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Speaking the Truth in Love – 552

The tactics of the enemy have changed, and a blindness has fallen over the world. Our children are caught in the crossfire of a generation that is in cultural and spiritual crisis. The battle is real and it looks different, but God does not change!  You can ask Him to help you untangle the confusion within your child.  The caveat is that we must not miss the opportunity to bathe our truth in love.

Find the Scripture Writing and Bible Study at MomStrongInternational.com!

Scriptures in Podcast

Proverbs 8:6

Pray, Prioritize, Proceed – 550

Are you weary? It’s no wonder. Today’s moms are busier than ever. We’re signing our kids up for everything from athletics to music and the arts. In truth, most moms I’ve met in recent years are exhausted, worn out women who admit to feeling “guilty” if they don’t provide their children with every imaginable opportunity. These well-meaning moms are running from sun-up to sun-down, often sacrificing their own personal margin and time with the Lord, leaving them weary and disillusioned. We’re just.so.busy.

Why? I wonder: is there more to this busyness than meets the eye? If everything we do carries eternal significance with it, then surely, our Creator must have direction for our everyday decisions. Even when we sign up for soccer.

We are doing holy work, you know.

The Lie of Ordinary Motherhood – 549

We’re dealing with more lies in this generation than in the past sixty years—and it’s time to put this one to bed for good.

You’re more than “just a mom.” You’re more than “ordinary.” You’re ordained for the kingdom purpose of raising your children to follow God.

Scriptures

Deuteronomy 6:6

Luke 6:40

Read the Blog Post that Goes Along with this Podcast! 

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Loving Your Actual Christmas, with Alexandra Kuykendall – 548

I have my friend Alexandra Kuykendall on with me today and we’re talking more about enjoying Christmas for what it is, learning to relish what is right in front of us and focusing on what really matters. Less is truly more in this season!

You can read more about Alexandra Kuykendall’s experiment to put an end to the holiday madness in her new book Loving My Actual Christmas: An Experiment in Relishing the Season. A trusted voice in mothering circles, Alex speaks to women around the world about issues of parenting, faith and identity. She is the Cohost of The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast and has also authored Loving My Actual Life and The Artist’s Daughter. Alex lives in the shadows of downtown Denver with her husband Derek and their 4 daughters who range in age from 15 to 6. You can connect with her at AlexandraKuykendall.com.

Loving My Actual Christmas: An Experiment in Relishing the Season – The Christmas season is a particularly difficult time for women to slow down and relish what’s right in front of them. An annual marker for many, it is a holiday that can often remind us how life is not going as we’d planned. Our family relationships remain strained, our finances stretched, and our schedules stuffed with too much to do in too little time.

Following the formula of her successful Loving My Actual Life, Alexandra Kuykendall shares with readers her own personal experiment to be completely present in her life as it is during the holiday season. Addressing the themes of Advent and Christmas, she reflects on hope, love, joy, peace, and relishing the season, with practical pullouts on common Christmas stressors, such as finances, schedules, and extended family. Kuykendall’s signature candor helps women go easy on themselves, remember what truly matters, and find joy in their imperfect Christmases.

It’s not too late for this year. Get the Kindle edition and start reading right now!

Enjoying Simple Christmas Traditions – 547

Today I’m talking you down out of your Christmas tree, and we’re planning a Christmas with just some very simple traditions this year. Let’s do a simple Christmas together!

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Mentioned in Podcast

Revelation 12:9

7 Ways Satan is Trying to Sabotage Your Christmas from Crosswalk.com

 

Announcing IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving, where each day from December 26th to January 6th, you will have an opportunity to claim a free gift from IEW! Register at IEW.com/Christmas2017.

 

Heidi St John Firmly Planted Family Devotional For All Ages

 

Quiet Times for Noisy Families – 546

I suspect my one listener who sent me this question isn’t the only mom trying to do a quiet time with a noisy family, so today, I’m talking through strategies to do more than just “get it done.” It’s possible to actually enjoy having a quiet time if you have noisy little people who seem like all they do is mess it up.  Listen in!

Podcast Sponsor

Announcing IEW’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giving, where each day from December 26th to January 6th, you will have an opportunity to claim a free gift from IEW! Register at IEW.com/Christmas2017.

Scriptures

Deuteronomy 32:47
Psalm 42:1-2
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Matthew 6:33

Mentioned in Podcast

Heidi St John Firmly Planted Family Devotional For All Ages

Little Visits with God -This collection of devotions has served as a devotional resource for families with children (ages 7 to 10) for 50 years. An editor’s letter serves as a foreword, encouraging parents to attend weekly worship and to include devotions in their daily routine.

Each devotion clearly articulates the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and offers practical examples of God’s action on our lives today. Each includes a Bible verse, short reading, activity suggestion, and prayer starter.

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