Podcasts about family life today

282. Family Sabbath: Pause and Delight with Eryn Lynum   Mark 2:27 NIV “Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”   *Transcription Below*   Eryn Lynum is a certified Master Naturalist, Bible teacher, national speaker, and author. Eryn lives in Northern Colorado with her husband, Grayson, and their four children, whom they homeschool—mainly in the great outdoors. Eryn has has been featured on FamilyLife Today, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Christian Parenting, MOPS International, Bible Gateway, Her View From Home, and For Every Mom. Every opportunity she gets, she is out exploring God's creation with her family and sharing the adventures. To learn more about Eryn, visit ErynLynum.com.   Eryn's Books Eryn's Free Resources Mentioned Nat Theo Podcast   Topics and Questions We Cover: What can this look like to daily align our activities with our deepest values? What do people actually do on this day of rest and what do you recommend for families? Are there any other practical benefits we're missing out on if we neglect rest?   Thank You to Our Sponsor: Leman Property Management Company   Related Savvy Sauce Episodes: 81 Rest with Doctor, Author, and Speaker, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith 99 Sabbath Rest with Sandy Feit 175 Practicing Sabbath with Shireen Eldridge   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook, Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:11 - 1:34) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Leman Property Management Company has the apartment you will be able to call home, with over 1,700 apartment units available in Central Illinois. Visit them today at lemanproperties.com or connect with them on Facebook.   Eryn Lynum is my wonderful guest for today, and she's the author of this beautiful book, The Nature of Rest. We're going to discuss all things related to rest, ways that we can prepare for it, how we can enjoy and delight in it, what good gifts God has for us with rest, and then how to reflect well on the rhythms in our life, and so much more.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Eryn.   Eryn Lynum: (1:34 - 4:03) Thank you. Thanks so much for having me.   Laura Dugger: Well, I'd love for you to start us off by sharing your personal journey and tell why you are so uniquely qualified to teach and write about rest, as stress can literally kill you.   Eryn Lynum: Yeah, that's correct. So, when I was 14 years old, I was diagnosed with a potentially fatal autoimmune disorder. And kind of the context of that season, I was preparing to go overseas for the first time on a missions trip. So, I was going to be in Africa for two months. And so, before you go do something like that, you have to go to the doctor and get a checkup and vaccine recommendations, all the things. And so, my parents took me in.   Again, I was 14 at the time, and we had no reason to believe that there was anything wrong. There were no red flags. Besides, I had been a little tired, a little dizzy once in a while, but really, we just thought, okay, well, I'm growing up, my body's changing. But when the nurse took my blood pressure that day, it was 56 over 48, which is deathly low.   And so, immediately, that's a red flag. And I undergo more testing and hospital visits and seeing specialists. And they diagnosed me with something called Addison's disease. And Addison's disease, it's where your adrenal glands no longer function. So, maybe you've heard of adrenal fatigue, where someone is so taxed out that their adrenal glands can't keep up because they're meant to produce cortisol, which is our stress hormone. Well, Addison's disease is the worst-case scenario where you can't come back from it, barring a miracle. Like, my adrenal glands don't work, and they haven't for over 20 years now.   And so, you know, this system that God has given us meant to cope with stress, and it's that fight-or-flight response. At that young age, I no longer had that. And so, stress became quite literally deadly to me. And at that point, my parents, they began coaching me in biblical stress management, so identifying stressors in my life.   You know, when your shoulders start creeping up, and you can feel that tension in your neck, and knowing that those are signs that, okay, you need to step back, you need to calm yourself. Like the Psalms talk about, “I have calmed and quieted my soul,” and to bring everything to the Lord and cast all your anxieties upon Him. And this is really where I can see, in my life, I developed a very consistent prayer pattern in my life where just all day long, like conversing with the Lord.   And so, that's been a big part of this. But yeah, that's really what began leading me into this deeply restful lifestyle was out of necessity. But really what I've seen since then is God designed all of us to live and thrive through rest. Like this is His original design.   Laura Dugger: (4:04 - 4:27) I love that so much. And you articulate this so well in your book. But before I ever encountered you, I had never heard of the term master naturalist before. So, if you want to share anything about that, it would be great. And as a master naturalist, where do you see these rhythms of rest in nature?   Eryn Lynum: (4:28 - 6:54) So, a master naturalist, it's really a fancy term for nature teacher. And I pursued this because my degree and my passion are in biblical theology. And I've always been passionate about rightly handling God's word of truth from 2 Timothy 2:15.   And I began to see as my own family, my husband and I, we have three boys and a daughter, and now they're 14 down to seven. But when they were younger and we started spending more time outdoors, I started to see, okay, God has given us so many visuals and materials in nature with which we can teach about Him. Coming from Romans 1:20, that His invisible attributes, those things we can't see about God, are clearly perceived through what He has made. And I saw that also Jesus in the gospels, He used nature all the time to teach.   And God throughout scripture, like it's not just Genesis 1, nature narratives are strong throughout scripture. And so, I thought if God and Jesus use this methodology to teach, then certainly we can. And so, that's why I went through this training and taught, teach with this method is because, you know, the more we understand these materials, the more we see of God and the more we can communicate about Him.   And so, I was working as a master naturalist in our city and teaching my own programs. And I started to incorporate it more and more into my book and then later on in my podcast. And at the same time, God was leading my family into celebrating Sabbath. We had come into this season where we were just exhausted, like running businesses and raising and homeschooling kids, like all of us, no matter our circumstances, face this very real human existence of fatigue. And so, we came to a place where rest was no longer optional. It was critical and vital.   And so, I'm living in these two realms of learning about nature while I'm learning about scripture. And then God is bringing us into deep rest. So, I started to ask the question, where do we see rest in scripture? And I found that it is everywhere. The roots of rest run deep and wide throughout scripture. And also asking, where do we see rest in creation in nature? And it's also everywhere there that God designed all these cycles and these rhythms and all of his plants and creatures, even the ones that we think of as so frenetic and busy that God designed them to thrive through rest.   Laura Dugger: (6:55 - 7:04) And will you give a specific example then of something in nature as it's so apparent that it's designed for rest?   Eryn Lynum: (7:04 - 8:28) Definitely. Let's focus on one of those ones that we often think of as really busy, the hummingbird. I opened the book with the analogy of a hummingbird because when you think about a hummingbird, what do you picture in your mind?   Laura Dugger: (7:17 - 7:19) Busy, constant movement in and out.   Eryn Lynum: (7:20 - 8:28) Yeah, exactly. Like they have to visit between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers every day to get all the nectar that they need. And so, they are always like here and there in the next place. And they look like this little thing just zipping through the air and you can't even see their wings beating because they can be up to 70 times a second. It's this blur of motion. And we think about that little hummingbird, and we can sometimes feel like that little hummingbird just zipping from one thing to the next, thinking there's no time to stop.   But the hummingbird does stop. It has a very strategic method of rest called torpor. And torpor is kind of like a mini hibernation where the little bird is going to go into this deep state of rest. It lowers its body temperature by around 50 degrees and becomes completely unresponsive. And this is a regular thing that the hummingbird does, and it enables it to continue its God-given, good, busy, fruitful work. So, it's this picture of, you know, busyness is not bad. God created us for fruitful work, but it's all meant to be sustained through deep, rhythmic, intentional rest.   Laura Dugger: (8:28 - 9:06) I mean, immediately that makes me think of the weeks, even that I'm most productive, I've probably prioritized my sleep the best of it. And if I get great sleep, even if it's extra hours, that doesn't take away from the rest of the day. That probably makes my time even multiplied.   Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. And I love, you point out so many times how God just clearly designed his creation to enjoy this gift of rest. So, you mentioned some of the nature parts. What about some of the foundational scriptural truths on this topic?   Eryn Lynum: (9:07 - 11:52) Yeah, well, of course, where's the first place that we get the idea of rest in the scripture? Yeah, exactly. So, God completes his work of creation and then he rests and he didn't need to rest. Isaiah 40:28 tells us that he, the creator of the world does not grow weary or tired.   I believe that one reason, and I talk about a couple of them in the book, but I believe that one main reason God rested was to stop and delight. That word Sabbath, it comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, which can mean to both stop and delight. Like think about God finishing his creative work, bringing, bringing everything from nothing. Ex nihilo is that theological term, everything from nothing. Creating not only the animals and the plants, but the textures and the math and the shapes and the like everything he needed to make these things. And I imagine he just wanted to stop and enjoy it. I can even picture him going through creation and listening to the birds and taking in the colors and the shapes of the clouds.   What a beautiful reminder to us, because I know for myself, I'm so prone to just run from one thing to the next, like check it off the list. What's next? But here God is modeling for us. Stop delight, praise him for what he just allowed us to accomplish, to create, to do before rushing on to the next thing.   And so, we get that first mentioned there at creation, but then think about when Sabbath was actually established, there's a framework, there's a structure it's Exodus 16. And the context here is the Israelites. They're doing what they do. They're wandering and grumbling. They're hangry and God shows mercy to them in the form of quail and manna, but he has very specific instructions for them. He says for six days, you shall gather it, but not on the seventh day. Don't go out. It is a solemn day, a Holy Sabbath to the Lord.   That's the first mention of Sabbath, that word in scripture, but consider the Israelites. They had no context for what God was calling them to do. Surely they could think back to the creation story. Okay. God worked and then rested, but they had very little idea of what he was asking them to do. This was an act of faith. God was saying, stop gathering, trust me.   And this is so hard for us because like we are so prone to gather, gather, gather, do produce work more out of this scarcity mindset. But this picture is showing God is a God of abundance and his math works. When we trust him to be the provider, not ourselves. And we take that risk on rest. He provides abundantly through it.   Laura Dugger: (11:53 - 12:05) Absolutely. And within this gift then of rest, how can rest actually reorder and re-energize our lives?   Eryn Lynum: (12:05 - 14:03) I love this question because throughout the book, we talk a lot about reordering and creating margins. So, we can rest and reprioritizing. You know, it's so interesting when we look at the creation narrative, where we get that first mention of rest, because it's backwards to what we normally think.   Think about this. God created for six days and then he rested. Adam, the first human was created on that sixth day. So, Adam's first full day was a day of arrest, dedicated to rest. And in this, we see that God worked and then rested. But we, humanity, we were always meant to begin from rest.   And you see that even in the Hebrew tradition of a day, their day begins at evening. Their day doesn't start with, let's get up and get to work. Their day starts with, let me go to rest to get ready for the work. So, first we have to reorder our concept of rest, not see it as a reward. Oh, I'm going to work, work, work, get all the things done so that maybe I can rest this weekend or on vacation, or when the kids are out of the house or in retirement, that's backwards to the biblical framework. We are meant to begin from rest.   So, starting there. And as we do that, my family has found after sabbathing for three and a half years now, everything else kind of falls into place. And that happens when you operate by God's design. You know, rest allows us to tend to the most important things. Those deep values, whether like that should be of course, faith and family. So, getting clear on your values is really important. Like what is most important to your family faith? Maybe it's community generosity. Maybe it's physical health, mental health, all these things do better. And we have more time to tend to them when we first make room and space for rest.   Laura Dugger: (14:04 - 16:28) And now a brief message from our sponsor.    With over 1,700 apartment units available throughout Pekin, Peoria, Peoria Heights, Morton and Washington. And with every price range covered, you will have plenty of options when you rent through Leman Property Management Company.   They have townhomes, duplexes, studios, and garden style options located in many areas throughout Pekin. And make sure you check out their newest offering, the McKinley located in Pekin is a new construction addition to their platinum collection featuring nine foot ceilings, large spacious layouts, beautiful finishes, such as courts, countertops, and garages. You won't want to miss this outstanding new property in Peoria, a historic downtown location and apartments adjacent to OSF Medical Center provide excellent choices.   Check out their brand new luxury property in Peoria Heights, overlooking the boutique shops and fine dining on prospect. And in Morton, they offer a variety of apartment homes with garages, a hot downtown location, and now a brand new high-end complex near Idlewood Park. If you want to become part of their team, contact them about open office positions.   They're also hiring in their maintenance department. So, we invite you to find out why so many people have chosen to make a career with them. Check them out on Facebook today or email their friendly staff at leasing@lemanprops.com. You can also stop by their website at lemanproperties.com, check them out and find your place to call home today.   It never ceases to amaze me how God's economy and his math are just different. Sometimes upside down from ours, but I feel like when you're speaking, it reminds me of Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” So, if we actually obey, I think there are so many blessings that we can enjoy from this gift of rest. So, you're talking about our values. Then what can this look like to daily align our activities with our deepest values?   Eryn Lynum: (16:30 - 18:30) Yes, this is an ongoing practice because the enemy is always trying to distract us from what is most important. And that word there is key distract. And so, first we have to learn to identify those distractions, the things that are pulling us away from what is most important, but you know, getting to those core values and on my website, I have, my husband and I developed a family values guide that helps you step by step to really figure out what are our deepest values.   So, that's erinlynum.com/values. But really what it is, is this practice of getting clear on God's best for, for us and for our families and for those around us and, and making sure that we are aligning and realigning because it's going to get out of alignment, those values with God's agenda. You know, a lot of days I just start my day with a restful pause.   I call them in the book, Selah pauses. And I am quite literally, I am sitting before the Lord, my eyes closed and my hands just up in this posture of surrender and receiving. And I will say, Lord, I am surrendering my own agenda, my own expectations for this day. And I want to receive your power, your presence, your peace. And then throughout the day, just taking those checks.   Like I practice these daily Selah pauses and moments of rest because think about Selah in the Psalms. It can mean to pause, to contemplate, to redirect. And we need to do that often because as a day goes on, I think we lose energy and focus. You know, at the beginning of the day, we might feel really like focused. And this is what I'm getting done today. And that can waver like that can wane out as the day goes on. And so, constantly just checking back in.   Okay, Lord, what is it you have for me to do today? And how do I tend to those most important things? But you have to take that restful pause to be able to do that.   Laura Dugger: (18:31 - 18:46) That's good reminder. Okay. So, to check back in with the Lord and then can you give another example of one family and what their value is and how they live that out in their daily life. And maybe even what requires us to say no to.   