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

All Episodes (44)

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1. 

   1. EP44 - Cultivating Friendship Between Siblings

   One of the first things people usually notice about our children is how well they get along. Sure, they have occasional squabbles, but that is the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, they really love and admire one another and enjoy being in each other's company. They are friends. And cultivating friendship between siblings is the topic of this week's episode of Loving Life at Home. I hope you'll listen in! Show Notes VERSES CITED: - “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitabl

   May 13,2024 18:46
2. 

   2. EP 43 - 6 Surefire Strategies to Wipe Out Whining

   If you’ve ever had a child who is given to whining, you know how grating it can get on the nerves of every member of the household. But thankfully, there is an effective way to help your little one break this bad habit. Listen to this week's episode of Loving Life at Home to learn six surefire strategies to wipe out whining.Show NotesRELATED VERSES: - Philippians 2:14-15 - "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a

   May 06,2024 05:52
3. 

   3. EP 42: Traveling with Children

   Over the years, our family has found ways to make traveling with children more enjoyable, economical, educational, and easy. Listen in for tips you can use on your next family vacation. Show NotesRELATED SCRIPTURE:- Psalm 37:23 - "The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey."- Proverbs 16:9 - "A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."RELATED BOOKS & BLOG POSTS:- Pack Up & Leave - This book details all the tips I shared in today's episode and mo

   Apr 29,2024 50:49
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   4. EP 41 - How I Met My Husband

   This is birthday week for our family: my daughter's birtday is the 20th, mine's the 21st, my husband's is the 22, and we met on the 23rd. That last point -- the story of how I met my husband -- is the topic of today's podcast. Show NotesVERSES CITED:- Isaiah 55:18 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD."- Proverbs 3:15-16 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and H

   Apr 22,2024 27:01
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   5. EP 40 - Setting Worthwhile Goals

   Goals are important because they provide a sense of purpose and direction. Proverbs 16:9 assures us “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”So even when you aren’t 100% sure what the LORD would have you do with your time, I recommend prayerfully setting a worthwhile goal and working toward it. As long as you hold your plans lightly, you can trust God to redirect you if that is what needs to happen.Show NotesVERSES CITED:- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - "Do you not know that those

   Apr 15,2024 18:34
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   6. EP 39 - Should a Married Woman Have Close Male Friends?

   How should husbands and wives navigate friendships with the opposite sex? That's our podcast topic this week, prompted by an email I got from a reader wanting to know, "Should a married woman have close male friends?" Show NotesVERSES CITED:- Genesis 2:24 - "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united..."- Mark 10:7-9 - “...therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.”- Malachi 2:14-15 - “…the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth

   Apr 08,2024 27:59
7. 

   7. EP 38: Making the Most of Your Child's Learning Style

   Modern lists of learning styles are much lengthier than the one I learned in school. And after raising 12 children, I can think of a few learning styles I've never seen on any chart. So in this episode of Loving Life at Home, we are discussing how to make the most of your child's learning style -- and what to do if you can't figure it out.SCRIPTURES CITED:- Galatians 6:9 - "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”- James 1:5 - “But if

   Apr 02,2024 39:42
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   8. EP 37: Favorite Easter Traditions

   In honor of holy week, I 'm sharing a few of our family’s favorite Easter traditions today.Although I love baskets and bunnies and colorful candy as much as anyone, we’ve always tried to place the main emphasis of this season on the sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Jesus – and on what Christ’s finished work means to those who put their faith in Him. For specific ways to do this, listen in this week's episode in full.Show NotesRELATED LINKS:- Scripture Chain for Lent (free printable)-

   Mar 25,2024 23:28
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   9. EP 36: The Wrong Way to Propose Marriage

   Today's the anniversary of the day my husband proposed to me, so I'm taking a little walk down memory lane.... One thing I've learned through more than three and a half decades of marriage? Endings are far more important than beginnings.Show NotesVERSES CITED:- Matthew 21:28-32 - "There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said....'RELATED LINKS:- Expensive Weddings Linked to Higher Divorce RatesSTAY CONNECTED:- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -(weekly themed link lists of fr

   Mar 18,2024 11:23
10. 

    10. EP 35: How to Disagree Respectfully

    I worked a 14-hour shift at the polls last week for Super Tuesday. And every passing week takes us deeper into an election season that is looking more and more like a repeat of 2020. Which makes me think now would be a great time to review an important concept that seems to have been lost in our current cultural climate: And that is the ability to discuss differing opinions in a civil manner. We've forgotten how to respectfully disagree. This skill is of vital importance, not only in discussing

    Mar 11,2024 18:59
11. 

