Thankful Homemaker: A Christian Homemaking Podcast

God’s Word reminds us: I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ~ John 15:5 “apart from me you can do nothing” is a continual reminder that I am utterly dependent on the Lord to do anything. There are many things I can do without dependence on Christ, but the reality is I have achieved “nothing” in God’s sight. This is so true in the raising of our children. Our children are a gift from the Lord, a heritage, a reward (Psalm 127:3) and they are ever so precious to the Lord and us.  Caring for our children is an immeasurable responsibility but one as believers we are not left alone in or to fend for ourselves.  We can cry out to the One who created all things and is the only One who can redeem them. I have learned over the years that I am helplessly dependent on the Lord. I can’t parent on my own. I can’t do anything on my own. As parents, we can’t change the hearts of our children. Only the Lord can change their hearts. This truth should continually bring us to our knees in prayer, but many times we find ourselves thinking we can do this on our own. As a parent of now adult children, I can share that these are the more difficult years of life as the decisions and the difficulties they face are much more challenging than when they were young. Show Notes: “It didn’t take me long to realize that I did my best parenting by prayer. I began to speak less to the kids and more to God. It was actually quite relaxing.”  ~ Paul Miller, A Praying Life God does a much better job of being God than I do. Children are fully dependent on parents for everything. As we get older, we become more and more independent. We need to be reminded to go back to living as dependent children. Living as a dependent child to the Lord in the everyday moments of life is the best example we can give to our children. The prayer below is from Setting Their Hope In God: Biblical Intercession for Your Children page 193 “Eternal God, Let my precious children rejoice in the Word, through whom all things were made.  May they seek life only in Him. Praise be to Your name for causing them to receive Him and believe on His name, for giving them the right to become Your children.  Open their eyes to the glory of the Word, the glory of Your only Son, full of grace and truth.  From His fullness let them receive grace upon grace–the grace and truth that come through Jesus Christ.  Help them to do what is true and come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been carried out in You. Help them not to judge by appearances, but instead to judge with right judgment.  And when they thirst, let them go to Christ and drink.  Let them follow closely after Him always, so that they will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  Make them abide in His Word as true disciples so that they may know the truth and be set free by it (John 1 & 8).” Related Link: Podcast EP 20: The Blessing of Loving Our Children “I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” ~Martin Luther Related Link: Podcast EP 43: Hope for Imperfect Parents “What makes a heart upright and what makes prayers pleasing to God is a felt awareness of our tremendous need for mercy.”  ~John Piper “Prayer is bringing your helplessness to Jesus.”  ~ Paul E. Miller, A Praying Life Scripture & Resources: John 15:5 Philippians 4:6-7 Romans 8:28 John 5:19 John 5:30 Luke 5:16 Matthew 18:3 Mark 10:14-15 Luke 10:21 Praying God's Word Over Our Children Podcast Ep 23: Seasons of Waiting A Praying Life: Connecting With God in a Distracting World by Paul Miller Setting Their Hope in God: Biblical Intercession for Your Children by Andrew Case Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney Visit ThankfulHomemaker.com for complete show notes mentioned Subscribe to ThankfulHomemaker.com Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram

Today's podcast episode is a topic we probably don’t find ourselves talking about with others because it can be a bit uncomfortable but it’s one I know we all deal with —it’s addressing our sins of jealousy and envy. It just seems no matter where we are in life we can always find ourselves sinfully comparing ourselves to others. I would think at my age and life stage this would be over, but sadly it's not. How often do I find myself in my head comparing the circumstances of my life to others – too many! Even though it may be just in my head, it's still a sin, and it may seem subtle, but it's not – all sin is an offense against God and one we must continue to do battle with. When we find ourselves dealing with jealousy comparing ourselves to others or envious of others, it's like we're saying to God that we're not satisfied with what He's given us. “If we are to successfully combat the temptations to envy and jealousy, we must mentally bring God into the picture. We must remind ourselves that He determines not only what abilities we have but also the degree of those abilities and the blessing He will bestow on their use.”  ~ Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins Show Notes: Jerry Bridges, in Respectable Sins, a book I most highly recommended you read, describes jealousy of “intolerance of rivalry.” He shares there are legitimate times to express jealousy, like when someone is trying to win your spouse away from you. Our God declares Himself to be a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). Our jealousy becomes sinful when we become afraid someone is going to be more successful or honored over us. King Saul's jealousy over David (Saul has struck down his thousands and David his ten thousand – 1 Samuel 18:7) is an example of Saul's jealousy over David because honor was given to David and not him. At that moment he saw him as a rival and jealousy took root. Envy is defined by Jerry Bridges as: “the painful and oftentimes resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by someone else. Sometimes we want that same advantage, leading to the further sin of covetousness. And sometimes we resent the other person having something we don't have. But we don't just envy people in general. Usually, there are two conditions that tempt us to envy. First, we tend to envy those with whom we most closely identify. Second, we tend to envy in them the areas we value most.” Scriptures & Resources: Exodus 20:5 1 Samuel 18:7 Romans 1:29-33 Galatians 5:19-21 Psalm 103:10 Philippians 4:12 Hebrews 13:5 Romans12:2 Romans 12:5 Romans 12:10 Philippians 4:11-12 Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges Messy Beautiful Friendship: Finding and Nurturing Deep and Lasting Relationships by Christine Hoover Visit ThankfulHomemaker.com for the complete show notes. Follow Thankful Homemaker on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App Subscribe to the blog and not miss a podcast episode or post