Eryn Lynum: (18:47 - 20:15) Ooh, that's a fantastic question. Hmm. Can it be for my own family or do you want me to give them love it from your own family?   Okay. I was asked this question recently. Someone asked me, how do you make time to be outside as a family? One of our core family values is to be out exploring in God's creation. And this has been harder in different seasons. And we have two middle schoolers now, you know, we are, we have a lot going on.   And so, it can very quickly happen where at the end of the day, we're like, wow, we really didn't spend much time outdoors today, but how we prioritize this is you do have to say no to other things. So, we're a homeschooling family. And just as an example, it can be very tempting to feel like, am I doing enough? Am I teaching them enough? We need to check off all these boxes and get the lessons done. And it's constantly surrendering that and realizing, you know, I know that our value of being outdoors is important to God. I know that he is meeting my children there. He is meeting me there. He is giving us rest and rejuvenation there.   So, trusting with that, again, going back to the Israelites, stop gathering, stop checking off all the boxes, stop trying to provide and meet your own expectations. And instead stay super focused on what God has called you to and ruthlessly get rid of the rest, anything that's keeping you from that.   Laura Dugger: (20:16 - 20:36) I love that personal example. Thank you for sharing. And how can we also in our own families or in our own life, how can we distinguish which activities are vital for the abundant life in Christ that he offers so that we don't settle for less?   Eryn Lynum: (20:38 - 22:46) I love that you bring up that, that term, the abundant life. In John 10:10, that Christ came, that we might have life and life abundantly overflowing to the fullest, like brimming over is what that word means. And that scripture also says the enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy.   And I believe that one of the enemy's biggest schemes and methods for that is to send us into hurry and hustle mode. And he does that through distraction and discontent. And so, so much of this is pressing back against distraction and discontent and getting back to how God created us to thrive.   And again, I believe that that is through this, this gift of rest. You know, you talk about, you asked about settling for less. The enemy is going to put a million things in our life that would cause us to want to settle for less.   Let me give you an example of him trying to distract us. There was a recent weekend where we were coming up on the weekend, and I had several friends reach out and ask about me doing these things like these different opportunities coming our way. Like, do you want to do this? Do you want to do this? And each of them were for on Saturday and that's usually when our family Sabbaths. And so, I had this tension because these were good things.   It's hard to say no to a good thing, but I kept feeling again and again, the Lord saying, no, rest with your family, rest with your family. And it was so sweet because come Saturday morning, I was out on our back deck sipping coffee with my husband for hours, having incredible conversations, reading great books. The kids are playing in the yard.   Several times I caught myself thinking, I almost said no to this by saying yes to other things. And again, they were good things. This life is full of good things, but God's rest is one of the best things for our families. So, it's learning to be okay with saying no to those good things. So, you can say yes to that better thing.   Laura Dugger: (22:48 - 23:17) Examples are so helpful. And that requires a level of discernment and going to the Lord to ask him, but I'm wondering if you even have a system in place for how you discern that, or is it a gut piece that you follow or any practical ways that each of us can discern what's the right kind of busy that's good. And what's the wrong kind of busy and the things that we want to say no to.   Eryn Lynum: (23:18 - 25:05) Yeah. Going back to, again, busy is not bad. God created us for fruitful work, but I think, you know, when we are following Christ and God's spirit is within us, he's going to give us that sense of this is the right kind of busy.   This is the wrong kind of busy. And practically, you know, if it has any notion of distraction, like if you're doing this thing to just distract you or to procrastinate on better things, if it has a note of busyness, you know, some people will be like, well, some people, the enemy makes us want to think that sitting on our phones can be restful because you're not technically doing much of anything, but that distraction is stealing God's true gift of rest for us.   And so, you know, our family, as we practice Sabbath throughout the week, I know that come Saturday, we have a full day of rest. And sometimes it's tempting to add a little work into there, to let it seep out of those edges of the work week and kind of into our Sabbath. And as you practice this more and more and begin just ruthlessly protecting that time, whether it's a full day, whether you start with a half day, God is going to make you more sensitive to those things. Because sometimes I'll like work it out in my mind, like, oh, this isn't work. And really like it's definitely, it's definitely trying to serve my work during the work week.   And God is saying, no, like step away from that and allow me to refresh and rejuvenate your spirit so that when you go back to the work, you do so much more powerfully energized, restful, and ready to do that work to the very best of your ability with God's power.   Laura Dugger: (25:07 - 25:36) That reminds me of a previous guest I'll link to. He did two episodes, but Jeff Henderson just said he's a pastor too. And he said, sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.   I would agree on that, which you've kind of been sharing a little glimpses of your family's experience with Sabbath, but let's just zero in on Sabbath and I'll just try and go through a series of questions. But first what's the importance of Sabbath?   Eryn Lynum: (25:37 - 26:55) Well, first God commands it. Like if God commanded it, then surely it's important, but that can also sometimes cause us to get a little legalistic about it. What is it? What isn't it? Well, it is meant to be a gift, meant to be a blessing. It's meant to empower us and what God created us for and calls us to.   And so, keeping that just center, this is meant to be a gift, but we see it all throughout scripture, the importance of rest and rest in God's design. It's celebration. Like it's not idleness. It's not doing nothing. Although sometimes like that's the most beneficial way that we can rest. Like you talked about a nap.   I love a good nap on Sabbath, but also it can be energizing activities, inspiring activities. I also love a good long walk on Sabbath. Sometimes I love cooking with fresh ingredients and working on a meal during Sabbath because I don't get much opportunity to do that during the week. Sometimes I love going out and working in the garden because that's life giving and I don't have time to do that throughout the week. And so, getting back to this concept, this idea of Sabbath and rest are celebratory. Like when we do it well as a family, it feels like a mini vacation every week.   Laura Dugger: (26:56 - 27:15) Ooh, I love that. My husband said that before about date night and I connect with that, that it's a little mini reprieve, a mini vacation each week. But then that leads me to the question because I bet so many people share their Sabbath activities with you. What do families actually do on this day of rest?   Eryn Lynum: (27:16 - 31:46) Yeah, that's a great question. And first I'll say that it should look different from family to family. We are all in unique seasons. We have different stories, different scenarios. Again, if you can't start with the full day, now I strongly believe strive and work toward that full day. That's God's design.   And we've seen the most blessing from that. But if you have to start smaller with a half day with four hours, start there. So, it's going to look different. If you have newborns, like a newborn child, it's going to look different and that's okay. No going into it, that it's going to be messy. Hebrews says strive toward rest, work toward rest. It's so counter-cultural. We have to work toward it. So, just going in, knowing these things is very helpful.   It's also going to grow, adapt, and change throughout the seasons. Our family has seen that. But a typical Sabbath for our family right now is we follow the traditional Friday evening to Saturday evening for the most part. Some people ask me, why not Sunday? Isn't Sunday the Sabbath? Well, for us, Sunday is set aside for church community and fellowship and corporate worship. And that's so life-giving to our souls. But by the time I get home from church and I'm making lunch for the family, like I'm not rested physically. So, we needed a separate day set aside for rest.   And so, Friday afternoon, we start preparing where we're going to band together and just pick up the house, get it ready, wash all the dishes and just start preparing our hearts, our minds, our bodies, our home for rest. And then we start Friday evening with communion as a family, just breaking bread and celebrating what Christ did on our behalf. And again, that, that idea of celebrate, and this marks it as special. Okay. We're heading into Sabbath. Some families will like light a white candle for Sabbath, just really marking it. And then we have, we toast to the week. So, we'll pour sparkling juice and just toast and say, “Hey, what did we see God do this week?” Like going back to that idea of stop and delight, we are setting a hard stop to the week. We are delighting. What did we see God do? What did he help us overcome? What can we thank Him for from this past week? And then we'll do an easy dinner. Think tacos, take and bake pizza spaghetti.   We use paperware, which is a bit controversial since I work as a master naturalist, but it has been an easy button for Sabbath that I'm not worried about like dishes piling up on the counter. And then we'll, we'll wrap it up with a sweet treat like ice cream and then our kids go to bed, or they'll listen to audio books. Audio books have been massive for our Sabbath because they're screen-free because we do put away all screens and work like devices on Sabbath, but they can listen to good books.   And my husband and I, we read, like people ask me, when do you find time to read? You don't find time to read. You have to make time to read. And for us, that's on the Sabbath mostly. And then Saturday we sleep in, we get up pretty early during the week and the kids just know like you don't wake mom and dad on the Sabbath. Like that's their day to sleep in.   Again, if you have a newborn or young children, that's gonna look different and that's okay. But for us, that's the season that we're in and our kids, they'll make themselves first breakfast and then eventually we'll get up and we'll join them for a second breakfast or some Sabbath. I don't want to cook at all. And so, it's just take and forage. And you know, I usually have a grocery delivery the day before or go to the grocery store and make sure we just have a ton of good stuff in the house. So, no one's, you know, everyone has what they need.   Then the rest of the day, it is just a day of delight. Reading books, playing games, being out in creation, visiting with neighbors, having great conversations together. Sabbath is this space where you get to do all those things during the week that you're like, oh, I wish I had time for that and you just don't get to them. Like recently my daughter during the week, she really wanted me, she's seven. She wanted me to sit down and watercolor paint with her, which I love doing, but it was a really busy week. And I just didn't have the space.   And so, I told her like, “Hey, I would love to do that. Can we do that on Sabbath?” And she was so happy with that answer. And come that Sabbath a few days later, she remembered, she came up to me. She's like, mom, it's time to paint. And she got all the supplies, and we went and sat outside at our picnic table and painted for the afternoon.   You know, Sabbath does so much for me as a mom to remove that guilt of the things I don't feel like I have time for because I know, and my kids know, Sabbath is coming and that's our day to be together and do those things.   Laura Dugger: (31:47 - 31:57) Hmm. Okay. That makes me curious. Then to how much of a vote does everyone in the family get for what Sabbath will look like?   Eryn Lynum: (31:57 - 34:02) Oh, that is a great question. No one's ever phrased it to me like that before. I love that. What we found that's been important to keep in mind is that we all individually find different things, restful and inspiring. I'll give you an example. One Sabbath, my husband, especially in the spring, he loves to work in the yard on Sabbath because he spends most of his week. He runs a construction company on the computer or on the phone. And so, in the spring, he wants to be out in the yard and trimming his fruit trees and just working with God's creation. And so, one Sabbath he comes and he has like the clippers in his hand and he's like, “Hey, let's go work on the yard.”   And I was like, that's great. You do that. I'm going to go read my book in the hammock. And I fell asleep for two hours while he worked on the yard. And so, a lot of this is being okay that yes, a lot of it's going to be together. Like I talked about, we did, we do communion together and we do meals together. And a lot of times we'll be out on a hike together. That's a favorite Sabbath activity. But a lot of times we're also doing separate activities.   The kids are enjoying their books or their audio books or their painting or their, uh, visiting the neighbor kids. And my husband and I are reading books on the back deck. And so, it's okay that there's going to be some together time and some separate time, you know, just being flexible with it. Like our first year of Sabbath, we went, we had to go like hardcore. We had to learn to stay. I think about in the book, I talk about the word abide meno in the Greek and it can mean to stay, to dwell, to remain.   So, we've spent our first year of Sabbath, not getting in the car. We stayed home and learned to just be home together. And after that year, we started to miss our time. We live in Colorado, missing our time hiking in the mountains. And so, we changed it. We said, okay, well, toward the end of Sabbath Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, let's go hike or let's go have a picnic in the wilderness. And just being open to that, that God's going to change you as a family and change you individually. And just growing up in a Sabbath practice together.   Laura Dugger: (34:03 - 34:20) I like the freedom that you're communicating there. And then when you mentioned the neighborhood kids, it makes me curious. Do you encourage community for some of those who recharge with other people? Would you recommend Sabbath thing with others or just keeping it your family?   Eryn Lynum: (34:21 - 36:16) Absolutely. We love inviting others into Sabbath. And it actually started with, we started our Sabbath practice. It was so sweet because God convinced us to do this. And then our first Sabbath was on January 1st. That happened to be the first Saturday that we did it. So, it was like this fresh start. And right around that time, we had moved to a new neighborhood. And our neighbors near us are Messianic Jews.   And they follow Shabbat, the traditional Shabbat. And they invited us into that. It was the sweetest evening, and they have children, young children, like we do. So, like there's chaos and there's mess. And then there's sweet times of singing together and scripture reading. And they follow it much more the traditional method than our family has.   But it was so sweet to be invited into that and to get a picture for how to invite others into this rest. And so, absolutely, we encourage, especially our kids having friends over. And we do usually ask parents, hey, can you drop them off? And then we can bring them back maybe like later that day toward the end of our Sabbath. Or if you want to come pick them up. Because again, we like to just stay home if we can.   But our kids are to the point now too where they can ride their bikes over to friends' houses. And we're fine with that. They might not be home on Sabbath once in a while. It's not a regular thing. But they're getting fed. And we know that the people they're with are people who share our values, people that we do life together.   We love having bonfires in the backyard on Sabbath. Now one thing I have to be careful of is I don't want to invite people over and feel like I need to host or clean up first. And so, for one, we don't have full families over a whole lot on Sabbath because I just don't want any sort of self-induced, self-imposed pressure.   But sometimes it's so much fun to just be like, hey, let's go meet at a park and have a picnic dinner. Or let's have a family over and do a bonfire. Just making sure that you're keeping it really, really simple if you are going to incorporate community.   Laura Dugger: (36:17 - 37:54) Guess what? We are no longer an audio-only podcast. We now have video included as well. If you want to view the conversation each week, make sure you watch our videos. We're on YouTube, and you can access videos or find answers to any of your other questions about the podcast when you visit thesavvysauce.com.   Some of these things, like you said, “They do require forethought where you have the groceries coming or certain things in place. And I think you even refer to it as a sacred striving.” So, it's important for us to learn more about that. And here's a quick story.   I just remember we've moved states quite a few times in marriage. But when I was a young mom, there was a mom in the next season of life, and she had more kids than we did. And we went to church together, and she was just like, “Oh, we learned about Sabbath. That's not a thing for moms with multiples.” And I always wrestled with that, and I love her. She's a wonderful person. Maybe she's even changed her stance on that, so it's not to speak ill of her. But I do think that we can struggle with that because that's not an actual truth. I do think that's a message from the enemy.   