Delighted Motherhood
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Über den Podcast
The Delighted Motherhood Podcast is devoted to applying biblical principles to everyday motherhood as we delight ourselves in the Lord and in the calling that He has given to us.
Kira is a homeschool mom to five young children, wife to James, a placemaker, neighbor, friend, Bible teacher, and SBTS grad. But more than anything else, she’s a Christian who is loved by her Savior and it is her conviction that we can, and should, enjoy our children to the glory of God.
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Is Being Just a Mom Enough? | Angela Lee
If I spend my time “just” being a mom, have I spent my time well? Am I worthwhile? Or do I feel the need to shout my resume, credentials or what I could have done?When God created Adam and Eve he told them to …
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If I spend my time “just” being a mom, have I spent my time well? Am I worthwhile? Or do I feel the need to shout my resume, credentials or what I could have done?
When God created Adam and Eve he told them to fill the earth and subdue it. Thus the very first command celebrated the good and very high calling of parenthood. And yet, sometimes the idea of being “just” a parent feels like too small of a thing.
Motherhood is a role to be eagerly sought after, desired, and prized. How can be satisfied and secure in our calling without needing to prove our prowess elsewhere?
Listen in for a raw conversation with Angela Lee!
Angela Lee is a Harvard Law School grad and former Big Law lawyer who now spends her time caring for and homeschooling her two young boys. She is married to her best friend, Sam, who serves as the lead pastor at Maranatha Bible Church in the Bay Area, California. Though she spends most of her time trying to keep up with her energetic kids, her ideal day consists of an endless mug of tea, a long fiction book and deep conversations with friends.
Thoughts on Traveling with Kids
Flying with kids is hard.One of my favorite lines from the memoir Cheaper by the Dozen (published in 1948) is when the dad (who has been serving in Washington during WWI) asks the mom about her travels with …
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Flying with kids is hard.
One of my favorite lines from the memoir Cheaper by the Dozen (published in 1948) is when the dad (who has been serving in Washington during WWI) asks the mom about her travels with their kids from eastcoast to westcoast to visit her parents.
“It was fine, dear. But next time, you take the children to California and I’ll go to war.”
Hilarious and relatable.
Flying is by no means something everyone should feel compeled to do. It is both time consuming and expensive. If you do fly, don’t feel discouraged if it's really rough.After flying solo with Daniel when he was 11 months old I got to my accommodations, turned out the light, climbed into bed and sobbed.
We all need to give ourselves and our kids buckets of grace and not be discouraged when things go haywire. <3
If and when things do go wrong remember, every person on that plane was a baby once and 97 percent of people will be kind. Even if your baby screams the entire time, you’ve made it! You’re at your fun destination and God has given you an opportunity to rely on Him! Win, win.
Because both sets of our grandparents live on the westcoast, I fly a good amount. But, by God’s grace, flying isn’t something I dread anymore. I mostly travel with my husband although I probably travel solo about twenty percent of the time.
My two main goals are survival and grace. In order to walk towards those goals I like to remember the Four Ps.
Pray, Plan, Be Productive, Persevere
Embracing the Outdoors this Fall | Eryn Lynum
It’s Fall time! It seems like the majority of us love it. And really what’s not to like! It’s a time for lots of good food, reading, campfires, leaf piles, and delicious smells. Daniel 2:21 says: “He changes …
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It’s Fall time! It seems like the majority of us love it. And really what’s not to like! It’s a time for lots of good food, reading, campfires, leaf piles, and delicious smells.
Daniel 2:21 says: “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding”
God has given us the seasons and they are lovely! Fall ought to be a time of wonder and a time that we marvel at the Lord who holds the planets in motion, who causes the earth to orbit the sun to give us the distinctions of Spring. Summer, Fall and Winter.
How can we cultivate a love for God through embracing the changing seasons and how we can invite our families into deeper worship through celebrating all the lovely delights of fall?
How can we get our families outside more during this time?
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Eryn Lynum is a certified Master Naturalist, Bible teacher, national speaker, and author. Eryn lives in Northern Colorado with her husband, Grayson, and their four children, whom they homeschool—mainly in the great outdoors. Eryn has has been featured on FamilyLife Today, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Christian Parenting, MOPS International, Bible Gateway, Her View From Home, and For Every Mom. Every opportunity she gets, she is out exploring God’s creation with her family and sharing the adventures. To learn more about Eryn, visit ErynLynum.com.
