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

EP 54: How to Cultivate a Thriving Marriage

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..."
- Jeremiah 4:3 - “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.”
- Galatians 6:7 - “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
- Matthew 7:16-18 - "“By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes..."
- John 4:14 - "But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will...."
- John 7:37-38 - “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  Whoever believes in Me...."
- Hebrews 12:15 - “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up...."
- James 1:21 - “...in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”
- John 15:4-17 - "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself...."
- Proverbs 17:22 - “A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
RELATED LINKS: 
- 31 Scriptures to Pray over Your Spouse
- St. Fransis of Assisi’s prayer
- Love Your Husband/ Love Yourself
- 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband
- 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife
- Terra Cotta Ollas for gardening
- My Backyard Mural
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)
 
 
 

EP 53: Microsystems for Managing Your Home

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 implemented in their home with great success) I began compiling a list and realized there are probably too many to cover in one podcast. So this week, we'll discuss micro-systems that are aimed at maintaining order in the home, then I'll eventually do a podcast on various micro-systems we've put in place for maintaining relationships:nurturing our marriage, raising our children, celebrating holidays, homeschooling, forging friendships, etc.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED: 
- Titus 2:3-5 - "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
RELATED POSTS:
- Tips for Organizing Your Garage
- Taming the Toy Box
- Tips for Keeping Kids' Rooms Clean
- Free Bedroom Inspection Checklist
- How to Organize Your Kitchen for Efficiency
- Sit Down & Eat: Fun Ideas for Making Mealtimes Memorable
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)
 

EP 52: Helping Your Husband Make Better Food Choices

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 situation. I hope you will find them helpful, as well.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6
- “Which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?” Matthew 6:27
-“To the woman He said, ‘I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you shall deliver children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.’” - Genesis 3:16
- “If you do well, will your face not be cheerful? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” - Genesis 4:7
RELATED SOURCES:
- Head-to-Toe Prayer Guide
- 31 Verses to Pray over Your Husband
- How Not to Die by Michael Greger, MD
- How Not to Age by Michael Greger, MD
- Get Up & Go by Jennifer Flanders
- Eat This, Not That by David Zinczenko
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)
 
 
 
 

EP 51: Waiting in a Way that Honors God

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 mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
- “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” (Mark 13:33)
- “We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
- "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 
- "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) 
- "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
- "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
- “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
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)
 
 
 

EP 50: Marriage Lessons Best Learned by Example

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 longevity. 
Either way, the lessons are instructive. They can lead us in a direction we want to go or warn us to steer clear of potentially dangerous potholes along the way. 
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- 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 merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” 
RELATED LINKS:
- Secrets to Marital Success: 30 Lessons in 30 Years of Marriage
- Episode 34: The #1 Rule for Building a Happy Marriage
- The A-to-Z Guide to Building a Better Marriage
- 7 Ways to Ruin Your Marriage
- Free Printable Medicine Tracker (for caregivers like my father-in-law)
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)
 

EP 49: On Miscarriage - Help for Hurting Hearts

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 night, but a shout of Joy comes in the morning.” 
- Romans 12:15 - "...Mourn with those who mourn."
- Psalm 139:13-16 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my ..."
RELATED LINKS:
- Mailbag: Dealing with Miscarriage
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)
 
 
 
 

EP 48: The Surest Way to Get Where You're Going

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 this week's episode.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- Mark 13:33 - “Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when...” 
- Colossians 4:2 - “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” 
- 1 Peter 5:8 - “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls....” 
- 1 Peter 4:7 - “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober....”
- 1 Thess. 5:6-8 - “...let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober....”
- 1 Peter 1:13 - “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit....” 
- Eph. 6:17-18 - “...stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” 
RELATED LINKS:
- Bible Memory Tips & Tricks - to help you hide God's Word in your heart
- Bible Reading Plan - this schedule will help you finish both Old and New Testaments in one year
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)
 
 
 

EP 47: 6 Tips for Dealing with Change

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 brethren, consider it all joy when you encounter various trials...."
- Romans 12:2- "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed...."
- Psalms 103:2 - "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."
- Philippians 1:6 - "...He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
- 1 Corinthians 1:8 - "He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless....” 
- Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good ...."
- Hebrews 10:23-25 - "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering..."
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor..."
- James 1:5 – “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God....”
- Isaiah 40:31- “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength....”
- Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory..."
- Psalm 121:1-2 - “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help....”
- Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”
- Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
-  2 Timothy 1:17 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and ....” 
-  2 Corinthians 10:5  - "...and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
- Psalm 23:4 - "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for..."
- Philippians 4:6-7 - “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication..."
- Psalm 126:5-6 - "Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting."
- Psalm 30:5 - "...weeping may last through the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning."
- Philippians 4:8 - "“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right..."
- Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly..."
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Whether, then, you eat or drink ...do all to the glory of God.”
- Proverbs 30:8-9 - "Give me neither poverty nor riches..."
- 1 Peter 3:8 - “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another..."
- James 5:15-16 - "...the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and..."
- Ephesians 2:10 - "... to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
 
RELATED LINKS:
- Taking Every Thought Captive - free printable verses to help you discipline your mind
- What Men Intend for Evil - a poem a wrote during a particularly grievous trial several years ago
 
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)
 
 

EP 46: Let Us Never Forget

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 Congeniality on the Alamo stage 
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)
 

EP 45: Don't Waste the Crust (the Tough Part's Important)

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 various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
- "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." (1 Peter 2:2)
 
RELATED LINKS:
- Is eating bread crust really good for you? - this is the research article I told you about
- Suffering is Never for Nothing - a short but powerful read from Elisabeth Elliot
- I Married a Sinner (& So Did He) - here's that cherished letter Elisabeth Elliot wrote to me
 
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)