The Home and Hearth Podcast

Karen Ehman is a wife, mom of grown children, author of numerous books, and Bible teacher who is passionate about writing and speaking to encourage women to live their priorities and display the gospel to the watching world. Our prayer is that you would come away from this episode feeling equipped and encouraged to cultivate a life of passion, productivity, and rest this new year!What We Chat About on This Episode:~The new book Karen co-authored with Ruth Schwenk, what readers can expect, and what led to this being their next work~The deep joy that can come even in the hardest of life's circumstances; the practices Karen and Ruth have put in place which enable them to experience this joy~The four sections of the workbook and what led them to set it up that way~Assessing whether or not what we are spending our time in is lining up with the priorities we say we have~Assessing what God-given passions you have that go along with His call on your life~Tips, tricks, and tools that help you find your follow through on your passions and priorities~Advice for how to live your everyday with forethought, planning, and intentionality~The crucial importance of making prayer a priority~Teaching people how to treat you by your behavior and boundaries~The happiness we find when we invest our hearts, souls, minds, and strength in the right things~Having boundaries in place for our phone usage~Cultivating a life-giving routine of both productivity and rest~The power of taking several minutes a day to sit in silence and think nothing~A few important questions to ask yourself at the end of the day to prepare yourself well for the next day~Assessing everything that is currently on your plate and whether or not it is time to do some plate-scraping~What it takes to obtain wisdom~The important part the fear of the Lord has to play in all this~And more!Inspiring Quotes to Remember:“We wrote this book on enjoying your life in a season of very hard circumstances for each of us. To look at our circumstances, you wouldn't have thought we would be happy. But it wasn't situational happiness that we were experiencing. It was deep joy in knowing that none of what we were going through surprised God. He knew we would go through it, and He promised to be with us. Despite some pretty dire circumstances, we were still seeing these pockets of joy.”“We started to ask ourselves what it was we had put in place, what we had done, what God had taught us over the years as adults, that had positioned us to still feel like life was worth living and to still discover joy despite the circumstances all around us. That is what led to the writing of this book.”“When it comes to living our priorities, all of us have two things in our lives: we have relationships and we have responsibilities, or people and projects. We tend to lean to one or the other extreme, so finding the proper perspective and learning to manage that tension is what we address in the first section of the book.”“God has wired you with passions, with interests and talent and spiritual gifts. He has a calling on your life, something that you should be doing and could be doing for the Kingdom.”“We need to be praying about our days, saying, ‘Lord, there are going to be times today when I need to get work done, times when I instead need to tend to a human being. Would You please help me to order my day in such a way that I get my work done without neglecting my people? And would You tap me on the heart if I need to stop what I am doing and tend to a person and also nudge me when I need to ignore that text message and get my work done instead?'”“You teach people how to treat you. You teach them by what you allow and what you don't allow. We want to love and serve people, but we can't be at everybody's beck and call. We really need to have boundaries in place, best practices, and ways to free up time for the things that really matter.”“We so often think happiness comes from money, notoriety, possessions, position, or popularly. But research shows that it comes more from feeling like, a the end of the day, we invested in something that mattered. But so often we are just spending our time on things that don't matter - like scrolling our phones. If we do not have time limits on that scrolling, we will waste countless hours each week on meaningless content.”“What really makes our lives enriched is investing into things that matter, investing our hearts, minds, souls, and strength into making someone else's life better. Listening to that neighbor who just lost their spouse and encouraging and doing something nice for them rather than just ingesting fluff all day long goes a long way.”“We don't rest because we're tired and we deserve a break. We rest so that we can refocus, we can relax, and then we can reconnect and be rekindled in a way that we can then go back and tackle life.”“I heard a brain expert on a podcast say that we need 17 minutes a day of silence where we think nothing. I have made that my practice now and find that having that 17 minutes of silence a day with a clear brain has really helped me to be able to then jump back into my day with a different perspective now that I have literally had a brain break.”“I would encourage people to make sure that the things that are on their plates are either a relationship or a responsibility that God has placed there. And, if they aren't, you'll need to do some major plate-scraping.”“If we really want to properly live out our priorities, we first need to obtain wisdom. And the first step in obtaining wisdom is to fear the Lord. Our success begins with understanding the fear of the Lord and living it out daily and returning to it when we stray. It doesn't depend on applying all the latest time management techniques we can find, even though those can be helpful. Our success begins with understanding the fear of the Lord that leads to wisdom.”“Wisdom helps us to make choices in our day and in our relationships and in our responsibilities that help us to live our priorities and love our life.”Resources Mentioned:“The Love Your Life Project: 40 Days to Prioritize Your Passions, Cultivate Productive Habits, and Refuel with Times of Rest“Why am I like This?: How to Break Cycles, Heal from Trauma, and Restore Your Faith” by Kobe CampbellWhere You Can Find Karen:Substack: KarenEhman.comTwitter: @karen_ehmanPinterest: @karenehmanofficialFacebook: Karen EhmanInstagram: @karenehman Get full access to Beyond the Boxes at rebekahhargraves.substack.com/subscribe

I am delighted to be joining you on the show for an episode I have wanted to record for a while now! Today we will be covering the important and timely Advent topic of “Mary's Contemplative Nature”. May you come away from this episode inspired and encouraged for the busy days ahead!What I Cover on this Episode:~The glimpse Luke 2:19 gives us into Mary's contemplative nature~The striking comparison and connection between the content of Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1 and what we observe her doing in Luke 2:19~12 reflection questions for you to contemplate and prayerfully process through this Advent~The many blessings of the contemplative life~Why it's so important to follow Mary's example in cultivating a life of slowness, stillness, awareness, contemplation, and processing with the Lord~The context surrounding Luke 2:19 and what stands out about it~Mary's example of making time for contemplation even in the middle of an incredibly stretching and full season~Where Mary's theological depth of insight came from~How we hear the still small voice of God ~How the contemplative life leads to faith-building ebenezer stones of remembrance ~The sense of peace and calm which the contemplative life gives us ~How the contemplative life equips us to fight back against spiritual warfare ~The contemplative life as an example to the watching world~And More!Beyond the Boxes is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Resources Mentioned:My SubstackQuotes to Remember:“What we read in Luke 2:19 about Mary ‘treasuring all these things in her heart and meditating on them' goes along incredibly well with the content of her Magnificat in Luke 1. The connection is striking. What was she treasuring? What was she meditating on? Based on the context, she's thinking about what God has just done in and for and through the shepherds. And if we know anything about shepherds during this time in history, we know they were the lowly despised ones, the outcasts. And it was to these very people that God chose to reveal Christ's birth. And it was people precisely like the lowly shepherds that Mary praises God for raising up. In Luke 1, she praises Him for his hear for the lowly, and in Luke 2 she is contemplating what she has just seen God do in real time proof of His heart for the lowly. I find that to be so strikingly beautiful.”Thanks for reading Beyond the Boxes! This post is public so feel free to share it.“What I want us to understand about Mary's contemplative nature is that as all of these things are literally happening in, to, and around her, she is not checking out. So much has and is happening to her, but she is not checking out. She is not rushing through. She is actually stopping and entering fully into each present moment as they come. She's taking everything in. She's noticing all of it and not forgetting a bit of it. She's pondering what God is doing. She is seeing and taking it in and then going a step further to actually meditating on what He is doing. In the midst of the busyness, in the midst of full days that are full of earth-shattering miracles, she is stopping to treasure these things and to mediate on them.”“Mary is clearly a contemplative at heart, which I would say could explain her theological depth of insight that we see in her Magnificat - after all, there are so many blessings of the contemplative life, not the least of which are depth of theological insight and a close, daily relationship with God.”“The contemplative life enables us to actually hear from God. God does not shout. His is a still-small voice. He whispers to our hearts, minds, and souls. That is how He speaks to us. And in order to hear from Him, we have to slow down, get quiet, and be still and know. We have to have a contemplative life to truly hear from Him, to take the time to be in the Word, to take the time for prayer, to take the time to hear from Him.”“The contemplative life enables us to actually be able to notice, to be aware of, and to remember what God is doing. When we are rushing through life so fast, at breakneck speeds, and we don't have time to sit, to be still and know, to cultivate quiet, to sit in the stillness with the Lord, when we are hurried and harried, overwhelmed and stressed going from one thing to another all day long, every week, every month, we are unable to notice, to be aware of, and to remember what God is doing.”“It is only through seeing and remembering what God is doing and has done that our faith is built as we are made aware of Him and how active He truly is in our lives.”“The contemplative life also enables us to proclaim to others what God is doing and thereby watch there faith be built up, too.”“Another blessing of the contemplative life is that it provides us with a peace that we can take with us into our daily life with all of its ups and downs. There is a sense of peace and stillness of soul and quietness of heart and mind that we can only experience when we slow down enough to get quiet with the Lord, to give our hearts and minds and bodies time and space to contemplate, to meditate, to treasure the things of God in our hearts.”“In the book of Philippians we are told that peace passes all understanding and that it guards our hearts and minds in Christ. Peace only comes when we cast our cares on Him, when we are anxious for nothing, when in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we make our requests known to God. In other words, if you want peace, you don't get it by not praying. You don't get it by rushing through life, not hearing from God, and not slowing down enough to contemplate what He is doing. You get that peace that you can take with you into your daily life and hold firmly to not matter what happens in the ups and downs of life by being in communication with the God of the universe. And that requires us to be still and know, to slow down, to get quiet, and to live this contemplative life.”“This contemplative life deepens your relationship and intimacy with God. Your relationship is strengthened which then helps to fortify you against spiritual warfare.”“The contemplative life serves as an example to the watching world of the different pace that is possible for followers of God. The peace-filled pace, the pace that calms the spirit, that does bring peace, that slows us down, that quiets our minds, that ceases the overwhelm.”“I have 12 reflection questions for you to contemplate today. The first one is: ‘What am I carrying this Advent that is weighing heavily on my heart?'” Get full access to Beyond the Boxes at rebekahhargraves.substack.com/subscribe

Jill Atogwe is a wife, mom of 4, writer, and author of a brand new children's book, “Left Out: Believing My Story is for God's Glory”. She is passionate about encouraging others with the truth of the goodness and wisdom of God's plan - even when it doesn't look like we want it to. Our prayer is that you would come away from this episode deeply encouraged and better equipped to walk the path of your own unique and challenging life story.What We Chat About on This Episode:~Jill's new children's book, Left Out, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect~The things we feel like God left out when He made us and how that part of our story is for our good and His glory~The reality that this book is for our hearts as adults just as much as it is for kids; how its message ministered to my own heart personally on a difficult path I am walking myself ~How Jill has come to discover for herself that what God left out is part of her story, for her good, and God's glory; how she has helped her kids understand this truth for themselves~How Jill has helped her kids to embrace their own uniqueness and differences~Jill's advice for parents who want to know how to foster a positive self-image and confidence in their kids ~Teaching kids to be noticers ~Getting our kids to think for themselves ~Helping parents to understand how they can address more sensitive topics with their kids in a way that is inclusive and respectful ~Training our kids to be both curious and kind~How to help kids who are dealing with anxiety; Jill's own experience with OCD~The power of memorizing Scripture with our kids~Choosing our kids and their wellbeing, even when it's hard and exhausting~Understanding that if God left something out of our story, that thing He left out would not have been good for us (even if it's something we really wanted!)~Delighting in the Lord and not in what we think we want ~Being encouraged during hard times of trial by heroes of the faith ~What Jill has learned from hard trials she has gone through and trials she has watched loved ones experience ~Comforting others with the comfort we have received ~The good that comes from trials ~Learning alongside our kids ~And more!Inspiring Quotes to Remember:“The things we feel were left out when God made us are the things that can make us feel left out as we grow. And the heart of the book is that what God left out is part of our story - it's all for our good and all for His glory.”“It's a blessing for us to be different, not just us set apart singularly, but for all of us from one another, that God is so creative that He made so many different things happen to serve a purpose. It would be so boring if we were all exactly alike.”“When stuck in fear and anxiety, it can be so helpful to expose our children to the Word daily, to have special hymns to go through together that are comforting, and to read stories of a real God who created us in a special way and did not make any mistakes. This is how we help our kids and ourselves to learn to trust Him.” “We can look back on our life and see big capital T Trials and moments of deep struggle and see how God transformed us through them and used those moments for His glory. So when I'm in the thick of it, that is what I look to. I also look to heroes of the faith and to people in the Word like Paul and David. I look to people who have gone before me and am encouraged and comforted by their examples.”“This won't be forever. The brokenness of this world and the brokenness of our bodies is not forever. But while we are here, we need to be honest with our friends and loved ones so we can all walk in this together and be lifted up by those around us, trusting that the Lord will comfort us in our time of need so that we can comfort others.” “Psalm 119:17 stands out to me, where the Psalmist says it is good for him to be afflicted so that he might learn God's decrees. He goes on to say that the law from God's mouth is more precious to him than a thousand pieces of silver and gold. I can always look back and see (though I can almost never think it in the moment when it's so painful) that it was good that I had to walk down hard paths. Hindsight is a gift.”“It's difficult to train our kids in something that we're battling ourselves. Sometimes we can feel hypocritical and end up avoiding things like that with them. Or maybe we feel it is tender to train our kids in a subject that we are struggling with. But I would encourage parents to lean into it. We can learn things right alongside our children. We don't have to have things perfected in our minds in order to train our children up in the way they should go.”Resources Mentioned:Left Out: Believing My Story is for God's GloryBearTown by Fredrick BackmanAnxious People by Fredrick BackmanA Man Called Ove by Fredrick BackmanWhere You Can Find Jill:Substack: The Gold StandardInstagram: @jillatogwe Get full access to Beyond the Boxes at rebekahhargraves.substack.com/subscribe

