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

EP 24: Embarrassing Moments and Tying Strings

It's Christmas Day, so this week -- like the spectre from Charles Dickens' classic tale -- I'm sharing some stories from Christmas past. Stories that entail some embarrassing moments and concentrated efforts to re-tie strings that had been broken.
Show Notes
SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:
- “Although He existed in the form of God, he didn’t regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” - Philippians 2:6-8
- "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:3-6
- "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23
- "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us...." - Ephesians 1:7-8
RELATED LINKS:
- Our Faith - this is the gospel plan of salvation, shared in a few simple Bible verses
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 23: A Hill Country Christmas

Our extended family (40+ people) just got back from spending a week in San Antonio, Texas. The Texas hill country is a beautiful place to visit almost any time of year, but it's especially gorgeous when it's all lit up and decorated for Christmas. Today, I'm sharing all the fun and budget-friendly things we did while we were there, and giving tips for finding similar bargains in your neck of the woods.
Show Notes
SCRIPTURES CITED:
I didn't quote a single Bible verse in this week's episode, but our family's theme verse certainly fits: "Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
That goal should hold in public and private, at home and abroad, in our dealings with each other, with hotel clerks and waitresses and park rangers and valet attendants and cashiers and cleaning ladies and museum docents and fellow travelers. We want to treat everyone we come into contact with in a way that honors and glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ -- at Christmas time, especially!
RELATED LINKS:
In the order they were mentioned...
- Collin Street Bakery (in Corsicana, TX) - clean bathrooms, 10-cent coffee, free fruit cake samples
- Pearce Museum (also in Corsicana) - Civil War artifacts, extensive arrowhead collection, Western Art (not free, but well worth the small entry fee)
- Magnolia Market (in Waco, TX) - quaint shops and beautiful outdoor spaces where kids can burn some energy before hitting the road again
- Walkway of Lights (in Marble Falls, TX) - free display opens at 6pm every night in December
- Christmas Travel Bingo - free printables I pass out to the kids and grandkids before going through the walkway of lights; we treat it like a scavenger hunt
- First United Methodist Church (in Johnson City, TX) - has been hosting a live nativity for 50 years, also features free hot cocoa and cookies and an impressive collection of nativity sets
- Pedernales Electric Cooperative (also in Johnson City) - magnificent lighted trees, plus picnic tables where our family usually eats a light dinner of fruit & nuts, hummus & veggies, cheese & crackers, and summer sausage that we've brought from home
- Garden Ridge Farmer's Market (San Antonio, TX) - huge indoor/outdoor market held monthly on the 2nd Saturday at Northeast Bible Church , all year long; don't miss the free children's activities, crafts, and games
- Midday Noels at First Presbyterian Church (San Antonio, TX) - concerts take place every Thursday in December at noon
- San Antonio Riverwalk (San Antonio, TX) ( - so colorful! bedecked with beautiful cyclamens and poinsettias by day and Christmas lights by night
- The Alamo (San Antonio, TX) - it is still free to tour the church and grounds; there is a fee to see the new collection of artifacts
- San Antonio Missions National Park (San Antonio, TX) - no entry fee; start with the largest, San Jose; try to arrive by 10 or 11 AM to take the extremely informative Ranger tour (free) and pick up a free workbook so your kids can earn a junior ranger badge while they are there; if you have time, visit the other missions on the trail; they are all just a few miles apart
- USA Factory Tours - this website is a great resource for finding businesses willing to give tours of their manufacturing plants
- SAS Factory ((San Antonio, TX) - make a reservation to take a free tour of San Antonio Shoes while you're in town (ages 6 and up); and buy some 5-cent popcorn and 10-cent sodas from the general store once you're done
- Witte Museum (San Antonio, TX) - you can get free admission to this amazing natural history museum every Tuesday night from 3-6 PM 
- Japanese Tea Garden (San Antonio, TX) - beautiful sunken garden built in an old stone quary
- McNay Art Museum (San Antonio, TX) - the collections on display are sometimes hit or miss, but the building has some cool architectural features and unique outdoor spaces; they offer free admission the first Sunday (12-5 PM) and second Thursday (4-9PM) of every mont
- THE SAGA at San Fernando Cathedral (San Antonio, TX) - a free slide show that plays on the outside of this historic building several times a week featuring the art, music, and history of Texas
- Historic Pearl (San Antonio, TX) - throughout the month of December, they offer free holiday movies on Mondays from 7-9PM and a fun Christmas Market on Wednesdays from 6-9PM
- Hotel Emma (San Antonio, TX) - this unique hotel shares a parking lot with the Pearl, so walk on over and take a look around while you're there
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, TX) - we buy our tickets online from the Book of Free; every year they run a special just before Thanksgiving where you can get 8 tickets to Six Flags' Holiday in the Park plus a $25 gift card plus several copies of their namesake saving book for just $99, which works out to less than $10 a ticket; if you go, be sure to watch their amazing stage production, Night of Miracles. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
- Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio, TX) - pet the deer that roam free in the quadrangle, then visit the free museum to see how the army has changed over the years.
San Antonio Aquarium (San Antonio, TX) - check Groupon for discount tickets; that's how we got ours
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 22: Christmas Cards & Letters (& Why We Still Send Them)