Check out her new books Made to Marvel & Where Wonder Leads!
Boy Mom! Embracing Mud, Sticks, and Masculinity | James Nelson
In my limited experience, little boys only stay little for so long and then they very quickly start pretending they are men. They drive trucks, dig holes and find sticks to turn into swords. You could simply …
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In my limited experience, little boys only stay little for so long and then they very quickly start pretending they are men. They drive trucks, dig holes and find sticks to turn into swords. You could simply say, boys will be boys. But in a very real sense they are practicing manhood and in particular they seem to be looking for examples of strength to imitate.
It’s not that boys aren’t concerned with beauty –my boys are all amazing at picking flowers for me and definitely know how to make a room lovely. But from very young ages, I’ve noticed my four boys admiring strength and looking for chances to practice grit, tenacity, and courage.
Our goal is ultimately to raise godly men –but what does a godly man look like? What characteristics are distinctively masculine in a Biblical sense? What makes a boy strong? And what sort of character qualities should we be looking to cultivate in our boys?
Four Reasons to Homeschool | Choosing Curriculum
Four reasons I love homeschooling.(As a second generation homeschooler.)Christian Instruction Academic RigorFamily Connection Flexible Lifestyle NOTE: Every family is different. Homeschooling isn’t right for …
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Four reasons I love homeschooling.
(As a second generation homeschooler.)
- Christian Instruction
- Academic Rigor
- Family Connection
- Flexible Lifestyle
NOTE: Every family is different. Homeschooling isn’t right for everyone!! What’s good for one family might not be the best for another!! It is so sweet to enjoy the freedom to seek the Lord for guidance in what in each specific circumstance. <3
Christian Instruction:
I want to pass down to my children the faith that dwells in me.
“ I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” -2 Timothy 1:5
We cannot save our kids, but we can teach them what is true. Homeschooling gives me an additional 1,200 hours a year to declare to them the good news.
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:14–15)
Academic Rigor
God spoke and it came to be, described himself as the word made flesh, and has preserved his holy word through sacred writings (the Bible.) He is an orderly and faithful God who does not change. (2+2=4 anyone?)
When we train our minds to make sense of words and language, of order and logic, we enable ourselves to make sense of his world and more fully participate in the great, glorious, and holy conversation of knowing Him and making him known.
As a homeschooler, I can be a student of children and determine the best materials to begin them on a lifelong pursuit of learning.
“ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” - Deuteronomy 6:5
Family Connection
I want my kids home with me. I also want them to be home with each other. I can’t force my kids to be friends. Sometimes kids will grow to be best friends and sometimes they won’t. But I can seek to order our time in ways that foster sibling friendships.
Flexible Lifestyle
Homeschooling means we get to (mostly) determine our schedule based on what is most lifegiving for our particular family. As a kid, I grew up riding horses and climbing mountains. I wasn’t hustled off to school. Instead, I spent hours upon hours playing outside.
Harvard Medical School writes that free play shapes a child's brain — and bestows a lifetime of benefits. Research reveals the role of unstructured play in learning, self-regulation, and creativity.
If my kids are in school –even a lovely Christian school –they are by necessity going to have less time at home to play and a more rigid schedule.
Daily Rhythms for a Fruitful Home
Your objective as a rhythm maker is to fight against the “patterns of this world” and consider how to use the regular cycles of your day/week to advance the values that are most precious to you. How can a woman …
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Your objective as a rhythm maker is to fight against the “patterns of this world” and consider how to use the regular cycles of your day/week to advance the values that are most precious to you.
How can a woman intentionally direct lifegiving rhythms in her home?
- Recognize that homemaking (and ordering your time) is a uniquely high calling. (Genesis 2, 1 Peter 3, Titus 2)
- Homemakers are tasked with tending to a dwelling that is intended to be a reflection of heaven.That is a HIGH calling!
- As women, we are especially commissioned on earth with being keepers at home. As you cultivate a beautiful and sacred home you are cultivating a place that will hopefully reflect our heavenly home and draw others to long for our Heavenly Father.
- Plan in the short term and the long term
- Consider long term goals/ priorities and then consider what daily rhythms would help move forward those aims. In order to form godly habits we have to have “imaginations that have absorbed a vision for how things ought to be.”
- Where would those routines most naturally flow in the daily rhythm of my day?
- Consider goals that are geared towards faithfulness not accomplishment.
