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

Do you want a peaceful, orderly home where your family can thrive? Would you like to cultivate stronger family bonds with your husband and kids? Do you long for a joy-filled, purposeful life free from fear and anxiety? Have you ever longed for a seasoned mentor who’d provide practical pointers? Fortunately for us, the Bible speaks to every one of these goals. God’s Word will help you cut through all the confusion caused by popular but conflicting marriage and parenting advice. Welcome, friend! My name is Jennifer Flanders. As a devout Christian, happy wife, homeschool mom of twelve, and grandma of 20 (so far!), I’m well-practiced in minding the things that matter most. And since the Bible charges older women to teach younger women to love their husbands, love their children, and be keepers at home, I have a scriptural mandate to share the things I’ve learned with you. Loving Life at Home is your go-to podcast for Titus 2 encouragement in marriage, motherhood, and minding what matters most. In it, I’ll teach you how to: - nurture your marriage and cultivate a life-long love with your husband - communicate with your husband in a way he understands and appreciates - raise children you not only love, but enjoy spending time with - create a warm, peaceful, inviting home that is a blessing to all who spend time there - cheerfully attend to all the sanctifying work that marriage, motherhood, and managing a home entails - use your time wisely, looking to God for the grace and strength to fulfill His call on your life So grab a cup of tea and tune in every Monday morning. In each 20-minute episode, you’ll get biblical encouragement, actionable advice, and firsthand insights on faith and family gleaned from over 35 years of marriage and motherhood and over 50 years of following Jesus. Next Steps: Read my marriage blog: https://lovinglifeathome.com Download my free printables: https://www.flandersfamily.info Connect with me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/ Check out my books: https://amazon.com/author/jenniferflanders Send me a message: flandersfamily@flandersfamily.info

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Episodes

4 hours ago

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

Thursday Jan 30, 2025

Thursday Jan 30, 2025

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)

Wednesday Jan 22, 2025

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)
 
 

Wednesday Jan 08, 2025

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)
 

EP 71: The Power of Prayer

Monday Dec 30, 2024

Monday Dec 30, 2024

There is great power in prayer, and Christians should be careful never to neglect this amazing privilege and vital discipline. That's why God commands us to "pray without ceasing.
What's more, God will always answer our prayers -- though not necessarily in the manner we hope or expect.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- 1 Thess. 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing."
- Psalm 139:13-16 - "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb...."
- Matthew 9:35 - "Jesus went through all the towns...healing every disease and sickness."
- John 9:39 - "...the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
- Mark 2:9-12 - "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up...'"
- Isaiah 55:8-9 - "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD."
- John 9:2-3 - "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”
- James 5:14-15 - "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray..."
- James 4:2 - "You have not because you ask not.”
- Matthew 7:7 - “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find....”
RELATED LINKS:
- Our Daily Lifeline  - We should pray hardest when it's hardest to pray
- A Good Reminder - If you pray only when you're in trouble, you're in trouble
- Free Printable Prayer Guides - You'll find a full listing here of all the guides we offer, ready for downloading
- The Complete Collection - This time-saving bundle includes my prayer guides and other related resources

Monday Dec 23, 2024

Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Colossians 1:16-17 – “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
- John 10:28-29 – “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”
- Proverbs 24:5 - “The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.”
- Proverbs 24:6 - “Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.”
- Matthew 6:34 - “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
- Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Psalm 139:16 - "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them."
- Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
- Psalm 90:12 - “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.”
- Psalm 127:2 - "It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep."
 