So, I guess this is a two-part question. How do we protect ourselves from buying into a storyline that is not true that may hold us back from Sabbath? And then also, what is kind of the both and? It's both restful, and it requires a lot of work up front to make this a reality.   Eryn Lynum: (37:55 - 41:19) It does, and knowing that, that it is going to take work, but God's going to bless it. Think about Isaiah 55:10-11, that says, “Just like the rain and the snow go forth and produce life and bring forth life from the land, so my work goes out and does not return void or empty. It produces that which I sent it out for.”.   That is true for Sabbath and rest because, again, we find it all throughout scripture. So, know that it's going to take hard work, but God will not allow it to return void. He will bless our efforts as we step into His design that He created us for.   I talk about in the book a few ways that you have to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually. So, mentally, for me, I have to just totally remove anything mentally that's going to distract me from rest. So, I own a business, and so a lot of my work is on the computer and on the phone. I will answer, so this is like Friday, I'll answer any lingering emails, those ones that are going to be on my mind if I don't get to them. And then I put an away message on my email. So, if anyone emails me on our Sabbath, it sends an automatic reply that says, hey, thanks for your message. My family's resting. It has a little blurb in there about Sabbath. I'll get back to you in the new week.   That gives me permission to not even look at my email. In fact, people expect that I'm not looking at my email if I'm keeping my word. And so, this has just freed me up mentally to step away, and then I literally put my laptop in my closet.   With my phone, I set it to a Sabbath mode, and you can create these different focus modes if you have a smartphone, so that I can only receive messages from my mom in case of emergency. And our people, our friends, they all know this now. Like, oh, I'm not going to hear back from Erin because it's Saturday for the most part.   And so, these little things that you might just need to mentally prepare yourself. And then physically, that goes back to preparing our home. So, this is not a deep clean that we do prior to Sabbath. It's just tending to the things that are going to distract me if we don't get to them beforehand. So, again, washing all the dishes and having the kitchen clean, vacuuming. Like, that's like just a hack to make the house feel clean is I feel like it's clean if it's vacuumed.   So, just these little things, and then physically also doing that grocery order. And I have a free Sabbath guide on my website, erinlynum.com/family-sabbath. And it walks you through creating your Sabbath grocery list so that every week you have what you need in the house. These little things that truly make it, Sabbath easier and more successful.   And then preparing spiritually, going into this, like a lot of times I'll know, okay, I'm going to study this on Sabbath. For our first year, I just had like this stack of books on Sabbath that I would work through on our Sabbath. Right now, I am parked in Genesis 1 and have been for weeks. And so, just preparing spiritually, you know, this is a time of communion with our creator, with our heavenly father. And so, just having an idea of, you know, this is how I want to spend time delighting in God on the Sabbath.   That might be a long walk. That might be time in the word or time of worship but making sure that that is a keystone part of your Sabbath practice.   Laura Dugger: (41:20 - 41:45) And, you know, it really is possible. I just think so many of us celebrate holidays and we do the same thing where we plan, prepare, prioritize ahead of time so that we can delight in that day. And what a gift to get to do that weekly. So, with all of these amazing benefits, why do we still resist God's design for rest?   Eryn Lynum: (41:46 - 43:00) Because we live in a fallen world, broken by sin, and the enemy wants to do everything he can to keep us from this. This is God's design and our faith, and our souls and our families flourish in this design. And so, the enemy is going to do whatever he can to keep us from it.   He's going to insert fear. He's going to insert distraction. He's going to insert doubt. You know, when we started this practice coming up to it, I was thinking, there's no way, like how are we going to get everything done in one last day a week, all these doubts. And yet what we found so quickly is that as we took this step of faith, we quickly became so much more productive and effective and creative during the work week, because we were starting from rest and following God's design.   We resist this because it is counter-cultural. Everything in society is set up against us doing this and succeeding in this. So, again, going and knowing that our war is not against flesh and blood. It is against the powers of the spheres, like things unseen. The enemy is against us, but God is on our side. And as we step into his design, he's going to make much of it.   Laura Dugger: (43:01 - 43:12) Okay. So, if we are convinced and we want to give this a try, what is a practical first step to just obeying this and receiving this gift of rest?   Eryn Lynum: (43:13 - 45:23) Yeah, super practical here. Two first steps. The first is to set a day and time. Now you're not committing to this forever. And again, if you, if a big hesitancy here is I can't do a full day. Okay. Work and pray toward that but start smaller. If it's four hours on a Wednesday, guard that time. Ruthlessly guard it. Don't let anything be written on the schedule besides that.   So, set a day in time and then write two lists. This is going back to the idea of stop and delight, right? Your stop list. These are things that send you into hurry and hustle mode, things that are related to normal work, things that feel heavy. Some of them are so important.   Again, our work is important, but this is going to be things like devices, media, regular work, answering emails, phone calls. It might be driving in traffic. It might be spending money. Write down those things that feel heavy. That's your stop list. The things you're not going to entertain on that day or that time.   And then write your delight list. This might be hard at first because what I've found with myself, with many of us is that we forget what we delight in but causes that childlike sense of play and wonder. This is learning to be human again, coming back to those things.   So, it might be playing music or listening to music, working with fresh ingredients, reading a good book, writing by hand, watercolor painting, going for a walk. What we find is that a lot of people who spend time during the week in front of a computer want to be outdoors on the Sabbath, but people who run a landscaping company might want to be inside with a great book. So, just writing down those things that are, again, those things that you think during the week, oh, I really wish I could get to that.   Only we don't. Those are your delight list. So, now you have a day and a time. You know what you're not going to do, what you're setting aside, even physically, that should probably most definitely be your phone. Stick it in a drawer. I have my Sabbath drawer where I put my phone, and then you know what you're going to do and spend that day on.   Laura Dugger: (45:24 - 45:47) That's so good. And for those who have been listening for a while, they could even put their phone in their RO box, and I could link to that episode as well with Joey Odom. That's incredible about where our phone could be in its right place.   But Eryn, are there any other practical benefits that we might be missing out on that you've seen as a result of this Sabbath rest?   Eryn Lynum: (45:48 - 49:44) One of my favorite benefits is how it unlocks our creativity. Whether you work in a career or position that you consider creative or not, God designed all of us to be creative, to produce. And so, what I have found is that my work, my work is very in that creative sphere, writing books, creating podcast lessons for children.   It's very creative work. And I've found that Sabbath is this day where God gives my mind rest. It's so incredible thinking about how he wired our brains to thrive through rest, and science points to that that a restful mind is better at problem-solving, connecting ideas, remembering details.   And so, as my mind is allowed to rest on Sabbath, and I'm out on a walk in nature, or I'm reading a good book, or I'm writing by hand, when it comes time to sit down at the computer Monday morning, I am ready. I am flowing with ideas. They are there.   And I'll give you an example. This one isn't from Sabbath. It's from one of my daily rest rhythms that I call Selah Pause, and that's a walk in the morning. And this might be a little controversial, but this is not an easy stroll. I have my rucking pack on, and I'm trekking up a hill, which is not physically restful, of course, but it's mentally restful for me. I love it.   And so, it was in January, so it's frigid out, and everything's covered in snow, and I'm in all my snow gear, and I'm trudging up this hill. And at the time, I was dealing with a problem in my podcast where it was a good problem. We had spent the month teaching about God's designs in the human body. So, we had taught kids about God's designs in cells and DNA and the heart and the brain, but I didn't want to just let this series end. I wanted to wrap it up in some powerful way, and I didn't know how. So, I could have stayed home that morning and hashed this out and been at the computer, and how should I end this thing?   Instead, I went on this walk, and God just dropped this idea in my mind. And it was this idea. He said, ask the kids how they are wonderfully made. And that was the top. The theme was wonderfully made. And so, I put it out there to my email list. When I got back from that walk, I said, hey, I would love to hear how you kids believe you are wonderfully made by the creator. And I opened up this little voice mailbox on our website, and I didn't know if anyone would respond. And then I'm like, what if they don't? And then I don't know what to do because I said I'm going to do this thing.   I tell you, message after message came in from children from ages. I think it was three or four up to 14 from all over the world. And I was weeping as I edited that episode. I had planned to add something at the beginning and the end to build out this episode. I didn't do that because it was, I believe it's 22 minutes straight of children saying, this is my name.   I'm five years old. I live in England and I'm wonderfully made because God made me to read well or God made me fast. Or one little boy shared, he said, I know I'm wonderfully made because my mama lost a baby before me. And I'm here and I'm wonderfully made. And I'm weeping.   And this idea that God gave me, I would have missed it if I hadn't taken that pause to be out in his creation walking that day. And so, that's a very roundabout way to get back to your question of what are the other benefits? We hear from God when we make time for rest. And if we keep just rushing and hurrying, I'm concerned that we are walking by so many opportunities to hear from his spirit and to let him unlock that potential within us.   Laura Dugger: (49:45 - 50:22) Oh, I love that. And I'm even reminded of one other thing that you write in your book that today, one way we can practically experience his original design of rest is by stepping outside. And you're full of tips and ideas like that, but I so appreciate those stories.   So, you've equipped us with this foundation of rest and ways that we can prepare for it, how we can enjoy and delight in it. And so now, Eryn, how can we reflect well on our rhythms of work and rest?   Eryn Lynum: (50:25 - 53:19) So, much of this is reflection. So, much of this is stopping to consider where God is at work in our lives, where we need to recalibrate, where we need to realign, where we need to step back into his pace because we're trying to run ahead of him. And one way that we can see it, you know, like you might ask the question, am I at rest? Even me sometimes on Sabbath, I'm like, am I doing this right? Like, is this actually restful? Is this what I'm supposed to be doing?   I think we can answer that question by the fruit in our lives, the fruit inside of us that God is producing and the fruit that we are producing. So, one thing I kind of sum up the book on is this question of, are you growing in truth and love? Because the enemy, when he gets us away from God's rest and into hustle, into distraction and hurry, we are not fully experiencing God.   And so, our levels of experiencing his love and offering it to others is going to suffer. Our experience of hearing his truth and living that truth out in our lives is going to suffer. And so, the opposite is true that as we live at rest, this whole concept of abide, that is living at rest, not just these rest practices, but living at rest in God's restful presence, we are going to be producing more love and more truth.   So, that's like a key visual. And then I love on that idea of abide. We spent a whole week on abide in the book and, you know, John chapter 15 being the abide passage. And what we see there is there's these 11 mentions of that word abide. And they all refer to us abiding in Christ, Christ abiding in us, God's word abiding in us. So, all this connectivity between Christ and God and us and his word.   But then it's, I think it's verse 16. There's a different mention of meno, abide. And it says that he wants us to go out and produce fruit that abides. So, this is different. It relates to our fruit and that word abide. Yes, it can mean dwell, remain, stay, but it can also mean continue and endure.   God created us to produce fruit and fruit that endures. Doesn't rot, doesn't fade, but continues into eternity. So, we can look at, okay, am I personally in my spirit? Am I growing in truth and love? Because God's spirit actually has the space to minister to me when I rest. And is that rest directly affecting the fruit of my life?   These are key things that we can look at and ask to see. Are we truly living from God's rest?   Laura Dugger: (53:19 - 53:53) I love questions so much. And that's so good to reflect then on the fruit that's being produced. And a mentor many years ago said, you never reap what you sow in the same season. So, that's a great place to even begin just reflecting. What did we do in the past season and what fruit are we reaping now? And where do we want to go then from here?   And one place we could go from here after this chat is to follow you. And you've mentioned your podcast. Do you want to elaborate on all the places that you're available?   Eryn Lynum: (53:54 - 55:03) Yes, thank you. So, the new book, The Nature of Rest is available wherever you get your books, along with my second book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation. And that's all about taking our kids or grandkids, the next generation outside and reconnecting the dots between creation and creator. Really returning nature study and time outdoors to its proper place as theology and the study of God.   So, those are available anywhere, including Amazon or my website, which is my name, erynlynum.com. And then my podcast is Nat Theo, short for Natural Theology. It's nature lessons rooted in the Bible. It's a podcast for kids and families where we dive deep into science and all the design and intelligence we see in creatures and plants. And we tie it all back to biblical truth so that our kids are learning science and theology at the same time.   And that's available on any podcast platform, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, right on my website, erinlynum.com, as well as YouTube. We actually provide visuals so you can watch what you're learning about as well.   Laura Dugger: (55:04 - 55:22) So, incredible. We will add links to that in the show notes for today's episode. And Eryn, you may already be familiar. We're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, what is your savvy sauce?   Eryn Lynum: (55:24 - 56:34) I love this question. And this is one that actually I was like, oh, I'm not asked this much. I'm going to have to really think deeply on this one.   It's get outside every day. That seems so simple, even though it's not really simple in practicality. But one thing I've learned through rest and through time outdoors is that 10 minutes matters. Like if you think I don't have time for this, but you have a 10 minute slot, go for a walk and see how God just communes with your spirit. Even in the dead of winter, if you live somewhere cold, like if it's safe to do so. For me, I had to buy like the best pair of snow pants I could find because I used to really dislike the winter. And I would just become like really down in those winter months.   And so, God just convinced me, don't go outside every single day if it's for 10 minutes. And then pretty often he just extends that. Like I think I'm going out for 10 minutes. And sure enough, I'm like playing with my kids outside. It's much longer.   But yeah, as best as you can, just prioritize that. If you have to do it first thing in the morning to make sure it happens, go for a walk and watch the sunrise. And God is going to minister to your soul through his creation.   Laura Dugger: (56:35 - 56:54) Amen. Amen. That is so good.   And this conversation has been so rich. Eryn, it is just very clear you have filled up on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have just poured out goodness and love and truth for all of us, all over all of us today. So, thank you for all that you shared. And thank you for being my guest.   Eryn Lynum: (56:55 - 57:03) Thank you. Thank you so much for that encouragement. That means a whole lot to me. So, thank you. And for the opportunity for a great conversation.   Laura Dugger: (57:03 - 1:03:10) I really enjoyed it.    One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