    11. EP 34: #1 Rule for Building a Happy Marriage

    You don’t have to dig very deep to discover the #1 rule for building a happy marriage. Jesus spelled out our standard in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Luke 6:31)In marriage, that translates to "Treat your spouse as you wish to be treated."Show NotesVERSES CITED:- Luke 6:31 - Mark 12:31- Philippians 2:3-4- Matthew 12:36- Romans 14:12- Ephesians 4:2- 1 Peter 2:17- Ephesians 5:33- Ephesians 4:32- 1 Thessalonians 5:18- Proverbs 15:1 - Philippians 2:3-

    Mar 04,2024 11:16
12. 

    12. EP 33: Running with Endurance

    The Bible uses a lot of running analogies, and the half-marathon I completed over the weekend really helped drive them home. Show NotesVERSES CITED:- Corinthians 9:24-27 - “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one....”- Matthew 20:16 - “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” - Hebrews 12:1-2 - “...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us....”- Hebrews 10:23-25 - “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering...” - Ecclesiastes

    Feb 27,2024 17:23
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    13. EP 32: How to Get Stuff Done

    Today I’m pulling back the curtain on habits that have helped me be more productive. I hope you’ll find them helpful for getting stuff done, as well.Show NotesSCRIPTURES CITED:- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing." - Psalm 90:12 - “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.“- James 4:17 - “... to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”- Matthew 23:23 - “...do not neglect the more important things." - Luke 10:38-42 "...Mary h

    Feb 19,2024 24:22
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    14. EP 31: Loving Your Husband Well

    Jesus calls us to "love your neighbor as yourself," and what closer neighbor do you have than the spouse who shares your bed each night? Loving your husband is something wives need to do not only on special occasions like Valentine's Day and wedding anniversaries, but every minute of every hour of every day, all year long.Show NotesVERSES CITED:- Titus 2:3-5 - "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior...." - Mark 12:31 - "...Love your neighbor as yourself....” - John 13:34 -  “A

    Feb 12,2024 16:59
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    15. EP 30: Balancing Marriage and Motherhood

    Can a woman nurture her children without neglecting her husband? Is it possible to be a loving wife and a devoted mother? How do we strike a balance between marriage and motherhood?Show NotesSCRIPTURES CITED:-Matthew 11:28-30 - “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest....” - Ephesians 4:1-3 - “…being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” - Philippians 2:1-8 - “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit....“ - James 3:14-17 - “...do

    Feb 05,2024 19:14
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    16. EP 29: How to Find Lasting Happiness

    Lots of people devote their whole lives searching for happiness, yet happiness seems more elusive than ever. That is undoubtedly due to the fact folks are looking in the wrong places.So, how does one find lasting happiness? By realizing the fact that happiness was never intended to be our primary goal; rather, it's a fringe benefit to a life well-lived. Find and fulfill the ultimate purpose for which you've been put on this planet, and you'll find true happiness as well. The six tips I'm sharing

    Jan 29,2024 21:58
17. 

    17. EP 28: Bible Memory Tips

    One of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to make Bible memory more of a priority. Memorizing scripture doesn’t come quite as easily these days as it did when I was a kid, but the following tips and tricks have helped speed my progress significantly. Here's hoping they'll do the same for you!Show NotesSCRIPTURES CITED: - “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.” (Deutero

    Jan 22,2024 21:46
18. 

    18. EP 27: God Wants the Whole Pie

    God should be more than the top item on my to-do list. When we think in terms of putting God first, then by definition, something else comes next.It implies that once God's been given His fair share, the rest of my resources are mine to do with as I please, to pour into family, job, hobbies, or whatever else might be on my list. But that's not entirely accurate. This whole hierarchical way of thinking is fundamentally flawed. God transcends our to-do list, and our devotion to Him must be all-enc

    Jan 15,2024 08:59
19. 

    19. EP 26: Succeeding atThings that Really Matter

    To me, succeeding at things that really matter means investing in something of lasting value. And to do that, we must make sure we our building upon a sure foundation and not on shifting sands. Show NotesVERSES CITED:- Matthew 7:24-27- James 1:27- Matthew 25:36- Proverbs 25:21- Ezekiel 34:4- Romans 12:15- Hebrews 13:2- Hebrews 13:3- Matthew 10:42- Matthew 6:6- Matthew 6:3STAY CONNECTED:- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -(weekly themed link lists of free resources)- Instagram: follow @flander

    Jan 08,2024 08:12
20. 

