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

Father's Day is right around the corner. So this seems like a good time to revisit the topic of fathers and fatherhood – including how to make peace with the dad you had, whether he was warm and loving and generally around. Or cold and distant and seldom available. Or somewhere in between.

Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
Psalm 68:5 – “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

Psalm 118:29 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

Corinthians 6:18 – “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

John 1:12 – “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name”

Galatians 3:26 – “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

1 John 3:1-2 – “Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!”

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Romans 12:18 – “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

RELATED LINKS:
EP 87: Lost and Found

Ice Cream for Breakfast Boosts Brain Power

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Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers

My Books: Shop Online - find on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or through our website

Today we're talking about research-based, proactive steps you and I can take now to (hopefully) avoid developing Alzheimer’s dementia later. I hope you'll listen in and be encouraged!

Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
John 3:30 - “He must increase; I must decrease.”

Thessalonians 5:17 - “Pray without ceasing.”

Colossians 4:2  - “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Ephesians 6:18  - “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.....”

Philippians 4:6-7 - “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication....”

Mark 12:30 – “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and... soul, and... mind, and...strength.”

1 Corinthians 10:31- “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

RELATED LINKS:
Your Parent Has Dementia. Here’s the $405,000 Survival Guide Nobody Gave You

Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ

Blueberries, the well-known 'super fruit,' could help fight Alzheimer's

Study of green tea and other molecules uncovers new therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s

Preventive Effects of Olive Oil on Alzheimer’s Disease: What to Know

Eating Avocados: Does It Help Prevent Dementia

The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimer's disease: An overview

Beneficial Effects of Walnuts on Cognition and Brain Health

Association of Egg Intake with Alzheimer’s Dementia Risk in Older Adults

Rainbow Salad Recipe

Comparison of types of diabetes

The Hidden Threat: How Refined Grains and Sugar Impact Dementia

When Diet Meets Dementia

Intermittent Fasting as a Neuroprotective Strategy: Gut–Brain Axis Modulation and Metabolic Reprogramming in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Research reveals: smart wives reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Marital status and risk of dementia over 18 years: Surprising findings from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center

Marriage linked to reduced Dementia Risk

Inside the Box

Free Printable Prayer Guides

Pimsleur Language Program

Why "Grandma Hobbies" Could Be the Secret to Better Mental Health

Is Sunshine Key to Reducing Dementia Risk

Influence of physical activity on cognition and brain function

Association Between Mentally Stimulating Activities in Late Life and the Outcome of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment

Three science backed lifestyle changes to lower your dementia risk

Reading writer lower dementia risk study finds

Reading Challenge

Bible Memory Tips and Tricks

A Grand Investment

Can prayer reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s?

Prayer regularly reduces risk of dementia

STAY CONNECTED: 

Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -weekly themed link lists of free resources

Instagram: @flanders_family - follow for more great content

Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, printables

Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers

My Books: Shop Online - find on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or through our website

Thirty-eight years, eight months, one week, and six days. That's how long I've been married to my husband.



You might think that after nearly four decades, we'd have this marriage thing down pat. That by now, the hard work would be behind us. That maybe we could just coast through the rest of our marriage with the wind on our faces, enjoying the view.



But being married is like riding a bike. You can only coast for so long before losing your momentum and falling over. You've got to keep pedaling if you don't want to crash.



One way I've kept peddling is by taking the challenge I'm sharing on the podcast this week. Maybe you'd like to join me? Listen in to here more about it.

Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
Ephesians 5:33 - "Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband."

RELATED LINKS:
30-Day Respect Challenge - my free email series for wives

30-Day Love Challenge - Doug's free email series for husbands

25 Ways to Respect Your Husband - full book available in print, digital, or audio formats

25 Ways to Love Your Wife - my husband's companion book to the title above

Love Your Husband, Love Yourself - surprising ways science confirms the superiority of God's design for sex in marriage

New Orleans Botanical Garden - snapshots from our recent visit

Oak Alley Plantation - photos I took of the gorgeous house, gardens, and grounds

Tasty food - pictures from our lunch at N7

Learn to Speak Your Spouse’s Love Language​ - communicate in a way that's meaningful to him

Is Date Night Essential?​ - what if kids and finances make it impossible to get away?

What if My Husband Won’t Plan Date Nights?​ - the situation isn't as hopeless as you may think

How to Date a Husband Who’d Rather Stay Home​ - there's no place like home, so enjoy it!

