The Heidi St. John Podcast

A California family is in the news for abusing their 13 children, and the fact that they were registered homeschoolers seems to be the focus of the conversation among those who believe that homeschooling is a privilege that should be more closely monitored or taken away. But is homeschooling the heart of the issue? California Children News Article Are you frustrated with homeschooling? It’s hard to balance all we have to do as moms, and then you throw in homeschooling? Come on!  But listen, you can do it.  I’m answering an email addressing just this.  If you’re new to homeschooling or 142 in homeschooling years, there’s something for you today. HOMESCHOOL HELPS ON THE BUSY MOM Homeschooling for Rookies –  Are you beginning or considering homeschooling? Here are a few tips on curriculum, learning styles and getting started that will help you get moving on the right foot. You can do this! Homeschooling Through High School – YES you can!  – Can you homeschool all the way through high school? The answer is a resounding “YES!” Listen in as we answer FAQ’s and offer encouragement to parents who are considering this wonderful option.

This world affords us opportunities to gain affection and pleasure from many sources, but none of them is as valuable as the only truly filling source: the Son of God.  Today we’re touching on one subject in our MomStrong International Bible Study, and how we may be a little more like her than we might like to think. Join me! Scripture: John 14

I’m answering a reader’s question about how to live with an unbelieving spouse in what has become a silent, lonely relationship, which is a scenario that plays out more often than we might think. I know this mama is not alone, and I know the Bible speaks to her situation. Let’s go see what the Bible says! Titus 2:11-14 Romans 12:18 World Magazine Article (Subscription Only) Loving Your Unsaved Husband {Even More} Recommended Resources How do I live as a Christian When My Spouse is Unsaved? What Should a Christian Wife Do When Her Husband is Unsaved? Recommended Reading:  

My friend Dr. Edie Wadsworth is back today and we’re talking about her journey from practicing modern medicine to a natural way of living, including using food and essential oils as “medicine” in her every day life SO THAT we can learn to live a joyful life and walk in the best life the Lord has for us to walk! In Becoming MomStrong, I talk about our Spiritual health, but I also talk about not neglecting our physical health either. Dr. Edie sponsors a closed group on Facebook for her team, so be sure you see the show notes today to find out how to become a member! Edie Wadsworth is a national speaker, writer, and faith blogger at life{in}grace. She has been featured in various media including Better Homes and Gardens. Edie is a physician turned natural health enthusiast who encourages and inspires women to live with more passion and purpose so that they can impact families and communities with their unique gifts. After overcoming her difficult upbringing to become a successful medical doctor, Edie left her practice to raise her family and pursue her love for writing. Her passion is to love her people well and to see women embrace the full measure of their life’s passion and purpose. When she’s not writing or teaching natural health classes, she enjoys cooking (with butter!), running, reading, banjo music, and the beautiful scenery of southern Appalachia, where she makes her home with her husband, Steve, and their awesome kids. Click here to see more of Dr. Edie and Heidi’s favorite essential oils! When you become a member, you gain access to the closed Facebook group sponsored by Dr. Edie. Join me there!  

A true transformation will manifest by us rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord in every area of our lives. Because we know that the God of the Universe keeps His promises, we can be at peace, because we are going to see the Lord at the end of our lives! We’re learning what a true transformation meant in the life of Nicodemus, a Pharisee ruler, who was told by Jesus that he needed to be born again. Nicodemus had quite a pedigree, but he didn’t have what really mattered – a belief in Jesus Christ as His Savior. John 3:16-21 Isaiah 64:6 Luis Palau Health Update  

God has invited us to come into His presence, and when we do that, we’re submitting that we can’t do this life without Him. The power of the spoken word can encourage others, it is an opportunity to proclaim promises and can increase our faith. We can speak His promises right back to Him! It’s a powerful way to communicate with the Lord, but not everyone likes praying out loud.  Listen in while I talk about that today. Romans 10:7 Daniel 6:10 Psalm 42:1-2 Isaiah 25:1 More from The Busy Mom: Teach me to Pray – A couple minute podcast and short post where Heidi St. John reminds us that God wants to talk to us in prayer. It’s vital to live a thriving, grounded and humble life. Resources A Praying Life – Author Paul Miller shares his insights and conclusions about how to connect the broken pieces of your life and allow prayer—even poorly delivered—to fill the gaps with meaning and substance.  Miller’s down-to-earth approach and practical nature will help you see that your relationship with God can grow and your communication with Him can get better.  Parents will find Miller’s family-life experiences especially helpful. Lord, Teach Us To Pray – Since this book was published over a century ago, countless readers have learned through its pages that no one can teach prayer better than Jesus Christ himself. This enduring classic will transform your prayers and life as you open your heart to the prayer-lessons Jesus gave. “The Father waits to hear every prayer of faith. He wants to give us whatever we ask for in Jesus’ name. If there is one thing I think the Church needs to learn, it is that God intends prayer to have an answer, and that we have not yet fully conceived of what God will do for us if we believe that our prayers will be heard. God hears prayer.”  

