Simply Living For Him

Today I am talking about how our online and instantaneous culture is changing us. And is it for the better. Are we missing out on the behind the scenes stuff, the real-life connections, and the blessings in the waiting? I recently wrote this post on facebook and it resonated with many folks. "In an age of Amazon Prime, we forget that things are done right, often take time. Instant gratification isn’t necessarily better. In an age of Pinterest, we forget that life isn’t always picture-perfect. It’s the moments behind the scenes that shape us. In an age of Twitter, we forget that things worth reading often take up more space than 140 characters. Deep thoughts and real dialogue often require many more words. In an age of Facebook, we forget that life isn’t lived on a screen looking for likes and thumbs up, but out there in the real world. In real time. Often with no one watching. Those are where the best moments usually take place. In an age of YouTube, we forget that life is more than an edited version. T

It's that time of year. Time to break out the fresh pencils, the fresh notebook paper, and the planner. But, do you do this before you plan your homeschool? Listen in today as I talk about gearing up for the new year and the one thing you MUST do! https://wp.me/p7OB5f-172 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Years ago childhood was different. There was less technology, less materialism, and less busyness. Today's kids are faced with an unprecedented amount of all these things. How do we reconcile the culture we live in with their childhood? We don’t give kids enough credit for being able to enjoy the simple. We think they need gadgets and entertainment. But deep down, in the nature of a child, I think they have the capacity to appreciate so much more than we realize. What do I mean by a simple childhood? A childhood that is raising our children to be focused on Jesus and getting rid of the clutter and fluff that distracts us from our purpose. We are raising disciples, not staging photo. Join me today as we talk about the issues facing our kids and how to keep it simple. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Hurray! Today we celebrate our 100th episode of the Simply Living for Him podcast! I’m throwing confetti and giving away some fun prizes! It's such a fun milestone, especially when I never intended to have a podcast. On today's episode, I am talking about what we have learned along the way on our journey to simplify. Some of it may surprise you. Some of it may encourage you. Some of it may not apply to you! But I thought I would sit down and share the good, the bad, and the in-between that I have learned on this journey and the most important things to remember when living a simple life.  So, be sure to celebrate with us, enter to win, and listen in to today's conversation... ENTER GIVEAWAYS HERE: https://wp.me/p7OB5f-15O --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Social media is something people ask me about all the time. Today I am tackling the subject and how we can live with social media. It doesn't have to be so hard! Let's face it, social media isn't going anywhere, so how do we live in a world that is saturated with it? The answer is simple. Listen in today to find out how I deal with social media in my personal life and in our family. https://wp.me/p7OB5f-15r --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE summer! The relaxed days, the loose schedule, and a time to let kids just be kids! Come and join me as I talk about letting go for a bit this summer and enjoying the simple days. http://simplylivingforhim.com/2018/07/05/simplesummer/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Years ago, homeschoolers didn't have choices in curriculum, they didn't have co-ops or conventions, and it may have been illegal to school your children at home. Yet, I almost envy those moms. Why is that? Today I am discussing my biggest fear for new homeschoolers and the homeschoolers of this generation. https://wp.me/p7OB5f-13F --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

This week we went through a BIG purge of some of our house and boy, was it intense! We've all been there, right? Knee deep in piles of stuff and wondering how on earth this happened? Especially for me, as I try to keep our home as clutter-free as possible...this was overwhelming! Today I am talking about all the things I learned during the great purge of 2018. Come on over and listen, and hear WHY we accumulated this much, HOW we got rid of it, and what we are doing moving forward. Hear the many lessons I learned that weren't just about the clutter, but about the spirit. https://wp.me/p7OB5f-13h --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Today I declared it a little bit of a "mish-mash" of topics on the podcast. I am starting out by discussing the idea of how our culture cultivates an atmosphere of instant gratification (hello, Amazon Prime!) and no longer are we able to wait gracefully or see the benefit of a long and sometimes difficult journey. In homeschool and in life, there is no instant-gratification. It is sometimes a few steps forward and sometimes a few steps backward...and that's okay. That is where we learn and most importantly, grow. And grow closer to God. I also talked about the new IDEA we are doing for our family Bible time that I am so excited about! And I also am talking a little bit about how to keep our summer slow and simple... Join me and then comment and let me know your thoughts! www.simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

In a visually saturated society, we are becoming more and more worldly in that we are focused on outward appearance before inward transformation. However, God wants to make us beautiful from the inside out. How is our home a reflection of God's love? Is it because we have the perfect decor or because they see Jesus in our homes? Do you give the illusion that you have it all together on the outside but are falling apart on the inside? Do people see your clothes or that you are clothed in humility?  Are you so filled up on Him that it flows to the outside? The most beautiful thing another person will recognize about you or your home or your family...is Jesus. www.simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Your identity is not what you do, where you live, how you live, or what you own. Your identity isn't from being a mom, not a being mom, or as a homeschool mom, a work at home mom, or stay at home mom. Your identity is not in your career or in your lifestyle. Your identity is in Christ. I have often times let my identity get lost in my circumstances when I focused on the externals defining me, rather than letting my externals be a reflection of who I am. And I am a daughter of the King. Join me today as we discuss your identity as a child of God. www.simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