50 Great Date Ideas​ - break out of the dinner-out and a movie rut

Dating through the Alphabet Challenge​ - a fun way to add variety to your dating life

Do Not Disturb Signs​ - free printable door hangers for when you need some privacy

STAY CONNECTED:
Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -weekly themed link lists of free resources

Instagram: @flanders_family - follow for more great content

Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, printables

Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers

My Books: Shop Online - find on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or through our website

The Bible tells us children are a blessing, but we can sometimes lose sight of that fact amid all the diaper changes and temper tantrums and bedtime struggles. Then our joy dries up like a baby's crusty drool on the shoulder of Mom's T-shirt.



What can be done to regain it?



That's the topic of this week's podcast, sent in by a young mother who feels guilty for not being more joyful and playful. If you've ever struggled with such feelings, I hope you'll listen in and be encouraged.

Show Notes


VERSES CITED:
Lamentations 4:3 - “...my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert.”

Job 39:14-17 - “The ostrich leaves her eggs on the ground....”

Galatians 5:22-23 - “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness....”

John 4:14 - “…whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst....”

Jeremiah 2:13 - “For My people have...have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water....”

1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink ...do it all for the glory of God."

Matthew 10:42 - “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these....”

Matthew 25:34-40 - “ I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat...’”

Psalms 113:9 - “He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother...."

Proverbs 31:14-15 - "...She brings her food from afar."

Proverbs 31: 21 - "...she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed...."

Proverbs 31:26 - "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

Proverbs 31:27 - "She... does not eat the bread of idleness."

Matthew 11:28 - "Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden....”

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own...."

Psalm 23:4 - "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil..."

James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all...."

Isaiah 40:31 - "But they that wait upon the LORD will renew their strength...."

2 Kings 6:16-17 - "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than...."

Luke 14:27 - “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot....” 

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go...."

Proverbs 29:17 – “Discipline your son, and he will give you rest...."

Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead....”

Proverbs 19:18 – “Discipline your children while there is hope....” (NLT)

Proverbs 19:18 – “...let not thy soul spare for his crying.” (KJV)

Proverbs 3:12 – “For whom the LORD loves He disciplines....”

Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful....”

Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap...."



RELATED LINKS:
EP 1: How to Find a Good Mentor

EP 81: When You Feel Like You're Only Treading Water

Taming Toddler Temper Tantrums

Staying in Bed Chart

Best Books for Bedtime



STAY CONNECTED:
Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -weekly themed link lists of free resources

Instagram: @flanders_family - follow for more great content

Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, printables

Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers

My Books: Shop Online - find on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or through our website

The topic for this episode is something that is absolutely essential to building a strong and happy marriage. In fact, I have never seen a marriage truly thrive without this thing, but I’ve seen many a marriage crumble in its absence. Tune in to find what this important ingredient is, and how it can miraculously transform a not-so-happily-ever-after marriage.

Show Notes
VERSES CITED:
Ephesians 4:15 -“...speaking the truth in love.”

2 Timothy 3:1-6 - "...in the last days difficult times will come...."

Colossians 3:12-17 - "...clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion...."

James 4:6-10 - ” ...Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."

1 Peter 5:5-6 - "...humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you..."

Matthew 18:21-22 - "...Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?..."

Ephesians 4:32 - "...forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit...."

Romans 15:1-2 -  "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those..."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Ephesians 5:20 – “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Psalm 105:1  - “Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done.”

Psalm 107:1 – “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..."

Philippians 4:8 - “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:6 - “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

John 2:9-10 - "When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and...."

RELATED LINKS:
Free Printable Prayer Guides - download as many of these as you like from my Loving Life at Home blog

Love Your Husband/Love Yourself - with regard to sex, this is a why-to book, not a how-to

EP 82: On Cultivating Contentment - another really important trait for marital bliss!

EP 10: We Find What We Look For - motivation to change your focus if you tend to find fault

EP 104: Giving Thanks Through Hardship - admittedly a challenge, but it is doable

Don't Let Anything Steal Your Joy - we must guard against these stealthy theives of joy and contentment

On Remembering to Say Thank You - because gratitude begs to be expressed

Free Printable Thank You Notes - several designs to choose from

Be Thankful -- and Give Thanks - a short post, but with a great quote on gratitude

 

STAY CONNECTED:
- Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -weekly themed link lists of free resources

- Instagram: @flanders_family - follow for more great content

- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, printables

- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers

- My Books: Shop Online - find on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or through our website