Prayer for Fathers
A Hero in the Making: Like Father, Like Son
STAY CONNECTED:
Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -weekly themed link lists of free resources
Instagram: @flanders_family - follow for more great content
Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, lprintables
Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers
 

EP 86: Two Key Ways to Help Your Kids Flourish

Our oldest son just celebrated his 37th birthday and told us over dinner what he considers the two most important and impactful things his dad and I did for him growing up, so I'm unpacking both this week's episode. I hope you'll listen in.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED
James 1:23-25 -“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who ....”
Psalms 1:3 - “...his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Matthew 5:20 - “Unless your righteousness surpasses the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees....”
Matthew 23:27 - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs....”
Romans 8:26 - "...the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words."
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 - “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and....”
Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Psalm 51:10 - “Create in me a clean heart, O God!"
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God...."
1 Corinthians 3:6 - "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth."
Matthew 25:23 - "Well done, my good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Master.”
RELATED LINKS:
Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
EP 28: Bible Memory Tips & Tricks
EP 85: Memorize Proverbs 3 with Me
EP 55: Smoothing Your Child’s Passage to Adulthood
31 Verses to Pray over Your Child
Praying for Your Unborn Child
Praying for Your Children from Head to Toe
Our Teens Need Prayer
Praying for Your Adult Child
STAY CONNECTED:
Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -weekly themed link lists of free resources
Instagram: @flanders_family - follow for more great content
Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, lprintables
Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers

EP 85: Memorize Proverbs 3 with Me

The best way I know to "meditate day and night" on the Word of God is to commit large portions of Scripture to memory. Then you'll always have it with you. Want an easier way to do that? Listen in to Loving Life at Home for a simple, straightforward way to memorize Proverbs 3 with me -- the entire chapter.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
Proverbs 3
Psalm 119:97
RELATED LINKS:
EP 28: Bible Memory Tips
Memorization Toolbox by Abigail Martin
Pretty Printable Copy of Proverbs 3
STAY CONNECTED:
Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -weekly themed link lists of free resources
Instagram: @flanders_family - follow for more great content
Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, lprintables
Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers
 

EP 84: How Not to Diet

Several months ago, a reader named Donna sent me the following request: “I’d love to hear your summary or take away of how not to diet but lose weight."
So on this week's episode, I'm discussing Dr. Michael Greger's book, How Not to Diet, and the amazing effects implementing his suggestions have had on my health, weight, and energy levels.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
Psalm 139:16 - "Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."
RELATED LINKS:
How Not to Diet - by Michael Greger: "The Groundbreaking Science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss"
How Not to Die - by Michael Greger: "Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease"
How Not to Age - by Michael Greger: "The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older"
nutritionfacts.org - Michael Greger's informative website (excellent!)
Daily Dozen App - use to track progress on your smart phone (on 12 foods &/or 21 tweaks)
Daily Dozen free printable chart - I keep this one posted on my refrigerator as a reminder
Episode 52: Helping Your Husband Make Better Food Choices 
Episode 70: Unwrapping Cancer for Christmas
Garlicky Lentil Soup Recipe - a Flanders' family favorite
Winkie’s Tonic - a natural antibiotic with an apple cider vinegar base
Sautéed Mushrooms & Spicy Greens - my daily indulgence/ 2nd breakfast
Bigelow Matcha Green with Turmeric - my favorite green tea (I drink 3 cups daily)
M is for Mama - my friend Abbie's website (w/links to her books & podcast) - hope you'll check them out!
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 83: In Honor of Mothers Everywhere

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so that’s what I’d like to discuss on the podcast this week. Even if giving birth to you is all your mother ever did, she would still be worthy of your gratitude and respect. But for most of our moms, the end of labor and delivery was when the real work began. 
Show Notes:
VERSES CITED:
Ephesians 6:2-3 - "Honor your father and your mother --which is the first commandment with a promise--that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”
Proverbs 31:28-29 - “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her saying, ‘Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.’”
Leviticus 19:3 - “Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.”
Proverbs 23:22 - “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
Matthew 15:4 - “For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’”
1 Corinthians 12:17- 18 - “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? [Or] If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.”
RELATED LINKS:
EP 2: Dealing with Difficult In-Laws - the wonderful relationship we enjoy today makes me glad I didn't give up
BBC Documentary with Miriam Margolyes - scroll halfway down this post to view our 12-minute segment
A Christian Home - the hymn I sang at the end of this episode
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 82 - Cultivating Contentment

Much of the material from this week's podcast comes from a blog post I wrote on cultivating contentment over a decade ago, but the same strategy still works today. If you've ever found yourself fixating on your problems, stewing about things over which you have no control, or struggling to "rejoice in all circumstances," this episode is for you!
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
1 Timothy 6:6-8 – “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.....”
Philippians 4:11-12 – “... I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances....”
2 Corinthians 12:10 - “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships....”
Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have....”
Proverbs 19:23 – “The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
Proverbs 14:30 – “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Proverbs 15:15 – “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
Ecclesiastes 6:9 - “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have....”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied....”
Luke 12:19  – “And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy....’"
RELATED LINKS:
EP 10 – We Find What We Look For
EP 19 - Amazing Stories of God's Provision
EP 51 – Waiting in a Way that Honors God   
EP 61 – How to Handle Deep Regrets
EP 81 – When You’re Barely Treading Water 
Free Printable - Empty Nest List
Free Printable - Do It Now List
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 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: Egg Hunts & Other Easter Celebrations

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:
- EP 37: Our Family's Favorite Easter Traditions
- 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)