- Remember nothing you do is invisible to God! He saw you faithfully clean the bathroom and waste a naptime scrolling.
Edith Schaeffer once stated, “Time cannot be used over again. Time cannot be taken to the cleaners and brought back as good as new, to be used another way. The use of time is a very permanent thing… Time moves from the present tense into the past tense very relentlessly. Childhood cannot be used over again for another set of preparations nor a different set of memories.”
“Look carefully at how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15)
- Invite your husband into the planning process.
- Although I might say I am complimentarian in theory, sometimes I don’t act like it.
- God designed motherhood to occur in a marriage. Although sadly that isn’t a reality for some, many of us are married.
- Men were created by God to lovingly lead. Do we give our husbands chances to do that? Or do we assume we understand the situation better?
- Utilize tools that provide structure, accountability, and flexibility.
- A variety of tools can help us practice godly rhythms. We ought to remember that the natural bent of this world is towards disorder, we will be prone to sin, and the life of a mom changes day to day. Thus when considering tools look for systems that will provide you structure, accountability, and flexibility.
- Structure:
- Proverbs 24:27 encourages us, “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.”
- We don’t live haphazardly. Get your plans and your materials sorted and then go about the work of pattern forming.
- D.A. Carson stated, “we don’t drift towards holiness.”
- Accountability:
- Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
- Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
- Proverbs 27:10 "Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house on the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away".
- Pray for true friends who can share in your life rhythms and provide faithful accountability.
- Flexibility:
- James 4:13-15a “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” –yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
- Doesn’t every mom with a spoiled afternoon nap know this to be true!! Be flexible, hold your plans before the Lord, and trust that he will order your steps. <3
- Structure:
- A variety of tools can help us practice godly rhythms. We ought to remember that the natural bent of this world is towards disorder, we will be prone to sin, and the life of a mom changes day to day. Thus when considering tools look for systems that will provide you structure, accountability, and flexibility.
Our Heavenly Father is making us new creations through the power of Jesus. We aren’t saved through our daily patterns anymore than my sweet four year old becomes my son through his obedience. In the same way, let us be careful to remember that salvation is through faith in Christ alone. We are secure as his beloved, delighted in children. However, like a loving father trains his son to obey for his good, so our Heavenly Father is training in holiness for our good. May our daily patterns, routines, and rhythms bring us closer to our gracious and loving Father.
- Recognize that homemaking (and ordering your time) is a uniquely high calling. (Genesis 2, 1 Peter 3, Titus 2)
Saturated in Truth: The Power of Daily Memorization | Jess Travis
Memorizing Scripture is something our kids often do at Sunday school and VBS, but is it something we should do too? Although memorization is more challenging for adults, our hearts and brains are far more …
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Memorizing Scripture is something our kids often do at Sunday school and VBS, but is it something we should do too?
Although memorization is more challenging for adults, our hearts and brains are far more capable than we realize.
Have you ever felt like you just don’t have the right words to say to a friend who is struggling? Or don’t know how to respond when your child acts out?
Listen in for an encouraging and highly practical conversation with Jess Travis, mom to two and pediatric nurse practitioner, about the value of hiding God’s word in our hearts every day.
Devotional Bible Reading | Katie Faris
Several weeks ago I to watch my almost 9-year-old and almost 7-year-old ascended a 50 foot rock wall and it was equip. I was so proud of them for working so hard and having the courage to keep on going even …
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Several weeks ago I to watch my almost 9-year-old and almost 7-year-old ascended a 50 foot rock wall and it was equip. I was so proud of them for working so hard and having the courage to keep on going even when it was scary!!
But what I’m most especially thankful for is that harness! Because my kids were wearing the right equipment, they were protected during the activity. Even though it was objectively a very scary, they were quite safe. If they slipped or fell their very capable Uncle Kyle or Aunite Yuvika would catch them.
Similarly, as Christians, God calls us to put on the armor of God so that we will be protected.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.“ -Ephesians 6:10-13Each day as we read the Word of God we are putting on our armor so we will be protected as we scale our mountains. Today I am joined by Katie Faris who will be walking us through the importance of devotional Bible study and quick strategies for doing it well.
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Katie Faris is a pastor’s wife and mother to five children. She is the author of multiple books, including Every Hour I Need You: 30 Meditations for Moms on the Character of God and God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood. She worships at Sovereign Grace Church in Marlton, New Jersey. Learn more at her website or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.