This week on the show I am re-releasing a previously-recorded episode on cultivating a Spirit-led holiday season. I hope it is an encouragement to your heart this week!What I Cover on this Episode:~How to go from the holiday season being a stressful, hurried time to one of peace as you are led by the Spirit and walking in step with Him~Listening to God rather than man this holiday season~Prayer as the first step in walking by the Spirit ~God's desire to be our help this Christmas~The importance of considering only the glory of God, the unique needs and desires of your own family, and the good of others in your community whom you could minister to this season when deciding what to plan for your holidays this year~Getting in the Word as the second step in walking by the Spirit~Reading the Word and being in prayer as being the only surefire ways we can go about assessing our true priorities and responsibilities this season~Reading the OT Messianic prophecies as a great way to grow our Christmas spirit this season~Priotizing what makes Christmas special for our own unique families and letting everything else go~The importance of staying in our own lane this Christmas ~What our mission this Christmas is - and what it isn't~7 steps for walking by the Spirit in the midst of family disagreements during holiday get-togethers ~The importance of being teachable and the power of humility, love, and kindness when seeking to win hearts to Christ Beyond the Boxes is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Quotes to Remember:“So many of us are used to the holiday season being a time of stress, extreme busyness, and overwhelm. We wonder how any other option would be possible. How would we put an end to the stress and overwhelm of the season? The answer comes neither through just getting a good planner or simply not filling December's calendar with anything at all. There is only one sure-fire way to reach this goal, and that is by listening to the Lord rather than man during the holiday season.”“The first step in cultivating a Spirit-led holiday season is taking time for prayer. Instead of scouring Pinterest for the best Christmas ideas or seeking the advice of Google's experts on how to have a peaceful season, there is truly one answer to the restlessness faced by many of us this time of year: to walk by the Spirit, communing with the Lord in prayer and listening for His answers.”“The truth is that our loving, compassionate Father God is intimately intimately involved in our daily lives, even down to the most minute of details, and He wants to be our help today and everyday. So as we are in the busiest time of the year, we can get our holiday season off to a great start by seeking the Lord's wisdom and direction for the weeks ahead.”“Only consider the glory of God, the unique needs and desires of your own family, and the good of others in your community whom you could minister to this season when deciding what to plan for your holidays this year. In other words, do not worry about impressing others, stuffing the calendar, scouring Pinterest tirelessly, or trying to top everyone else's Christmas plans. Instead, walk by the Spirit.”“The second step is to get in the Word. I'm not talking about devotional books or Bible studies. Those are great, and they do serve a purpose. But we have more important business to attend to first - and that is that we need to dig our noses deep into the actual Word of God itself. Reading the Word and being in prayer are the only surefire ways we can go about assessing our true priorities and responsibilities this season.”Thanks for reading Beyond the Boxes! This post is public so feel free to share it.“Reminding yourself of the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament is a great way to grow your Christmas spirit this season. Discover the hope, joy, peace, and love that are brought to us by the long-awaited fulfillment of those prophecies. Read of Elizabeth's joy, Mary's praise, the shepherds' amazement, the wise mens' gifts. Think on the actual reason for the beautiful Christmas holiday. Doing so can go a long way towards being able to exchange a hurried and harried, overly busy, stressed out, overwhelming holiday season for a more restful, joyful, peaceful, purposeful, and Spirit-filled one.”“To cut down on the stress and overwhelm and yet still cultivate a truly meaningful Christmas, ask your family what events or practices mean the most to them. If you prioritize those things and let everything else go, your holiday will become both more peaceful and more special.”“Stay in your own lane. God never once called us to be cookie-cutter versions of one another. And He doesn't want us to run ourselves ragged attempting to imitate each other. He has only ever called us to imitate Him. So, it doesn't matter what other women are doing this Christmas. Do what He has called you to do.”“Our mission this Christmas is not to impress our neighbors or do all the things. It is to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, to commemorate and remember the incarnation of Christ and the implications of that incarnation, and to love our families and others around us really well. In doing so, we point them to Christ - and that is what this season is all about.”“If you want to be a breath of fresh air this holiday season, if you want to truly walk by the Spirit when dealing with extended family members with whom you disagree, you are going to have to purpose to be - by God's strength - slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to become angry.”“Snark and sarcasm are not fruits of the Spirit. It is love, humility, and kindness that change hearts and inspire repentance.”Beyond the Boxes is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Beyond the Boxes at rebekahhargraves.substack.com/subscribe

*One little housekeeping note: GarageBand, the platform we use to bring together the intro, interview file, and outro to produce each episode, was not allowing me to import this week's interview file for some reason. So, unfortunately, all I could do was upload the interview itself here to Substack, without an official intro or outro like we usually have. But you're really just here to hear from our guest today, anyway, so hopefully that'll be ok. I appreciate your understanding and am praying GarageBand works for me next time!Chelsey DeMatteis is a wife, mom of two, podcast host, and author of two books, most recently the new Advent devotional, “A Thrill of Hope”. She is passionate about writing and speaking about Jesus and His life-changing truths. Today she comes on the show to share more about her Advent devotional and to encourage us with a message of the hope and light that are to be found in Christ.What We Chat About on This Episode:~Chelsey's new devotional book, A Thrill of Hope, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect~How the book is set up~Living with the hope of heaven in the midst of life's darkest and hardest seasons~Jesus as our living Hope~The metanarrative of Scripture and pictures of Christ that we see in the OT; why those are so important to see~The redemption power of God to take the hard seasons of loss and transform them into something beauty can come from~The light of Jesus and how it ministers to our hearts in life's darkest moments~The power of hope and holding onto it even when it's hard~Remembering the truths of Advent all year long~The plague of darkness in Exodus and how God continued to give His people light in that time; what that means for us today~How Jesus shows up for each of us in unique ways that mean something special to each of us~A particular day of the devotional that is extra special to Chelsey~Advent as a season of invitation to go deeper with Jesus and to share Him with others~Being the hands and feet of Jesus this season~What Chelsey's hope for this Advent book is~The burden of chasing the ‘perfect' aesthetic this Advent and making the choice instead to chase after Christ, where true worth, peace, and joy are found~And more!Inspiring Quotes to Remember:“Hope, as a believer, is an action. It is literally Jesus in action in my life. Not necessarily me going and doing for the Lord, but the Lord breathing life into me as I place my hope in Him. He is my hope.”“Whatever it is we are going through, it is always His light that will be able to pull us through. If we do not bury our heads and instead look for His light, we will see such beauty He is bringing in the midst of the hard.”“Hope it what gets us out of bed when things are terrible.”“We need the beautiful, life-giving, joy-filled truths of Advent all year long.”“While Egypt was under the plague of darkness for three days, God continued to give His people light. He led them by light, sustained them in light to foreshadow what Christ would come to do years later.”“Even when we feel like we are in captivity, the Lord's light is still over my life and literally inside me - I can carry that light with me wherever I go.”“If we just hunker down in Luke 2 during the Advent season and instead trace the light of God from the very beginning all the way to what is coming at the end, it is amazing to see how God shows up through His light and leading people that way. Seeing the big picture perspective during Advent makes it so much more powerful.”“Jesus shows up in our lives in unique ways that mean something special to us individually.”“Advent is not only an invitation for us to go deeper ourselves with the Lord, but also an invitation to notice others, pray for them and love them well, and be the hands and feet of Jesus to them, inviting the light to piece the darkness in their lives. The season of Advent is perfect for that.. It is a season of invitation to go deeper with Jesus and to share Jesus with others.”“Hope has come. Invite people to know that.”“There is no better news to share with others. If we are ready and willing, with our hands open, to deliver a meal, to listen, to pray for someone, to love them tangibly, then we can share the light of Christ with them this Advent.”“Stop chasing the ‘perfect' aesthetic this Advent. Chase after the Reason for Advent instead. Feel that burden fall off and find your worth and hope in the Lord. A deeper joy and real peace are found there.”“It's ok to love beauty this Advent. But don't love it more than Who we're celebrating.”Resources Mentioned:A Thrill of HopeMore of Him, Less of MeThe Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life by Mike MathenyFruitful: Cultivating a Spiritual Harvest That Won't Leave You Empty Love Lives Here: Finding What You Need in a World Telling You What You Want by Maria GoffEverybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob GoffThe Dream Giver by Bruce WilkersonWhere You Can Find Chelsey:Website: Chelsey DeMatteisInstagram: @chelseydematteis Get full access to Beyond the Boxes at rebekahhargraves.substack.com/subscribe