When crisis hits, even strong marriages can fracture. In this gripping episode of FamilyLife Today, pastor-therapist couple Jim and Angela Davis share with Dave and Ann Wilson the story of their marriage after a heart attack: how trauma tested their vows, faith, and identity, and how grace rewove the threads. Their journey through fear, recovery, and rediscovery offers hope for anyone asking, “Can love survive the unthinkable?” Honest and healing, find how faith turns pain into purpose and rebuilds connection that lasts. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29?v=20251111

When crisis hits, even strong marriages can fracture. In this gripping episode of FamilyLife Today, pastor-therapist couple Jim and Angela Davis share with Dave and Ann Wilson the story of their marriage after a heart attack: how trauma tested their vows, faith, and identity, and how grace rewove the threads. Their journey through fear, recovery, and rediscovery offers hope for anyone asking, “Can love survive the unthinkable?” Honest and healing, find how faith turns pain into purpose and rebuilds connection that lasts. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29?v=20251111

Gary Thomas is a writer-in-residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston, Texas. He is the author of nineteen books including the highly popular Sacred Marriage, also Sacred Pathways, Cherish, Sacred Parenting, and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith. Gary has a master's degree from Regent College, where he studied under Dr. J.I. Packer, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity from Western Seminary. Gary has spoken in forty-nine states and ten different countries. He has appeared numerous times on various national radio and television programs, including CBN, Focus on the family. and Family Life Today. To contact Gary or to get a copy of his book (When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People), just go to his website: http://www.GaryThomas.com ----------------------- Talk with Dr. Joe 1-on-1: Are you tired and stuck? Want to go to get your faith, marriage, family, career and finances back on track? Then maybe it's time you got a coach. Every CHAMPION has one. Schedule an appointment to chat with Dr. Joe. He takes on only a few Breakthrough Calls each week. The call is FREE, but slots are limited to ONE call only. NO RESCHEDULES. Just click on the link below and select the BREAKTHROUGH CALL option to set up an appointment: http://TalkwithDrJoe.com If no slots are available, please check back in a week. Also join us on: Online Podcast Community (on Station): https://station.page/realmen Facebook: @realdrjoemartin YouTube: http://www.RealMenTraining.com Instagram: @realdrjoemartin Twitter: @professormartin Website: https://RealMenConnect.com