I remember the care my Grandma took in her things. She lived in a very simple space and had very little "stuff" but what she had, she cherished. Nowadays, we live in a society that has every single thing we want available to us in an instant-- and I think this has caused us to value our things less and less...because everything is so easily replaceable. This contributes to clutter and discontent even more. What if we went back to that mindset and really cherished what we had, used it until it was really worn, and were really good stewards of what we have? What if we stopped bringing more and more "stuff" into our homes and just cherished what is there already? Join me today as I talk about living in a "replaceable" culture and really cherishing our things. What if we went back to that mindset and really cherished what we had, used it until it was really worn, and  were really good stewards of what we have? What if we stopped bringing more and more "stuff" into our homes and just cherished what what is ther

Today I am exploring the topic of modern day life and if it is really easier than the days of long ago. The pioneer families (you all know I love Little House on the Prairie!) truly had to work every minute of the day in order to survive. And here in 2018 we have all the modern conveniences we can imagine, and yet, as a society we are busier than ever. Why is that? Why are we stressed and discontent when we should have more time than ever in our lives? I am also talking about how we can be a good steward of the resources God has given us. It isn't a mistake that you were born in this time period in history and God wants us to use what we have been given and use it well.. www,simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Today I want to tackle a subject that many of us may respond with, "OUCH!" Right? I am also sharing a very personal and life-changing (yet shameful) story of how I became more aware of my words and thoughts toward others. We will be talking about gossip. But not just the fact that we shouldn't gossip or why it is bad. But WHY do we do it? Are we truly honoring others above ourselves when we choose to speak (or even think!) negatively about them? And what are we teaching our children when we ourselves are not modeling the humble attitude that Christ taught us? Not only are gossip, complaining, and negative words detrimental to our relationships, they reveal a deeper more ugly side of our flesh. But there is hope...The Spirit transforms us! Join me today as I tackle this difficult, but necessary topic so that we can live in relationships as God truly intended for us. Episode Webpage: https://wp.me/p7OB5f-WG GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE WITH VERSES ABOUT GOSSIP-->https://wp.me/p7OB5f-WG --- Send in a voice mess

This is PART 2 of this podcast series. Last week we talked about how to begin a garden wherever you are and today we are talking about how we have used the garden in our homeschool and in life. A garden teaches children science and math and many academic lessons, but more importantly, it teaches them about their Creator. What better place to learn about the One who created the world, than watching His handiwork come to life. The garden also teaches so much about character-hard work, discipline, and more. Come listen in and be inspired to use nature to teach your kids! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Three years ago we moved from our house in suburbia to our little hobby farm in the country. We are living our dream. Steve (my farmer) is joining me today to discuss how to start a garden wherever you are and how we have grown it over the years. He's got great advice for anyone just starting out or even if you have been doing it awhile. Then, next week I will talk about how we have used gardening in our homeschool and in life...this is the first of a TWO-PART episode! www.simplylivingforhim.com www.simplylivingforhim.com/retreats --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Today I am asking you ONE question that may change everything for you. Recently, I started asking this question of everything I do and it has changed me. Do you ask yourself this question? *Note: In this episode I mention a verse (John 17:4), but didn't explain the context of it. I should have given the background first. Here is an excerpt from Bible.org to add to what I said about the verse: "Christ’s aim in His earthly ministry was to glorify the Father by accomplishing the work which He gave Him to do (John 17:4). Now, He prays that the Father would glorify Him with the eternal glory that He shared with the Father before the world was, so that He in turn would glorify the Father (John 17:1, 5). That prayer assumes Jesus’ deity and His full equality with the Father (John 10:30), who does not share His glory with any creature (Isa. 42:8; 48:11). As Jesus boldly claimed (John 5:23), “All will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

As we approach the end of the homeschooling journey for my oldest child, I fondly look back at those early years. Not because I had a clue what I was doing, but because I now am closer to seeing the full journey and how it played out over the years. I wouldn't change a thing, even with all the ups and downs, because God's plan is always perfect. Today I want to encourage you if you are homeschooling little ones...take a deep breath. There is so much to tell you, so you can live this homeschooling life abundantly! And most of it isn't about choosing curriculum! Join me today and listen in as we talk about sanity savers and must-know tips for early years homeschooling. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Today's podcast is a topic I address often but it never seems to be enough. So many women are living a life comparing to others. I, myself, included have done this yet the past few years I have really come to terms that God has created each of us to live a life uniquely designed for His purpose. We all have a different role to play, and when I look to what someone else is doing I am denying the unique role God has set apart for me in His perfect plan. My life isn't supposed to look like anyone else's and that is exciting! We actually are sinning when we begin to look at someone else's home, marriage, kids, or whatever it is and desire it for ourselves. There is a difference between admiring and coveting. My ministry, my family, my home...none of it is supposed to look like anyone else's. As long as I am following God in all I do, then I am content in that. The one thing we all do have as a common purpose is to glorify God in all we do! Yet, how we do that in each of our lives may look different. Stop lookin

Prayer is not a subject that I can just to tackle in thirty minutes on this podcast episode, but here are some thoughts about the power in our prayers and perhaps starting a women's prayer group of your own. There is so much more to be said about the discipline of prayer, but this is a start! The power in our prayers comes from God and it is not something to be taken lightly. Join me today and then share with me your thoughts! www.simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support