The Christian Habits Podcast

I don't know about you, but when life is hard, I'm often tempted to do things that aren't good for me. Eat, for example. Or waste time on my phone. Or sit like a lump on the couch and think of all the things that could possibly go wrong and how my life will be [...] The post When Life is Hard: 3 Temptations & 3 Solutions appeared first on Barb Raveling.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the task of getting organized? Does a simple glance around your home or office tell you that clutter is taking over your life? If so, my podcast interview with Dana K. White from A Slob Comes Clean (links below) will offer helpful advice about how to tackle these projects without stress. [...] The post Dana K. White: How to Declutter and Get Organized appeared first on Barb Raveling.

In this interview with Asheritah CiuCiu, we discuss how to grow a prayer habit using the REST method from her new book, Prayers of Rest: 365 Prompts to Hear God's Voice. If you find yourself struggling to make prayer a daily habit, Asheritah offers many helpful ways to cultivate this powerful discipline in this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast [...] The post Asheritah CiuCiu: Growing a Prayer Habit appeared first on Barb Raveling.

In Joshua Becker's new book, Things that Matter, he talks about eight common distractions that keep us from living a meaningful life. I visit with Joshua about two of those distractions—the pursuit of leisure and the pursuit of happiness—on today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below).  Joshua Becker is a former pastor and [...] The post Joshua Becker: Overcoming Distractions to Live a More Meaningful Life appeared first on Barb Raveling.

Do you ever have a hard time making yourself read your Bible? Or do you start out reading, only to find yourself reading the same passage over and over again because you can't make yourself concentrate? I spent twenty years of my Christian life struggling to have a daily quiet time. I'd do fine when I [...] The post When You Can't Make Yourself Read Your Bible – 9 Tips appeared first on Barb Raveling.

Are you in the middle of a big life change? Or still adjusting to an old life change? Change can be difficult, even when it's positive. Yet so many life changes don't feel one bit positive. Here are  just a few of the life changes we go through: A move Change of occupation: new job, [...] The post How to Navigate Life Change (Even if You're Not Crazy about the New Life) appeared first on Barb Raveling.

Our hearts are deceitful and in this age of technology, it is easier than ever to begin sharing your thoughts and deep feelings with someone other than your spouse. If we aren't careful, we can begin to become emotionally dependent on someone outside of our marriage. In today's podcast, Barb visits with her friend, Trish, [...] The post How to Avoid (or End) an Emotional Affair appeared first on Barb Raveling.

Do you ever set goals and fail to reach them? I used to do that all the time. The only goals I completed each year were my recreation goals! Over the years, though, I've learned some tips to help me be more successful with reaching goals. On today's podcast, we'll discuss ten tips about how [...] The post How to Achieve Your Goals – 10 Tips appeared first on Barb Raveling.

To give advice or not to give advice? That is the question. In the past I used to answer that with, Of course I should give advice! Why wouldn't I give advice?! Well, I have since learned a few reasons why I shouldn't! Why You Should Think Twice Before Giving Unsolicited Advice For starters, too [...] The post To Give Advice or Not Give Advice? 6 Rules to Follow appeared first on Barb Raveling.

Do you struggle with productivity? Do you find that you often have trouble getting through your to-do list? At the end of each day, do you feel discouraged that you didn't achieve more? If so, you'll want to listen to today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, where I interview Polly Payne, the CEO of [...]

Most all of us have the desire to grow in God, but we often don't know how to begin. My guest on the Christian Habits Podcast today, Darryl Dash, has written a great new book on this topic called 8 Habits for Growth: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ. Darryl discusses the habits in [...]

Do you ever get irritated with friends who believe differently than you do about politics or Covid? Do you get annoyed with the faults of a spouse or family member? Do you get frustrated with people who drive at a different speed than you drive? If so, today's post and podcast will help. We'll be [...]

If someone told you to have a quiet time, you'd know what to do: read your Bible and pray. But what if they told you to renew your mind? Would you know how to renew your mind? Maybe not. The renewing of the mind doesn't have a clear protocol like a quiet time has. Maybe [...]

In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I talk with Ginny Owens, an award-winning singer, songwriter, author and speaker. Ginny candidly shares biblical wisdom for finding hope when life is hard which can also be found in her new book: Singing in the Dark, set to release on May 1st, 2021. Some Things Ginny [...]