Send us a textFeeling overloaded by family logistics and daily meltdowns? We brought together our counseling, training, clinical, and campus life team to share five brain-based strategies that bring calm, clarity, and connection without adding more stress. You'll hear how simple routines reduce decision fatigue, why writing the plan where everyone can see it boosts follow-through, and how to hold the line when kids push back so new habits actually stick.If you're ready for a calmer home and stronger bonds, start with just one strategy tonight and build from there. Subscribe for weekly brain-based parenting tools, share this episode with a friend who needs a win, and leave a quick review to help more families find us.Contact:podcasts@calfarley.org To Donate: https://secure.calfarley.org/site/Donation2?3358.donation=form1&df_id=3358&mfc_pref=TTo Apply:https://apply.workable.com/cal-farleys-boys-ranch/j/25E1226091/For More Information about Cal Farley's Boys Ranch:https://www.calfarley.org/Music:"Shine" -NewsboysCCS License No. 9402

Forget Disney princesses and Instagram filters. In this episode of FamilyLife Today, Kristen Weatherell—author of What Makes You Beautiful—chucks the cultural script on beauty and reboots it with something far more lasting: identity rooted in Jesus. From the poignancy of her own story, Kristen shows how we can help our girls find real worth. It's time to stop sprinting after the world's beauty standards and start fleshing out the beauty that matters. Find essential listening for every parent raising girls in the Instagram age. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

About Making Marriage EasierA joyous summons to love (and like) your spouse for a lifetime.Many people today are pessimistic about marriage. It's hard. It will end in divorce. If you marry, you exchange romance for responsibility. Yet research tells us the happiest people on the planet are those in healthy marriages.Can marriage be great—not just for the rare few—but for you? After twenty-five years of marriage, Arlene Pellicane has stories and biblical wisdom to share. Full of real life that will make you laugh, Making Marriage Easier addresses common threats to our marriage—poor communication, tension over differences, lack of physical intimacy, parenting stress, and more.Four key decisions will help you clarify your values and create a clear path forward. Each short chapter ends with life lessons, questions to ponder with your spouse or in a group, and prayers to strengthen and encourage. Marriage is part of God's awesome, wonderful plan. It's meant to be a celebration, not a life sentence.Whether you're holding a baby for the first time or figuring out retirement, this book is fresh kindling for a better marriage that can go the distance.Purchase a copy of Making Marriage Easier here.Connect with Arlene PellicaneWebsite | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTubeArlene Pellicane is a speaker, host of the Happy Home podcast, and author of several books, including Parents Rising, Making Marriage Easier, and Screen Kids (coauthored with Dr. Gary Chapman). Arlene has been featured on popular media outlets, including The Today Show, Fox & Friends, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, The 700 Club, and the Wall Street Journal. She is the spokesperson for National Marriage Week and has been happily married to her husband, James, for more than 25 years. Arlene earned her BA from Biola University and her master's in journalism from Regent University. Arlene inspires parents to raise children who are ready for life (not just playing video games). As an advocate of delaying smartphones and social media, her three children are living a revolutionary digital life and thriving. Arlene lives with her family in San Diego.

FamilyLife Today hosts Dave & Ann Wilson join Scott & Gabrielle to talk about Ann's new book, How to Speak Life to Your Husband When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him—and why a wife's voice carries unique power. We cover practical ways to shift from critique to encouragement, how prayer re-wires our minds, and how both spouses can speak truth in love without tearing each other down. Scriptures:Genesis 3Proverbs 18:21James 3:1-12Romans 12:2 Resources:Book – Ann Wilson, with Davd Wilson - How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at HimDave & Ann's podcast – FamilyLife TodayFollow Dave & Anne on Instagram Questions to Discuss:1. When you think about the tone of your home lately, do your words feel more like “life” or more like “boo”? Give specific examples—gently.2. What is one concrete way you can speak life to your spouse this week (phrase, text, public praise in front of the kids, written note, etc.)?3. How can you start (or restart) praying together in a way that's realistic—time of day, length, and format (out loud, texted prayer, voicemail)?

When Your Words Actually Bring Life (And How to Avoid Death): Interview With Ann & Dave Wilson Do you remember when you first fell in love—how easy it was to cheer him on? You'd light up at his stories. You'd say, “You're amazing!” and mean it. You noticed everything good. But somewhere along the way, the cheers turned into corrections. The same man who once felt like your hero now feels like your project. And instead of applause, he mostly hears... boo. That's what Ann Wilson discovered the day her husband, Dave, vulnerably told a room full of women that marriage sometimes felt that way to him—like he'd walked off the football field to a stadium full of boos. Ann was stunned. She thought she was helping him. But in that moment, she realized how her words had chipped away at his confidence and joy. I was so honored to talk with Dave and Ann Wilson—pastors, marriage speakers, authors of Vertical Marriage, and co-hosts of FamilyLife Today. For more than 30 years, they've led thousands of couples toward hope, healing, and connection. But their story didn't start with success. The Power of Words in Scripture Scripture is clear: “The tongue has the power of life and death.” — Proverbs 18:21 Your words can resurrect a weary heart—or crush it. They can draw your husband home or make him quietly retreat. And as Dave and Ann share, the transformation didn't start with more compliments or clever communication—it started with repentance. A Night of Repentance and New Beginning in Marriage Ten years into marriage, they were on the verge of losing everything. Dave was busy building ministry– starting a new church at home and a chaplain for the Detroit Lions, often times away traveling with the team. Meanwhile, Ann was at home with two little boys, beginning to feel lonely, angry, and done. One night, sitting in a parked car late at night on their 10 year anniversary, she finally said, “I've lost all my feelings for you.” Dave was stunned. He thought they were great. Ann had never shared otherwise. How could she say he was disregarding her? How could she say she felt alone and he was always away? As he reached for his planner to defend himself, the the gentle and firm voice of the Holy Spirit whispered: “Repent.” He dropped his arguments and dropped to his knees—right there in the front seat of their Honda Accord. He realized he had put himself first instead of Jesus. In that sacred moment, Ann felt conviction too. God showed her that she'd made her husband and marriage an idol and she had been wanting Dave to fill every need, when that was never the role God was supposed to have. She got on her knees as well, surrendering her expectations back to the Lord. That night became the beginning of something new—a vertical marriage, grounded in repentance and intimacy with Jesus first. When You Stop Cheering on Your Spouse Years later, when Ann shared her “booing” moment at church, she used a visual: a plant. She explained that when you're dating, you pick a healthy, vibrant plant—your husband. But after a few years, you start noticing brown leaves. you take out the clippers, thinking it's your job to prune him. Before long, you've hacked away so much that there's barely a stump left. After this sermon, Ann saw a couple that in the auditorium that stayed long after everyone had left. She approached them and saw an older man, head in his hands, tears dropping heavy on the ground, his wife sitting next to him bewildered. When asked what was wrong, he simply pointed at the stump and said, "That's me." It's not that we don't love our husbands. We do. But we've forgotten that change is God's job—not ours. Our job is to water with words that bring life. How to Speak Life (When You Want to Yell) Ann admits she used to “speak her mind” freely—then justify it as honesty. But over time, God taught her a new rhythm of restraint and prayer, asking “Lord, should I say this? If yes, when should I say it? And how should I say it?” Not in an anxious way, but surrendered and thoughtful, knowing how much her words matter. Just that short prayer created space for the Holy Spirit to guide her words. One night, when Dave mentioned getting criticism on his sermons, her first instinct was to correct him (“Maybe if you studied more…”). But instead, she prayed that quick prayer—and said, “I can't imagine the weight you carry, with thousands relying on your walk with God.” Dave turned around, pulled her close and whispered, “You are my life.” Her empathy, not critique, drew him near. Words That Heal Ann now also prays daily, “God, show me the greatness in my husband.” That prayer changes everything—because God always sees the greatness He planted there, even when we can't. Romans 12:2 says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” When we ask God to renew how we think about our spouse, our words follow. And when our words change, the whole atmosphere of the home begins to heal. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” — Proverbs 16:24 Speaking Life Doesn't Mean Losing Your Voice This isn't about silencing yourself or ignoring real problems, but when encouragement becomes your default, your occasional hard truth carries more weight. Your words no longer sound like attack—they sound like love. And as Dave says, “When you praise your man, he becomes better. Critique doesn't motivate—it deflates. But genuine admiration calls out his God-given potential.” Repentance Starts Revival If you've been critical, impatient, or weary—we get it. And it's okay. The path back is repentance. It's not a shame-filled, heavy thing. It's the most freeing thing you can do. Start there. Let God soften your heart again. Ask Him to show you the greatness in your spouse. Then, begin to speak it out—one small sentence at a time. You can do this.   Blessings,   The Delight Your Marriage Team   PS - If you're ready for the next step in healing your marriage, even if you're the only one doing the work, we're ready to talk with you. Schedule a free Clarity Call at delightym.com/cc or call +1 332-239-2379. PPS - Here is a quote from a recent graduate: "I am in control of my mood by controlling my own behavior instead of letting it get set for me by my husband's behavior and what I expect of him. I have released expectations of my husband. I see him as God's son now, which means he is NOT my responsibility to fix, direct, correct, discipline, etc. and instead I love, support, encourage and pray for him.  I am less controlling of my husband and I am more content with life in general."

Parenting teens is part heartfelt drama, part low-budget sitcom. One minute, you're praying for wisdom, the next, there's a slammed door, a “mean girl” meltdown, or a bathroom battle. In this episode of *FamilyLife Today*, authors Brooke McLaughlin and Stacey Thacker join Dave and Ann Wilson to talk about praying for your teens—not just for them to change, but for you to be transformed too. Tune in for real talk on humility, spiritual battles, and why sometimes your best move is to offer fries and wait. Spoiler alert: “Leave me alone” doesn't mean you stop showing up, it means you knock softer—and pray harder. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Your words carry more power in your marriage than you may realize. In this episode, Dr. Carol talks with Ann Wilson, best-selling author, radio host, and 40-year marriage veteran, about the profound influence a wife's words can have in her husband's heart and life. Together they unpack why your husband is not a project to be fixed, and how shifting from negative to positive communication can change the atmosphere of your relationship—even when real issues still need to be addressed. If you've ever struggled to feel heard, wondered why conversations with your spouse seem to go sideways, or longed to move from conflict toward deeper  and healthier connection, this episode will give you both hope and practical tools to speak life into your marriage. Connect with Ann Wilson at Family Life Today, or on Instagram Find Ann's book How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him If your marriage could use some help, check out the two different packages available for the Marriage Healing Kit, and decide which one is right for you. And if you have questions, Dr. Carol loves to hear from you. You can leave a confidential message for her here.

Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Dave and Ann Wilson, the beloved husband-and-wife team behind FamilyLife Today and former co-founders of Kensington Church in Michigan. As two Enneagram 7s married for over 40 years (and former Detroit Lions chaplains!), they share the beautiful chaos and hard-won wisdom of building lasting love when you're both wired for joy, adventure, and avoiding the hard stuff. We dive into Ann's new book "How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him," exploring the fascinating dynamics of criticism versus encouragement, what men actually hear when women express frustration, and how couples can break negative cycles while honoring their type patterns. Whether you're a fellow 7, married to one, or just curious about how personality shapes our closest relationships, this episode offers practical wisdom wrapped in the kind of hope and authenticity that makes marriage feel possible again. Watch on YouTube Get Ann's new book: https://a.co/d/a7Ok2NU Catch them on the Family Life Podcast! https://www.familylife.com/familylife-today/ Get healthy together as a couple this Fall! Get early bird rates right here for your personal healing journey in the Enneagram Relationship Intensive with Christa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave us a comment or question by sending an MP4 recording to enneagramandmarriage@gmail.com. (You can use your voice memos app on your phone to record). Love what you're learning on E + M? Make sure you leave us a podcast review so others can find us, too⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the hardest parts of parenting were actually opportunities for growth? On this inspiring episode of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with Abbie Halberstadt, author of Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad. Through candid stories - from the overwhelming joy and challenges of parenting twins with sensory issues to societal assumptions - Abby unpacks her powerful philosophy: difficulty in life isn't negative, but an opportunity for growth and sanctification. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Are you in the thick of raising young kids and wondering how to keep your marriage thriving? Join Dave and Ann Wilson on this lively "Wilson Original" episode of FamilyLife Today as they welcome author Arlene Pellicane and the candid Bruce and Maria Goff, parents of four young girls. From essential communication and shared responsibilities to the power of laughter and prayer, discover real-life strategies to strengthen your bond. Even with busy schedules, Arlene, Bruce, and Maria share how to prioritize your relationship and find joy in the journey. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Send us a textWelcome to Permission to Pause--I am excited to share this episode with you about PAUSING to consider the health of a happy marriage! with my friend ARLENE PELLICANE .Arlene is a speaker, host of the Happy Home podcast, and author of several books including Parents Rising, Making Marriage Easier, and Screen Kids (coauthored with Dr. Gary Chapman). Arlene has been featured on popular media outlets including The Today Show, Fox & Friends, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, The 700 Club, and the Wall Street Journal. She is the spokesperson for National Marriage Week and has been happily married to her husband, James, for more than 25 years. Arlene earned her BA from Biola University and her master's in journalism from Regent University. Arlene inspires parents to raise children who are ready for life (not just playing video games). As an advocate of delaying smartphones and social media, her three children are living a revolutionary digital life and thriving. Arlene lives with her family in San Diego. To learn more, visit ArlenePellicane.com.Thank you for joining me on today's Permission to Pause. I would love to hear from you!For comments and episode suggestions contact pat@patlayton.netI'd love to have you vsist my BLOG to join the conversation at patlayton.net Join the conversation via my blog at www.patlayton.net PLUS my IG REELS https://www.instagram.com/patlayton/reels/Find DEEPER DIVE Pause notes and LOTS OF FREE RESOURCES here. Again! Thank you for Pausing with me!

How do you parent when your kids are grown? Dave and Ann Wilson chat with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, on this episode of FamilyLife Today, offering vital wisdom for parents of adult children. Learn how to release them to make their own choices, even when it's difficult, and maintain a loving influence through open communication. Drawing from his own family experiences, Gary provides practical guidance on respecting their autonomy and navigating tough conversations with grace and humor. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Are you wrestling with grief, depression, or anxiety? In this powerful FamilyLife Today episode, hosts Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with pastor and author Mark Vroegop ("Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy") and biblical counselor Christine Chappell ("Midnight Mercies: Walking with God Through Depression in Motherhood") to explore the biblical practice of lament.Discover how lament is more than just complaint – it's a prayer language that moves you towards deeper trust in God, even in the midst of profound sorrow. Mark and Christine share insights from their own experiences and ministries, emphasizing the importance of a "theology of sorrow" and why sadness is a valid, even necessary, response to life's brokenness. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Finding hope in the midst of depression can feel impossible, especially as a mom. In this powerful FamilyLife Today episode, hosts Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with biblical counselor and author Christine Chappell to dive deep into her personal battle with depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation that led to a psychiatric hospital stay.Christine openly shares the raw details of her journey, from feeling utterly forsaken to finding profound hope in God's steadfast love through Psalm 59. Discover how a quirky moment with a sleeping squirrel became a divine invitation to rest in God, not strive. This episode beautifully weaves Christine's story with biblical examples like Moses, Elijah, and Hannah, who also wrestled with despair but ultimately found God's mercy. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Ann Wilson spent more than a decade longing for a better marriage and for her husband to be more attentive. And every chance she got, she told him so! Turned out all her booing was pushing her husband even further away. FamilyLife Today hosts Ann and Dave Wilson explain how their marriage was turned around as Ann shares from her new book, How to Speak Life to Your Husband (When All You Want to do is Yell at Him). On today's episode, you'll learn: 2:30 When getting 3rd place wasn't even enough for my dad 5:10 My husband was playing sports, I was struggling to take care of the kids 7:50 Did Ann really boo her husband in public? 11:00 If you're used to being negative about your husband, how do you change that? 14:38 The respect rebellion 22:20 Is being a helper a bad role? 29:30 Sophisticated nagging doesn't work but this does Ann and Dave Wilson are the hosts of the nationally syndicated radio show FamilyLife Today and cofounders of Kensington Community Church. Dave was the chaplain for the Detroit Lions for 33 seasons. They have three grown sons and seven grandchildren. Learn more about Ann and Dave Wilson and FamilyLife Today https://www.familylife.com/Get Ann's book, How to Speak Life to Your Husband (When all you want to do is yell at him)https://shop.familylife.com/product/how-to-speak-life-to-your-husband-when-all-you-want-to-do-is-yell-at-him/ Follow Dave and Ann Wilson on Facebook or Instagramhttps://www.facebook.com/DaveAnnWilson https://www.instagram.com/daveannwilson You're invited to see David Thomas, Sissy Goff, and Arlene at the Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025. Get your ticket today. https://parentsrisingconference.com/ Purchase the Storyteller's Bible HERE.

Parenting in an LGBT-affirming world can be daunting, but Rachel Gilson, author of "Parenting Without Panic," is here to equip you! In this FamilyLife Today episode, hosts Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Rachel about how to guide your children through complex topics like same-sex attraction and transgender identities with biblical truth and grace.Rachel shares her own experiences, from initial fears about her daughter's teacher to candid conversations with her kids about God's design. Learn why starting early, using age-appropriate language, and emphasizing God's "yes-first" vision for male, female, marriage, and singleness is crucial. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Are you longing for a deeper, more fulfilling Christian marriage? Join us on FamilyLife Today as hosts Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with Dr. Gary Chapman, bestselling author of "The Five Love Languages," to unlock practical insights for a thriving relationship!In this powerful episode, Dr. Chapman, co-author of the new book "A Simple Guide for a Better Marriage," shares his own raw marital struggles and the pivotal moment that transformed his relationship with his wife, Carolyn – inspired by Christ's servant leadership (John 13). Learn the three transformative questions he asked that shifted their marriage toward mutual service. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Matt Lauren Chandler get brutally honest about their 25-year marriage, parenting struggles, and ministry life in this raw conversation on FamilyLife Today. Discover how they moved past 7 "brutal" early years, found healing through vulnerability and Celebrate Recovery, and built a friendship that sustains them through every season.From navigating differing interests to regretting missed opportunities with their kids, Matt and Lauren don't hold back. They emphasize the power of authenticity, the necessity of deep community, and the illusion of control when raising adult children. Plus, hear candid confessions about spiritual leadership at home and Matt's "icy" demeanor. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Are you raising resilient kids in a fear-driven world? In this powerful FamilyLife Today episode, hosts Dave and Ann Wilson join Dr. Kathy Cook, founder of Celebrate Kids, to equip Christian parents with the tools to foster true resilience in their children—and themselves—through a biblical lens.Why do kids struggle with perseverance and risk-taking? Discover how well-intentioned overprotective parenting, from "helicopter" to "lawnmower" styles, can actually hinder growth. Kathy shares eye-opening insights on the importance of allowing natural consequences (yes, even a bad grade or spilled milk!) to build character and faith, drawing wisdom from scriptures like James 1:2–4 and Romans 5:3–5. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

#218: Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them.EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.A New York Times bestselling author, Randy has written over sixty books, including Courageous, Heaven, The Treasure Principle, and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. His books have been translated into over 70 languages and have sold over 12 million copies.  Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for fourteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker.* Randy has written for many magazines including EPM's issues-oriented Eternal Perspectives as well as articles for The Gospel Coalition and Desiring God Ministries.  He blogs, is active daily on Facebook and Twitter, and has been a guest on more than 700 radio, television and online programs including Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, and Revive Our Hearts. For more on Randy and his books check out EPM.org as well as where books are sold. Enjoy the show! 

Are you carrying the heavy burden of sexual shame? Do you long for freedom and healing in your sexuality? In this crucial episode of FamilyLife Today, hosts Dave and Ann Wilson welcome Dr. Julie Slattery, clinical psychologist and author of Surrendered Sexuality, to address the pain of sexual brokenness and offer a path to liberation.Dr. Slattery compassionately unpacks why so many Christians struggle with shame surrounding their sexuality. She reveals how our sexual issues often stem from deeper spiritual struggles, like doubts about God's goodness or believing identity lies. You'll learn about the four common "identity traps" that keep us bound – self-discovery, shame, performance, and deriving value from relationships – and how to escape them. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Are you tired of waiting? Feeling impatient with life's delays? You're not alone. In this insightful episode of FamilyLife Today, hosts Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with Pastor and author Mark Vroegop to explore the profound truth that "Waiting Isn't a Waste."Mark, author of the powerful book Waiting Isn't a Waste, shares deeply personal stories and biblical wisdom to reframe our perspective on those frustrating "gap moments" between our current reality and our desired outcomes. Discover why waiting isn't a passive state, but a divinely designed process to cultivate dependence on God and foster profound spiritual growth. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Making friends as an adult and building authentic Christian community thrives on humility, honesty, and honor, fostering deep bonds through vulnerability and faith, as shared by New Creation Fellowship leaders.Join Dave and Ann Wilson from FamilyLife Today as they sit down with the leadership team of New Creation Fellowship in Orlando, Florida. Pastors Ike and Arian Todd, Recap and Brittany Gray, and Demetrius share their incredible journey of friendship, faith, and church planting. This episode dives deep into what it truly means to build authentic Christian community, emphasizing the power of vulnerability, accountability, and unwavering commitment. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

No matter how long you've been married, you don't need to spend another minute hoping and wishing for things to be different. They can! And the power is in your hands. Family Life Today hosts Dave and Ann Wilson share from Ann's book, “How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him.” Check out Dave's conversation on The Champion  here Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