Rightly Handled: Teaching Scripture Faithfully | Shelly Pelletier
As mothers, we are all called to teach the Word of God faithfully and handle Scripture rightly. Sometimes that teaching will be informal, and other times it will be more structured. It may look like applying …
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As mothers, we are all called to teach the Word of God faithfully and handle Scripture rightly. Sometimes that teaching will be informal, and other times it will be more structured. It may look like applying biblical truth in everyday moments, leading family devotions, teaching a Sunday school lesson, or facilitating a Bible study.
In any context, teachers are held to a high standard. The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It is powerful and effective. Just as we would handle a weapon with caution, we should handle Scripture with care. Many—both children and adults—have been led astray when teachers mishandled or twisted a passage to suit their own purposes.
Today, we are going to talk about how to equip ourselves to teach the Bible faithfully by understanding context, staying tethered to the text, and preparing appropriately.
We likely will not have time to study Scripture this way every day, though we should be reading it devotionally each day. Still, we probably have more time than we think to devote to serious study.
I do not think it is an accident that God describes Himself as the Word and has revealed Himself through a collection of divinely inspired books. He has made us in His image. We are thinking people, and it is good and right to stretch our minds as we learn to handle the Word of God faithfully.
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Shelly Pelletier has been married for 32 years, has three grown children and five grandchildren. She's a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center and has been teaching kids in church in various roles since she was 16 years old and has been leading formal women's groups for over 25 years.
She's an expert in helping people of all ages understand and apply the Word of God and today she will walk us through the basics of preparing to teach the Bible faithfully.
Corporate Discipleship: How Going to Church Changes Parenting
Going to church with my five little kids can sometimes feel like wrangling monkeys –very dear little monkeys –but little monkeys that have been known to spill the coffee all over the pew in front of us and then …
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Going to church with my five little kids can sometimes feel like wrangling monkeys –very dear little monkeys –but little monkeys that have been known to spill the coffee all over the pew in front of us and then shriek in terror at the act. (Nothing to see here, people. Normal Sunday.)
Matt Merker in his book Corporate Worship argues, “A church service is one of the primary settings in which believers speak the truth to one another. When we recite a creed or read a scripture aloud together, or sing a song or vocalize amen after a prayer, we’re not just following the service leaders directions we are disciplining one another in building up the body to maturity.”
My biggest and strongest piece of advice is simply to go to church. Just go! In every season of motherhood (and every season of life) there will be conflicts with attending church. If you have little babies there is a very good chance your service will happen during naptime. If you have kids in sports it is extremely likely there will be games that conflict with your ability to attend the service. If you have family from out of town staying with you there is a reasonable chance they may pressure you to stay home from church so you have more time with them.
But, Jesus didn’t think attending church was just causally important. He considered it vital and organized the christian life around it. When we place our church attendnece first we are saying that our spiritual condition is more important than naps, sports, or family relationships. If others don’t understand that, it is a chance for us to teach them.
Daddy and the Doorknob | A Father's Day Story
In honor of Father's Day, listen in for a slightly exaggerated but hilarious story about the Magic of Sleepy Ridge.When a disgruntled doorknob decides he's done being taken for granted, Mom and the …
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In honor of Father's Day, listen in for a slightly exaggerated but hilarious story about the Magic of Sleepy Ridge.
When a disgruntled doorknob decides he's done being taken for granted, Mom and the kids are trapped outside. There's only one person who can rescue them: Dad.
This story is my reflection of the everyday faithfulness of my dear husband. Often, I can get caught up with everything I'm doing and forget the quiet ways James serves, leads, protects and provides for our family.
"Sometimes the things and the people that matter most to us we can simply take for granted. Like having a Dad who is funny and kind, adventurous and responsible, and who is willing to stop what he is doing in the middle of a busy fall workday to trudge up the stairs and free his family from exile from the Sunroom. So the next time you turn a doorknob, move freely throughout the country without fear of execution or arrest, or walk into your Dad’s basement office, remember that these are some pretty remarkable things. True gifts from God.
Doorknobs.
Democracy.
Dad.
So don’t take them for granted."
Practices of a Praying Mom
Practically, how do we carve out time, in the midst of hectic mothering, to seek the Lord in prayer? Susanna Wesley, mother of evangelists John and Charles Wesley, had sixteen kids. She was certainly busy, but …
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Practically, how do we carve out time, in the midst of hectic mothering, to seek the Lord in prayer?