Often before a trip, I'll wake up in the middle of the night with my mind buzzing. I remember all I have to do and have a hard time getting back to sleep. That happened last night, so I got up and had my quiet time. I was having a hard time focusing so I [...]

When I was in my forties, I didn't even consider “no” an option. Instead, I did everything everyone asked me to do without even thinking about it. This led to stress, resentment, and sometimes doing things God didn't want me to do. Not bad things, but things that weren't right for that time in my [...]

Do you ever struggle to read the Bible? Maybe you wake up in the morning, turn off the alarm, roll over, and think to yourself, Just five more minutes. Then you wake up again 30 minutes later and your Bible reading window has disappeared. You would love to create a Bible routine, but you can't [...]

How do you feel when you hear the phrase, New Year's resolutions? Excited? Defeated? Skeptical? In recent years, New Year's resolutions have gone out of style in favor of goals. The idea is that New Year's resolutions are vague, so they don't work—but goals are more defined with action steps, so they work. I disagree [...]

If I were to ask the question, “Have you been depressed at all during the pandemic?” my guess is that every single one of you would answer that question with a yes. I know I have. Many days are great, but there are also those days when I feel like I'm going to go stark [...]

Do you ever find yourself putting off a dreaded task for weeks or even months or years? I have been known to procrastinate a 10-minute job for ten years. Thankfully, God is slowly changing me in this area. Here are ten tips I've been using to help me stop procrastinating. Hope they help you as [...]

Do you wonder if there really are secrets to self-control? Do you feel like you're stuck and just need to live with it? In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, Secrets to Self-Control with Drew Dyck, I visit with Drew about his book, Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and [...]

Are you struggling in one of your relationships? It could be a friend, an adult child, a sibling or parent, or even a spouse. In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I visit with Blythe Daniel and Dr. Helen McIntosh about how to mend a broken relationship. Helen and Blythe are a mother-daughter team [...]

When I first started writing, I noticed that I'd often get attacked at different stages of the process–especially when I was beginning something new. I've since studied spiritual attack and discovered there are many things we can do to be successful in spiritual warfare. We'll discuss those things on today's episode of the Christian Habits [...]

Have you ever been hurt by prejudice? Or have you watched others dealing with prejudice and wondered how you can help? On today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I visit with my friend Ngina Otiende about how to heal and help. Ngina and her husband moved to the United States from Kenya nine years [...]

Do you ever find yourself going about your daily work and not remembering God is there? I do sometimes. It's easy to do when we get busy. On today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, Allen Arnold talks about how to do life with God–remembering Him throughout the day and visiting with Him about life [...]

I first came across Brad Bigney's material at a biblical counseling conference in Bozeman, Montana. Brad had written a book on breaking free from idolatry and I found his material super helpful. Today, I'm excited to have him on the Christian Habits Podcast. Here are a few of the topics we'll be discussing: Topics We [...]

One of the things we tend to do during hard times is head to the refrigerator for comfort, excitement, or stress relief. The other night, the only thing that saved me from that was that I had no treats in the house–and didn't want to go out to buy any with the coronavirus going around! [...]

Earlier this week, I was sitting at a restaurant in the Denver airport having a cup of coffee and journaling. I'd already sanitized my hands, checked the news for Montana (6 cases), and was wondering if I should sanitize my hands again since I'd just picked up the cream pitcher to pour cream in my [...]

Do you ever agonize over decisions for days or even years? Do you wait until the last possible moment to make the decision so you can keep your options open? Do decisions stress you out? If so, today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast will help. We'll be talking about how to make decisions peacefully. [...]

Do you ever feel like you'd like to start a new habit but you just can't make yourself do it? In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I interview Ian Warner, an expert on habit stacking. Ian created a habit tracking app. Interestingly enough, the number one positive habit that people want to build [...]

On today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I interview Neil Anderson about gaining freedom in Christ. Neil Anderson is the author of many best-selling books including The Bondage Breaker and Victory Over the Darkness. He writes and speaks worldwide, helping people resolve personal and spiritual conflicts.   Here are just a few of the [...]

A few weeks ago, I asked members of my Facebook page if they were afraid of failure. I was overwhelmed by the responses. It seems that I'm not the only one out there who fears failure! In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we'll talk about seven steps you can take to overcome fear [...]