I am delighted to be joining you on the show for the first solo-podcast episode in ages! Today we will be covering the important and timely topic of what a thoroughly and truly Christian response looks like to the election results of last week. May you come away from this episode edified and encouraged for the days ahead! What I Cover on this Episode:~The responses to the election results I'm seeing from various Christians online and what a truly, thoroughly Christian response would actually look like~Understanding that in order for a response to be truly and inherently Christian, it has to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit~A study of the fruits of the Spirit and how they each individually apply to the concept of the election and how we respond to it~The divisive culture we are living in and the reality that if we as believers are called to be salt and light, it is actually our job alone to fix the divisiveness and to bring peace~What Paul shows us is the key to living the victorious Christian life and living out the fruits of the Spirit~What walking by the Spirit means and what it looks like~And More!Beyond the Boxes is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Resources Mentioned:My SubstackPrevious podcast episode on what it means/what it looks like to walk by the SpiritThe book I co-authored on walking by the Spirit Quotes to Remember:“I'm seeing a lot of responses by Christians to the election results that are not Christian in nature, responses that are beneath us, responses that do not look like our Savior Whose image we are to bare, the Jesus Whose ambassadors we are to be. So we are going to talk today about what a truly Christian response to the election results actually looks like and do so in a way that takes us through the fruits of the Spirit.”“To have a truly Christian response to the election results, to politics, to the next four years, our response has to be characterized by the fruits of the Spirit. It has to come not from a partisan perspective, but from a truly Biblical, Christ-focused, Jesus-centered, Spirit-led perspective.”“It is no mistake that the first fruit listed is love. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that of faith, hope, and love, love is the most important. Paul goes on to tell us in Colossians that love is the foundational attribute we must put on. John tells us God is love. The other fruits and characteristics are important, but love is the one that is foundational to all the others. It is of paramount importance.”“For us to have a thoroughly Christian response to the election results, we must be known for loving others really, really well. Not known for our pride and gloating if we are on the side of who won, not by disdain for the winner and his supporters if we are on the side of who lost, but by a deep-seated, core-level, sincere love for all. A Christian response to the election results is that we would love one another well - Jesus said it is by our love that others would know we are His disciples - not by our politics, not by our intelligence, not by ability to win debates, not by what side of the aisle we're on. No. We are to be known by our love. If we are not known by our love for those on all sides of the aisle, then we are doing the cause of Christ and our witness for the kingdom a grave disservice.”Thanks for reading Beyond the Boxes! This post is public so feel free to share it.“The next fruit of the Spirit is joy. There are many in this country who are not feeling joy over this year's election results. They are not joyful over what the next four years will hold. So if you are a believer on that side of the aisle, it can feel incredibly hard to have joy right now in light of the results of the election. But as I read this fruit of the Spirit, I thought of the Proverbs 31 woman who is able to look with joy to the future, who is able to look to whatever is coming with a peaceful smile on her countenance, with the rest and peace and comfort that come from knowing that God is on the throne no matter who is leading humanly-speaking.””Whatever your voting choice was, whether your candidate won this week or lost or you voted third party or didn't vote at all, if you are a Christian, you are to have such a deep and abiding knowledge of God and of His character, His kindness, His love, His care, His compassion, and His sovereignty that you are able to look to the future with joy.”“This is not to say there is no room at all for grieving to be done or for feeling disappointment or fear or any of the million and one feelings you could feel over who won and what the next four years will look like. If you didn't vote for who won, all of those feelings are understandable. The Lord does not want us to stuff our feelings but rather bring them to Him and process them with Him. But at the end of the day, if we are believers, we should be able to look with joy to the future because of Who holds the future. The same goes if your candidate won last week. It is ok to feel all the joy and excitement over our candidate of choice winning. But, ultimately, we need to come back to the center of understanding that our hope is not in politics, but in Christ, that He is on the throne regardless of what earthly leaders He allows to be raised up, and that because we can trust in Him, we are able to have joy when we look to the future.”“We need to be known by the watching world as people who actually act as if we have hope and trust (which then leads to joy no matter where we are). If we are professing believers trying to tell the world that Christ is our Savior, our hope is in Him, and He is trustworthy, then we need to be able to share with the watching world a picture of joy and of peace in this time. That needs to be our reputation. Otherwise, do we trust God? Do we have hope at all? If we can trust God with our eternity, then we need to trust Him with our right now, because He holds it all, has a plan, and brings everything together for the good of those who love Him.”“It's ok to feel our feelings. But if we are struggling with the results of the election, we need to be able to do enough wrestling with the Lord that we are able to come back around to a place of peace because God holds it all.”“The next fruit is patience, which I think will be an incredibly valuable one over the next four years. It goes along with love and also goes along with the next fruit we'll be looking at, kindness. We are to be known for our love, patience, and kindness. So often when we are interacting with someone who votes differently than we do, thinks differently than we do, has a different political or theological stance than we do, we want do debate, belittle, put down, win the argument at all costs, and gloat when we do. But I want to issue the Church a clarion call to patience and kindness in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, to have our list of priorities rightly ordered to where we do not put our politics above our theology and our call to love, but instead be able to sit down with each other and interact with patience, compassion, and empathy, being slow to speak and quick to listen and having concern for others' concerns.”“Paul unequivocally tells us that we are not to look merely to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. What that looks like is being concerned about what other people are concerned about whether or not you agree with the concern even being a concern. We can get to that, but the first step is sitting down with somebody as Jesus did with people from all different backgrounds and willingly listening to where they are coming from, being curious about why they have the stances they do. People who think and vote differently than we do have well thought out reasons for why they do so (just as we do with our stances), so if we can begin to extend patience and kindness to others and desire to get to know where they are coming from, that will go so much further than our desire to gloat or exhibit pride or arrogance because our candidate won. Trying to shut down the other side because ‘they are wrong', ‘we are right', and ‘they need to hear us' bears no good fruit.”“Paul tells us in Romans 2 that it is God's kindness that leads to our repentance. So even if someone is actually wrong in their political stance where maybe we actually are right, we are going to get nowhere by being unkind. So a Christian response to the election results and to what will happen over the next four years is to extend kindness and compassion to those who voted differently than we did. That is the only way we are going to begin to fix the divisive culture we live in that we are all - no matter what side of the isle we are on-complaining about.”“If we as believers are called - if it is our mission alone, not given to anyone else - to be the salt and light of the world, then we have to be the ones to go first in a divisive culture to seek to bring harmony and unity where possible, to bring peace and reconciliation as the hands and feet of Christ. It is no one else's responsibility or call but our own. We cannot expect anyone else to do this work; it is our duty. Where we see a divisive culture, a divisive church, whatever it is, it is our call and mission to go first. We are the ones sent forth into that divisiveness to shine the light and love of Jesus into it. That is our mission.”“Far be it from us to be the ones who are actually making things worse. Far be it from us to have our priorities so skewed as to make things worse when it is our job to make things better by the grace of God and through His Spirit.”“Faithfulness is the next fruit of the Spirit and is yet another example of how applicable these fruits are to the election results and how we respond to them. With the results we have been given, I would issue forth to my brothers and sisters in Christ the message that we need to be known for our faithfulness - our being full of faith. May we be full of faith. May we look forward to the future with hope and trust and peace and rest as we look to the future with a smile on our countenance, not because of who is or is not in the White House, but because the good, wise, compassionate God of the Bible is the One still on the throne.”“The fruit of the Spirit of goodness reminds us that we are to be characterized by all that is good, true, and beautiful, with our minds set on the kinds of thoughts Paul outlines for us in Philippians 4:8.  We are to be known for our goodness. Not a holier-than-thou type of ‘goodness', but a goodness characterized by purity, child-like innocence, humility, peace, and kindness that are above reproach.”“Gentleness is the next fruit of the Spirit to look at, and we are called to be people of gentleness. In fact, James tells us that the wisdom that is from above, true godly wisdom, is first peaceful and gentle. It is the wisdom from down under that is arrogant, prideful, gloating, and divisive. We are instead called to be gentle. There is a misconception in the church today that often says that if you are kind, gentle, and loving, that you are at risk of falling down a slippery slope somewhere into sinful living or unorthodox  principles. But that is not what Scripture says. The principles we are to be known for are literally the fruits of the Spirit. If at any point we have the audacity to, in essence, say that the fruits of the Spirit are not what we are to be focused on, there is a problem. These fruits are literally the characteristics of the Spirit of God and are to be what He cultivates in us.”“Gentleness is not weakness. It is not a mamby-pamby ‘anything goes'  lack of standards. But your standards as a Christian must be surrounded, undergirded, covered with gentleness, with love, with these things that Paul says are the most important. So as we interact with people who voted differently than we did, with people on the side of the next administration, with those on the opposite side, and with everyone in between, we must be known for our gentleness. A Christian response to the election results is to treat others with gentleness.”“The last fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Paul lists this one last and shows us that this is the one that we must have in order to have all the others because we must fight against our flesh in order to walk out the fruits of the Spirit.”Beyond the Boxes is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Beyond the Boxes at rebekahhargraves.substack.com/subscribe

Sally Clarkson is a wife, mom of four adult children, grandmother, bestselling author, speaker, and podcaster whose passion is to disciple and encourage women in their great task of passing on a kingdom-impacting legacy.Beyond the Boxes is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.What We Chat about on this Episode:~Sally's newest book, Well Lived: Shaping a Legacy of Gratitude and Grace, what led to her writing it, and what readers can expect~Foundations to build our lives upon so that we might flourish and live a life of legacy~How life in the small town of Oxford inspired Sally to live life at a slower pace and according to her true priorities~How important it is to take time to cultivate your own soul and take care of yourself~The importance of our day-to-day tasks; understanding that it is in the small moments when the big, soul-shaping things are actually happening~The sobering reality that half of Americans polled say they are not thriving; what we can do about this problem in our own lives~Recognizing what some of the day-to-day causes are of our lack of thriving~The importance of community~The shaping power and influence of good books~The importance of gathering ideas and insights from wise women who can speak into our lives the wisdom we need~Understanding that your life does not have to look like someone else's but can be lived in accordance with your own personality and interests~The essential practice of focusing on what truly matters~The temptations and distractions that keep us from living the kind of legacy we say we want to live~How hardships can actually lead to growth and contentment~Understanding that growth is a life-long process~What it means to live wholeheartedly~How to inspire our children to listen to our messages to them~And more!Thanks for reading Beyond the Boxes! This post is public so feel free to share it.Resources Mentioned:Well-LivedAwaking Wonder: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of LearningThe LifeGiving Table: Nurturing Faith Through Feasting, One Meal at a TimeThe Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of WWII by Madeline MartinElizabeth Gouge's booksInspiring Quotes to Remember:“There are certain foundations to build your life upon in order to live a life of legacy.”“There are so many things in this life which deplete us - whether it is our day-to-day tasks or what we are hearing on the news - that it is so important to take time to cultivate your own soul and take care of yourself.”“What you do every single day does truly matter and as you are repetitively faithful to perform those tasks, you build strength, muscle, and fortitude.”“It is in the small moments when the big things are happening. Small moments of faithfulness are the times when our strength and legacy are being built and where souls are being shaped for eternity.”“We were made for community and to do life together. Many people today feel isolated, unseen, and unheard. It is so important to prioritize friendship.”“Different political views should never separate friendships.”“Wise women copy wise women.”“You get to write a legacy that is different from everyone else. You get to live a unique life and do not have to pattern your legacy after someone else's. God has given you  a unique personality and capacity.”“Focusing on what really matters is essential. If your pace of life is exhausting you, it is exhausting your children, too.”“The more you walk with God, the more you will be able to walk well with God. The more you choose to pray, read Scripture, and walk with Him, the more you will grow strong and equipped.”“Love deeply, live boldly, rest well. Live with your whole heart.”“Every life can be a thing of purpose, beauty, and goodness when we realize that each moment is held by God, and He is with us in it all.”Beyond the Boxes is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Beyond the Boxes at rebekahhargraves.substack.com/subscribe

Jen Crowder is a wife, mom of 4, physical therapist, and founder of the ministry She is Emboldened. She has a heart for both the body of Christ and the lost. To that end, she comes on the show today with the desire to encourage and equip believers to truly be the hands and feet of Christ towards the LGBTQIA+ community.   What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~What has led to Jen's passion for today's topic ~Understanding that our mishandling of how we talk about and interact with the LGBTQUIA+ community is less about that community itself and more about how we tend to approach nonbelievers in general; the difference between how we address a fellow believer in Christ who is participating in that lifestyle and how we should address an unbeliever who is ~The truth that the most effective way to minister to that community is not to shout at them about their sin and that the Lord does not identify them by their sin ~Believing and presenting the fact that God's design for us is good ~Cultivating in Christians a love for those in the LGBTQIA+ community and love for the lost in general; understanding that we must come from a starting point of loving others and God's love for them as we present first the gospel and them go from there ~Following the example of the early church in the midst of the sinful Roman Empire ~What it looks like practically to still uphold the historical, biblical sexual ethic while also loving and respecting people in the LGBTQIA+ community ~The problems of pride and a lack of proximity and how both negatively affect the Church's witness in this area ~Stewarding the good gift of the gospel well ~The importance of relationship when it comes to discipleship ~What Jen learned from a conversation she had with someone in the LGBTQIA+ community ~Resources Jen recommends for further study on this topic ~The importance of getting out of our little Christian bubbles and out into the world, loving others well as the hands and feet of Christ ~Studying and following how Jesus interacted with unbelievers; understanding the reality that if Jesus treated unbelievers the same way as many professing believers do today, that the Pharisees never would have gotten angry with Him in the first place ~The importance of what ambassadors actually do ~And more!   For full podcast show notes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's re-release of a previous solo show, we are tackling the topic of how to raise your littles in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. My prayer is that you'll come away from this episode feeling equipped and encouraged, knowing that raising your littles in this way does not have to be complicated. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Ephesians 6:4 and what is interesting about the word "nurture" coming before the word "admonition" ~The crucial foundation of nurture and why our training of our children in theology and right living must first come from a place of humility, tenderness, care, patience, gentleness, slowness, and nurture ~What we can learn from bamboo about the importance of having a strong foundation and why it is ok when our training takes a while ~The negative impact that raising children up legalistically, overly strictly, or in a domineering way can have on children ~How raising our children up in the tender nurture of the Lord gives them a more accurate picture of who their Heavenly Father is ~How failing to raise your children first in the nurture of the Lord can lead to your provoking them to wrath ~What raising our children up in the admonition of the Lord can look like practically on an everyday basis (as we're shown in Deuteronomy 6:6-7) ~Why the theological training of our children need not be complicated and instead can and should be simple - thereby showing them how applicable, relevant, and practical God's Word is to every aspect of our everyday lives ~The importance of refusing to overly shelter our children but to instead prepare them well for real life in age appropriate ways ~Why we want to raise our children not to be mere yes-men, but to instead be able to think for themselves, be critical thinkers, and interpret God's Word for themselves, applying it to every situation in life ~Equipping our children to have a faith of their own rather than piggy backing off ours, so that when we are one day not here, they will still be able to stand firm ~Practical books, media, practices, and other resources to aid you in your parenting and raising your children in the admonition of the Lord ~The power and importance of having lots of gospel conversations with your kids (and examples of some of the types of conversations we regularly have in our home) ~And more!   For full show notes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Terry Crist is a husband, father, pastor, and the author of the new book, “Loving Samaritans: Radical Kindness in an Us vs. Them World“. He has a heart for inspiring people to follow Jesus and love others well, and that comes through really well in our conversation today.   What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Terry's new book, what led him to write it, and what readers can expect ~How a love for the church does not negate our passion to call the church up to be her best - that that is actually an important part of loving the church well ~Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 and what we can glean from it ~How Jesus' whimsical, loving, gracious interaction with the woman at the well enabled Him to touch on the tricky topics of sexuality, religion, politics, power, cultural identity, and more in a way that caused her to open up to Him in conversation; how this is a model for us for cultural engagement ~The folly of making assumptions about people as opposed to asking them questions and getting to know them and why they do what they do; getting to know them as individual persons as opposed to groups; the wrong decisions we make when we fail to do this ~Jesus' model for us that all people are worthy of love and respect, time and attention, of being heard, and of hearing truth without insult ~Asking the question of who the samaritans are in our world and what we may have gotten wrong about them ~Divisiveness now being viewed as a virtue in our day; what our call is instead - to love people on both ends of the ideological spectrum ~Fear and the Pharisaical problem of a “fragile righteousness” and how it can lead to the dangerous desire of eradicating the “other”; understanding that our righteousness is not our own but rather the gift of Jesus' own righteousness and will not be tarnished when we go into the world as He has called us to ~Asking “Where does the Spirit want me to go today?” as a way to model the way and ministry of Jesus; walking through your day with your heart and eyes wide open to where Jesus is already at work and joining Him there instead of thinking it's all on us ~Going from religious, dogmatic strangers to compassionate, understanding neighbors and why this change is so important ~Being in it for the long game and understanding that people are worthy of love and affection even if they never come to Christ ~The importance of having both biblical orthodoxy (truth) and biblical orthopraxy (how we're living out that truth) ~What Pastor Terry would say to those who are afraid that their children will become corrupted by the culture ~The power of the ministry of “withness” ~The problem with being a culture warrior and how it keeps us from from being kingdom ambassadors sent on a mission with a message of peace ~Daniel as a model for cultural engagement ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

