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

I love the fresh start January represents, so I normally kick it off with a list of New Year’s resolutions as long as my arm.

Some of my goals are specific and easily quantifiable: Walk a mile a day. Read a book a week. Get 7 hours of sleep a night. That way, even if I only walk 5-6 miles a week, read 3 books a month, or occasionally stay up late, I’ll still be better off than if I didn’t try to do those things at all. 

But some of...

I love all the bright lights and decorated trees and beautiful packages and cheerful songs that so characterize Christmas in so many people’s minds, but if we miss the real reason behind all those things, we’ll miss the whole purpose and most important part of the season.

Matthew 2:9-10 – “...when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

John 8:12 – “... I am the light of the world: he th...

I took a longer break from podcasting than planned, thanks to all that must be done for my daughter's upcoming wedding. But I didn't want to let Thanksgiving pass without encouraging you to count your blessings and to discuss the importance of giving thanks, even through hardship.

- Proverbs 30:8-9 - "Keep deception and lies far from me, God. Give me neither...."

- James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and H...

Few things stir up as much controversy or elicit as many strongly held opinions in Christian circles this time of year as the question of how believers should handle Halloween. Today, we'll look at what the Bible has to say about the matter and discuss the need for extending grace to anyone who doesn't share our viewpoint.

- Titus 1:15 – “To the pure, all things are pure...”

- Romans 14:14 - “I am convinced...

My daughter eloped last week, and my husband and I couldn't be more delighted. Yet some of our friends are baffled by our reaction. So I'm unpacking the reasons we think it was a smart move on this week's episode of Loving Life at Home.

- Ephesians 3:20 - "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think...."

- Proverbs 18:22 - “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and o...

Researchers from Emory University have found that the #1 predictor of a child’s emotional well-being is how well that kid knows his family history. So this week, I’d like to talk to you about storytelling, about how important stories are for the growth and development and emotional wellbeing of our children, and about what kinds of stories we as parents need to make sure we are passing down to our kids. I hope you'll listen in and ...

I'm answering more questions from listeners this week -- all about announcing pregnancies, corralling toddlers, and dealing with disapproving parents.

- Matthew 6:27 - "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

- 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."

- Philippians 2:3-4 - “Do not...

Jesus calls believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. But what does a life wholly yielded to God even look like in this day and age? It's marked by a willingness to:

- Die to yourself

- Trust God completely

- Know His Word

- Submit to His will

- Point others to Jesus

- Suffer for His name

- Follow Christ alone

- Love others selflessly

We are unpacking all this and more this week on the Loving Life at Home...

Romans 12:18 tells us, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” How does that play out in real life? Is there a place for meaningful debate on important topics? And, if so, how can we keep such discussions calm and civil and God-honoring? What steps can we take to defuse a disagreement and keep it from escalating into a full-blown fight? That's the topic of this week's episode. Listen in and let ...

This week, I’ve been cleaning out my inbox and answering some of the questions my blog readers, podcast listeners, and/or newsletter subscribers have sent in, and I've decided to tackle several of those topics on today's podcast episode.

- Proverbs 29:17 - "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.” 

- James 1:5 - "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,...

Since September is National Good Neighbor Month, I thought this would be the perfect time to share some ways to be a good neighbor.

Compiling this list of ideas was easy. Our family has been blessed with lots and lots of wonderful neighbors throughout the years, so it was a simple matter of remembering all the kind things they’ve done for us along the way.

- Colossians 4:5-6  tells us to “Act wisely toward ...

We have an uber-competitive family who loves any kind of contest, physical or mental, especially when prizes are involved. We recently gathered to compete in a Family Shark Tank Challenge. And in Episode 95 of Loving Life at Home, I'm dishing up all the details as to how it went down.

- 1 Corinthians 9:24 - “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one rece...

This week I'm answering a question from a listener who'd like to know how to raise kids who won't resent your family rules or rebel against them. Is that even possible? Listen in on Episode 94 as we discuss what parents can do to reduce the risk of rebellion.

- Philippians 1:6 - "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

- 1 Corinthians 13:13 - “But no...

There is no coasting in marriage. You’re either growing closer together or drifting further apart. You must be intentional about investing in your marriage and nurturing your relationship to your spouse every chance you get.

- Romans 12:10 - "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

- Ephesians 5:33 - "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himsel...

The CDC announced last week that the US General Fertility Rate has recently hit an all-time low of only 1.6 children per woman of childbearing age. That makes me sad, because I know how much joy children bring to life. The more, the merrier! In fact, as parents of twelve, my husband and I have reaped a lot of blessings from having a large family we could have never anticipated beforehand -- and so have our kids.

A listener wrote me recently to say she's made more mistakes that she can count. She wanted advice as to how she could get back on track. "How do I change course when I've done everything wrong?"

She had lots of other great questions, too, so in Episode 91, I'm tackling all of them. I hope you'll listen in and be blessed.

- James 1:5 - “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God...."

- Deuteronomy 30:19 ...

We don't have to wonder or make wild guesses about what Jesus would do -- the Bible tells us clearly how He lived when He was here on earth, the kind of things He prioritized, and what He expects of anyone who chooses to follow Him.

- Philippians 2 - "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ..."

- Mark 10:45 - “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life...."

-...

I read a book last week called The Art of Making Memories. It was fascinating, though nothing like I expected. In this week's episode, I share what I learned and what I think of this work.

- John 16:21 - "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world."

- Deuteronomy 11:19 - "Teach t...

Each and every one of us has been born with qualities that cannot be altered and into circumstances beyond our control. The question is, how will you approach the unchangeables in your life? Will you learn to accept and live with them (and maybe even appreciate them)? Or will you allow bitterness and resentment over those unchangeables fester in the depths of your heart? The choice you make will have a profound impact on the purpos...