Show Notes
Don’t you love all the extra mail the month of December normally brings with it? It’s fun to open all the pretty Christmas cards and see the family photos, but I especially enjoy reading the newsy letters that are often included.
Sending such newsy letters is one of our family's longest standing holiday traditions. Not only do our annual Christmas updates help us keep in touch with distant family and friends, but they also provide an easy way to chronicle our family history and to share Christ/give testimony to God's faithfulness.
SCRIPTURES CITED:
"Bless the LORD, my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits." - Psalm 103:2 
“Remember the wonders [the LORD] has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced.”  - 1 Chronicles 16:12 
“We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed. - Psalm 78: 4 
RELATED LINKS:
- Episode 19: Amazing Stories of God's Provision
- Glad Tidings: my book, which includes the first 25 Years of the Flanders Family Christmas letters, along with a few favorite family recipes, traditions, quotes, and ideas for fully celebrating the season
- How to Write a Christmas Letter People Want to Read: includes tips, patterns, templates, samples, and even free printable stationery
- More of our Family Christmas Letters: a full listing of all the annual updates we've sent family and friends in years past
- Our Christmas Card Assembly Line: a listing of all the various "jobs" each child does to help
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 21: Favorite Family Christmas Traditions (& How to Find Your Own)

Show Notes
This week on the podcast, by special request, we are discussing favorite family Christmas traditions: Why they're important. What counts as a family tradition. How to establish a few new traditions. And what to do if an old tradition no longer serves you well.
RELATED SCRIPTURES:
- "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14
- "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." - Philippians 2:5-8
- "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6
- "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
- Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15
 
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Favorite Family Christmas Traditions - here's the blog post that goes with today's podcast
- Christmas Countdown Calendars: scripture chain, candy kisses, bucket lists, book-a-day titles, etc.
- 5 Things that Would Make Christmas Better: a bucket list for minimalists
- A Christmas Carol: the BBC audiobook we listen to with Miriam Margolyes
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: another chapter book to read aloud
- Joy to the World: my personal advent journal (I work on it every December)
- Luke 2: the memory passage we read and/or quote every Christmas before opening gifts
- Glad Tidings: another book we read aloud every year--our own family history
- Episode 20: Home Shows and Show Homes - on extending unselfconscious hospitality
- Pennant Banners for Christmas: we hang these colorful homemade signs from our mantle
- Homemade Ornaments & Felt Stockings: a glimpse into our home all decorated for Christmas
- Christmas Movie Trivia Tests: for Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life, While You Were Sleeping, and more
- Shoebox Stuffing Party: even more fun with family and friends
- Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army: another fun service project for families to do together
- Christmas Caroling Song Sheets: helps all the singers stay on the same page
- Candy Cane Gospel Printable: to hand out to neighbors or nursing home residents while we sing
- Christmas Games: lots of other fun challenges for Christmas
- Scripture Memory Challenge: my best tips for hiding God's Word in your heart
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 20: Home Shows and Show Homes

