NCourage NSpire

In the Episode 18, we talked about consistency of agreement (being of the same mind) and consistency of application (matching out words with our actions).

In today's episode, we talk more about specific ways to be consistent in various parts of our lives:
- While Parenting
- With Our Finance
- Regarding Spiritual Development
- Within the Bounds of Martial Intimacy

Disclaimer:  We talk about sexual intimacy in this episode.  Just want to provide a clear warning, in case you listen to our podcast with your children.

How can we pray for you?  [email protected]
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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

There are so many daily barriers to consistency - laziness, busyness, miscommunication, lack of communication, etc. And sometimes there are catastrophic events that cause us to be inconsistent - death, loss of a job, sickness, and depression.

Despite all the challenges and obstacles, it is worth fighting for consistency. In this podcast, we talk about consistency of agreement (being on the same page) and consistency of application (following through with what we have agreed upon).

Both are needed to be truly consistent. Both are challenging and require time, effort, and energy.

In this Episode, Nathan talks about how challenging it is to find the right words to say when facing a difficult situation, especially the loss of a loved one.

For men, fixing a 'problem' is often our goal.  It challenging times, we might better sever our loved ones by remaining silent while being present.

Romans 8:18-27 talks about our present sufferings, but there is a sweet promise that God gives us.  When we don't know what to prayer, the Holy Spirits comes and intercedes on our behalf.

As we are grieving the loss of a family member, we would appreciate your prayers.  We want to be lifting you up as well.  Please send prayer requests to  [email protected]
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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Faith is a communal endeavor but an individual choice.  In this episode, we chat with out oldest daughter about her recent international trip.

We discuss ...
- how the local church made an impact on her
- how her desire to serve in the United States impacted her service in another country
- advice she would give to parents who want to build faithful families
- and what you would want to tell other kids who want to own their faith

A big thanks to Naomi, our first solo podcast guest.  We are proud of the godly young woman you are and we look forward to seeing how God continues to work in your life.  Let's keep being family together.  Let's keep being faithful together. 

Is God dangerous?  If so, what does that mean for our lives and the lives of our families?

These are two of the questions we have been wrestling with this week as we wait for the return of our oldest daughter, who has been doing Kingdom work in another country.

In this podcast, we will support the following three claims:
- God's presence is dangerous
- God's holiness is dangerous
- God's mission is dangerous

But for all of the danger, our God is good and loving.  Where He calls us or places us is the exact place we need to be, despite the danger!


How can we pray for you?  [email protected]
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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Momentous occasions are worth celebrating.  Our oldest passed her driving test.  How can one event cause so much excitement and fear?

As we hand over the keys to the car, we are reminded that we are one more step closer.  One more step closer to watching our baby girl turn into a young woman.

Proverbs 22:6 begins by focusing on the parents.  We are the trainers, the equippers, the influencers.  As such, we have an important, God-given role to play in the lives of our kiddos.

We must lay a foundation of God's wisdom (training).   And then our kiddos must make a choice?  They need to choose their way.  Our hope is that their way is God's way.     

How can we pray for you?  [email protected]
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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We all have hopes, dreams, and goals for our lives, marriages, and children.

Although the time, effort, and energy we put into our relationships today does make a difference, it does not provide a guarantee.    We have to realize that today's success does not guarantee future success.  Equally important, today's failures do not guarantee future failures.

We must continue to labor in love, day in and day out.  We must continue to labor in love, because it is the right thing to do, not because we have a guarantee of a future outcome.

As we live out Christ-focused, Bible-centered lives, we need to let God words shape us:
- Romans 10:13 -  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
- Matthew 5:44 - But I say to you , Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
- Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- John 14:13-14 - Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

How can we pray for you?  [email protected]
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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Whether you are traveling the globe or crossing your street, it is important to "finish the race" well.

Sometimes those last fifteen steps are the difference between victory or defeat. If the enemy can't stop you from starting the race, he will do his best to prevent you from finishing the race. What stops us from finishing?

Sometimes our pride. Sometimes our rebellious disobedience. And, honestly, sometimes we just don't know how to finish well.

In this episode, we will talk about ...
- various parts of life that are included in the race
- the importance of knowing WHAT, HOW, and WHY
- 2 Timothy 4:1-8

How can we pray for you?  [email protected]

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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

What we do today as a family will have a lasting impact for years to come. In world where so much goes wrong and so much seems bad, we have the ability to create encouraging and inspiring memories for our family.

The Bible says that a joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). Science says that positive memories (especially from the perspective of a child about his or her parents) has lasting impact into early adulthood and older adult. Making positive, lasting memories with your family is like medicine for the soul.

In this podcast, we talk about ten ways to build lasting memories. We want to hear from you. Which examples are you already implementing with your family? Which ones do you want to introduce?

In this episode, we are talking about six simple questions that guide many of our family's discussions about God's word.

The goal of these six questions is to provide a simple and reproducible method to learn from and meditate on God's written word - the Bible. The simplicity of the questions allow almost any person to participate, regardless of age or reading ability. The reproducibility of this method allows for almost anyone to facilitate a local group.

These are the questions:

1. What are these verses about?

2. What do we learn about God?

3. What do you find most interesting?

4. Why are these verses still relevant for our lives today?

5. What is this Scripture asking us to obey?

6. With whom should we share these verses?

We wanted to give you a special treat today. Our oldest three daughters will be apart of the podcast as we give an example of how to facilitate a group by using the six questions.

Be sure to listen to the end! There is a special outtake that cracked us up. Some of us still talk with our hands while we record our podcast.

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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.