How many imperfect parents out there? Raise your hands. I’m hoping all my parents out there raised their hands. We are going to experience failure in our parenting – it’s not an option but a reality in our lives on this fallen earth. Don’t we all find ourselves at times sure that we’ve ruined our children? How many times have we yelled, acted rashly in our correction and the list of mistakes and sinful responses towards them we’ve made over the years sadly goes on. We’re going to fail – and in saying that it doesn’t mean our failure shouldn’t affect us. I know we all are saddened by the times we’ve caused hurt in any way to our children, and this isn’t a podcast to just give us a pass to the failures we’ve caused our children. We need to seek the forgiveness of our children, repent to the Lord of wrongs we’ve caused to them and to the best of our ability and by the grace of God avoid hurting them in the future when possible. We must remember always that we are sinners’ parenting sinners. Sin affects every one of our relationships. Romans 7:18-19 is true in my role as a parent just as it’s true in my relationship with all others on this earth. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. We are not perfect—we already know this. Remember that it is God’s grace that transforms our lives and the lives of our children – it’s not our perfect or more likely imperfect parenting.  He is the only One that has the power to transform their hearts and minds.  This doesn’t mean we don’t strive to set a pattern and routine for our homes that directs the hearts of our children towards Him.  It is our duty as parents to train up our children in His ways but we can’t trust that our parenting is going to save them. Scripture & Resources: Romans 7:18-19 Ephesians 6:1-4 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Matthew 19:25-26 John 6:37 1 Corinthians 15:10 Romans 3:23 Psalm 119:11 Matthew 18:22 2 Corinthians 12:9 Parents, Require Obedience of Your Children  God's Blessing Does Not Depend on Our Performance Podcast Ep 20: The Blessings of Loving Our Children Podcast Ep 18: Putting on an Attitude of Love in Our Homes Parenting: 14 Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul Tripp Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick Free eBook - Motherhood Delighting in Our Children by Marci Ferrell Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app Find all podcast episodes with show notes here Visit Thankful Homemaker on Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest The rest of the show notes are at ThankfulHomemaker.com 

As we start getting back into fall and a routine (as we talked about last week at the podcast), I wanted to share a bit of encouragement for all of us today. Who doesn't like to be encouraged? Our time today is just a reminder that no one out there has it all together. We are a continual work in progress in the Lord's hand. If I shared only what I had mastered on this podcast, it would be non-existent ;). So today listen in and be reminded that no one has a perfect marriage, family or home while living on this fallen earth but that doesn't mean we just throw in the towel and stop trying. I'm reminded and reminding us today of God's Word to persevere and work heartily as unto the Lord, and this includes my normal day to day life of caring for a home and family. In the spirit of Titus 2, I want to be an encouragement in the areas of loving our husbands and children, being keepers of our homes, being self-controlled and submissive to our husbands so God's Word will not be reviled. We need to share our struggles but not leave each other there. But we need to spur one another on to love and good deeds. My hope always is to point one another back to Christ and to live by and abide in His Word. My greatest comfort in this world is that Jesus Christ is enough.  He is enough on the days when everything goes wrong and on the days when it seems that everything is falling apart.  Come listen in with us today. For the full show notes head to ThankfulHomemaker.com  Follow Thankful Homemaker on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest Subscribe to the Podcast  Scripture & Resources: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Homemaking 101 Series: Getting Dressed Are You Kind to Your Husband? What's for Dinner? Weekly Home Blessing 18 Ways to Be Your Husband's Helper Busyness is Not Godliness Podcast Ep 32: Preparing Our Families for Sunday Morning Worship Battling Our Sins of Envy & Jealousy Podcast Ep 28: Dealing with Our Anxiousness and Worry (Matthew 6:25-34) How to Resist Gossip Homemaking Ministries Online Conference - The Deep Dive Summit Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group