Show Notes
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is attending holiday home shows, but having a show home oneself is not a pre-requisite to extending hospitality, which is something all believers are called to do.
RELEVANT SCRIPTURES:
- "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." - 1 Peter 4:9
- "When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality." - Romans 12:13
- "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2
- "We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth." - 3 John 1:8
RELATED LINKS:
- Home Shows and Show Homes - original post from which I took the theme of this week's podcast
- Science Says People Who Decorate Earlier are Happier - this description is true of me on both counts
- 6 Fun Christmas Countdown Calendars - a few more of our family's favorite holiday traditions
- 50 Christmas Carols to Sing this Season - more of the songs I love to belt out all year long
STAY CONNECTED:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/ 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (lots of printables!)
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies (weekly newsletter)
 
 
 

EP 19: Recounting Stories of God’s Provision

Show Notes
SCRIPTURES CITED:
- “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
- “... you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” - James 4:2-3
- "For with God nothing shall be impossible." - Luke 1:37
- “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” – Matthew 7:11
- “He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.” – Proverbs 19:17
- “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38
- "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands." - Psalm 90:17
- "...there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."  - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
- "Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits..." - Psalm 103:2
- “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7
- “Not my will, but thine be done.” - Luke 22:42
- “Naked I came into this world. Naked I shall depart. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  - Job 1:21 
- "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" - 1 Corinthians 4:7
- “Once I was young, and now I am old, but I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.” – Psalm 37:25
RELATED LINKS:
- Amazing Stories of God's Provision: if you want to read the outline for today's podcast
- Raising Baby Squirrels: a video of the squirrels our daughter rehabilitated
- Successful Garage Saling: tips for shopping or selling
- Praying for Your Unborn Baby: prayers we pray from the moment we learn we're expecting
- Praying for Your Friends: a free printable prayer guide for praying for friends
- Be Careful What You Pray For: the story of our selling the first house we built
- Traveling Europe: a few pics from my daughter's trip to Europe with family friends (Bonus: Info on how we've flown to Europe for FREE with our big family three different times)
BOOKS MENTIONED: 
- George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans - a biography of this great man of faith
- Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime - another favorite missionary biography
- M Is for Mama - a book by my dear friend (the mom of 10 who took my daughter to Europe)
- The Long Winter - all the Little House books are great, but this describes an especially hard time
- Mary Emma and Company - ditto for the Little Britches books -- they're all great (see especially Little Britches, Man of the Family, and Shaking the Nickel Bush)
- Belles on Their Toes - the sequel to Cheaper by the Dozen
- Glad Tidings - a print copy of the Christmas letters my husband reads aloud each December
STAY CONNECTED:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/ 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (lots of printables!)
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies (weekly newsletter)
 
 
 

EP 18: How Does Your Husband Spell RESPECT?

Show Notes
Every man craves respect. I think that deep desire to be well-esteemed by family, friends, and foe alike is hardwired into the Y-chromosome. The vast majority of men value respect even over love.
One of the most powerful things you can do to build up your man and strengthen your marriage is to shower your husband with the respect and admiration he so longs for.
The details may differ from family to family, but the underlining principles remain the same.
SCRIPTURES CITED:
- “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.” - 1 Peter 2:7 
- “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.”  - Romans 12:10
- “The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise the wife also to her husband.  The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise the husband also 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.” - 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
- "For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy...." - 2 Timothy 3:2
- “...He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan." - Luke 17:16
- "Do not let any unwholesome speech come out of [our] mouths, but only what is good for building others up, that it may benefit those who listen.” - Ephesians 4:29
- “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. “ – Colossians 3:8
- “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.” - Proverbs 21:19
- “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” – Proverbs 10:19
- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6
- “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” - Matthew 18:19-20
- “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” -  Philippians 4:8
- “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones." - Proverbs 12:24
- "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." - James 1:2-3
- "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:11-12
RELATED LINKS:
- How Does Your Husband Spell Respect - original blog post this episode was taken from
- 31 Bible Verses to Pray over Your Husband - a pretty (and free) printable prayer guide
- Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe - another free printable prayer guide
- EP 12: Are You Married to a Problem Solver? - if so, this episode will help you understand and appreciate how your husband's brain is wired
- 30-Day Respect Challenge - nurture you marriage with this free email series
- Love Your Husband/ Love Yourself - details all the blessings we reap by embracing God's purpose for passion in marriage
- 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband - a companion book to 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife
STAY CONNECTED
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/ 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (lots of printables!)
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies (weekly newsletter)
 