As we find ourselves in the middle of yet another election year, I felt it to be the right time to re-visit a podcast episode I first recorded and released 4 years ago during our last presidential election year.  Today we will be addressing again the topic of the most important thing for Christians to remember this election year.  I pray this episode will prove to be helpful and encouraging to you. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~A post ("The Most Important Thing for Christians to Remember This Election Year") I wrote back in 2016 during the last presidential election ~What our name-calling, personal attacks, hand-wringing, and political anxiety reveal about our hearts and the true condition of our faith ~The emphasis we as believers are too often placing on debate over love; how this is very different from the call we are given in the Word ~A survey of Scripture to see what our ultimate call is and what the most important thing is for us to remember and live out this election year ~How our love for America is crowding out the most important thing - love for God and love for others  ~The reality that our ultimate goal is not first and foremost to 'save America', but to fulfill the Great Commission; that our ultimate goal is not to make patriotic Americans, but to make disciples of Christ ~The way our lambasting our fellow believers in Christ over political differences is hindering our witness and our ability to live out the Great Commission ~It being love - and not being our political viewpoints-  that proves we are Christ's disciples ~How Paul tells us that truth without love is worthless ~The sobering, convicting words spoken by Christ to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation and what His message to them says to us today ~How grace and truth, mercy and truth, love and truth, are always paired together in the Scriptures when describing the character of God - it is never one without the other - and neither should it be with us ~The importance of being slow to speak and quick to listen, seeking to understand where the other person is coming from ~The impossibility of our wrath, anger, and hatred ever producing the righteousness of Christ in the lives of others ~The politicide going around today emulated by a Twitter thread hoping for destruction to come to Trump voters; the importance of asking ourselves as conservative Christians if we are guilty of the same thing towards Biden voters ~And more! Head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast for full shownotes.

Kristen Lavalley is a wife, mom of 5, writer, and author of the brand new book, Even if He Doesn't: What We Believe about God When Life Doesn't Make Sense. She is passionate about helping people who have been harmed by the church or walked through pain that has left them reeling and with theological questions. Our prayer is that you will come away from this episode feeling seen, understood, loved, and helped in whatever you may be walking through.     What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Kristen's new book, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~The importance of engaging honestly with your pain and your beliefs and how doing so can actually save your faith - as it did Kristen's ~Understanding that questions and doubts can actually be invitations to know God better, not automatically a scary thing that will result in you losing your faith ~The concept of the slippery slope and why it should be our aim to help those who find themselves there ~Kristen's own experience in being able to see the goodness of God in some of life's hardest moments ~The importance of being teachable and allowing God to re-define your beliefs and viewpoints according to what actually is true about Him ~The importance of practicing the presence of God and how impactful this is in the hardest of times ~Defining God's goodness as He defines it, and not according to how we think goodness looks or is defined ~Coming to the place of being able to learn what God is really like, not just how we want Him to be ~Understanding that it is a mercy when God allows our hard circumstances to refine how we view Him and enable us to get to know Him better ~The problem with having a transactional view of God ~Faith over formula ~Realizing that it is a theological red flag when you are constantly being surprised by the goodness of God to you ~Understanding God's Word emphasizes His love - not His wrath!- for His kids; the importance of knowing that it is His *kindness* that leads to our repentance ~The truth that there is comfort at the feet of Jesus, even if there aren't always answers ~How to love and serve well those who are suffering ~Knowing that you are safe in the love of God ~And more!   For full show notes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast 

During this Valentines week of love, we are journeying back to the podcast archives and addressing the topic of love, the importance Scripture places on it, and how God's Word defines it. I hope you will walk away from this chat feeling well equipped to better understand and live out love in a culture and time that is very confused. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~The topic of love, and why it is such an important topic for believers, especially, to grasp ~The importance of understanding the Bible's definition of love ~The extremes that are on both sides of the spectrum and seen in the church and culture at large: 1) the idea that as long as you speak truth, you are ok and it doesn't matter how you present it because that is the most loving thing you can do and 2) the idea that love means you approve of and accept everything anyone does; why these are both wrong and unbiblical ~The primary call of a Christian - to love; why it is important to understand this and how we are falling down on our job ~Love as the supreme thing ~Paul's definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 ~How Paul's clear definition of love makes it clear that your presentation DOES matter, your motive DOES matter, and just "speaking truth" is not enough ~How Paul's clear definition of love makes it clear that loving someone does not mean you approve of and accept everything they do ~Paul's emphasis in Ephesians 4 on speaking the truth in *love* ~The importance of others being able to tangibly feel our love for them - even if and when we disagree ~A deep dive into Ephesians 4, 1 John 3, 1 John 4, John 13, and 1 Corinthians 13 ~Love and boundaries ~The sobering reality that if we do not love others, the love of God is not in us, either ~Our call to love everyone, with no exceptions ~And more!

Elizabeth Urbanowicz is the  founder of Foundation Worldview, where her passion is on display for creating resources to equip parents to be able to help their kids carefully evaluate all the ideas that are regularly coming at them so that they can understand and enjoy the goodness and beauty of biblical truth. Our prayer is that you would come away from this episode inspired and equipped to raise your kids in a biblical worldview and with love for others.   What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~How Elizabeth first put this passion to work with the children she was teaching at her school ~The importance of equipping our kids to be critical thinkers and to be able to evaluate, on their own, what they are hearing on a daily basis ~The importance of not underestimating just how much our children truly can understand, even at young ages; what to do and how to start equipping your children on these worldview topics ~How Foundation Worldview came about ~How the resources are set up and how parents can implement them at home either as a part of their homeschool or in a supplemental way to their child's education elsewhere ~Equipping our kids to know whether someone is sharing something that is objectively true vs. something that is just their own personal preferences or feelings ~Equipping and inspiring our kids to have time in the Word on their own (and to want to, as opposed to it just being a box to check!); the importance of teaching our kids the importance of context in Scripture ~How to raise your kids with a strong, biblical worldview in a crazy time like this without losing hope or feeling overwhelmed ~Understanding what full discipleship actually is ~The importance of prioritizing your relationship with your children; the impact that this has on their worldview ~The importance of knowing how your children give and receive love and how knowing that impacts our ability to grow in relationship with our kids ~Addressing our kids' presentation of truth and raising them with the importance of speaking the truth in *love* ~Training our kids in the importance of listening well and asking good questions ~Clarifying our purpose, priorities, and goals in each season of parenting ~And more! Head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Rebekah Hargraves is the host of the Home and Hearth Podcast and on today's solo show she is covering the topic of "Bible Study 101".  Though this is a re-release of an episode originally recorded three years ago, it seems timely again as we are feeling fearful in these times and needing to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and our ability to study it. May you come away from this episode feeling encouraged and equipped in your ability to study, understand, and interpret the Bible for yourself. What She Chats about in Today's Episode: ~*How* to study the Bible, and then moving on into *when* to study the Bible (help for the busy woman who finds it hard to make time for the Word) ~5 Bible Study tips for beginners: *Pick a user-friendly Bible translation *Choose a Reading Plan for where to begin (see my Bible Reading Plan article below, however, for some necessary caveats to this!) *Find a good Bible study or Bible study method *Learn to reflect on what you are reading *Take advantage of the many free study resources at your disposal ~Different Bible translations, and what the differences are between word-for-word translations and thought-for-thought (or dynamic equivalent) translations ~The Bible translation I personally would recommend that is an "optimal equivalence" translation ~What the Holy Spirit has clearly called me, personally, to do in my personal Bible study time ~Free online resources and websites for Bible study ~Great books of the Bible to begin with if you are a new believer ~Bible study methods: *SOAP method Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer *Inductive Bible Study Method ~Great guided Bible study book recommendations ~Practical tips for how to be in the Word as a busy woman ~Meeting with God all throughout the day in relationship with Him, as opposed to relegating time with Him to a business meeting in the morning ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast 

Karrie Garcia is a wife, mom of 3, runs the organization Freedom Movement and is author of “Free and Fully Alive: Reclaiming the Story of Who You Were Created to Be". Her passion is to equip people to heal in their story and begin to step into their God-given calling by helping them be trauma-informed, Biblically-sound, and Spirit-filled. What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Karrie's new book, "Free and Fully Alive: Reclaiming the Story of Who You Were Created to Be", what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~The difference between what we humanly think of as freedom and what Biblical freedom actually is ~The power of God's presence in the midst of our pain ~The importance of going beyond just knowing right doctrine into actually knowing the heart of Jesus ~The importance and power of vulnerability ~The difference between “doing for” God and “being with” God ~Remembering that when we hide, God comes looking ~The importance of knowing and understanding who God created you to be ~The importance of rest and reflection ~Understanding that thriving comes from first acknowledging our pain before the Lord and inviting Him into it and believing that He can bring good from it ~Understanding that we cannot by-pass our pain, because our calling and purpose are able to be formed out of that pain ~Worldly grief vs. godly, biblical grief ~Realizing that repentance is actually our best friend ~The power of getting curious ~And more!   Head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast for full shownotes! 