Susanna Wesley, mother of evangelists John and Charles Wesley, had sixteen kids. She was certainly busy, but she taught her kids that if they saw her with an apron over her head, they were not to bother her because that meant that she was in prayer or in the Word.
That’s a woman committed to depending on the Father. I want to be a mother like that. I love this anecdote because it shows creativity and determination.
If I really want to do something, I tend to find a way to do it. The most important practical step to praying more is being convinced we need to pray more. But once we are relatively convinced, we need to ask God’s help to find creative and life-giving ways to make it happen.
Let’s think through two categories of prayer – private prayer and prayer on the go – and a few routines that might be helpful in making them happen.
Of Spiritual Good: The Gift of Fasting
Some Christian authors describe fasting as the most feared and misunderstood discipline, and perhaps the least practiced in the Christian church. Why? What stops Christians from fasting?Listen in as James walks …
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Some Christian authors describe fasting as the most feared and misunderstood discipline, and perhaps the least practiced in the Christian church. Why? What stops Christians from fasting?
Listen in as James walks us through a definition of Christian fasting as well as why and how to engage in fasting as parents.
Like all spiritual disciplines or ordinary means of God’s grace, through fasting, Christians engage Scriptural patterns with the aim to become more like Jesus.
1 Tim. 4:7-10. “[Discipline] yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come . . . because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”
“There is no virtue in fallen man by which he can make himself more godly; there
is, however, virtue in the divinely appointed means of grace. If we, by the power
of the Holy Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body (through fasting), we shall grow
in grace, but the glory of such change will be God’s alone.” David Smith.John Calvin: “since fasting is a holy exercise both for the humbling of
men and for their confession of humility why should we use it less than
the ancients did in similar need?”Classical Education in an Unhurried Home | Cara Schmidt
What is classical education? In particular, what does it look like during the early years? Is it boring? Is it rigorous? It is effective? Are there ways to blend elements from the classical model with other …
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What is classical education? In particular, what does it look like during the early years? Is it boring? Is it rigorous? It is effective?
Are there ways to blend elements from the classical model with other models?
Although this conversation is largely geared towards parents who choose to home educate, the concepts discussed can enrich the the educational experience of all families whether schooled through public, private, or home education.
Listen in as Cara Schmidt, director of Classical Conversations Annandale, explains the basics and breaks down the sometimes mysterious world of classical education.
Mothering Through Cancer | Kelly Schibi Part 1
Listen in as Kelly Schibi shares her testimony of God's care for her as she has battled cancer as a mom to three young children. For ease of listening this conversation has been split into two segments. Be …
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Listen in as Kelly Schibi shares her testimony of God's care for her as she has battled cancer as a mom to three young children.
For ease of listening this conversation has been split into two segments. Be sure to listen to part one before part two.
Kelly Schibi’s reflections on her Caring Bridge
Scripture References:
· Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
· In Ezekiel 36:26, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh”
· Luke 5:17-26, “but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’ And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, ‘Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the man who was paralyzed—'I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’ And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.’”
Books:
· Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliott
· Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
· You Are Still a Mother by Jackie Gibson
· Dark Clouds Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
Sermons:
· Job’s Resignation by Charles Spurgeon
· In the Lowest Pit by J. Ligon Duncan
Hymns
Mothering Through Cancer | Kelly Schibi Part 2
Listen in as Kelly Schibi shares her testimony of God's care for her as she has battled cancer as a mom to three young children. For ease of listening this conversation has been split into two segments. Be …
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Listen in as Kelly Schibi shares her testimony of God's care for her as she has battled cancer as a mom to three young children.
For ease of listening this conversation has been split into two segments. Be sure to listen to part one before part two.
Kelly Schibi’s reflections on her Caring Bridge
Scripture References:
· Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
· In Ezekiel 36:26, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh”
· Luke 5:17-26, “but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’ And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, ‘Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the man who was paralyzed—'I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’ And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.’”
Books:
· Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliott
· Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
· You Are Still a Mother by Jackie Gibson
· Dark Clouds Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
Sermons:
· Job’s Resignation by Charles Spurgeon
· In the Lowest Pit by J. Ligon Duncan
Hymns
A House to Call Home | Christie Purifoy
There’s something deep within us that craves a haven and a place to belong. We have been created to dwell with God. Although that desire, to reside and abide with Him a beautiful secure place of rest, can never …
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There’s something deep within us that craves a haven and a place to belong. We have been created to dwell with God. Although that desire, to reside and abide with Him a beautiful secure place of rest, can never fully be met on this side of heaven, we can receive a sacred foretaste through rooting ourselves to our homes in the here and now.