RELATED LINKS: 
- Suffering by Paul David Tripp
- Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
- How Firm a Foundation

Monday Dec 16, 2024

The best laid plans sometimes go awry. How should we respond when that happens? That's what we're discussing on Loving Life at Home this week: What should one do when things don't go as planned?
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Proverbs 16:9 - “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” 
- Matt 10:29-31 - “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
-James 4:13-15 - “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’  Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” 
-Philippians 2:4 - “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
- Proverbs 17:22 - “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” 
- Philippians 2:3 - “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8-24 - "But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.  For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him...."
RELATED LINKS:
- Episode 23: A Hill Country Christmas
- Thai Lucky Sushi Bar
- Yanaguana Gardens & Playground
- Pioneer Museum of Fredricksburg
- FBC Mainstreet Bethlehem in Burnet, TX
 

Monday Nov 25, 2024

It's Thanksgiving week, so I'm counting my blessings, and my 12 children are right up there at the top of the list.
Another thing I'm grateful for? The fact my husband didn't cut my childbearing years short by getting a vasectomy, though he definitely considered it at one point.
Listen to this week's episode to hear why, and to learn what stopped him from going through with it. 
Show Notes:
VERSES CITED: 
- Colossians 1:16-17 - "...all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
- Hebrews 1:3 - "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word."
- Revelation 4:11 - “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
- 1 Corinthians 8:6 - "...there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all things came and through Whom we live."
RELATED LINKS:
- More than Meets the Eye - this is the book by Richard Swenson that made such an impression on my husband (I don't think I gave the title in the podcast)
- Always Open: 5 Reasons I Love Having My Tubes Intact - my response to an article from the other side of the issue, written by a woman who was grateful to have hers tied
- Postponing Motherhood: At What Cost? - my review of Holly Grigg-Spall's Sweetening the Pill

Wednesday Nov 20, 2024

This week on Loving Life at Home, I'm tackling a question about early education for preschoolers: What can a mom of multiple toddlers do to make sure her little ones are getting what they need? Those were pressing thoughts on my mind, too, when I was a young mom, and in today's episode, I'm sharing the advice a wise mentor gave me at the time. It served me and my children well and will hopefully do the same for you and yours!
Show Notes
RELATED LINKS:
- Laying the Foundation for a LIfetime of Learning
- 50 Picture Books Every Child Should Read
- Cultivating Creativity in Young Children
- Raising Kids Who Love to Read
- Keeping Toddlers Occupied
- 50 Chapter Books to Read Aloud to Your Family
- Choosing Curricula Your Children Will Love

Thursday Nov 14, 2024

Several years ago, I read a book entitled Marriage to a Difficult Man. I felt a little self-conscious toting it around with me at the time, lest anyone assume it was a how-to book rather than recognizing it for what it was: a biography of the famous 18th-century revivalist preacher Jonathan Edwards in relation to his very patient and supportive wife.
I have a similar concern in publishing this week's episode, in which I offer advice to a reader who is looking for help in dealing with what she calls a "Jekyll and Hyde" husband. While nearly 40 years of marriage has taught me a lot about living in peace with a partner who can sometimes be difficult (a description he could rightly apply to me, as well), I would never go so far as to compare my own husband's mood swings to the infamous Dr. Jekyll.
Nevertheless, I've endeavored to answer this reader's question with tips that have been helpful in my own marriage and with ideas I've drawn from observing the marriages of those around me. I hope you'll listen in and be encouraged.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
1 Peter 3:8 - "...be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."
1 Corinthians 7:5 - "Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time...."
Proverbs 13:12 - "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
1 Corinthians 13:15 - "When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But...."
Romans 3:23 - "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Psalms 139:23-24 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my anxious thoughts...."
Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if...."
James 1:2-3 - " Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that....” 
 Proverbs 15:1 - "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Colossians 4:6 - "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that....” 
Philippians 1:6 - "...He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” 
Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right...."
RELATED LINKS:
EP 34: The #1 Rule for Building a Happy Marriage
EP 31: How to Love Your Husband Well
EP 12: When You're Married to a Problem Solver
EP 2: Dealing with Difficult In-Laws
Love Your Husband/Love Yourself (my book)
STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -(weekly themed link lists of free resources)
- Instagram: follow @flanders_family for more great content
- 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)
 
 

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