Today on Karl and Crew, we analyzed the fatherly demeanor of Jesus and Jairus in Mark Chapter 5. In verses 21-43 of the chapter, we see Jesus heal a bleeding woman and restore life to Jairus’s daughter in a nurturing and loving manner. We also see Jairus's unwavering faith as he patiently trusts Jesus’s healing power over his daughter. Then we had Ann Wilson join us to provide some insight on the importance of affirming your partner in marriage. Ann and her husband, Dave, are the co-hosts of Family Life Today, which airs weekly at 11 am on 90.1 FM. They’ve been married for over 44 years and have spent three decades teaching and mentoring couples and parents nationally. The duo has also authored several books, including “How to Speak to Your Husband When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him.” We also had a surprise phone call from Karl, who is working with other Pastors in Burundi, East Africa. Then we had Chris Fabry join us. Chris is an award-winning author and radio personality. He is also the host of Chris Fabry Live and the co-host of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. He has also authored over 80 books. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we analyzed the fatherly demeanor of Jesus and Jairus in Mark Chapter 5. In verses 21-43 of the chapter, we see Jesus heal a bleeding woman and restore life to Jairus’s daughter in a nurturing and loving manner. We also see Jairus's unwavering faith as he patiently trusts Jesus’s healing power over his daughter. Then we had Ann Wilson join us to provide some insight on the importance of affirming your partner in marriage. Ann and her husband, Dave, are the co-hosts of Family Life Today, which airs weekly at 11 am on 90.1 FM. They’ve been married for over 44 years and have spent three decades teaching and mentoring couples and parents nationally. The duo has also authored several books, including “How to Speak to Your Husband When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him.” We also had a surprise phone call from Karl, who is working with other Pastors in Burundi, East Africa. Then we had Chris Fabry join us. Chris is an award-winning author and radio personality. He is also the host of Chris Fabry Live and the co-host of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. He has also authored over 80 books. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we analyzed the fatherly demeanor of Jesus and Jairus in Mark Chapter 5. In verses 21-43 of the chapter, we see Jesus heal a bleeding woman and restore life to Jairus’s daughter in a nurturing and loving manner. We also see Jairus's unwavering faith as he patiently trusts Jesus’s healing power over his daughter. Then we had Ann Wilson join us to provide some insight on the importance of affirming your partner in marriage. Ann and her husband, Dave, are the co-hosts of Family Life Today, which airs weekly at 11 am on 90.1 FM. They’ve been married for over 44 years and have spent three decades teaching and mentoring couples and parents nationally. The duo has also authored several books, including “How to Speak to Your Husband When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him.” We also had a surprise phone call from Karl, who is working with other Pastors in Burundi, East Africa. Then we had Chris Fabry join us. Chris is an award-winning author and radio personality. He is also the host of Chris Fabry Live and the co-host of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. He has also authored over 80 books. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we analyzed the fatherly demeanor of Jesus and Jairus in Mark Chapter 5. In verses 21-43 of the chapter, we see Jesus heal a bleeding woman and restore life to Jairus’s daughter in a nurturing and loving manner. We also see Jairus's unwavering faith as he patiently trusts Jesus’s healing power over his daughter. Then we had Ann Wilson join us to provide some insight on the importance of affirming your partner in marriage. Ann and her husband, Dave, are the co-hosts of Family Life Today, which airs weekly at 11 am on 90.1 FM. They’ve been married for over 44 years and have spent three decades teaching and mentoring couples and parents nationally. The duo has also authored several books, including “How to Speak to Your Husband When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him.” We also had a surprise phone call from Karl, who is working with other Pastors in Burundi, East Africa. Then we had Chris Fabry join us. Chris is an award-winning author and radio personality. He is also the host of Chris Fabry Live and the co-host of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. He has also authored over 80 books. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we analyzed the fatherly demeanor of Jesus and Jairus in Mark Chapter 5. In verses 21-43 of the chapter, we see Jesus heal a bleeding woman and restore life to Jairus’s daughter in a nurturing and loving manner. We also see Jairus's unwavering faith as he patiently trusts Jesus’s healing power over his daughter. Then we had Ann Wilson join us to provide some insight on the importance of affirming your partner in marriage. Ann and her husband, Dave, are the co-hosts of Family Life Today, which airs weekly at 11 am on 90.1 FM. They’ve been married for over 44 years and have spent three decades teaching and mentoring couples and parents nationally. The duo has also authored several books, including “How to Speak to Your Husband When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him.” We also had a surprise phone call from Karl, who is working with other Pastors in Burundi, East Africa. Then we had Chris Fabry join us. Chris is an award-winning author and radio personality. He is also the host of Chris Fabry Live and the co-host of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. He has also authored over 80 books. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Karl and Crew, we analyzed the fatherly demeanor of Jesus and Jairus in Mark Chapter 5. In verses 21-43 of the chapter, we see Jesus heal a bleeding woman and restore life to Jairus’s daughter in a nurturing and loving manner. We also see Jairus's unwavering faith as he patiently trusts Jesus’s healing power over his daughter. Then we had Ann Wilson join us to provide some insight on the importance of affirming your partner in marriage. Ann and her husband, Dave, are the co-hosts of Family Life Today, which airs weekly at 11 am on 90.1 FM. They’ve been married for over 44 years and have spent three decades teaching and mentoring couples and parents nationally. The duo has also authored several books, including “How to Speak to Your Husband When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him.” We also had a surprise phone call from Karl, who is working with other Pastors in Burundi, East Africa. Then we had Chris Fabry join us. Chris is an award-winning author and radio personality. He is also the host of Chris Fabry Live and the co-host of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. He has also authored over 80 books. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stéphanie welcomes Ann and Dave Wilson, the hosts of global ministry and syndicated radio show FamilyLife, to discuss key insights from their decades of marriage and ministry. The title of their new book says it all: "How to speak life to your husband when all you want to do is yell at him." What if one small shift—like choosing encouragement over criticism—could change the tone of your whole marriage? Real people in real relationships have real problems, but with God's help, you can heal and sustain your marriage for a lifetime. The Wilsons, through vulnerability and wisdom, highlight how Christian spouses—particularly wives, though the lessons are universal—can profoundly impact their marriages by transforming their mindset and the words they speak. Recognizing Shifting Cultural Dynamics Ann shares that over 45 years of marriage and ministry, she's observed a cultural shift. Dissatisfaction and unrest in marriages seem more common, with a tendency for spouses—especially wives—to see their partners as adversaries or projects for improvement. Ann notes the escalation of negative speech and a belief that critiques or reminders will motivate change. In reality, frequent criticism often demotivates the other partner. The Power of Words A pivotal story shared by Ann involves her realization that her well-intended feedback sounded like constant “booing” to Dave. Ann genuinely believed her critiques would help Dave become a better husband, father, and man. However, after an honest conversation and prayer, Ann discovered that her negative words were discouraging him more than anything. This revelation led her to a critical self-examination and a commitment to use her words to encourage rather than to correct. The Path from Critique to Affirmation Ann's journey involved asking God for conviction—not condemnation—and humbly examining her attitude. She confronted her own pride, recognizing the difference between thinking "I failed" (which God forgives and restores) and "I am a failure" (which is condemnation and shame). With this shift, she chose to focus on what was good and praiseworthy in Dave, believing that God calls spouses to be each other's chief encouragers. The Science Behind Positive Illusion Ann references Dr. Helene Fisher's research, which found that happy, long-term marriages are characterized by a “positive illusion”—focusing on what you like about your spouse, intentionally rewiring your mindset to notice and affirm the good. This is supported by brain science and aligns with biblical instructions about renewing your mind. Practical Outworking and Challenges Practically, Ann began to express gratitude and appreciation—starting with simple thanks for Dave's hard work. Dave testifies that these words of encouragement were more powerful than any affirmation he received elsewhere. This shift motivated him to grow into the person Ann saw in him. A Revolution of Respect and Gratitude Ann frames this approach as a “rebellion” against a culture that devalues respect. By choosing respect and gratitude—whether verbally, in writing, or through a daily journal—wives can breathe life and hope into their husbands, families, and homes. Dave affirms that authentic encouragement, rather than critique, draws men toward home and transforms family culture. The God-Given Power of Influence Through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, any spouse can become a speaker of life in marriage. This transformation is not about being passive or suppressing truth but about courageously choosing love, hope, and affirmation as radical acts of faith—ultimately reflecting God's heart for us. How might shifting from critique to encouragement change the atmosphere in your closest relationships? What step can you take today to practice the “positive illusion” in your marriage or family? ABOUT THE BOOK “HOW TO SPEAK LIFE TO YOUR HUSBAND WHEN ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS YELLE AT HIM” Discover the marriage you've always hoped for. With practical tools to help you communicate more effectively, you'll learn to speak the language of love and grace that will encourage and strengthen your husband at every turn. Buy the book here: https://shop.familylife.com/product/how-to-speak-life-to-your-husband-when-all-you-want-to-do-is-yell-at-him/  Ann Wilson spent more than a decade longing for a better marriage and for her husband to be more attentive, more involved, more helpful, and just all-around better. And every chance she got, she told him so. Where she thought she was being helpful, she was instead badgering him with constant critiques until all he heard was, “Boo! Boo!” when they were together. It almost broke their marriage. But Ann discovered the power that God has given wives. No matter how long you've been married, you don't need to spend another minute hoping and wishing for things to be different. They can! And the power is in your hands. In this motivating, honest new book, Ann–marriage coach and bestselling author with her husband, Dave–shares how she breathed new life into her marriage by stewarding one of the most powerful gifts believers inherit from the Creator: encouragement. God has given wives a superpower to influence their husbands and homes, and you can use that power to build up and encourage your man to be a better husband, father, and man of God while still speaking truth to him. Relatable, encouraging, biblical, and funny, Ann shares stories from her own life, as well as valuable insights from Scripture, to help you: ·         Address the ways you process and justify your communication patterns ·         Seek spiritual and relational (re)alignment with both your husband and God ·         Learn to exercise self-control and demonstrate radical grace in conversations with your husband ·         Begin to cheer more than boo–in a way that isn't put on, fake, or inauthentic ·         Learn to speak truth in a way your husband can really hear you ·         And, ultimately, cultivate a grace-based marriage that thrives ·         Real people in real relationships have real problems, but with God's help, you can heal and sustain your marriage for a lifetime. MORE ABOUT ANN AND DAVE WILSON Dave and Ann Wilson are hosts of FamilyLife Today®, FamilyLife's nationally-syndicated radio program on more than 1,300 radio outlets in all 50 states. They are also cofounders of Kensington Church, a national, multi-campus church that hosts more than 14,000 attendees every weekend. Since 1993, they have been featured speakers at FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember® marriage getaways and have also hosted their own marriage conferences across the country. The Wilsons live in the Detroit area where Dave served as the Detroit Lions chaplain for 33 years. Dave and Ann have three grown sons, CJ, Austin, and Cody, as well as three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren. We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Celebrating all fathers and men in our lives! Go to gospelspice.com/father to sign up for a gorgeous, Christ-centered, free 4-day email devotional written by the men of Gospel Spice: Donald E, Ohi O,  and Jonah R. Enjoy! Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