On this week's solo podcast episode, I am re-releasing an episode where I took to the show to talk all about New Year's resolutions, goals, walking by the Spirit, and holding fast to the gospel in the midst of it all. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Why so many of our resolutions “fail” and why wrong theology is shooting us in the foot here ~The impact of the gospel on our guilt surrounding “failing” in our resolutions and goals ~The important first steps to take when drafting up your resolutions and goals for the year ~The importance of walking by the Spirit in the everyday moments of our lives, not even just in the big-picture times of planning for a whole year ~Our identity and why it does not come from what we accomplish ~Willingly changing course when God calls us to ~The importance of redeeming the time well – regardless of whether or not we have already “failed” in our resolutions ~Understanding that looking to yourself for the strength required to fulfill your resolutions is not enough ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Hannah Anderson is a wife, mom, and author of several books, most recently a children's book entitled “The World God Made”, based on Psalm 104. We hope you come away from this episode more in awe of God than before and feeling more equipped to share the wonders of God's creation and majesty with your children. What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Hannah's new children's book, The World God Made, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~The impact that the beauty of the natural world can have on us ~Inviting children out into the world to celebrate the world God made; acknowledging that that can sometimes be a scary thing to do with how wild nature is ~Hannah's vision and hope for this book and how it can inspire wonder and curiosity about creation in children ~Advice for parents for how to cultivate in our kids a sense of wonder and curiosity about creation and God's world ~The inherent wonder and enchantment of simple things; how being out in creation grows our imagination and sense of the wonder and majesty and bigness of our God ~Trusting the process rather than making the idea of cultivating in our children a love of nature and sense of wonder more complicated and overwhelming than it has to be ~Trusting our own wonder and how this can shape our children ~Stirring our imaginations to attune to what is around us and to be aware; the importance of slowing down and creating space to hear from God ~Attention as an important spiritual discipline ~Understanding that we can delight in and learn from nature in even the most urban of spaces; trusting God's sovereignty of Him placing us in the space we live in ~The importance of sharing spaces and taking advantage of community spaces in nature ~Advice for parents who feel intimidated and don't know how to take advantage of time in nature with their kids by engaging them in conversations about God ~Specific revelation vs. general revelation and why both are important ~How Hannah struck the balance in writing this book between creating a book that is engaging to young children while also keeping it faithful to the text of Psalm 104 ~Psalm 104 as an invitation to wonder and celebration ~Specific passages from Psalm 104 that became especially meaningful to Hannah as she wrote this book ~The comforting truth that God has not left creation itself but is still actively working in it and healing it ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are tackling the topic of Advent and, through a study of both Isaiah 9:6-7 as well as Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1, coming to understand the political nature of Advent. May this episode be enlightening and inspiring to you as we approach an election year and begin to prayerfully consider the way of the Kingdom in the political sphere. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Isaiah 9:6-7 and Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1 and how they reveal the very political nature of Advent ~The political implications of Advent and the upside down Kingdom of God it ushered in ~Understanding that the ways of the kingdom are antithetical to the ways of this world; the implications of this for our involvement in the political sphere ~The importance of understanding that if our goal is to just uphold a particular political party, we are doing politics wrong as Christians ~Walking by the Spirit in the political sphere ~Advent's emphasis on peace, justice, caring for the poor, and bringing down those in power; how this emphasis should frame and inform our political stances ~The fact that the same Hebrew word is translated in the OT as both justice and righteousness; why this is important ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Caroline Saunders is a pastor's wife, mom of 3, and author, most recently of the new children's books, The Story of Home and The Story of Water. She has a passion to equip and encourage parents to know how to raise their children with the truths of God's Word even in hard seasons. We pray you come away from this episode deeply encouraged and inspired. What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Caroline's two new children's books, The Story of Water and The Story of Home, what led her to write them, and what readers can expect ~Caroline's experience of now transitioning into writing children's books ~How stories in Scripture surrounding the topic of water point to the truth of Jesus being Living Water ~How Scripture points to Jesus being our Home ~The power of understanding the metanarrative nature of Scripture ~Understanding that even kids can do Biblical theology and think deeply about Scriptural truth ~How Caroline's books differ from other children's books currently on the market; how she went about helping kids to grasp complex concepts in these two books ~The importance of not just stopping at Jesus with kids, but moving on to discussing the Holy Spirit and the early church ~How the water stories in the Bible point to God's sovereignty ~Advice for parents who want to help their kids work through very challenging seasons but don't know how or where to start ~The problem of denial hard times and how the Word acknowledges the existence of hard and bad things in life ~The lie that tells us as moms that we always have to be perfectly ok and have it all together all the time for our kids ~How we can help our kids understand more complex Bible topics; the importance of loving God's Word ourselves as parents ~How to share with our kids about the love of God, especially in light of hard seasons in life ~The power of naming our sin to our children and helping our kids to understand how God deals with sin ~What Caroline hopes families take away from these books ~The power of being honest with the Lord about where we are ~What to do when you don't want to spend time in the Word ~And more!   For full podcast shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are tackling the topic of giving thanks in all things - what it means, what it doesn't mean, and why it is actually what is best for you - no matter what you are going through. I hope you will come away from this episode feeling encouraged and inspired this Thanksgiving week. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~1 Thessalonians 5:18 and what it does and does not mean ~The common misconception we make of thinking we are being called to give thanks *for* all things, and why it is important to understand we are actually called to give thanks *in* all things - how this is different and why that difference matters ~Understanding that our ability to give thanks in all things comes down to our knowing and believing the character of God ~Inspiring quotes on the topic of giving thanks from people in church history  ~My own experience of being able to give thanks in all things - even during my husband's deployment ~And more!   For full show notes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Herbie Newell is the President and Executive Director of LifeLine Children's Services, an organization that is an adoption, orphan care, and foster care ministry. His passion with this organization is to see the Church be equipped to manifest the gospel to orphans, vulnerable children, and vulnerable women. This ministry exists to see the Church carry out their God-given mission in the gospel of justice and caring for the widow and the orphan, the stranger, the alien, the ones in need. This mission has been given to the Church, and it is the Church that is to do this work. With November being National Adoption Month, our prayer is that you would come away from this episode with your heart stirred on this topic of adoption. What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Info about LifeLine Christian Services, the largest evangelical adoption agency in the country ~The gospel-motivation for the work going on at LifeLine ~How Herbie came to be the President of LifeLine, what led him to first become involved in this work, and what his daily work looks like; why he is passionate about this topic ~The importance of seeking the Spirit on what we personally are called to do in this area ~What being truly pro-life actually is - and how just demanding that there be a birth is not what all we are called to as the Church; the importance of us stepping up and helping these mamas and babies in need ~The importance of advocating for life inside as well as outside the womb ~The problem with being busy and becoming nearsighted, losing sight of what God is actually calling us to do with our days ~The purpose of our lives as believers as not being one of comfort and ease, but of mission ~The call to deny ourselves and pick up our cross so that we can serve others well ~What the state of adoption is in this country and around the world; the number of orphans currently in this world who need a home ~The increase in abortion that we are actually seeing post Roe v. Wade and the reality that conservative states were not even prepared for the overturning;  the work the church still has to do ~Laws, practices, etc. that are leading to this orphan crisis here and around the world; what we as believers can do about this crisis whether or not we adopt ourselves ~The infinite wisdom of God's design for the family and the world at large ~Herbie's insider analysis of where the defense of life movement is, what is coming down the pike, and what part adoption plays in all of this; adoption as a pro-life option ~Talking about abundant life and having a pro-woman stance as a pro-life advocate ~Ways in which the church is dropping the ball in these areas; what we can do to be the hands and feet of Christ; how to make a difference in these areas ~Understanding that having a pro-life stance does not begin at the political or federal level; it starts in your home, with your family, and in your community ~How people can become involved with LifeLine Children's Services ~Being faithful with what is in front of us and the importance of just doing the next right thing ~And more! Head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast for full shownotes.

On today's solo show, we are answering the question, "Why did Jesus come?"  At face value, this seems like a very open and shut, easy question to answer - after all, He came to save sinners! And that's true! But Scripture actually outlines 22 other reasons why He came, as well - in addition to 2 things that were NOT reasons why He came. In other words, the full-orbed answer presented in this episode just might surprise you! What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Answering the question, "Why did Jesus come?" ~The 23 reasons that are outlined in Scripture as to why Jesus came to earth - what His full-orbed purpose actually was ~Two topics that were NOT things He came to do ~Why understanding all of this is so important ~The impact these truths have on our walk with the Lord ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com

Kayla Craig is a pastor's wife, mom of 4, writer, podcaster, and author, most recently of the new book, “Every Season Sacred: Reflections, Prayers, and Invitations to Nourish Your Soul and Nurture Your Family throughout the Year". Today she returns to the show to share about her new book and to encourage parents in the beauty of liturgical parenting. What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Kayla's new book, “Every Season Sacred: Reflections, Prayers, and Invitations to Nourish Your Soul and Nurture Your Family throughout the Year"; what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~The meaningful aspect of the four seasons, and why they are important in our lives; the impact they have on us ~The importance of cultivating a slower, more contemplative lifestyle ~How the writing experience was the same and how it was different between Kayla's two books ~The practicality of this book regardless of what season of life you are in or what you are going through ~Kayla's heart to nourish parents' souls in a contemplative way in and through this book; why this was important for Kayla to do ~How a contemplative lifesyle is so helpful for parents and childcare givers ~Bringing our kids into a more contemplative style of life ~Living loved; the importance of a parent's soul being nourished so that they can then nurture their child well ~Making space to explore the world with care and compassion and why this is so important ~Exemplifying Christ's love and compassion for people to our children and allowing that to impact how we show up in the world ~The power of “caught, not taught” ~The power of liturgical rhythms in our parenting ~Making your faith your own and the journey of unlearning false things you were taught ~Untangling Christ from Christianese and reconstructing your walk with the Lord and understanding of truth; how and why this has been important for Kayla; the importance of this kind of journey ~The importance of reading Scripture for yourself ~The importance of raising our kids to be critical thinkers and having the freedom to ask questions and express doubts ~And more! Full shownotes at www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Kathryn Maack is a wife, mom, co-founder of the ministry Dwellings, and co-author of the fantastic book, Whole: The Life-Changing Power of Relating to God with All of Yourself . On this episode she edifies and encourages us with the truth that we are to approach God wholly and with every aspect of ourselves, as opposed to living segmented lives. This is an important episode that you will not want to miss! What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Kathryn's new book, Whole: The Life-Changing Power of Relating to God with All of Yourself, what readers can expect from it, and what led Kathryn and her co-author Aaron Williams to write it ~The importance of coming to God with all of ourselves and not holding back any aspect of ourselves ~Why we actually are not striving for balance in our walk with God, but actually should purpose to come to God with all aspects of ourselves - fully spirit and fully truth, fully mind and fully heart, etc., not 50/50 in these areas ~Why it's important to come to the Lord in spirit and in truth and with our minds and also our hearts, what happens when we lean too heavily in one direction or the other ~Where true spiritual growth actually comes from ~How coming to God with all of who we are deepens our relationship with Him ~Advice for how heart people or mind people and spirit or truth people can learn to also come to God with the other part of themselves, as well ~The importance of learning from people who are different from us; the virtue of being teachable ~Understanding that with spirit and truth, you cannot have one without the other ~The importance of identifying which way you lean so that you know where you need to grow ~How fear plays into these extremes ~The importance of both being and doing and why we need both ~Jesus' example of not neglecting to care for people but also not neglecting to go off alone to spend time with the Father ~Experiencing God in His fullness and all He has to offer us as we're in relationship with Him ~Sinners, saints, and understanding what your actual identity in Christ is now ~The importance of agreeing with God about who we are ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are addressing the topic of love, the importance Scripture places on it, and how God's Word defines it. I hope you will walk away from this chat feeling well equipped to better understand and live out love in a culture and time that is very confused. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~The topic of love, and why it is such an important topic for believers, especially, to grasp ~The importance of understanding the Bible's definition of love ~The extremes that are on both sides of the spectrum and seen in the church and culture at large: 1) the idea that as long as you speak truth, you are ok and it doesn't matter how you present it because that is the most loving thing you can do and 2) the idea that love means you approve of and accept everything anyone does; why these are both wrong and unbiblical ~The primary call of a Christian - to love; why it is important to understand this and how we are falling down on our job ~Love as the supreme thing ~Paul's definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 ~How Paul's clear definition of love makes it clear that your presentation DOES matter, your motive DOES matter, and just "speaking truth" is not enough ~How Paul's clear definition of love makes it clear that loving someone does not mean you approve of and accept everything they do ~Paul's emphasis in Ephesians 4 on speaking the truth in *love* ~The importance of others being able to tangibly feel our love for them - even if and when we disagree ~A deep dive into Ephesians 4, 1 John 3, 1 John 4, John 13, and 1 Corinthians 13 ~Love and boundaries ~The sobering reality that if we do not love others, the love of God is not in us, either ~Our call to love everyone, with no exceptions ~And more! Head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast for full shownotes

