We have an uber-competitive family who loves any kind of contest, physical or mental, especially when prizes are involved. We recently gathered to compete in a Family Shark Tank Challenge. And in Episode 95 of Loving Life at Home, I'm dishing up all the details as to how it went down.

- 1 Corinthians 9:24 - “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to win the prize.”

- Hebrews 10:24 - "And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds...."

- Gospel Tracts for All Occasions (including contest winners)

- Free Printable Trivia Tests (including movie quizzes)

- Room Inspection Checklist

- State Capital Matching Game

- A Grand Investment (print pack with resources I created for our family's Bible memory challenge)

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- Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, printables

- Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers

- My Books: Shop Online - find on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or through our website

This week I'm answering a question from a listener who'd like to know how to raise kids who won't resent your family rules or rebel against them. Is that even possible? Listen in on Episode 94 as we discuss what parents can do to reduce the risk of rebellion.

- Philippians 1:6 - "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

- 1 Corinthians 13:13 - “But now abide faith, hope, love, these three. But the greatest of these is love.” 

- Hebrews 10:23 - “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering....”

- Hebrews 11:6 - “...without faith it is impossible to please God.”

- 1 John 4:16 -  “God IS love.”

- 1 John 4:19 - “We love because He first loved us.”

- John 13:35 - “By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

- Galatians 5:22 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..."

- Proverbs 3:11 - “...whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”

- Proverbs 13:24 - “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” 

- Deuteronomy 12:32 - “See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.”

- Proverbs 30:5-6 - “Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.”

- Revelation 2:18-19 - “...If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book....”

- John 2:1-11 - [story of Jesus turning water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana]

- Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

- James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all...."

- Isaiah 40:11 - “He tends His flock like a shepherd ... He gently leads those that have young.”

- Matthew 11:28 - “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

- Psalm 127:1-5 - “Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain...." 

- 50 Great Books to Read Aloud to Your Kids

- 9 Benefits of Reading Fiction

- Raising Kids Who Love to Read

- A Few Favorite Board Games 

- Praying for Yourself

- Praying for Your Children

- Praying for Your Teens

- Praying for Your Adult Kids

- Pancakes on the Porch (I will post link soon)

- How Our Family Flew to Europe for Free

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My Books: Shop Online - find on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or through our website

There is no coasting in marriage. You’re either growing closer together or drifting further apart. You must be intentional about investing in your marriage and nurturing your relationship to your spouse every chance you get.

- Romans 12:10 - "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

- Ephesians 5:33 - "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

- Our Anniversary Tradition - a few pics from the cars I've decorated over the years

- 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband - original blog post

- 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband  - book & audio book

- 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife - blog post

- 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife - book

- 30 Day Respect Challenge - free email challenge for wives

- 30 Day Love Challenge - free email challenge for husbands

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The CDC announced last week that the US General Fertility Rate has recently hit an all-time low of only 1.6 children per woman of childbearing age. That makes me sad, because I know how much joy children bring to life. The more, the merrier! In fact, as parents of twelve, my husband and I have reaped a lot of blessings from having a large family we could have never anticipated beforehand -- and so have our kids.

- Psalm 127:3-5 - "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward...."

- 1 Peter 3:15 - “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.”

- Proverbs 14:4 - “Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much increase comes by the strength of the ox.”

- Proverbs 27:17 -  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

- 3 John 1:4 - “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”

- 15 Unexpected Benefits of Big Family Living

- Family Unfriendly by Timothy Carney

- America Tonight - our interview with Al Jazeera

- BBC documentary  - you can watch our short clip about halfway down this post

- EP 42 - Traveling with Children

- Kids Eat Free in Tyler, Texas 

- Kids Eat Free in the USA 

- Age Appropriate Chores for Children 

- Teaching Kids to Do Chores Cheerfully

- Who Knew Children's Chores Were So Controversial?

- Bananagrams - a game I mentioned that my family enjoys playing

- Proverbs for Parenting - topical arrangement of Proverbs (similar to what we used for storytime)

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A listener wrote me recently to say she's made more mistakes that she can count. She wanted advice as to how she could get back on track. "How do I change course when I've done everything wrong?"

She had lots of other great questions, too, so in Episode 91, I'm tackling all of them. I hope you'll listen in and be blessed.

- James 1:5 - “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God...."

- Deuteronomy 30:19 - “...So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.”

- Luke 11:24-26 -  “...and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”

- Proverbs 14:1 - “The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”

- Matthew 12:36 - "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it...."

- Ephesians 3:20 - "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...."

- John 10:10 - “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy....”

- Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind...."

- Galatians 5:22 - "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness...."

- Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right...."