On today's FamilyLife Today episode, hosted by Dave and Ann Wilson, we continue the conversation with Bill and Pam Mutz, parents of 12 and grandparents to 37, focusing on their experiences with loss and God's redemptive power. The episode delves into the tragic drowning of their 7-month-old son, Jonathan, at age 26, and the loss of their granddaughter, Gracie, due to their daughter Carrie's preeclampsia. Pam recounts the guilt and blame she faced after Jonathan's accident, emphasizing Bill's immediate forgiveness as a pivotal act of grace. The couple shares how God's sovereignty and preparation sustained them, highlighting moments like a premonitory dream and scripture readings. They discuss avoiding fairness in parenting to reduce entitlement and the importance of looking forward to God's purpose rather than dwelling on past pain. The episode underscores the theme of trusting God through grief, with Bill and Pam's faith and forgiveness strengthening their marriage and ministry. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

On this FamilyLife Today episode, hosted by Dave and Ann Wilson, we feature Bill and Pam Mutz, a couple with 12 children and 37 grandchildren, known for their work with FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember conferences and the Art of Marriage series. The episode introduces their story, starting with their meeting in Indiana and Pam's initial reluctance to marry or have children. Despite her plans to serve Jesus overseas, Pam agreed to marry Bill after guidance from mentors, and their perspective on children shifted after their first child, Carrie, awakened Pam's nurturing instincts. They discuss using the family dinner table as a training ground for respect and devotions, and their decision to trust God with family size, leading to 12 children. The episode touches on their mentoring roles, including hosting a student from Colombia, and their surrender to God's plan, even amidst challenges like the loss of a son and granddaughter, Molly. The hosts highlight the couple's joy, affection, and wisdom gained through decades of marriage and parenting. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

What if the secret to your success as a husband starts with what your wife says—and what you don't say? Your wife's words may be slowly breaking you and she probably doesn't even know it. In this week's expert interview, Jim Ramos is joined by the hosts of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson. They get brutally honest about the real battles that rage inside marriage—especially the ones we don't see. From nearly calling it quits on their 10-year anniversary to learning the secret power of a wife's words, Dave and Ann take us deep into the trenches of married life and what it takes to win there.  Order the Wilson's new book, ‘How to Speak Life to Your Husband'. (Using our links to check out the book helps support our ministry - thanks!) Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God tinyurl.com/dialedinbook  This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30! MTNTOUGH.com Want access to an ad-free, early-release version of the podcast? Get it with Arena Access on Patreon. patreon.com/themeninthearena Have questions you wish you could ask Jim about life, marriage, men's ministry, or manhood? Join his monthly live Zoom Q&A by joining The Locker Room on Patreon. patreon.com/themeninthearena

Ann Wilson spent more than a decade longing for a better marriage and for her husband to be more attentive, more involved, more helpful, and just all-around better. And every chance she got, she told him so. Where she thought she was being helpful, she was instead badgering him with constant critiques until all he heard was, "Boo! Boo!" when they were together. It almost broke their marriage. But Ann discovered the power that God has given wives. No matter how long you've been married, you don't need to spend another minute hoping and wishing for things to be different. They can! And the power is in your hands. Join us to hear from Dave and Ann Wilson, the hosts of FamilyLife Today, to learn how to have a better, stronger marriage.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guests today are Dave and Ann Wilson. They are authors, speakers and co-hosts at Family LIfe Radio. Ann's lastest book  “How to Speak to your Husband” is out now.Today on the podcast, Dave and Ann share their insights on the importance of serving one another in marriage, creating spiritual unity, and how these principles influence parenting. They discuss the challenges they faced in their own marriage and emphasize the need for open communication, prayer, and mutual support."Get in the Game" is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sports Spectrum Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Sign up for our Sports Spectrum Magazine and receive 15% off a 1-year subscription by using the code PODCAST15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://SportsSpectrum.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Do you know Christ personally? Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn how you can commit your life to Him.

On Today's 700 Club Interactive, cohosts of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson, share wisdom from their new book How to Speak Life to Your Husband. Ann opens up about turning frustration into faith-filled communication, offering wives ...

On Today's 700 Club Interactive, cohosts of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson, share wisdom from their new book How to Speak Life to Your Husband. Ann opens up about turning frustration into faith-filled communication, offering wives ...

On Today's 700 Club Interactive, cohosts of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson, share wisdom from their new book How to Speak Life to Your Husband. Ann opens up about turning frustration into faith-filled communication, offering wives ...

Ann Wilson spent more than a decade longing for a better marriage and for her husband to be more attentive, more involved, more helpful, and just all-around better. And every chance she got, she told him so. Where she thought she was being helpful, she was instead badgering him with constant critiques until all he heard was, "Boo! Boo!" when they were together. It almost broke their marriage. But Ann discovered the power that God has given wives. No matter how long you've been married, you don't need to spend another minute hoping and wishing for things to be different. They can! And the power is in your hands. Join us to hear from Dave and Ann Wilson, the hosts of FamilyLife Today, to learn how to have a better, stronger marriage.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. See David Thomas, Sissy Goff, and Arlene Pellicane live at the Parents Rising Conference on September 6, 2025 in San Diego. Tickets on sale now http://parentsrisingconference.com/ Do you tend to think about what might go wrong instead of what might go right? Negativity is our default mode and can be disastrous for a family, but what if bad can sometimes be leveraged for good in your home? The power of bad can actually be leveraged for good. Learn when bad really is bad, and when it actually serves as a useful consequence for kids. This is a message Arlene shared on Mother's Day at Bonita Valley Community Church in San Diego. You'll hear about: 4:40 Would you drink juice that had a sterilized cockroach dipped in it? 7:50 The negativity effect and what it does to your thinking 9:50 How many positive comments are needed to cancel out a negative one? 12:20 One billion users on TikTok 15:15 How light acts as a disinfectant 19:00 When bad is actually helpful 23:00 Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them 25:15 Study of reward and punishment for kids 29:00 Arlene is rapping??? 33:00 Heart cracking goodness Arlene Pellicane is the host of the Happy Home podcast, a speaker and author of several books including Making Marriage Easier, Screen Kids, and Parents Rising. She has been featured on FamilyLife Today, Focus on the Family, the Wall Street Journal, and The Today Show. She and her husband James have three children (two in college and one in high school). Learn more at Happy Home University https://happyhomeuniversity.com/ Tickets on sale now! You're invited to see Arlene live with David Thomas and Sissy Goff at the Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025 https://parentsrisingconference.com/ Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! Email speaking @ arlenepellicane.com Purchase the Storyteller's Bible HERE.

Our Mother's Day Special! Get FREE access to our homeschool course when you purchase the Get It All Done Club from now until Mother's Day. Learn more about the club here: https://www.nowthatwereafamily.com/peacefully-productive-home-masterclass Be A Part Voetberg Music Academy's Six Songs Of Summer Challenge and earn cash and badges for playing music! Sign up here: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/ ANN AND DAVE WILSON are bestselling authors, the former cofounders of Kensington Church, and former chaplains for the Detroit Lions. They now serve as FamilyLife Today radio and podcast hosts and as nationally beloved marriage speakers. They have appeared on NBC's Today Show and many other podcasts and media outlets. Ann and Dave have been married for more than forty years and have three grown sons and a multitude of grandchildren. You can follow Dave and Ann here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJKOpYHP3eu/?hl=en Order Their New Book, How To Speak Life To Your Husband, Here: https://a.co/d/cIBXwq1 Order their book, No Perfect Parents, Here: https://a.co/d/gKme5WY

Marriage has a way of exposing the wounds we thought we had buried. The unresolved pain, the unspoken insecurities, the habits we hoped would disappear—they all surface in the crucible of intimacy. In this final installment of our LOVE LIKE THIS series, Dave & Ann Wilson—hosts of FamilyLife Today® and authors of Vertical Marriage—join us to discuss: Why your unhealed wounds inevitably show up in your marriage The devastating impact of words and how they can either crush or cultivate your spouse How intimacy, when misused, turns into manipulation Practical steps to break free from destructive cycles and foster genuine connection   With over four decades of marriage and ministry experience, Dave & Ann offer raw, relatable insights that challenge and inspire. Whether you're newly married or decades in, this conversation will equip you to confront the hidden dynamics that hinder true intimacy. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

  This week on the @theaccidentalhomeschoolmama podcast

In a world that prizes hustle and constant productivity, breaking the habit of hurry can seem far-fetched, and yet we still try to achieve it with life hacks to get more sleep and increase energy. But self-help strategies are not the solution to our exhaustion problem.Today I've invited Eryn Lynum on for a discussion regarding her new book The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach us Sabbath Living.Eryn Lynum is author of the book 936 Pennies, and has been featured on FamilyLife Today radio and the Simply Wholehearted podcast, as well as at Proverbs 31 Ministries, MOPS International, and For Every Mom. She lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and four children.In this six-week Bible study, you'll explore the deep roots of rest found in Scripture and the outdoors while unearthing attainable rest for everyday life. Through nature reflections, scriptural word studies, and guided journaling prompts, you will learn how toreturn to God's original pattern of rest and workturn seasons of waiting into restful growthexperience daily rest through selah pausespractice Sabbath in a way that fits your lifestylelive every day in God's restful presence

Hey Friends~  In today's world, we are taught to seek answers within ourselves.  But if we stay there, we become self-absorbed or self-conceited and depressed.  We need to also see outside of ourselves, looking for ways to contribute, serve others, and be connected to others.  In having this balance, people become whole and happy.  This foundation begins in the earliest years.  Today, Jill Garner shares how SECURITY is learned, at what ages, and with examples of how it happens and how this links to our kids RESPECTING us as parents, respecting themselves, and  others.    Today's episode is a power packed conversation with LOTS of concepts. Grab your pen and paper. You might want to take notes!  Always cheering you on!  Dinalynn CONTACT the Host, Dinalynn:  hello@thelanguageofplay.com   ABOUT THE GUEST:   JILL GARNER is an accomplished speaker, advocate, and founder of Manners of the Heart, a nonprofit reawakening respect in our society for the sake of the next generation. She is the author of the award-winning Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World, Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, and Manners of the Heart, an elementary school curriculum that helps children see beyond themselves to become all God created them to be. Her work is endorsed by Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Dr. Kevin Leman, and many others. Jill and her husband reside in Baton Rouge, LA. CONTACT THE GUEST:   https://mannersoftheheart.org/ https://jillgarnercontent.org/   YOUR NEXT STEPS: FREEBIES:    5 Ways To Get Your Kids To Listen Better: https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/7ca5ce43-d436ea91 21 Days of Encouragement:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/1-21signup Send Dinalynn a thought or question!  hello@thelanguageofplay.com Sign up for the Newsletter:  https://dinalynnr.systeme.io/newsletter-optin ** For Speaking Engagements, Workshops, or Parent Coaching (virtual or live), contact me at hello@thelanguageofplay.com     IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL WANT TO LISTEN TO THESE EPISODES: 97 Nellie Hardin: Building Worth, Esteem And Confidence In Kids. A Must Listen! 141 How Do You Inadvertently Build Doubt Into Your Child?  Here's One Way To Change Doubt Into Confidence!  155 Does Your Language Build Courage In Your Child? Here Are 12 Examples of Courage-Building Phrases!   TRAVELING with Little Ones??    BabyQuip is the #1 baby gear rental service, and a total game changer for families who don't want to haul bulky gear while traveling! Follow this link for a BabyQuip Provider where you travel:  https://www.babyquip.com?a=7486bd3