Ashley Morgan Jackson is a wife, mom, social media coordinator for Proverbs 31 Ministries, and author of the brand new book, "Tired of Trying: How to Hold On to God When You're Frustrated, Fed Up, and Feeling Forgotten". She comes on the show today to share with us on the concept of wrestling with God in the hard times and all that He can bring from the wrestle. What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Ashley's new book,  "Tired of Trying: How to Hold On to God When You're Frustrated, Fed Up, and Feeling Forgotten"., what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~When you get to the point of having tried everything that you can think of with nothing working; the concept of then wrestling with God and holding on to Him throughout that entire process ~Learning so much more about the Lord and growing in our relationship with Him through the hard times ~How our wrestle and struggle becomes our ministry to others ~God as the One sure foundation when we have nothing else to hold on to ~Understanding that there are some lessons we can only learn in and through the wrestle with God - and why it is so harmful to believe that it is wrong to wrestle with God ~How the wrestle shows how God is the One holding on to us every step of the way ~Grace and love as what you need to save you as well as what you need to change you; the motivator that grace and love are ~Trusting God and waiting on Him in the hard seasons; what Ashley has learned about this and how she has been able to come to the point of believing that God only does things well and with great love - even when it doesn't look or feel like it ~How shame pushes us away from God rather than being something that can change us positively ~How well Jesus understands the pain of a “no” ~Letting God love you in the midst of pain, rather than pushing Him away ~God's tender, caring heart towards the brokenhearted ~Understanding that true intimacy and performance cannot co-exist and what this means for our walk with the Lord and our relationship with Him ~The important difference between relationship and religion ~Understanding that what we think leads to our actions and what we do leads to patterns of behavior; the importance of taking thoughts captive; how to do that ~How my and Ashley's lives have been changed through our taking thoughts captive ~The importance of being faithful in even just the smallest of ways, bit by bit ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are addressing the topic of 7 different false gospels that are alive and well in our day that we need to refute with the actual gospel as found in Scripture. I hope you will walk away from this conversation feeling well equipped to know, discern, live out, and proclaim truth. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~The book of Galatians and what it reveals to us concerning the issue of teaching or believing a false gospel ~7 common false gospels we need to refute and how they differ from the true gospel of the Bible: *the prosperity gospel (in all its forms, including the version taught in purity culture) *progressive "Christianity" *legalism *believing that the gospel is just good news for your eternity and not also concerned with your here and now everyday life *believing that the gospel and Christian nationalism are compatible *believing that the gospel does not have implications for the social sphere and your call to be the hands and feet of Christ *believing that the gospel just has vertical implications (for your relationship with God) and not horizontal implications as well (for your relationships with your fellow image bearers) ~the false gospel nature of racism and sexism ~the "social gospel" aspect of the biblical gospel ~legalism as *the* false gospel the book of Galatians is concerned with - and why this fact shows that it is problematic for us to think, as many do today, that refuting a "false gospel" is just about refuting the false gospel of progressive Christianity alone (as if this were the only false gospel out there) ~the issue with the saying "just preach the gospel" - and how that reveals there are hints of a false gospel present ~the problem with defending slavery by saying that at least slaves were taught about Christianity (and how, if you were an enslaver, you were actually proclaiming a false gospel) ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Sarah Jane Ho is a wife, mom of 5, pastor, and mental health therapist. She leads the Nations of Change Church in Pakistan via Zoom, and has a heart that is passionate about women understanding God's heart for His daughters. We pray you'll come away from this episode built up and encouraged by this truth. What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~How the church in Pakistan came about ~How important it is to walk by the Spirit and how we shortchange ourselves and miss out when we are not in close relationship with the Holy Spirit and hearing His voice and heeding His direction ~How the Nations of Change Church in Pakistan is set up logistically ~The importance of God-nudges and how sometimes people won't understand what God is calling us to - because He hasn't called them to it ~The issue of hierarchy in our churches and how damaging it can be to our relationships in the Body; what 1 Timothy 2 is actually teaching about women teaching men and the cultural and historical context behind that passage ~The problem with reading and interpreting Scripture through western eyes ~Joining both complementarians and egalitarians together around the good news of the gospel and working together to reduce the subjugation and mistreatment of women in the church ~Studying Scripture by keeping in mind context, culture, and content ~How Sarah's position as associate pastor and pastoring women has helped women to understand how God truly views them and the heart He has for them ~Sarah's upcoming church ministry, Our Place, a church for the marginalized and those who would not step into a typical church building ~Comparing our modern-day American church culture with the culture of the early church ~Answering the naysayers who might think that Sarah's plate is too full for her to be able to minister well to her own family; how her work has blessed and shaped her family ~How raising our children in a serving house can inspire them to be people who serve; why it's important to model for your children the kind of adults you want them to be and what you want them to think is normal as a believer building the Kingdom ~The monthly theology dates Sarah has with her daughter; the impact of these ~The importance of our being able to think critically for ourselves and interpret Scripture and hear from God on our own with the Spirit's help ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are tackling the topic of living in the power of the Spirit, how to do that, and the blessings and benefits we receive when we do so. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~The importance of walking by the Spirit as the key to living the victorious Christian life ~What you acquire when you do: *the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) *victory over sin (Galatians 5:16-18) *help and counsel (John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; Romans 8:26-27 *comfort (John 14:26) *guidance into all truth (John 16:13) *reminders of Biblical truth (John 14:26 and 15:26) *power (Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:20-22) *reminders of who we are in Christ and what our standing is (Galatians 4:6) *spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) *wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2) *confirmation that we abide in Christ (1 John 4:13) *the gift that He is (1 John 4:13 ~How, practically speaking on a day to day basis, to live in the power of the Spirit: *by being in the Word *through communing with Him in prayer *through seeking wise counsel and doing life with other believers *through actually stopping and praying for strength, power, etc. *by being still and knowing so that we can actually hear the still, small voice of God ~The fact that the Holy Spirit actually cannot fully do His job in our lives if we are not in the Word ~Understanding that seeking wise counsel and doing life with other believers is about more than just attending church ~And more!   For full podcast shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Amy Seiffert is a wife, mom of 3, speaker, Bible teacher, and author, most recently, of the new book “Starved: Why We Need a Spiritual Diet Change to Move Us from Tired, Anxious, and Overwhelmed to Fulfilled, Whole, and Free.“ Our prayer is that you would come away from this episode edified and encouraged in your Christian walk. What We Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Amy's new book, Starved: Why We Need a Spiritual Diet Change to Move Us from Tired, Anxious, and Overwhelmed to Fulfilled, Whole, and Free", what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~The spiritual diet change we need and how so much of what we are turning to is actually starving us ~The issue of our phones and how they are thieves ~The importance of slowness, stillness, and quiet ~Clearing the noise and distractions in order to hear the voice of God ~The problem of Christian Nationalism and the problem with replacing King Jesus with a president ~Understanding that our identity must foremost be as a citizen of Heaven, not an American ~Understanding that the hatred of anger of man does not build the kingdom of God ~Using our vote for the benefit and wellbeing of our fellow image bearers ~Laying down the idol of our rights and instead building the Kingdom of God ~Racism that still exists in this country ~Our call to be our brother's keeper and to care for the interests of others, and what this means for the issue of racism ~The power of listening to the stories and experiences of people of color ~What justice looks like in the Bible ~The problem with the “just preach the gospel” message and how it is incomplete; the horizontal implications of the gospel ~The blame game and our need for confession ~Shalom's meaning of wholeness and integration ~The fact that we are starved for becoming; becoming the process of learning and growing and changing; the importance of being teachable and willing to change and grow as the Spirit leads ~The importance of majoring on the majors ~Breaking out of legalism, patriarchy, sexism, racism, etc. in order to see the kingdom as God does ~Understanding God's posture towards you ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast 

On today's solo show, we are tackling the topic of how we as believers can love well those image bearers who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. My prayer is that you would come away from today's episode equipped to be the hands and feet of Christ in this area as you seek to fulfill the Great Commission. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Understanding that just because "Pride Month" is now over does not mean that we as believers should now shelve this topic until June of next year ~The 4 important steps of loving these people well: *Starting with love itself - this has to be first *Speak the truth in love *Remember that salvation comes first and sanctification follows after *Show compassion, care, and concern for any mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual issues they are facing as a result of their lifestyle ~Understanding that the idea that "the most loving thing you can do is speak the truth " is a cop-out and is direct disobedience to God if you are not actually speaking the truth in love ~Understanding that in order to truly love these people as we are called to, we must actually feel love and care in our hearts for them, and they have to be able to tangibly feel that love when we interact with them ~Real-life examples of believers who are doing this really well; how living this way is known to bear the fruit of bringing people to Christ in ways that dishonor and rudeness cannot ~The work God has done in my own heart in this area ~The importance of speaking the truth when the time is right and when you have the relationship currency for that truth to take root ~The importance of remembering that salvation comes first and sanctification follows after - why we mustn't put the cart before the horse ~Showing care and compassion for people as Jesus did for those who were as sheep without a shepherd ~The truth of why Sodom was actually destroyed - and why referring to those in the LGBTQIA+ community is not only unloving and unfruitful, but it is also unbiblical ~Who the real Sodomites are according to Ezekiel 16:49 - hint: you may have to look in the mirror ~Remembering that the sin of homosexuality is on the same list - in Romans 1 - as the sin of being disobedient to one's parents; what this means for how we treat people in the LGBTQIA+ community ~The sin of dishonoring and disrespecting fellow image bearers of God ~Jesus' example of doing life together with all kinds of people; the impact this had ~How wrong theology carries bad consequences ~The importance of truth ~The importance of remembering that it is our *gentleness* that is to be known to all ~1 Corinthians 13 as our definition of love and understanding of what love is ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Mischelle Manis works for Reaching Souls International, an organization which supports national, indigenous missionaries, and as the director of women's ministries with the organization, she is passionate about equipping and encouraging women to understand God's heart for them. We pray you'll come away from this episode encouraged and fired up for how you, too, can advance the Kingdom right where you are.   ~What Reaching Souls International does     ~How efficient and affective it is to train indigenous missionaries to serve in their own countries, as opposed to just sending American missionaries overseas to them     ~What Mischelle's day-to-day work looks like and how she comes alongside these female indigenous missionaries and serves them     ~How sitting with missionaries from foreign countries reveals just how much you have in common, even despite the language barrier; why understanding these similarities is so important     ~How Mischelle came to be in this position with Reaching Souls International     ~Women and their unique giftings     ~How it came to be that women were added as national missionaries in Reaching Souls International     ~Mischelle's experience of losing a son to suicide and how the Lord got her through that     ~The truth that Jesus understands pain, grief, and loss and has compassion for us when we walk through it   ~The peace that comes with knowing that the Lord understands the “why”s behind what we walk through   ~How what we go through equips us to serve others   ~God's tender heart for His daughters and helping them to understand their importance in the kingdom of God   ~What Hannah's story reveals about the heart of God towards His daughters   ~Ways that women and children can reach others in ways men can't; why understanding this is important when it comes to the Great Commission   ~The truth that women were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb; what this points to   ~Understanding that women were not left out when the Lord handed out spiritual gifts; why this is important to remember     ~How people can become involved with Reaching Souls International   ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast 

Today's solo podcast episode is a re-release of an episode from my podcast series based on my book, Lies Moms Believe (And How the Gospel Refutes Them) with a chat all about what success in motherhood looks like, what it is, and what it isn't.  I hope you walk away from today's conversation feeling encouraged. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~The next 2 lies covered in my book: 21.  My success as a mom is directly tied to how my children turn out. 22. I don't know what it means to be a mom if I only have one child. ~Why your success as a mom is not tied to how your children turn out ~What your responsibility is as a mom and what is in God's hands to do with as He will ~Where your responsibility ends and God's begins ~God granting the increase ~The harmful effect of the quiverfull movement on our view of moms who have only one child ~Viewing children as blessings ~Embracing our own unique life stories and circumstances ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast 