- Philippians 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving....”

- Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you....”

- Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about....”

- Love Your Husband/ Love Yourself (my marriage book)

- EP 84: How Not to Diet (But Still Lose Weight)

- Help! My Kids Won't Stop Fighting

- Extend Your Reach (Ideas for Limiting Your Child's Screen Time)

- 50 Great Chapter Books to Read Aloud to Your Family

- 50 Picture Books Every Child Should Read

- Encouraging Creativity in Young Children

- Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

- EP 28: Bible Memory Tips and Tricks

- Verses to Read When Battling Big Emotions

- Praying for Your Children from Head to Toe

- Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe

- 31 Bible Verses to Pray over Your Children

- 31 Bible Verses to Pray over Your Husband

- Praying Boldly for Yourself

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We don't have to wonder or make wild guesses about what Jesus would do -- the Bible tells us clearly how He lived when He was here on earth, the kind of things He prioritized, and what He expects of anyone who chooses to follow Him.

- Philippians 2 - "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ..."

- Mark 10:45 - “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life...."

- Luke 9:23 - “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

- Luke 14:27 - "And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

- Eph 4:26-5:1 - "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger...."

- Prov 3 - "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments...."

- Psalm 119:97-98 - "O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day...."

- Psalm 1 - "Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly...."

- EP 28: Bible Memory Tips

- EP 85 - Memorize Proverb 3 with Me

- Sing the Word Vol 1-2 - word-for-word KJV scripture songs by Fred and Sarah Cooper

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I read a book last week called The Art of Making Memories. It was fascinating, though nothing like I expected. In this week's episode, I share what I learned and what I think of this work.

- John 16:21 - "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world."

- Deuteronomy 11:19 - "Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

- Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, 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."

- John 10:10 - "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

- The Art of Making Memories by Meik Wiking

- Episode 28 - Bible Memory Tips

- Episode 85 - Memorize Proverbs 3 with Me

- M Is for Mama - Abbie Halberstadt's birth stories

- Glad Tidings - the first 25 years of Flanders Family Christmas Letters

- Monthly Holidays & Quirky Celebrations - and free printables and other fun resources for enjoying them to the full

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Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, lprintables

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Each and every one of us has been born with qualities that cannot be altered and into circumstances beyond our control. The question is, how will you approach the unchangeables in your life? Will you learn to accept and live with them (and maybe even appreciate them)? Or will you allow bitterness and resentment over those unchangeables fester in the depths of your heart? The choice you make will have a profound impact on the purpose and contentment you find in life.

1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Psalm 68:5 - "Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy."

Matthew 25:15 - "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey."

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

James 3:14-16 - "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing."

Genesis 3:19 - "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

James 4:14 - "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

Psalm 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days so that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.”

Psalm 139:13-16 - "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Serenity Prayer (attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr)

Praying for Your Parents (my free printable prayer guide)

The Long Winter (book by Laura Ingalls Wilder)

"How Can I Accept Myself the Way God Made Me" (impactful teaching I first heard at an IBLP seminar)

On Becoming Free Indeed (my review of Jinger Duggar's book )

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Father's Day is less than a week away, so I thought this would be a wonderful time to share a story about my father. I have lots of cherished memories to choose from, but this is one of my all-time favorites.

I'm sure that, in the midst of the childhood crisis I was experiencing at the time, my dad never dreamed what a lasting and long-reaching effect of his response would have in my life, but it did.

1 John 3:1 - “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

Romans 8:38 - “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 1:12 - “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” 

5 Lessons I Learned by Losing a Diamond

Fathers Matter (Every Day of the Year)

A Letter to My Father

Free Printable Prayer for Fathers

A Hero in the Making: Like Father, Like Son

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Our oldest son just celebrated his 37th birthday and told us over dinner what he considers the two most important and impactful things his dad and I did for him growing up, so I'm unpacking both this week's episode. I hope you'll listen in.

James 1:23-25 -“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who ....”

Psalms 1:3 - “...his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Matthew 5:20 - “Unless your righteousness surpasses the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees....”

Matthew 23:27 - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs....”

Romans 8:26 - "...the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words."

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 - “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and....”

Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Psalm 51:10 - “Create in me a clean heart, O God!"

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God...."

1 Corinthians 3:6 - "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth."

Matthew 25:23 - "Well done, my good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Master.”

Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

EP 28: Bible Memory Tips & Tricks

EP 85: Memorize Proverbs 3 with Me

EP 55: Smoothing Your Child’s Passage to Adulthood

31 Verses to Pray over Your Child

Praying for Your Unborn Child

Praying for Your Children from Head to Toe

Our Teens Need Prayer

Praying for Your Adult Child

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Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, lprintables

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