Episode 13: Engaging Our Children Wholeheartedly

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Anyone who has kids will be able to tell you how quickly time passes. It seems each year and each child we have time spins faster and faster.  Our oldest daughter’s five years have flashed before our eyes in a blink.  When we think about this time passing so quickly, we also want to think about how we are using that time.  Are we using it to engage our children in loving ways and teach them about their Creator, or are we letting those precious hours and minutes slip by.  This podcast will discuss how we can be engaged with our children while we still have them.

Show Notes

Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com

Books

Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford

Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic

Fit to Burst by Rachel Jankovic

Blog Posts

Why Every Parent Should Know the Magic 5:1 Ratio  by Kelly on The (Reformed) Idealist Mom

Taking Off The Ticking Clock by Rachel on Hands Free Mama

Connecting Our Kids with God’s Truth by Courtney DeFeo on LysaTerkeurst.com

Adding Structure to the Chaos: Living Intentionally with your Littles  by Emily Jensen on Emily Jensen Writes

Finding My Inner Slow Parent by Kristin P. on Twin Cities Mom’s Blog

The Intentional Jar: Making the Most Out of Time by Ali on Austin City Mom’s Blog

Dear Moms of Littles, This Might Be the Most Important Thing You Do Right Now by Kristen Welch on We Are That Family

An Intentionally Long Bedtime on The Orange Rhino

“Mommy Will You Play With Me?” by Amanda on Dirt and Boogers

Bible Verses

Be very careful, then, how you live –not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Ephesians 5:15-17

Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.  Psalm 39:4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.  Philippians 2:3

Episode 12: New Level, New Devil

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Our main goal here on Earth should be to follow Christ and increase his Kingdom.  Satan has a different plan for our lives.  He would love to distract us, tempt us, and make us doubt our relationship with Christ.  He wants to prevent any growth that we have.  We will discuss different ways that Satan tries to get to us and prevent us from serving Christ.  We will also discuss how we can identify these instances and pray, pray, pray.

Show Notes

Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com

Books

The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer

Bible Verses
  • Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children. Ephesians 5:1
  • Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1
  • (The Temptation of Jesus) Matthew 4 
  • Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8
  • Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4
  • Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
  • (The Armor of God) Ephesians 6:10-20

Episode 11: Surrender

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We have been on a journey since January of 2016 trying to take the word surrender very seriously.  We have been trying to put our lives in God’s hands and give up our illusion of control.  We feel this is foundational as Christ followers. We need to know that we can’t get through this life without him and he can’t fully work through us until we surrender our will to him.

Show Notes

Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com

Blog Posts

One Word for 2016: Surrender by Krystal Kolb on The Life of Surrender

When I’m Unsure of What’s Ahead by Jennie Allen

When You’re Tired of Trying to Control Everything by Ann Voskamp

Programs, Schedules, and Parenting Resources are Good; But God is Better! by Krystal Kolb

I Need Thee Every Hour by Krystal Kolb

Books

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families (Habit 1: Be Proactive)

Bible Verses

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 26:39

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  

Matthew 26:42

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Luke 9:23

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 

Episode 10: Lust and Marriage

This topic would not go down in the books as our favorite topic.  We do think it is important to discuss how Satan tries to mess with our marriages through lust and pornography.  He is able to render both male and females ineffective for Christ because he gets them all tangled in the sins of (for men) lust, guilt, shame, and (for women) inadequacy, self-consciousness, and self-doubt. We want to be a chord of 3 strands for God and work with Him to increase His kingdom!

 

Show Notes

Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com

Blog Posts

3 Part Series from A Mother Far From Home about protecting your family from pornography

Books

The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Clean by Douglas Weiss and numerous other books can be found at the Heart to Heart Counseling Center website.
Chapter 3 of Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch

Bible Verses

1 Peter 5:8
1 Corinthians 10:13
Job 31:1
James 5:6
Philippians 4:8

Episode 9: Living with Zeal

We too often get stuck in a comfort zone and forget about our purpose for walking this Earth. God wants us to live with zeal!