Are you struggling with getting back into a routine after the summer months? I know for us our summer months are a bit more spontaneous and flexible so I'm out of a daily routine quite often. Summer brings a sense of unpredictable days in our home. We don’t always have a regular schedule, and we’re on the go or outside more than usual so we may find our inside tasks take a back seat and our regular routine schedule doesn’t happen as often as it does in the fall, winter and even spring seasons. For me, I’m not sure why this is because I’m not even dealing with kids in school anymore but it just seems to be a rhythm in my life too in this season. I love to be open to spontaneous adventures and not get caught up in what needs to be done at home because I’ve learned over the years - the reality is – it always gets done. I do still get things accomplished in the summer, and my home is still running pretty smooth – it’s not a total disaster, but I have to share – I honestly miss the regular routines I’m used to. I am a creature of habit. I don’t find myself deep cleaning or de-cluttering or overly organizing anything. For some reason, I tend to drift towards those chores in the fall and winter months. So listen in as we talk about what it looks like on getting back into a routine after summer. Show Notes: Planners Mentioned: Brilliant Life Planner iBloom Planner Living Well Planner Articles & Podcasts Mentioned: Homemaking 101 Series: The Routines of the Day The Joy of a Morning Routine The Peacefulness of an Evening Routine Podcast Ep 21: The Routines of the Day - Making the Most of Your Morning and Evenings Menu Planning 101 Podcast Ep 12: Simple Menu Planning Tips Homemaking 101: My Daily, Weekly, Monthly Tasks Podcast Ep 16: Simplify Your Housekeeping with a Cleaning Schedule for Your Home Podcast Ep 27: Planning Our Days as Homemakers How I Plan my Days Bringing Order to Our Homes Podcast Ep. 14: Simple Tips for a Clutter-Free Home Podcast Ep. 29: Where to Begin When You're Overwhelmed in Caring for Your Home Grab your Free Weekly Menu Planning PDF Find the show notes and resources mentioned at ThankfulHomemaker.com Follow Thankful Homemaker on: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App

Sex is a beautiful gift from God. As Christian’s we have God’s permission to enjoy sex within our marriages – God invented it. We can learn not just to enjoy it but delight in intimacy with our husbands Martha Peace shares: The physical union of husband and wife is designed by God to meet God-given desire for companionship, to protect the husband and wife from temptation, and for the mutual giving and receiving of great pleasure and joy between the husband and wife. Companionship is strengthened by the private, intimate, physical bond of a married couple. Even as Christians we can too easily let the world or other voices in the church give us our view of sex when it has to come from God’s Word. God’s Word is sufficient in all ways and especially and even in our sexual relationship with our husband. Resources: Thankful Homemaker on Instagram Homemaking Ministries 2018 Online Conference - The Deep Dive Summit Marriage Series at the Blog My Favorite Resources on Sex and Sexual Intimacy in Marriage The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective by Martha Peace Intended for Pleasure: Sex Technique and Sexual Fulfillment in Christian Marriage by Ed Wheat Intimate Issues: 21 Questions Christian Women Ask About Sex by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey Rekindling the Romance: Loving the Love of Your Life by Dennis & Barbara Rainey A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God's Gift of Sexual Intimacy by Dr. Doug Rosenau Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack The Intimate Marriage: A Practical Guide to Building a Great Marriage by R. C. Sproul My Abortion story & Why I Counsel at Abortuariesat Thankful Homemaker The Devilish Puppet Master of the Word-Faith Movementsermon at Grace to You on False Prophets Weekend to Remember from Family Life Today Podcast Ep. 35: Marriage Series #2 - To Love Their Husbands at Thankful Homemaker Podcast Ep. 17: What it Looks Like to Cherish Our Husbands at Thankful Homemaker Follow Thankful Homemaker at: Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter Subscribe to the blog to never miss a post here.  For all the show notes, quotes and resources head to ThankfulHomemaker.com

Explore the art of communication within marriage, emphasizing the beauty and intimacy intended by God. Discover practical strategies for listening well and engaging in daily conversations. Learn how to face conflicts with grace and unity, drawing on biblical principles for resolution. The discussion highlights the transformative power of kind and honest speech, encouraging emotional and spiritual connection between spouses. Embrace the gospel's message to cultivate a home filled with grace, humility, and forgiveness.

Explore the profound concept of submission in marriage from a biblical viewpoint. Discover how mutual respect and love can transform relationships, particularly in the context of an unbelieving partner. Learn practical strategies for conflict resolution, emphasizing that true strength lies in voluntary submission, not control. The discussion challenges misconceptions, highlighting how a wife's honor and support can reflect God's grace in everyday life, fostering homes filled with joy and peace.

Doug Ferrell, a teacher of God's Word and Marci Farrell's husband, joins the conversation about biblical submission in marriage. They delve into Ephesians 5:22-24, unpacking the theology behind a wife's submission to her husband. Misunderstandings abound, but Doug emphasizes that true submission fosters mutual love and respect, not domination. The discussion highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in nurturing a supportive relationship, clarifying that equality in value exists alongside distinct roles, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling Christ-centered marriage.

The discussion delves into the vital concept of respect within marriage, rooted in biblical teachings. It highlights how a wife's admiration can uplift her husband, influencing his behavior positively. Personal anecdotes illustrate the importance of encouragement and recognizing strengths over flaws. Spiritual maturity is explored in relation to marital respect, emphasizing growth through challenges. Prayer and selflessness are presented as key practices to cultivate respect, showcasing Christlike love as essential for a thriving relationship.