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

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...

Father's Day is less than a week away, so I thought this would be a wonderful time to share a story about my father. I have lots of cherished memories to choose from, but this is one of my all-time favorites.

I'm sure that, in the midst of the childhood crisis I was experiencing at the time, my dad never dreamed what a lasting and long-reaching effect of his response would have in my life, but it did.

1 Jo...

Our oldest son just celebrated his 37th birthday and told us over dinner what he considers the two most important and impactful things his dad and I did for him growing up, so I'm unpacking both this week's episode. I hope you'll listen in.

James 1:23-25 -“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who ....”

Psalms 1:3 - “...his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth ...

The best way I know to "meditate day and night" on the Word of God is to commit large portions of Scripture to memory. Then you'll always have it with you. Want an easier way to do that? Listen in to Loving Life at Home for a simple, straightforward way to memorize Proverbs 3 with me -- the entire chapter.

Proverbs 3

Psalm 119:97

EP 28: Bible Memory Tips

Memorization Toolbox by Abigail Martin

Several months ago, a reader named Donna sent me the following request: “I’d love to hear your summary or take away of how not to diet but lose weight."

So on this week's episode, I'm discussing Dr. Michael Greger's book, How Not to Diet, and the amazing effects implementing his suggestions have had on my health, weight, and energy levels.

Psalm 139:16 - "Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in T...