But sometimes the kind of home we long for feels out of reach. That can be discouraging.
Today we are going to think through godly desires, the seed of dreams planted within us, and the tension living in the present moment while working towards the future with Christie Purifoy.
Christie Purifoy is a writer and gardener who loves to grow flowers and community. Most of all, she is a placemaker, and the place she is making with her family is a red brick Victorian farmhouse in Pennsylvania called Maplehurst.
She’s the author of numerous books –all of which will encourage and delight you –and her latest book, A House to Call Home, might just be a new favorite.
There’s no place like Home! There’s no place like Home!
To thee, I’ll return overburdened with care,
The heart’s dearest solace will smile on me there.
No more from that cottage again will I roam,
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.–Home, Sweet Home, John Howard Payne (1791-1852)
Postpartum Sleep Deprivation | Annie VanderHeiden
All of motherhood is both hard and beautiful, but there is something uniquely intense about those first few weeks after welcoming a baby. A mother is recovering physically from bringing new life into the world …
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All of motherhood is both hard and beautiful, but there is something uniquely intense about those first few weeks after welcoming a baby. A mother is recovering physically from bringing new life into the world while simultaneously learning how to care for a tiny, mysterious new person. It is tender. It is overwhelming. And it is often deeply exhausting.
In this episode, Annie VanderHedien, author of Christ’s Care for Postpartum Moms, joins us to offer gentle encouragement for weary mothers in the thick of postpartum sleep deprivation. Together we talk about how Christ meets us in our exhaustion, how His care is especially near when we feel unseen or invisible, and how we can experience real spiritual rest—even when physical rest feels out of reach.
If you are in the newborn fog, or if you love someone who is, this conversation is for you.
Annie VanderHeiden is the former editor of Risen Motherhood and now busies herself with freelance writing and editing, lay church ministry, and mothering two littles. She plants her roots in the uppermost corner of the PNW, enjoying salty sea air, drizzly days, long walks, overflowing mugs of matcha, and any thrifting opportunities she can get. Annie is the author of Cradled: Christ's Care for Postpartum Moms (P&R, 2026). Connect with her on Instagram (@anniekvanderheiden) or annievanderheiden.com.
Daddy Discipleship: Nightly Family Worship | James Nelson
Christian parenting is inherently missional. Rather than limiting ministry, parenting can provide a springboard for evangelism and discipleship within the home–both inside and outside our families. Far from …
Shownotes
Christian parenting is inherently missional. Rather than limiting ministry, parenting can provide a springboard for evangelism and discipleship within the home–both inside and outside our families. Far from being sidelined from ministry, parents who approach parenting with a missional mindset will find explosive opportunities to declare the glory of God.
In this episode I'll be talking to James all about how dads can easily engage with kids through nightly family worship. We will cover:
- Why is it specifically important for the dad to lead in discipleship within the home.
- How moms can encourage dads to lead in discipleship.
- Various opportunities a busy dad might have throughout the day to disciple his children.
- How long or short it has to be.
- Why leading nightly is important.
Marriage Matters: Grieving Together | Clarissa Abbott
How do you process grief? How does your husband process grief? Marriage is full of many good and lovely seasons. But every marriage will also experience losses. How do we process those losses in a way that …
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How do you process grief? How does your husband process grief?
Marriage is full of many good and lovely seasons. But every marriage will also experience losses. How do we process those losses in a way that brings us closer to one another and also closer to God? How is processing grief a chance to lean into God’s design for marriage? How can we work through differences in the way we grieve without bitterness or resentment?
Listen in to a real and vulnerable conversation with Clarissa Abbott, mom to two little girls and husband to Ryan, who serves with YWAM in Perth, Australia.
Dating My Kids Monthly | Why, When, How
As members of a large-ish family, my kids aren’t often the center of attention. But I want them to know that they will gave a regular time when they have my full, complete, and undivided attention. For us, this …
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As members of a large-ish family, my kids aren’t often the center of attention. But I want them to know that they will gave a regular time when they have my full, complete, and undivided attention.
For us, this means special monthly one-on-one coffee dates on Sunday mornings before church. Listen in for why to "date" your kids and when and how to do it.