Show Notes

Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com

Blog Posts

How to Get Really Living Instead of Merely Existing by Ann Voskamp on A Holy Experience
How to Focus in An Age of Distraction  by Ann Voskamp on A Holy Experience

Bible Verses

Romans 12:11

Matthew 25:13

Matthew 25:16

John 15:16

Philippians 2:1-4

Episode 8: What God Has Put Together, Let No One Separate (Even Our Kids)

We hear the phrase, “the days are long, but the years are short” many times during our parenting journeys.  These words are meant to make us intentional, on the ball parents.  We also need to be this way in marriage.  Let us never leave our spouse behind.  Let us not make anything in this life more important than our spouses and our Creator.  Let us be a generation that honors our spouse above ourselves. In this podcast, we will discuss staying connected to our spouse even in the chaos of parenting.
Show Notes
Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com
Books
For Better or For Kids by Ruth and Patrick Schwenk
*Disclaimer* We have not actually read this book yet, but I have heard it referenced positively in many blog posts.  This will be one added to our reading list.
Blog Posts
4 Things We Need to Say When Marriage is Hard by Kristen Welch on We Are That Family
Tips for a (Happy) Marriage After Kids guest post by Becky Mansfield on We Are That Family
How to Keep Making a Marriage When it Seems Impossible by Ann Voskamp on A Holy Experience
Family Favorites guest post by Arlene Pellicane on We Are That Family
When Marriage is on the Backburner by Allison French on Kansas City Mom’s Blog
The Small Things that Make or Break a Marriage by Kristen Welch on We Are That Family
The Real Threat to Marriage  by Kristen Welch on We Are That Family
Bible Verses
Romans 12:10
Ephesians 4:2
Colossians 3:13

Ecclesiastes 4:2

1 Corinthians 13

Episode 7: Making the Most of Your Time

In this episode we will discuss how quickly we fall into the busyness of life and how quickly it drains the life right out of us.  Jesus tells us to remain in him, and we can’t do that when we are running around all the time. Taking a little time to think and pray about our commitments before we commit to them is a great way to find balance in our lives.
Show Notes
Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com
Books
The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst
Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado
Blog Posts
The Intentional Jar: Making the Most of Our Time by Ali Broom on Austin City Mom’s Blog
Dear Children: Let Me Explain This Thing Called Summer by Kristen Welch on We Are That Family
How To Miss A Childhood by Rachel Stafford on Hands Free Mama
Survival Mode: What it is and How to Get Out of It by Rachel Norman on A Mother Far From Home
Bible Verses
John 15:4-5

Episode 6: Just the Way You Are

In this episode we will discuss how God loves us just the way we are and how we need to be proud of who God made us to be.  Also, we will discuss how as parents, sometimes we can make our children feel invalidated in who they are.  We want to build up our children to be the people that God has called them to be.
Show Notes
Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com
Books
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
The Child Whisperer by Carol Tuttle
Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic
  • Chapter 13 See Your Children

 

The Birth Order Book by Kevin Leman
Blog Posts
www.5lovelanguages.com/blog
Are You a Dream Giver or a Spirit Breaker? by Michelle on Quad City Mom’s Blog
Crib Notes on This Life I Live by Rory Feek
Bible Verses
Psalm 139:13
1 Corinthians 12
Romans 12

Episode 5: Back to School Anxiety

Whether we are ready for the back to school season or not, it is upon us. We know that this season can mean different things to different people. Some may be ready to say goodbye to summer and jump into the new school year and others of us are dragging our feet. We will discuss some practical ways we can keep anxiety at bay as well as how we can give this anxiety to God.
Show Notes
Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com
Bible Verses

One of the best chapters in the Bible to read about anxiety is Matthew 6.

  • Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
  • Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Blog Posts

The Danger of Protecting Our Kids from Unhappiness by Kristen Welch

The Art of Letting Go by DesMoines Moms blog

How to Combat the Icky Days by Krystal Kolb

Episode 4: Fighting Fair in Marriage

Marriage can be a hard and lonely place when couples choose to fight unfairly. This episode will focus on fighting fair and getting right with God and your spouse. Being in a marriage where you are able to be heard and you can listen to your spouse is a very comforting thing to have here on Earth. You only get one life, so let’s make the most of it and experience relationships in Christ’s love.

Show Notes
Introduction and Conclusion music is Buddy by Bensound.com

Books on Marriage

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

How To Save Your Marriage Before It Starts by Les and Leslie Parrot

7 Secrets to an Awesome Marriage by Kim Kimberling PhD

Blogs on Marriage

Marriage Wisdom for the “Small Children” Season of Life on
A Mother Far From Home

Marriage 101: How to Win Every Argument With Your Husband on Scottsdale Mom’s Blog

The Real Threat to Marriage on We Are That Family

How To Love Your Husband (Even Though He Can’t Find the Laundry Basket)
on Mother’s Niche

Family Favorites on We Are That Family

Bible Verses

  • For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:12
  • Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4
  • Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
  • Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
  • In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27