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

EP 14: Is Date Night Essential for a Happy Marriage?

This week on Loving Life at Home, we're discussing date night.
We all know spending time together is an important way for couples to nurture their marriage, but it is necessary to go out on the town to make that happen?
Is a couple doomed to divorce if they don't prioritize such a practice? Is having a weekly date night essential to maintaining a happy marriage?
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife." - 1 Corinthians 7:3-4
- "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." - Proverbs 27:17
RELATED LINKS:
- Is Date Night Essential? - for those who prefer to read instead of listen to today's content
- Date Night: What If My Husband Won't Plan It? - help for wives with busy husbands
- How to Date a Husband Who Would Rather Stay Home - fun ideas for homebodies
- Finding Frugal Fun - simple ideas for shoestring budgets
- Love Your Husband, Love Yourself - motivation for prioritizing physical intimacy
- Free 30-Day Respect Challenge - learn to communicate in a way he'll appreciate
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 13: Ten Things Your Teenager Hates

Navigating life with a teenager at home can be a little tricky. All those hormones raging through the bloodstream will sometimes have parents walking on eggshells. But if we can avoid doing these 10 things our teenagers hate, life will be much better for everyone in the house.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed.” - Proverbs 27:5
- “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” - Proverbs 15:1
- “Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” - Matthew 23:28
- "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14
- “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” - 3 John 1:4
- “For whom the LORD loveth he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.” - Proverbs 3:12
- “… we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” - 2 Corinthians 4:2
- “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” - 2 Corinthians 10:12
- “…walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” - Ephesians 4:1-3
- “He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.” - Proverbs 18:13
- "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?" - Luke 12:25
RELATED POSTS:
- 10 Things Your Teenager Hates - my original post, on which this episode is based
- Our Teens Need Prayer - and our free printable, Bible-based prayer guide can help
- 6 Parenting Mistakes that Will Handicap Your Child - read or listen to Episode 4
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 12: When You’re Married to a Problem Solver

Show Notes
Are you married to a problem solver? Does your husband like to fix things? Do you get perturbed when you look to him for sympathy, and he insists on offering answers instead?
What's a wife to do in such a situation? That's what we're discussing today on The Loving Life at Home Podcast. Want to read the original post on which this episode is based? It's reprinted in its entirety below the show notes.
RELATED SCRIPTURES:
- "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels..." - Proverbs 1:5
- "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel." - Proverbs 12:15
- “Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.” - Proverbs 13:10
- "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end." - Proverbs 19:20
RELATED LINKS:
- The Male Brain - book by Louann Brizendine, MD
- It's Not about the Nail - Jason Headly video
- Are You Married to a Problem Solver? - my original blog post
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 11: How to Forgive Fully and Freely

Show Notes
It's human nature to nurse our wounds. To rehash and replay offenses until they begin to fester deep within our soul. But God asks us to fully and freely forgive those who've wronged us.
What does this kind of forgiveness look like? And why does God expect it of us? Is it really possible to find freedom from the bitterness and resentment I've harbored for so long?
We'll discuss all this and more in today's episode of Loving Life at Home, so tune in now.
VERSES CITED:
- “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
- “Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)
- “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will you Father forgive yours.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
- "As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12) 
- "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" (Matthew 18:21-22)
-  “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) 
- "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
- “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who despitefully use you… expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:27-36)
RELATED LINKS:
- Forgiving Those Who Hurt Us - the original blog post from on which this episode is based
- I Married a Sinner (and So Did He) - the excellent advice Elisabeth Elliot gave me before I wed
- Don't Beat the Other Slaves - my husband shares 6 principles of forgiveness
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 10: We Find What We Look For

Much of our outlook depends on our focus. We find what we look for. Start looking for things to be grateful for, and you'll find them aplenty. Search instead for irritations and annoyances, and that's exactly what you'll see.
Martha Washington once said, "I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition."
On this week's episode of Loving Life at Home, we're discussing how to shift our focus to find more bountiful blessings and less utter unhappiness. More merriment and less misery. More contentment and less complaining.
Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
- “If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth, for ye are dead and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” - Colossians 3:1-3
- “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” – Psalm 103:2
- “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.”  - Philippians 4:8
LINKS MENTIONED:
- Backyard Garden Mural - here's my outdoor wall-painting (in progress)
- Bedroom Inspection Checklist - here's the printable list I use during room check
- Praying for Your Children - here's a free printable, Bible-based prayer guide to help
 
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 9: The Best Way to Handle Negative Comments

No matter how carefully you choose your words or how cautiously you weigh a decision, there will always be people who question or criticize your choice. What's the best way to handle those negative comments when we hear them?
Sometimes the comments come from strangers. Maybe an internet troll lambasts you anonymously on Instagram. Or a cashier voices a negative opinion on homeschooling when she sees you out with your children in the middle of a school day. Or a man on the street questions your sanity for having so many children.
Large families draw curious -- and sometimes crass -- comments like honey draws flies. It's one thing when such barbs come from complete strangers. It's a little harder to handle when the criticisms come from family and friends. 
Yet, there is a gracious and God-honoring way to handle the negativism others try to lob at us. And that's the topic of Episode 9 of Loving Life at Home. Listen in, then drop a comment below and tell me about the strangest, rudest, or most common question you've been asked and how you typically answer.
VERSES CITIED
- "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." - 1 Peter 3:15-16, NIV
- "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 7:12, NIV
- "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you." - Luke 5:27-28, NASB
- "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9, NIV
RESOURCES MENTIONED
- LL #2 - Dealing with Difficult In-laws (extra help with handling negative family members)
- Frequently Asked Questions (a few of the inquiries we hear most often)
- When Strangers Count our Kids and Ask Us If We're Done (our interview with Al Jazeera)
- 5 Tips for Responding to Negativism (the original blog post upon which this episode is based)
 