It’s by no means a requirement, but it has been a sweet way to connect one-on-one with the four kids I adore and cherish most in the world. And I really enjoy it!
Pretty soon, I will be welcoming a fifth baby, and my youngest will also be joining the date rotation. I’m sure continuing to carve out time will require creativity—but I am committed to it.
Goals to track in 2026 | Fitness, Reading, and Outside Time
Setting year long goals can be a helpful way to stay on track with our ideals. Listen in for a very brief discussion of how and why to track fitness, reading, and outside time goals in 2026.
Training Servant Hearted Kids
Parents are in the business of training --and that should include training to serve.We train our kids not to run in the road, to put their shirt on frontwards, and to use the bathroom. During childhood these …
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Parents are in the business of training --and that should include training to serve.
We train our kids not to run in the road, to put their shirt on frontwards, and to use the bathroom. During childhood these actions are challenging, but by adulthood, most of us have it figured out. We practiced these things over and over until they became ingrained and second nature.
In addition to learning to brush our teeth or make breakfast, I want to teach my kids to be kind and generous. As a parent, I can’t force my children to be servant hearted—only God can change them. But He has commanded me to train them in godliness, and training comes through repeated practice.
If I desire to raise servant-hearted kids, then I should give them lots of opportunities during their formative years to practice service both inside and outside the home.
Listen in for a discussion of why and how to do that in practical simple ways --without adding a bunch of extra tasks to our schedules.
Marriage Matters: Resolving Conflict
If you’ve been married for more than five minutes, chances are you’ve faced conflict. Sometimes conflicts resolve easily, but other times they can eat away at your heart and mind.What should your heart’s …
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If you’ve been married for more than five minutes, chances are you’ve faced conflict. Sometimes conflicts resolve easily, but other times they can eat away at your heart and mind.
What should your heart’s response be when your spouse is unreasonable and reconciliation seems impossible? When you’re facing serious disagreements with no clear path forward, what are some practical next steps you can take?
Today, we’re going to look at the conflict between two women in the Philippian church and see how Paul addressed and encouraged them. Although this disagreement was between two sisters in Christ rather than a husband and wife, the parallels are striking and deeply helpful.
Listen in as we think through how to navigate those tricky conflicts.
Being a Front Steps Person
Several years ago, the kids and I started eating our breakfast on the front steps of our house. I had just finished reading The Art of Neighboring, in which the authors encouraged Christians to look for simple …
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Several years ago, the kids and I started eating our breakfast on the front steps of our house. I had just finished reading The Art of Neighboring, in which the authors encouraged Christians to look for simple ways to be “seen” in their neighborhoods.
One of the easiest ideas they shared was moving some activity from the backyard to the front yard. At first, I set up a blanket on the grass and read stories in the afternoon, but eventually, we settled into being morning “front steps people,” and it’s been a daily routine—regardless of the weather or season—for almost two years.
I love being a front steps person for primarily two reasons—it is sweet outside time and it establishes our presence in our neighborhood.
Obviously, there are other ways to be outside and to be visible in the neighborhood, so what do I love about this practice in particular?
So glad you asked. Let me tell you all about it.
Note: This practice definitely isn’t for everybody. But it is a sweet one for us. I hope hearing about what we do has inspired you to establish your own fun, special and unique daily routines. ❤️
Secular vs. Christian Gratitude | Allison Brost
Fall is a popular time to start thinking about thankfulness. Thankful, Grateful, Blessed is on every mug, pillow, and sweater. What’s not to love about gratefulness? Talk to a random person on the street and …
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Fall is a popular time to start thinking about thankfulness. Thankful, Grateful, Blessed is on every mug, pillow, and sweater. What’s not to love about gratefulness? Talk to a random person on the street and ask them if they think gratefulness matters and they will almost certainly say yes.
But what is thankfulness? How is Christian thankfulness distinct from secular thankfulness? Why is the object of our gratitude far more important than the expression of our gratitude?
With our own children, how do we help them think about gratitude in the context of being creatures made by a good and powerful creator? What are some ideas for helping kids to grow in gratitude practically?
Join for a conversation about gratitude with blogger, songwriter, author, and homeschool mama Allison Brost. Allison writes at her blog This Side of Perfect and recently published Grateful: 30 Days of Growing in Thankfulness with the Good Book Company.