Fox and Rob Richardson experienced being separated by incarceration for 21 years. They come on the podcast today to share about their experience, what God did in the midst of it, and how we as the Church are to be the hands and feet of Christ in the face of injustice and oppression. May you come away from this episode inspired to make a difference. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT ON THIS EPISODE: ~Fox and Rob's documentary, Time, and book, Time: The Untold Story of the Love that Held Us Together When Incarceration Kept Us Apart, and what you can expect from them; what led them to produce these resources ~How Fox and Rob met, and what their journey of marriage has been like ~What led to the day when the Richardsons robbed a bank; the desperation that resulted in this decision ~How being incarcerated for 21 years for the offense of robbing a bank reveals the injustice within the criminal justice system, the problem of mass incarceration, and the racism which does still exist in the justice system ~The importance of listening to other peoples' stories and experiences ~Stories from Scripture of affliction and how God saw people through ~How our hard seasons take us from knowing “about” God to truly knowing God Himself ~God's sovereignty and sufficiency even in our hard seasons ~The importance of understanding that we cannot afford to take our eyes off God ~Trusting the process as we remember that God is sufficient ~The slavery that exists in the criminal justice system ~How leaving prison is like going from slavery to sharecropping ~The modern day taxation without representation that is faced by the victims of mass incarceration ~Rich Family Ministries and the Richardson's family mission to be free and free others ~Seeking to better America and make it what it can be; seeking alternatives to mass incarceration ~The role of God's people to say “not on my watch” when injustice and oppression exist ~What we as everyday lay people can do to seek to make a difference in the system ~The power of bearing witness, being in proximity, and looking injustice in the face so that your heart and spirit will be quickened and you will seek to be used of God to be of service in that area ~Rob's experience in what is known as “America's Bloodiest Penitentiary” and what enabled him to get through with strength ~What this journey was like for Fox having to solo parent, homeschool, provide for her family, and support and encourage her husband during this 21 year journey ~Tapping into the strength God gives us ~And much more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are tackling the topic of "wokeness" and the importance of pursuing truth as a Christian. My perspective on these topics may just surprise you a bit, and will hopefully give you something to mull over this week!  What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~The importance of truth for a Christian; the priority we are given to pursue truth ~The apostle John and how he was very passionate about truth ~How Jesus describing Himself as being THE truth in John 14:6 shows us just how important pursuing and knowing truth is ~Understanding that the truth sets us free (John 8:32): -from sin -from lies -from injustice ~The fact that it is the Spirit's express job to lead us into all truth (John 16:13) ~The importance of us as believers being focused on theological truth in a day in age of relativism and a repackaging of age-old lies about Christ and the nature of salvation (Ephesians 6:14) ~The importance of us as believers being focused on societal truth and understanding what the reality is as to the injustices that exist in this world ~Understanding that because we are specifically tasked with the task of being the hands and feet of Christ and ambassadors of a God Who hates injustice, is a God of righteousness and justice, who is for the oppressed, and whose gospel is good news for the poor, etc., we are to be about the work of getting to the bottom of what the truth is regarding what our fellow image bearers are facing in this world on a daily basis  ~The truth that if we are willing to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to claims of injustice and happy to merely label people who are given to fighting injustice as being “woke” we have a problem and are rendered incapable of fulling carrying out our mission in this world ~The original definition of "woke" and where that word came from; what it does and does not mean; how conservatives have redefined it and thereby been able to use it as a weapon ~Helpful Instagram posts that are enlightening in these areas ~Passages of Scripture that repeatedly point to the importance of truth ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Kristen Rosener is a wife, working mom of 3,  and writer who recently launched an incredible book entitled  Where Joy Is: Finding Joy in the Midst of Suffering, chronicling the story of the hardest season of her life and how God saw her through. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT ON THIS EPISODE: ~Kristen's new book, Where Joy Is: Finding Joy in the Midst of Suffering, what led to its release, and what readers can expect ~Kristen's backstory of how she grew up and what she was taught to believe ~Kristen's hard journey of walking through abuse and infidelity of her first husband ~How the legalism and perfectionism in Kristen's past did not serve her well during her season of crisis ~God's ability to redeem the things we do not think are redeemable ~The false theology of purity culture that says that if you check all the right boxes, you will automatically be guaranteed a fairytale marriage; how purity culture is linked to the prosperity gospel ~The faith crisis Kristen faced after finding the promises of purity culture to not be true ~The problem with making ourselves like someone else in order to please others; the “spiritual disfigurement” that this is ~The problem of idolizing your marriage ~The problem with viewing divorced believers as “second-class citizens” ~How seasons of sorrow can be seasons of grace ~Understanding how a good God can allow bad things to happen ~How unsteady hearts are moved by circumstances instead of standing unwavering on what we know to be true; the importance of being led by truth, not emotion (as important as emotions are!) ~How our unbelief and wrong theology makes our hard seasons far harder ~The trustworthiness of God ~And more!   Go to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast for full shownotes.

For today's solo podcast episode I am actually re-releasing the fifth solo podcast I ever recorded. As we are quickly approaching yet another big election year (how are we here again already?), I felt it important to talk again today on the topic of patriotism and the Christian. On today's show we chat a bit about nationalism, the nationalization of Christianity, and what a believer's role is regarding patriotism. May you find this episode helpful as you prayerfully begin to think through how to use your vote next year. What She Chats about in Today's Episode: ~The emotionally-charged election year we find ourselves in  ~What patriotism does and does not mean for us as Christians: *Patriotism and being patriotic do not mean that we never call out our nation's problems. (think of God's example with us and our example with our children where if we love someone, we will point out their shortcomings in an attempt to call them up to greatness) *Patriotism and being patriotic do mean that we want what is best for our country. And it is righteousness that exalts a nation. *Being patriotic does not mean we seek to set up a theocracy in America *Being patriotic does not mean that we can allow America or the preservation of America as we know it to become our idol ~The full meaning of the Hebrew word “tsedaqah” translated “righteousness” in Proverbs 14:34 ~Our call (Acts 5:29) to obey God rather than man, while also respecting His institution of government (Romans 13) ~The reality that this country is not our home and was never meant to feel like it; our identity as but pilgrims passing through  ~What we have seen around the world and down through history regarding the direct correlation between a loss of freedom and an increase in persecution and a subsequent increase in strong and deepened faith among believers ~Our roles as good citizens and the importance for each of us to individually walk by the Spirit  ~The importance of not binding the conscience of our fellow believers; giving the Holy Spirit room to work ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast 

Leslie Means is a wife,  mom of 3, columnist, former journalist, founder of Her View from Home, and also an author who recently launched an incredible book entitled So God Made a Mother, which contains nearly 100 stories and essays on all aspects of motherhood from a list of contributing writers. We hope you come away from today's episode feeling encouraged by God's heart for mothers. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT ON THIS EPISODE: ~Leslie's new book, So God Made a Mother, what led to its release, and what readers can expect ~The concept of God whispers, and how Leslie has experienced God's leading through them ~Some of the topics covered through the stories of this book ~The importance of community for moms ~Our divisive culture and the need we have for a book like this one and the kind of encouraging community it will foster ~The global sense of community worldwide that all mothers can have through the threads of similarity in each mom's experiences ~God's tender heart for moms ~Leslie's own motherhood journey thus far and where she sees herself on the pages of this book ~Learning and growing as a mother ~The importance of asking for help as moms and understanding that we need each other ~How Her View from Home came about; the blessing of small beginnings and watching God move ~How our busy, independent culture is harming moms an depriving them of the help, support, and community they need ~Searching for community wherever we are ~The lies of imposter syndrome, and the importance of sharing our stories ~Remembering that there is a time and a season for everything and that God's plan and timing is best ~Honoring right priorities in the midst of work and ministry; the importance of boundaries ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Katie Davis Majors is a wife, adoptive and bio mom, New York Times Bestselling Author, founder of Amazima Ministries in Uganda, and author of the brand new book, “Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace“. Our prayer is that you would come away from this episode feeling equipped and encouraged to walk in God's peace no matter what chaos life brings. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT ON THIS EPISODE: ~Katie's newest book, Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~What it looks like to live in the peace Jesus promised us in an increasingly chaotic world, when we don't feel it at first ~A powerful story from Katie's own life that taught her that God sees the big picture we can't see and is looking out for us in ways we can't fathom ~How nearsighted our perspective is in this life, and how different God's is ~Going beyond just intellectually knowing that He sees us or will keep us safe to actually walking and living as if we know it is true ~Keeping our eyes on God's unchanging character as opposed to our life circumstances ~Understanding that surrendering every part of our lives to God's loving hands is a safe thing to do ~Attachment parenting and what this practice shows us for our relationship with God ~A helpful practice for when you're beginning to feel anxious ~Refusing to clean things up and fix them on our own before coming to Him with them; bringing all our raw and messy straight to Him for Him to care for them ~Understanding that if we just stuff our worries, they are all still there, they are just hidden (and why that doesn't help!) ~The fact that we cannot see the face of God if we do not sometimes wrestle with Him over things; why it's ok to ask God questions (as the Psalmist does repeatedly!) and how our faith is built when we do ~Remembering that God will not drop anything we give to Him, but instead can be trusted with all of it ~The faith-builder it is to be in hard places and be forced to trust God with them ~God's presence as better in the first place than our understanding the reasons for what it happening in our lives and what is going on behind the scenes ~God Himself as the gift ~Several practical, relevant practices that equip and help us to live in God's peace - rest, lament, being in the Word, prayer, community, service, and more ~The growing, healing power of lament (and why it is ok and good to bring our hurts and laments to God) ~How it is possible and ok for sadness and praise to exist at the same time ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are tackling the topic of how to raise your littles in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. My prayer is that you'll come away from this episode feeling equipped and encouraged, knowing that raising your littles in this way does not have to be complicated. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Ephesians 6:4 and what is interesting about the word "nurture" coming before the word "admonition" ~The crucial foundation of nurture and why our training of our children in theology and right living must first come from a place of humility, tenderness, care, patience, gentleness, slowness, and nurture ~What we can learn from bamboo about the importance of having a strong foundation and why it is ok when our training takes a while ~The negative impact that raising children up legalistically, overly strictly, or in a domineering way can have on children ~How raising our children up in the tender nurture of the Lord gives them a more accurate picture of who their Heavenly Father is ~How failing to raise your children first in the nurture of the Lord can lead to your provoking them to wrath ~What raising our children up in the admonition of the Lord can look like practically on an everyday basis (as we're shown in Deuteronomy 6:6-7) ~Why the theological training of our children need not be complicated and instead can and should be simple - thereby showing them how applicable, relevant, and practical God's Word is to every aspect of our everyday lives ~The importance of refusing to overly shelter our children but to instead prepare them well for real life in age appropriate ways ~Why we want to raise our children not to be mere yes-men, but to instead be able to think for themselves, be critical thinkers, and interpret God's Word for themselves, applying it to every situation in life ~Equipping our children to have a faith of their own rather than piggy backing off ours, so that when we are one day not here, they will still be able to stand firm ~Practical books, media, practices, and other resources to aid you in your parenting and raising your children in the admonition of the Lord ~The power and importance of having lots of gospel conversations with your kids (and examples of some of the types of conversations we regularly have in our home) ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Jasmine Holmes is a wife, mom of 3, writer, teacher at heart, and author of the brand new book,  “Never Cast Out: How the Gospel Puts an End to the Story of Shame”. She comes on the show today to encourage us with the truth of how the gospel frees us from shame. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT ON THIS EPISODE: ~Jasmine's new book, “Never Cast Out: How the Gospel Puts an End to the Story of Shame”, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~The impact shame has on women especially ~The wrong idea that shame is a tool that Jesus uses to whip us into shape; what the truth actually is ~The different responses we have to shame and the part shame plays in our lives ~Shame as a sub-par motivator for holiness ~The context of our call to holiness as being in light of Christ's love for us, not in the context of shame ~The truth that Christ does not call us to shame, but to full-hearted confidence in Him ~Seeing shame as an indicator light; questions to ask yourself when you're feeling shame ~The importance of knowing the character of God ~How shame cuts into our relationship with Christ ~Shame and how it manifests itself in moms through the issues of the mommy wars and mom guilt ~The difference between shame (worldly grief) and repentance (godly grief) ~Understanding that shame will never lead you to Christ and towards the path of reconciliation and restoration ~The difference between conviction and condemnation ~The 3 false gospels or wrong reactions we tend to respond with to the issue of shame ~Finding your way back to God after realizing that the god of shame that you believed in was not the God of the Bible ~The beautiful freedom we can find in Christ ~And more! For full shownotes head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are tackling the topics of what the gospel is, social justice, and the importance of kingdom living now. I hope you come away from this episode edified, encouraged, and fired up to live out your God-given call to be the hands and feet of Jesus every day of your life. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Asking (and answering!) the question, "What is the gospel?"; understanding that, at its foundation, it is first and foremost about our eternal salvation, but that it does not end there ~The vertical AND horizontal implications of the gospel ~Why "Just preach the gospel" is an incomplete message (and why we have to stop being inconsistent with when we do and do not issue forth that call!) ~Understanding that the gospel has direct implications for how we live and how we love and serve our fellow image bearers ~The topic of "social justice", some of the baggage that commonly surrounds that term, and breaking it down to understand what it means ~The reality that "social righteousness" (John Wesley's term of choice) predates anything socialistic or communistic from Marx or Lenin (which is often the reason people don't like the term "social justice") and therefore is something important for us to keep in mind ~The importance of not handing over the keys to the kingdom or dropping the ball and giving the world the mission the church has of making sure we are not neglecting our duties to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, set free the captive, help the oppressed, care for the poor, visit the imprisoned, etc. ~What James says the "evidence of true religion is" ~Jesus' words regarding the gospel being "good news for the poor" and what this tells us ~Isaiah 58 and what this passage tells us about the nature of the gospel ~The reason Jesus gives for why the sheep and goats will be separated at the end of time - the answer may surprise you! ~Our mission to be the hands and feet of Christ ~The "social gospel" as an outflow of the gospel itself ~The importance of love and why Paul says it is the most important thing ~The importance of kingdom living now, and if something is not appropriate in heaven, it is not appropriate now ~The gospel's goal of restoring all that was lost in the Garden ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast 