I have a friend joining me today, and we’re talking about God making beauty out of ashes in our lives.  Edie and I have similar stories, and thankfully, we both have similar redemption to share as well! We’re also talking about never giving up, so if you’re someone who has tried and tried and just can’t stick to something, I know you’ll be encouraged! All the Pretty Things – “I don’t know how old I was the night the trailer burned down, or if the rumor was true that Daddy was the one who set it on fire.” For a long time, Edie thought she had escaped. It started in an Appalachian trailer park, where a young girl dreamed of becoming a doctor. But every day, Edie woke up to her reality: a poverty-stricken world full of alcohol and violence, where getting out seemed impossible. She taught herself to drive a stick shift truck at twelve years old so she could get her drunk daddy home from the bar. She spent Saturdays at Brushy Mountain prison visiting her incarcerated cousin. She watched adults eat while her stomach gnawed and then there was torching of the family trailer, where she dug through the ashes to try to salvage her most prized possession–her Tammy Wynette album. And at the center of it all was her charismatic daddy. She never knew when he would show up but when he did he was usually drunk; she learned the hard way that she couldn’t count on him to protect her. So she told herself it didn’t matter. All she wanted was to make him proud. Against all odds, Edie “made doctor,” achieving everything that had once seemed beyond her reach. Only, it was too late, because her Daddy died a year before she graduated medical school. She split the cost of his funeral with her sister. When her past finally caught up with her, it was all too much so she did what her Daddy would have done–she set it all on fire. It would take her whole life burning down once again for Edie to be finally able to face the truth about herself, her family, and her relationship with God. Click here to see more about Edie and Heidi’s favorite oils! Edie Wadsworth is a national speaker, writer, and faith blogger at life{in}grace. She has been featured in various media including Better Homes and Gardens. Edie is a physician and natural health enthusiast who encourages and inspires women to live with more passion and purpose so that they can impact families and communities with their unique gifts. After overcoming her difficult upbringing to become a successful medical doctor, Edie left her practice to raise her family and pursue her love for writing. Her passion is to love her people well and to see women embrace the full measure of their life’s passion and purpose. She blogs at lifeingraceblog.com on a variety of topics centered onhome—including vocation, hospitality, faith, parenting, cooking, and life in the South. In 2012, she traveled to Nicaragua as a Compassion International blogger to advocate for children in need. When she’s not writing or teaching natural health classes, she enjoys cooking (with butter!), running, reading, banjo music, and the beautiful scenery of southern Appalachia, where she makes her home with her husband, Steve, and their awesome kids.  

In John 2, Jesus saved the best wine – for last. The gospel of John gives a brief description of the first miracle performed by Jesus – changing water into wine at a wedding in Cana (John1:1-10). Keep in mind, this was not a Christian wedding: for one thing—no one believed in Him yet, including His own brothers (John 7:1-50). This was the first of many miracles performed by Jesus when He walked on earth, a sort of precursor to what He was capable of doing, an “opening act,” if you will. But wait? Did someone say “wine?” And there you have it: one of the most disputed topics in the Church today. How can we be ambassadors for Christ in every situation? Good question! Let’s talk about our liberty and our responsibility as Christians today at the podcast.  {This podcast is based on week 3 of the study at MomStrong International. For more information or to join us, click here.} Find the Scripture Writing and Bible Study at MomStrongInternational.com!

Today we’re talking about education and your children torturing you. Don’t miss it!   More Like this from The Busy Mom Homeschooling Held Hostage – We’ve gone from a few brave moms who, without access to mainstream “curriculum”, managed to give their children an excellent education—but we’ve forgotten what made it excellent. It was excellent because these moms had a vision for homeschooling—they weren’t trying to re-create school at home. They were simply being obedient to the One who had called them to be different. They knew that if He had called them, He would equip them.  

We’ve been given an opportunity to be ambassadors for Christ and to represent Him to a world that’s watching. Hope and change are never found apart from Jesus, and no one can make America great again apart from Christ. We are seeking the redemptive power of the cross, whether or not we know it. 1 Peter 5:8-9 End of Year Giving? Invest in the gospel and support Firmly Planted