Roommates or Soulmates? The Cashells | Part 2
Is passion in marriage something we ought to desire? Where do we see a basis for pursuing romantic love in Scripture?How important is friendship to a marriage? If I am sacrificing myself for the needs of my …
Shownotes
Is passion in marriage something we ought to desire? Where do we see a basis for pursuing romantic love in Scripture?
How important is friendship to a marriage? If I am sacrificing myself for the needs of my spouse and putting him first, does it matter if he feels like my “best friend”? Why or why not?
In a two part conversation our guests Jason and Casey Cashell are going to help us think through how to cultivate and stimulate deep love and connection in a sustainable and lifegiving way regardless of our season of parenting.
***
Jason and Casey Cashell are homeschooling parents of four and the owners of Mayhurst Estate – a stunning historic home in Orange, Virginia that functions as a bed and breakfast. They are passionate about encouraging and strengthening families in so many ways but in particular they run a number of online courses on marriage, parenting, and hospitality from a Christian perspective.
https://thecashells.com/
Roommates or Soulmates? The Cashells | Part 1
It’s very normal for couples to fall into patterns of living that feel more like roommates than lovers. The process of running a household –at any stage –can be very consuming. Did you take the trash out? Did …
Shownotes
It’s very normal for couples to fall into patterns of living that feel more like roommates than lovers. The process of running a household –at any stage –can be very consuming.
- Did you take the trash out? Did we schedule the plane tickets? Have you noticed the door hanging at an angle?
- Everyday tasks can be even more consuming during the little years. Little kids require a lot of physical and mental energy and it can be common for spouses to feel disconnected from one another after dealing with the kids.
In a two part conversation our guests Jason and Casey Cashell are going to help us think through how to cultivate and stimulate deep love and connection in a sustainable and lifegiving way regardless of our season of parenting.
***
Jason and Casey Cashell are homeschooling parents of four and the owners of Mayhurst Estate – a stunning historic home in Orange, Virginia that functions as a bed and breakfast. They are passionate about encouraging and strengthening families in so many ways but in particular they run a number of online courses on marriage, parenting, and hospitality from a Christian perspective.
https://thecashells.com/
Marriage Matters : Words of Grace | Heather Uhl
As moms, we often have a tendency to be “all in” for our kids but then feel used up when it comes to our husbands. How does our relationship with our husband affect our kids? And why should we make a conscious …
Shownotes
As moms, we often have a tendency to be “all in” for our kids but then feel used up when it comes to our husbands. How does our relationship with our husband affect our kids? And why should we make a conscious effort to put the health of our marriage above the needs of the kids?
Often we can get into cycles of frustration with our spouse and our words can have a tendency to spiral. What is at the root of our words? How can we begin to turn from speaking words that tear down to speaking words that build up?
Why are words so powerful? If we are caring for our spouse’s physical needs, do the things we say really matter? After all, don’t actions speak louder than words?
How is the gospel connected to what we say? How should we view our battle with the tongue in light of the cross?
Listen in to a life giving conversation with Heather Uhl, writer, teacher, speaker and homeschool mom to three (almost four!), about the importance of our speech.
Marriage Matters: Resisting Bitterness | Ashley Keller
Chocolate is yummy, parenting is hard. These things are self-evident.Marriage is also hard. There may be seasons when we feel bitter and frustrated --particularly if we feel like we are carrying a double …
Shownotes
Chocolate is yummy, parenting is hard. These things are self-evident.
Marriage is also hard. There may be seasons when we feel bitter and frustrated --particularly if we feel like we are carrying a double parenting load.
How should we respond when we feel ourselves becoming bitter and resentful toward our husbands?
How can we come alongside our husbands and support them in their role while still being honest about our struggles? How should we think about submission during seasons when a husband may not be physically present—such as during a military deployment?
Listen in as Ashley Keller, a prenatal and postnatal exercise specialist and the founder of GlowBodyPT, shares how she supports her husband in his role while resisting bitterness from a biblical perspective.
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Link to Ashley's resources (10/10 recommend!!)
https://www.glowbodypt.com/
And a beautiful article from John Piper describing his mom! <3
"And of course, the fact that she loved Daddy’s leadership had nothing to do with her incompetencies. As far as I knew, she didn’t have any. It had to do with a deep sense of fitness about the way God has choreographed the dance of manhood and womanhood in marriage. I was blessed with a front-row seat at the drama of marriage in which my mother took the Oscar for omnicompetent womanhood as a complementarian wife."
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-happiest-woman-i-have-ever-known
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