I wanted to share our family’s routine for family devotions at night with you all, because this is something the Lord has placed on our hearts and we want to be faithful in it. With that being said, please don’t take this in any way as us lifting ourselves up or trying to come across as super spiritual. Family devotions are not for everyone, and the last thing you want is guilt to motivate you to get in the Word as a family.
When it comes to mental health challenges like anxiety, the Bible may not give you a clearly listed 10-point plan on what to do, but in its entire context we are guided on how to apply specific practices that combat anxiety. This is why it’s so important to not only know the Word but have it stored in your mind and heart so that you know what God’s wisdom has to say about the troubles you’re facing. And what’s really cool is that psychological research has discovered these very same practices to be the most effective.
When my husband and I walked across the stage at our Bible College graduation, we were hopeful, excited, and motivated. We were confident in our abilities and our calling and were ready to change the world for Jesus. Now, almost 10 years later, I look back at who we were then and wish I could have slipped us a note about what we could really expect from ministry and marriage. Things they don’t really teach you in the classroom. So, learn from us, young grasshoppers. Here’s what I wish I could have told us.
Today’s playlist was compiled by my sister, Autumn, and is designed to remind your heart to abide in Christ. If you’re struggling to turn your eyes to the Lord and fix your heart on Him, let these songs be that reminder! Her commentary on some of the songs is below, with a preview playlist at the bottom. You can find the full playlist on Spotify or create your own!
“I just didn’t think it was possible to stay pure after falling.” she said, fighting back tears.
As a girl who had previously obliterated my own purity, I wondered the same thing myself. I was a new Christian faced with the mistakes I had made and the consequences they brought to my doorstep. Could I truly say “no” if my next boyfriend wanted to have sex? Was it even possible to conquer the beast that is lust?
Here’s the biggie: Could I ever love God more than my sexual desires?
I shot out of the gate ready. There was no wishy-washy, “Maybe, I’ll give this a try.”, “Maybe I’ll just get my AA for now.” No maybe – I knew. I was leaving my private high school and small town behind, headed straight for a communications degree. A different coastline and cities with more than a handful of stoplights would be my future.
I was decisive and ready.
I spent the last few weeks compiling this list, listening to these episodes as I mopped floors, walked, did laundry, and otherwise attempted to induce labor with my second baby! So far, it hasn’t worked – but I definitely found some great episodes to share with you this week.
We all love a good birth story. It’s one of the first things women will discuss when they start talking about their babies. Either that or the horror stories that get told to first-time pregnant mamas. Today, I’m not here to share either. I’m here to share that you can have a positive view of God even when birth and the postpartum season don’t go the way you want.
When we met (online) two years ago, we were both expecting baby girls, just 1 day apart. We didn’t have chance to meet until after her Addie was born, and eerily enough, she had no idea my baby girl would have been called Addie, too. I am so grateful for her friendship, especially as we walked through the trials that child-bearing has brought, and so excited to share with you, her readers, today!