Show Notes It's human nature to nurse our wounds. To rehash and replay offenses until they begin to fester deep within our soul. But God asks us to fully and freely forgive those who've wronged us. What does this kind of forgiveness look like? And why does God expect it of us? Is it really possible to find freedom from the bitterness and resentment I've harbored for so long? We'll discuss all this and more in today's episode of Loving Life at Home, so tune in now. VERSES CITED: - “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) - “Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) - “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will you Father forgive yours.” (Matthew 6:14-15) - "As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)  - "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" (Matthew 18:21-22) -  “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)  - "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) - “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who despitefully use you… expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:27-36) RELATED LINKS: - Forgiving Those Who Hurt Us - the original blog post from on which this episode is based - I Married a Sinner (and So Did He) - the excellent advice Elisabeth Elliot gave me before I wed - Don't Beat the Other Slaves - my husband shares 6 principles of forgiveness STAY CONNECTED - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/  - Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home - Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (lots of printables!) - Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies (weekly newsletter)      

Much of our outlook depends on our focus. We find what we look for. Start looking for things to be grateful for, and you'll find them aplenty. Search instead for irritations and annoyances, and that's exactly what you'll see. Martha Washington once said, "I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition." On this week's episode of Loving Life at Home, we're discussing how to shift our focus to find more bountiful blessings and less utter unhappiness. More merriment and less misery. More contentment and less complaining. Show Notes VERSES CITED: - “If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth, for ye are dead and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” - Colossians 3:1-3 - “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” – Psalm 103:2 - “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”  - Philippians 4:8 LINKS MENTIONED: - Backyard Garden Mural - here's my outdoor wall-painting (in progress) - Bedroom Inspection Checklist - here's the printable list I use during room check - Praying for Your Children - here's a free printable, Bible-based prayer guide to help   STAY CONNECTED - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/  - Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home - Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (lots of printables!) - Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies (weekly newsletter)

No matter how carefully you choose your words or how cautiously you weigh a decision, there will always be people who question or criticize your choice. What's the best way to handle those negative comments when we hear them? Sometimes the comments come from strangers. Maybe an internet troll lambasts you anonymously on Instagram. Or a cashier voices a negative opinion on homeschooling when she sees you out with your children in the middle of a school day. Or a man on the street questions your sanity for having so many children. Large families draw curious -- and sometimes crass -- comments like honey draws flies. It's one thing when such barbs come from complete strangers. It's a little harder to handle when the criticisms come from family and friends.  Yet, there is a gracious and God-honoring way to handle the negativism others try to lob at us. And that's the topic of Episode 9 of Loving Life at Home. Listen in, then drop a comment below and tell me about the strangest, rudest, or most common question you've been asked and how you typically answer. VERSES CITIED - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." - 1 Peter 3:15-16, NIV - "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 7:12, NIV - "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you." - Luke 5:27-28, NASB - "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9, NIV RESOURCES MENTIONED - LL #2 - Dealing with Difficult In-laws (extra help with handling negative family members) - Frequently Asked Questions (a few of the inquiries we hear most often) - When Strangers Count our Kids and Ask Us If We're Done (our interview with Al Jazeera) - 5 Tips for Responding to Negativism (the original blog post upon which this episode is based)   STAY CONNECTED - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanders_family/  - Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home - Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life (lots of printables!) - Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies (weekly newsletter)  

The Bible tells us children are a blessing. That means, of course, that the babies themselves are a blessing. But thanks to some recent scientific studies, we also now realize that the process of having babies is good for you, too. That should really come as no surprise to believers. Packing his blessing full of richer and deeper and broader benefits than a human brain can fathom is God's modus operandi. But it's fun when secular research gives us a brief glimpse at how marvelous and far-reaching His design truly is. Sadly we live in a culture that ignores any science that doesn't support the accepted narrative. And right now that narrative would have us believe that children are a burden and a drain on our environment and that enlightened folk will purposely limit family size -- or possibly forgo having children altogether -- in an attempt to help save the planet. So, if these studies are new to you, that may be why. Modern society is still pushing the idea that birthing a big family is backward. They don't want you to know that having babies is actually one of the smartest things a woman can do. SCRIPTURES CITED "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate." - Psalm 127:3-5 RELATED LINKS 15 Unexpected Benefits of Big Family Living Science Proves Having Babies is Good for You #postcardsformacron on Twitter Your Baby's Leftover DNA is Making You Stronger Having More Kids Tied to Lower Risk of Alzheimers in Women The Impact of Children on Divorce Risk Breast Cancer and Breastfeeding Oh Baby: Giving Birth 10 Times May Reduce Mom's Cancer Rish Having more babies could lead to slowr rate of aging: study Reproductive History and Mortality in Late Middle Age among Norwegian Men and Women Sweden pays parents for having kids — and it reaps huge benefits. Why doesn't the US?

For all the hype we hear these days about female empowerment, some of women's most important strengths are going unrecognized, undervalued, and largely underused. It's time for that to change. It's time to take these 5 hidden powers of womanhood and make them popular--and prevalent--again.    In this episode of Loving Life at Home, we discuss the distinguishing marks of a truly empowered woman -- one who uses all the feminine fortitude God has given her to inspire the people around her, impact the culture in which she lives, and point others to Jesus at every opportunity. RELATED LINKS - Good Morning America interview with Elle Fanning – To clarify, Elle Fanning played Aurora in Disney’s live-action film Maleficent. Here are her lovely comments on the strength that is found in femininity and softness, which I quoted in today’s episode. - 5 Hidden Powers of Womanhood - My original blog post on this topic from ten years ago. - Love Your Husband/ Love Yourself – My book, which details the blessings that await couple who embrace God’s purpose for passion in marriage. VERSES CITED - “…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24 NASB - “A [capable, intelligent, and] virtuous, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls….” – Proverbs 31:10 AMP - “The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently, and relies on and believes in her safely] so that he has no lack of honest gain (or need of dishonest spoil). She will comfort, encourage, and do him only good as long as there is life within her.”  – Proverbs 31:11-12 AMP - “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…” – Deuteronomy 30:19 - "Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]…. She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness [gossip, discontent, and self-pity] she does not eat.” – Proverbs 31:25, 27 AMP - ” Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, ‘Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], But you excel them all.’ Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain (because it is not lasting), But a woman who [reverently and worshipfully] fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].” – Proverbs 31:28-31 AMP - “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” – Titus 2:3-5 - “…And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” – Luke 12:48 - “She opens her mouth with [skillful and godly] wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].” – Proverbs 31:6