 
 

EP 17: The ABCs of Homeschooling Success

Show Notes
Homeschooling will look different from family to family, depending on aptitudes and personalities, number and spacing of children, teaching and learning styles, work and family responsibilities, and a whole host of other considerations. 
But there are a few general principles we should all adhere to if we want our children to thrive under our instructions. I call these the ABCs of Homeschooling Success, and that's our topic for this week's podcast.
VERSES CITED:
- "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” - Proverbs 16:18
- "He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." - James 4:6
- "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God." - Psalm 20:7
- "You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." - Deuteronomy 11:19
- "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" - Philippians 4:6
- "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
- "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
- "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." - Psalm 119:97
- "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." - Psalm 1:1-3
- "But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." - Isaiah 28:13
RELATED LINKS:
- LL #1 - How to Find a Good Mentor
- LL #9 - The Best Way to Respond to Negative Comments
- LL #16 - 5 Tips for Gospel Centered Parenting
- 9 Benefits of Reading Fiction
- Raising Kids Who Love to Read 
- More Free Resources for Readers
- 50 Chapter Books to Read Aloud to Your Family
 
STAY CONNECTED
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/ 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (lots of printables!)
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies (weekly newsletter)
 

EP 16: 5 Tips for Gospel-Centered Parenting

Show Notes
On this week's episode of Loving Life at Home, I'm fielding questions about gospel-centered parenting. I frequently hear from moms who have many of the same questions I had as a young mother. They want to know…
- How can I pass on my faith to my children?
- How can I be sure I'm training my children in the way they should go?  
- What does it mean to bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord?
- How can I protect my children from bad, soul-crushing influences?
- Why do my kids sometimes act annoyed, even when I do my best not to exasperate them?
- Where do I find strength to continue when I'm frustrated or fatigued or feel like a failure?
- How can I ensure my children love and honor God their whole lives?
- Are there any guarantees my parenting efforts will ever be rewarded?
I get many more questions in that same vein, but this is a good start.
VERSES CITED:
- “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth.” - 3 John 1:4
- "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates...." - Deuteronomy 11:18-20
- "All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness...." - 2 Timothy 3:16
- “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” - Mark 10:14
- "For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” - Isaiah 28:10
- “Pray without ceasing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- “Continue in prayer (some translations: “Devote yourselves to prayer”), being watchful and thankful.” - Colossians 4:2
- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” - Philippians 4:6
- “Let the little children come unto me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.“ - Matthew 19:14
- “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” - Luke 16:15
- “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger...." - James 1:19
- “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” - Galatians 6:9
- “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
- “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 1:6
- “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1-2
Related Links
- 5 Tips for Gospel Centered Parenting
- Pray Hardest When It's Hardest to Pray
- Praying for Your Unborn Child
- Praying for Your Children from Head to Toe
- Praying for Your Teen 
- Praying for Your Adult Children
- How to Handle Picky Eaters
- Save Money by Cutting Hair at Home
STAY CONNECTED
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/ 
- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home
- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (lots of printables!)
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies (weekly newsletter)

EP 15: Is Having Babies a Waste of Time?

In this week's episode of Loving Life at Home, I'm tackling another question sent in by a listener.
This one wants to know, Is having babies a waste of time? Should Christian couples skip having kids to focus on sharing the gospel?
That's not a question I hear every day, but it's one that definitely deserves some deep digging into God's Word.
Tune in to hear what the Bible has to say about this controversial claim or read the full transcript here.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.” - Psalm 127:3-5
- “Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” - Psalm 37:4
- "Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them. But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." - Luke 18:15-16
- "You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up." - Deuteronomy 11:18-19
- "'Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." - Mark 10:15
- "So God created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.’” Genesis 1:27-28
- “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.’” - Genesis 9:1
- “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles who were carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.'" - Jeremiah 29:4-6
- “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20
- "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls." - James 1:21
- "I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow." - 1 Corinthians 3:6
- "Then Jesus declared, 'i am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" - John 6:35
- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” - Acts 1:8
- “...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23 
- “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
- “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” - Romans 10:9-10
- "And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." - Revelation 5:9
- "But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I do not need you.' Nor can the head say to the feet, 'I do not need you.'" - 1 Corinthians 12:18-21
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