How do you hold onto your faith when it seems like God has disappeared? Whether in struggle, illness, death, or failure, the presence of pain is often so overwhelming it can drown out God's voice. On today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I visit with Michele Cushatt who offers hope and faith for times [...]

Do you ever feel like you have a million things to do, but you only have time and energy for about three things? Do you often ignore the important things in life because you're too busy doing the million things in life? If so, you're in the same boat as most of us. We've all [...]

On today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I'm excited to have Tricia Goyer with us. This will be the last podcast for the next few months as I'll be taking a break from both the Christian Habits Podcast and Taste for Truth Weight Loss Podcast over the summer.   Tricia Goyer is a woman [...]

Do you ever feel like you'd like a little help with some area of your life? If so, consider starting a “renewing of the mind project.” We'll talk about what that looks like and how to get started on today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast. This podcast will be a little different than my [...]

Are you going through a difficult time right now either in your own life or the life of someone you love? On this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I'm excited to have Sarah Forgrave with us to talk about connecting with God during those difficult times in our lives. During hard times we have [...]

Do you ever find yourself working on a goal but secretly thinking, I'll never be able to do this? In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, Dr. Melanie Wilson shares three mindset shifts that can help us accomplish goals. Here are the three mindset shifts we'll be discussing on today's podcast: You don't have [...]

On today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I'll answer a listener's question about what to do when your spouse is unfaithful. We'll talk about it from both a practical standpoint and also a spiritual standpoint: what to do with all of those emotions that well up. In the first half of the podcast we'll [...]

Do you ever want to have a quiet time, but you can't make yourself do it? That happened to me for ten or twenty years. Each year, I'd put “Have consistent quiet times” on my New Year's goals list, and each year I would fail to meet my goal. I wanted to meet with God, [...]

Do you ever feel like weight loss is a battle? Not just a one and done but a back and forth lose/gain experience?  On today's podcast, I visit with Sandy about the ups and downs of weight loss. Here's a sampling of the topics we'll be discussing. Topics we'll be discussing: cheat days: are they [...]

Do you ever find yourself annoyed with your husband because of something he did–or didn't–do? In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I'll explain how to use option charts to improve your chances of having a happy Christian marriage. I first started using option charts 17 years ago when I was in a difficult [...]

In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I visit with blogger and author, Arabah Joy, about her PROSPER Bible Study method. Arabah is one of those wise women of God who always has great things to share. In our podcast interview, she goes through the PROSPER acronym to share how she studies the Word. PROSPER [...]

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night worrying about something? Does worry hound your days, keeping you from feeling God's presence and stealing your peace? If so, this post (and podcast) will help. We'll talk about how to stop worrying with God's help. How to Stop Worrying This post grew out [...]

Many of us are exhausted because we're not just trying to love people well–we're trying to please them. On today's podcast, Olu Sobanjo and I talk about how to break free from people pleasing. Olu Sobanjo is a recovering people pleaser and host of the Like Jesus Podcast.   In the Like Jesus Podcast, Olu shares tips [...]

Do you ever find yourself setting boundaries for breaking a habit, then ignoring those boundaries and going your merry way, breaking your habit right and left? I know I do. This is especially common with non-sin habits. Because with those habits, we tend to think, Is it really that big of a deal if I practice my habit? The [...]

Do you ever find yourself worrying about your loved ones rather than praying for them? I know I do. A woman in one of my Bible studies once said that worry is the enemy's manipulation of prayer. In today's podcast, we'll be talking about how to pray for loved ones. Here are the seven steps [...]

Do you ever sit down to have your quiet time with God and then – poof – your mind is somewhere else? Maybe you're planning a list. Or thinking about what happened last night. Or worrying about the day ahead. You want to focus on God but you can't make yourself do it. This has [...]

Do you ever wish you were more positive? Or could more easily focus on the good rather than the bad in people and life? If so, today's podcast will help. We'll talk about how to develop a thankfulness habit. Part of developing a thankfulness habit is learning to focus on the good. Listen to what [...]

Have you ever thought about journaling as a way to grow closer to God? Or have you wanted to start a journaling habit, but you can't make yourself do it? Or maybe you don't know where to begin? If so, this podcast episode on journaling for the soul will help. I'll be interviewing Deborah Haddix, [...]

Do you ever feel like you'd like to be closer to God but it doesn't seem to be happening? In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we'll talk about 7 different ways to get closer to God. I'll share my own story of the ups and downs in my relationship with God, including some of [...]