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 8: Science Proves Having Babies is Good for You

The Bible tells us children are a blessing. That means, of course, that the babies themselves are a blessing. But thanks to some recent scientific studies, we also now realize that the process of having babies is good for you, too.
That should really come as no surprise to believers. Packing his blessing full of richer and deeper and broader benefits than a human brain can fathom is God's modus operandi. But it's fun when secular research gives us a brief glimpse at how marvelous and far-reaching His design truly is.
Sadly we live in a culture that ignores any science that doesn't support the accepted narrative. And right now that narrative would have us believe that children are a burden and a drain on our environment and that enlightened folk will purposely limit family size -- or possibly forgo having children altogether -- in an attempt to help save the planet.
So, if these studies are new to you, that may be why. Modern society is still pushing the idea that birthing a big family is backward. They don't want you to know that having babies is actually one of the smartest things a woman can do.
SCRIPTURES 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
RELATED LINKS
15 Unexpected Benefits of Big Family Living
Science Proves Having Babies is Good for You
#postcardsformacron on Twitter
Your Baby's Leftover DNA is Making You Stronger
Having More Kids Tied to Lower Risk of Alzheimers in Women
The Impact of Children on Divorce Risk
Breast Cancer and Breastfeeding
Oh Baby: Giving Birth 10 Times May Reduce Mom's Cancer Rish
Having more babies could lead to slowr rate of aging: study
Reproductive History and Mortality in Late Middle Age among Norwegian Men and Women
Sweden pays parents for having kids — and it reaps huge benefits. Why doesn't the US?

EP 7: 5 Hidden Powers of Womanhood

For all the hype we hear these days about female empowerment, some of women's most important strengths are going unrecognized, undervalued, and largely underused. It's time for that to change. It's time to take these 5 hidden powers of womanhood and make them popular--and prevalent--again. 
 
In this episode of Loving Life at Home, we discuss the distinguishing marks of a truly empowered woman -- one who uses all the feminine fortitude God has given her to inspire the people around her, impact the culture in which she lives, and point others to Jesus at every opportunity.
RELATED LINKS
- Good Morning America interview with Elle Fanning – To clarify, Elle Fanning played Aurora in Disney’s live-action film Maleficent. Here are her lovely comments on the strength that is found in femininity and softness, which I quoted in today’s episode.
- 5 Hidden Powers of Womanhood - My original blog post on this topic from ten years ago.
- Love Your Husband/ Love Yourself – My book, which details the blessings that await couple who embrace God’s purpose for passion in marriage.
VERSES CITED
- “…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24 NASB
- “A [capable, intelligent, and] virtuous, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls….” – Proverbs 31:10 AMP
- “The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently, and relies on and believes in her safely] so that he has no lack of honest gain (or need of dishonest spoil). She will comfort, encourage, and do him only good as long as there is life within her.”  – Proverbs 31:11-12 AMP
- “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…” – Deuteronomy 30:19
- "Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]…. She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness [gossip, discontent, and self-pity] she does not eat.” – Proverbs 31:25, 27 AMP
- ” Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, ‘Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], But you excel them all.’ Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain (because it is not lasting), But a woman who [reverently and worshipfully] fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].” – Proverbs 31:28-31 AMP
- “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” – Titus 2:3-5
- “…And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” – Luke 12:48
- “She opens her mouth with [skillful and godly] wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].” – Proverbs 31:6
 

EP 6: 10 Tips for Avoiding Arguments in Marriage

 
Even in the best of marriages, couples will have differences of opinions. But how can we keep occasional disagreements from resulting in harsh tones, angry words, and hurt feelings? How can we quit quarreling with our spouse?
 
That's the topic for this week's episode of The Loving Life at Home Podcast. Tune in for 10 tips for avoiding unnecessary arguments in marriage.
VERSES CITED
- Proverbs 10:19 - "With a multitude of words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
- Proverbs 16:18 - "Prides goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
- James 4:6 - "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
- Ephesians 4:26 - "' In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry."
- Proverbs 15:1 - "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."
- James 1:19 - "This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."
- Proverbs 21:1 - "The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.”
- Matthew 18:21-22 - "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'"
- Matthew 6:14-15 - "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."
- Proverbs 17:14 - "The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out."
- James 1:5 - "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
- 2 Corinthians 7:9 - "And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us."
- Galatians 6:1 - "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."
- Genesis 2:25 - "Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame
RELATED POSTS
- 9 Ways to Defuse a Disagreement
- 25 Ways to Disagree with Dignity
FOR FURTHER READING
- Love Your Husband/ Love Yourself
- 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband
 

EP 5: My Favorite Ways to Multitask

I think multitasking has gotten a bad rap these days.
Sure, some forms of multitasking are downright foolish: Texting while driving can be deadly. Mindlessly munching on junk food while watching TV is bad for your waistline.
But aside from a handful of ill-advised pairings like the ones mentioned above, I’ve always thought multitasking makes a lot sense. I wouldn’t be able to accomplish half of the things I do without doubling up at times.
So in this week's episode of Loving Life at Home, I'm sharing 10 of my favorite ways to multitask.
VERSES CITED:
- Psalm 90:12 - "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
- Proverbs 31:27 - "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
RELATED ARTICLE:
- 5-Minute Task List - many of these quick chores can be done while listening to audiobooks or podcasts or while waiting for water to boil or a bathtub to fill or food to cook, etc.