    20. EP 25: Making New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Keep

    Show NotesToday is January 1 -- Can you believe it? That’s why I’ve chosen as my topic this week 7 Secrets for Making New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Actually Stick To.  Whether you call it goal setting or resolution making or vision mapping or just turning over a new leaf, TODAY is a fantastic opportunity to make some changes for the better! What's more, that's true whether you’re listening to this episode on New Year’s day or any other day of the year. There's no time like the present, so stop p

    Jan 01,2024 10:46
21. 

    21. 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 NotesSCRIPTURES 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 appear

    Dec 25,2023 06:56
22. 

    22. 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 NotesSCRIPTURES CITED:I didn't quote a single Bible verse in this week's episode, but our

    Dec 18,2023 37:45
23. 

    23. EP 22: Christmas Cards & Letters (& Why We Still Send Them)

    Show NotesDon’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

    Dec 11,2023 17:09
24. 

    24. EP 21: Favorite Family Christmas Traditions (& How to Find Your Own)

    Show NotesThis 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: W

    Dec 04,2023 32:46
25. 

    25. EP 20: Home Shows and Show Homes

    Show NotesOne 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 s

    Nov 27,2023 13:00
26. 

    26. EP 19: Recounting Stories of God’s Provision

    Show NotesSCRIPTURES 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 go

    Nov 20,2023 43:37
27. 

    27. EP 18: How Does Your Husband Spell RESPECT?

    Show NotesEvery 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 r

    Nov 13,2023 14:21
28. 

    28. EP 17: The ABCs of Homeschooling Success

    Show NotesHomeschooling 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 destr

    Nov 06,2023 23:08
29. 

    29. EP 16: 5 Tips for Gospel-Centered Parenting

    Show NotesOn 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 so

    Oct 30,2023 23:51
30. 

    30. 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

    Oct 23,2023 18:34
31. 

    31. 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 NotesVERSES CITED:- "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not

    Oct 16,2023 19:43
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    32. 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 NotesVERSES 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 righteou

    Oct 09,2023 12:04
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    33. EP 12: When You’re Married to a Problem Solver

    Show NotesAre 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 u

    Oct 02,2023 11:31
34. 

    34. EP 11: How to Forgive Fully and Freely

    Show NotesIt'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 anot

    Sep 25,2023 13:49
35. 

    35. 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 Lov

    Sep 18,2023 18:04
36. 

    36. 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 sa

    Sep 11,2023 22:02
37. 

    37. 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-reachin

    Sep 04,2023 20:39
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    38. 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

    Aug 28,2023 23:20
39. 

    39. 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.”-

    Aug 21,2023 19:46
40. 

    40. 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 shari

    Aug 14,2023 13:31
41. 

    41. EP 4: 6 Parenting Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make

    We all flub up from time to time. None of us are perfect parents. But there are a few very big, but very common parenting mistakes we’d like to avoid or counteract if we can. As mothers, we love our children dearly and want the very best for them in life. We want to nurture and protect them and to fill their childhood with wonderful opportunities to learn and grow and create lasting memories. Isn’t that right? Yet sometimes, the things we do in an attempt to “help our kids out” end up “holding t

    Aug 07,2023 21:04
42. 

    42. EP 3: How to Master Your Spouse’s Love Language

    Want a powerful way to improve your marriage? Learn to speak your spouse’s love language! In this week’s podcast, I share six practical ways to gain proficiency in your husband’s preferred love language —  and I discuss what to do if he isn’t fluent in yours.BOOKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:- The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman- Love Your Husband/Love Your Yourself by Jennifer FlandersSUPPORTING SCRIPTURES:- “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by

    Jul 31,2023 16:16
43. 

    43. EP 2: 7 Secrets to Dealing with Difficult In-Laws

    Do your in-laws give you fits? Are they difficult or demanding? Have you grown weary of even trying to please them?Imagine how much easier your life and marriage would be if everyone could just learn to get along!Although I now enjoy a wonderful relationship with my husband's parents, that has not always been the case. We butted heads in pretty significant ways during our early years of marriage. But those rocky first years taught me a lot about extending grace to folks who often seemed less tha

    Jul 24,2023 21:13
44. 

    44. EP 1: How to Find a Good Mentor

    Would you like to have a wise mentor, but don't know how to find one? Today we're discussing what makes a good mentor, where to look for one, and what to do if you can't find anyone willing or able to function as a mentor in your life.Also, as promised, here are links to resources I mentioned in the podcast this week:- Bible Reading Plan - free reading plan for reading through the whole Bible in a year- Weekly Newsletter - join 19K other subscribers to Flanders Family Freebies- Love Your Husband

    Jul 17,2023 17:14