Power duo couple Patricia Heaton and David Hunt are well known for their work in the entertainment industry, their comedic natures that will leave you in stitches, and their love for the Lord and people. They join me on the show today to share about the brand new movie they have directed and produced, Unexpected. And, of course, we also had to spend some time reminiscing about Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle, and Mom's Night Out! We hope you come way from this episode built up, encouraged, and with joy in your heart.   What We Chat About on This Episode: ~The new movie David has directed and he and Patricia have produced, Unexpected, what led them to have this as their next project, and some of the behind-the-scenes info on how this movie came about (and also almost didn't!) ~Memories from Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle, and Mom's Night Out ~How David and Patricia met, and a bit about their 32 years of marriage ~Their walk with Christ and how their faith impacts the work they do in the entertainment industry ~The importance of loving and treating people as the image bearers of God that they are ~The importance of perseverance and sticking to whatever you're called to do ~God's perfect timing behind the release of this movie ~The light and hope we need in this divisive culture and time ~The importance of communication in marriage and working together ~Past jobs David and Patricia have had, and what that has taught them about treating everyone the same ~Advice for those who want to get started in the entertainment industry ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Today I am re-releasing the third solo podcast episode I ever recorded, this one on the topic of  the mommy wars. This is a topic I have written about extensively and shared about on other podcasts, as well, so I'm excited to be sharing about this topic again on this podcast! What She Chats about in Today's Episode: ~Defining the term "mommy wars" and covering a bit of its history ~How the mommy wars show up in our current culture ~8 problems with the mommy wars - 8 main ways in which they are doing damage in the church: *They are causing us to major on the minors, only to forget what is really important. *They are causing us to forget what the Word of God actually has to say on the topic of mothering (see Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:4-5, Deuteronomy 6:6-7) as we're so focused on things of lesser importance. *They are destroying the Titus 2 model and its outreach (see Titus 2:3-5). *They are causing us to ignore (and even blaspheme!) the gospel. *They are hindering us from being able to walk by the Spirit and to walk by faith (see James 1:5, Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 139, and Galatians 5:16-18,22-23). *They are causing division and leading to our losing out on encouraging friendship and valuable fellowship (see Genesis 2:18, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Romans 14). *They are leading to our losing our salt and light and to our becoming poor examples of Christ (Matthew 5:13-16, John 13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 5:20, Colossians 3:12, 4:6, Ephesians 4:29, Romans 12:18). *They are burdening us with unnecessary and unbiblical expectations. ~How the enemy is using the mommy wars to keep our noses on the internet and social media rather than in Scripture ~1 Timothy 4:8's response to the mommy wars ~How the mommy wars have led to a subconscious misunderstanding of the gospel as we look to our mothering choices to provide us with our righteousness, perfection, and good standing before God ~The issues of the mommy wars as being issues of secondary importance and why we have no right to judge other mamas in these areas ~Viewing mommy wars topics in light of Romans 14 ~Romans 14 and why I do not publicly share our family's choices regarding things like vaccination ~Assuming the best of other mamas, realizing that every mama comes to the decision they make with a desire for what is best for their children  ~The wisdom of the world vs. the wisdom of God ~The long list of expectations we as moms have on our shoulders as to what "good moms" do  vs. the very short list God has for us ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Celia Miller is a wife, writer, blogger, author,  online community leader, and follower of Christ who is passionate helping equip others to slow down, seek still moments, and behold God's presence with them in the everyday. She comes on the show today to answer the question, "Are contemplative spiritual disciplines New Age?", and to equip us to grow in our walks with the Lord. I think you'll find this episode to be very helpful, encouraging, and edifying.   What We Chat About on This Episode: ~Tackling the question, "Are contemplative spiritual practices New Age?"; my own personal experience with this concept ~The call the Lord has had on both of our lives to quiet, stillness, slowness, and contemplation; what that journey has been like ~Why these contemplative practices mean so much to Celia and how they have impacted her walk with the Lord ~The invitation the Lord issues for us to a life of communion and relationship with Him rather than just going through the motions or checking a box ~Bringing God with us into every moment of every day rather than just relegating our time with Him to our morning quiet time ~The practices of contemplative prayer, breath prayer, and centering prayer; what they are, examples of each, and the whole point of them ~The practice of daily or weekly examen, what that is, and the impact it has had on our lives ~The long thread contemplative prayer has through church history ~The importance of discernment and the differences between these contemplative Christian practices and what the New Age teaches and presents ~How these practices can aid you in your understanding of God's love for you ~The concept of "emptying your mind" and whether or not that is Biblical; the importance of filling our minds with God's truth and His goodness ~The practice of lectio divina, what it is, and the long thread of lectio divina in church history; the importance of slowing down in your Bible reading and not just rushing through the text ~Emphasizing the importance of the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives; understanding that it is not our striving, but rather the work of the Spirit of God that grows and changes us ~What "spiritual formation" refers to; what that is ~The ability to rest in our belovedness before the Father ~The beauty of the contemplative way for those of us who are prone to noise, hurry, busyness, and a wrong attaching of our identity to what we do or accomplish ~The differences between Christian spiritual practices and New Age spiritual practices ~Resting in the presence of the Lord and hearing His still, small voice ~Scripture passages that talk about being still before the Lord and casting all our cares on Him; the spiritual impact of doing so, and why the enemy doesn't want us to ~The gift of the Holy Spirit; understanding that Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to companion us ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we tackling some common myths surrounding women in the Bible. My prayer is that you would come away from this episode feeling encouraged and better equipped in your ability to study, understand, and interpret the Bible for yourself, to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, and to delight in God's design for and view of women. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~5 common myths surrounding women in the Bible (and what the Bible actually says!): *Bathsheba seduced David and was guilty of adultery *The woman at the well was a serial divorcee and likely guilty of adultery  *Deborah's leadership of Israel was a blight on their nation's history and a curse on Israel *Women are more likely to be deceived than men *Women do not teach men in Scripture (and are not supposed to)   ~The impossibility of Bathsheba seducing David (Hint: It has to do with the Levitical practice of bathing in a mikveh) ~The forceful language in Scripture (and blame placed solely at the feet of David!) that points to Bathsheba being the victim of rape ~Why it is impossible that the woman at the well had been an intentional serial divorcee  ~The crucial importance of growing in your understanding of the historical and cultural context of the Bible if you're going to interpret Scripture accurately ~The common misinterpretation of Isaiah 3:12, and how we know Deborah was not a curse on Israel ~Understanding, from Scriptural evidence, that Deborah was not God's "plan B" ~The words of Paul and James and how they both refute the idea that women are more easily deceived than men; other problematic issues with this myth ~What the entire book of Proverbs has to teach us about the folly of believing women are more easily deceived than men ~The prophetess Huldah and why God's treatment of her is so eye-opening and helpful for our understanding of how God views women teaching men Scriptural truth ~Why the story of Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos is such an interesting one ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Scarlet Hiltibidal is a pastor's wife, mom of three, and author of several books including her newest one, “You're the Worst Person in the World: Why It's the Best News Ever that You Don't Have it Together, You Aren't Enough, and You Can't Fix It on Your Own”. She comes on the show today to share with us the good news and encouragement of the gospel and how it applies to our everyday lives.   What We Chat About on This Episode:   ~Scarlet's new book, “You're the Worst Person in the World: Why It's the Best News Ever that You Don't Have it Together, You Aren't Enough, and You Can't Fix It on Your Own”, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~Scarlet's journey of doubt and striving to earn God's favor ~Why it's crucially important to know and understand that the gospel is for our everyday lives here and now ~How chasing anything ahead of Christ inevitably leads to disappointment ~The problem with chasing our own glory and idolizing platform and influence ~Understanding that we are not enough, and it isn't about us just doing the best we can; understanding that peace with God comes from acknowledging that we are not enough on our own - but He is on our behalf ~The comfort that comes with knowing we can cease our striving ~How the gospel impacts our mothering ~The comfort which comes with knowing God can bring good out of anything that happens in our lives and even any sin we commit ~The joy and comfort that comes from being a sheep cared for by the Shepherd ~The crucial importance of opening our Bibles ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

On today's solo show, we are re-releasing my talk on the topic of “Bible Study 101”.  Though this is a re-release of an episode originally recorded three years ago, it seems timely again as we are feeling fearful in these times and needing to grow in our knowledge of the Bible and our ability to study it. May you come away from this episode feeling encouraged and equipped in your ability to study, understand, and interpret the Bible for yourself. What She Chats about in Today's Episode: ~*How* to study the Bible, and then moving on into *when* to study the Bible (help for the busy woman who finds it hard to make time for the Word) ~5 Bible Study tips for beginners: *Pick a user-friendly Bible translation *Choose a Reading Plan for where to begin (see my Bible Reading Plan article below, however, for some necessary caveats to this!) *Find a good Bible study or Bible study method *Learn to reflect on what you are reading *Take advantage of the many free study resources at your disposal ~Different Bible translations, and what the differences are between word-for-word translations and thought-for-thought (or dynamic equivalent) translations ~The Bible translation I personally would recommend that is an “optimal equivalence” translation ~What the Holy Spirit has clearly called me, personally, to do in my personal Bible study time ~Free online resources and websites for Bible study ~Great books of the Bible to begin with if you are a new believer ~Bible study methods: *SOAP method Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer *Inductive Bible Study Method ~Great guided Bible study book recommendations ~Practical tips for how to be in the Word as a busy woman ~Meeting with God all throughout the day in relationship with Him, as opposed to relegating time with Him to a business meeting in the morning ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Rachel Norman is a wife, mom of 5, certified baby and toddler sleep coach, blogger at A Mother Far From Home, and author of the new book, “If Mama Ain't Happy: Why Minding Healthy Boundaries Is Good for Your Whole Family“. She has a passion to help moms be ok, to be able to uncomplicate family life and go back to the basics. Today on the show she encourages and inspires us to craft lives that serve us and our families well.   What We Chat About On This Episode ~Rachel's new book, “If Mama Ain't Happy: Why Minding Healthy Boundaries Is Good for Your Whole Family“, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~Erecting boundaries for ourselves so that we can guard our hearts and be ok ~How having boundaries for ourselves and taking care of ourselves is actually really good for our kids, too ~Rachel's own experience of how the way she was living truly was killing her ~How not having appropriate boundaries as a mom leads to our growing anxious, hurried, harried, and as mere shells of ourselves ~Understanding that our struggles are common, and we are not alone ~The importance of slowing down and assessing how you're feeling and why and what can be done about it ~The problem that can come with putting ourselves as moms into certain camps - crunchy parenting, gentle parenting, positive parenting, etc. ~The problems that can arise with the modern-day concept of “positive” parenting ~The problem with raising our kids (even subconsciously) to think that it isn't normal to have feelings, express grief, or cry ~The importance of being kind and gentle while also remembering that saying no and having boundaries are important and good for our children's well-being as the grow up ~Having a big-picture perspective in our parenting ~The benefit of having conversations and seeking to reach the heart of our children as opposed to just slapping a consequence on a behavior ~The problem of toxic positivity ~Normalizing having emotions as moms and children ~Actually making choices to cultivate, form, and organize lives that serve us well and bring us joy ~Taking things off our plates that are bringing inappropriate busyness into our lives ~The importance of stepping back and asking ourselves what our worldview is and assessing whether or not our current family rhythms and routines are honoring that worldview ~Words of advice and help to the mom who is on the other end of the spectrum and has a vice grip of control ~The heavy burden too many mamas have of believing that everything is either their fault or their responsibility; remembering that it is not our burden to bear to be God to our family ~How being too busy is a tool of the enemy to distract us from what is most important ~The warning sign it is if you're being triggered by the pushback that comes with standards and discipline in your home ~Being freed from feeling like you are the victim of your children ~How not living in the present leads to our being depressed and anxious; what this means for us and our phone addictions ~Advice for how to get started with crafting new rhythms and routines and letting go of the busyness and overwhelm ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

  On this week's solo podcast episode, I am re-releasing an episode where I took to the show to talk all about New Year's resolutions, goals, walking by the Spirit, and holding fast to the gospel in the midst of it all. What I Chat about in Today's Episode: ~Why so many of our resolutions “fail” and why wrong theology is shooting us in the foot here ~The impact of the gospel on our guilt surrounding “failing” in our resolutions and goals ~The important first steps to take when drafting up your resolutions and goals for the year ~The importance of walking by the Spirit in the everyday moments of our lives, not even just in the big-picture times of planning for a whole year ~Our identity and why it does not come from what we accomplish ~Willingly changing course when God calls us to ~The importance of redeeming the time well – regardless of whether or not we have already “failed” in our resolutions ~Understanding that looking to yourself for the strength required to fulfill your resolutions is not enough ~And more! For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast