No Higher Calling

Gratitude: An emotion of the heart, excited by a favor or benefit received; a sentiment of kindness or good will towards a benefactor; thankfulness. 

We have so much to be thankful for. When we start counting our blessings, we realize that we are a very blessed people. Yet, we often forget to express our gratitude to the One who has given us these good and perfect gifts. God has challenged me in this area of my life. I know that I need to grow in gratitude. I share specific ways that I am working on this area, as well as the affect gratitude has in so many areas of life.

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 22:3; 100:4-5

I Thessalonians 5:18

Resources Referenced:

Research Study on Gratitude

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Many parents struggle with the question, "What do we do about Santa?" As Christians, we desire to have a holiday that is centered on Christ, yet secularism entices our focus in another direction. 

Simeon joins me to talk through this topic as we share what we've come to as a family. You'll also enjoy some fun rabbit trails as we share what it's like to celebrate Christmas in Australia!

Resources:

NHC Podcast: A Christ-Centered Christmas

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts: Christ the Savior Is Born

Friendship Cards

Christmas Cards

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God has given our family the unique privilege of serving Him as missionaries in Sydney, Australia for almost two years.

Because I am a missionary wife, I have often been asked to share my "calling" to missions. My story is different from others. It's not the testimony of other missionary heroes you might read about. My heart was encumbered with fears and doubts.

But God has given clarity and purpose as we've followed Him. I couldn't imagine doing anything else with our life. We are doing what we truly believe God created us for, and there is nothing like living in His way!

Resources:

Subscribe to our ministry prayer letter- https://brazzellstoaustralia.com/ 

Brazzells Missionary Video 2024

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Does your home bring feelings of peace and rest or angst? Do you struggle to stay on top of all the tasks motherhood brings? Are you racing to try to stay ahead of the laundry, dishes, and toys?

Elisabeth Beam, from Balancing Beams, joins me to discuss these questions and give practical help for leaving overwhelm behind and thriving in your life.

We chat about...

• Simplifying and decluttering your home

Resources Referenced:

• Find @balancingbeams on Instagram

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

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Throughout this year, we have been looking at undesirable couples of the Bible seeing that most of them struggled because they did not have a oneness in marriage. This is beyond physical oneness, but also spiritual and emotional. 

We come to Ahasuerus and Esther, and we discuss what to do when a spouse is unequally yoked with a non-believer. Esther gives a beautiful example of God's love and grace as she interacts with her heathen husband. 

Scriptures Referenced:

The book of Esther

II Corinthians 6:14

Resources Referenced:

NHC Family Podcast Series: Undesirable Couples of the Bible

NHC Shop

Great Hymns for Growing Hearts: Christ the Saviour is Born

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What is God's will for my life?

That is a big question. We are asked this, espcially during our teenage years, but as time moves on, we continue to ask, "God, what is your will for me?" We tend to ask this with a 5 year or 10 year objective. We want the answer to the long-term plan. 

In Psalm 119:105, God gives us a key to unlocking the mystery of this question. His Word is a lamp unto our feet. This is speaking of a light, an illumiation, for the very next step. As we follow God in obedience in the day-to-day decisions, it will set our path on the trajectory to walk out the path He has created us for. 

God desires that we walk step by step. As we follow, He gives more light. But the big picture plan that we often desire is left in God's hands. This keeps us dependent on Him for daily guidance. The Christian life is walking through every moment hand in hand with our Savior.

Scriptures Referenced:

Genesis 24:27

Psalm 119:105; 139:13-17

Proverbs 16:9

Jeremiah 29:11

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Confidence: a trusting or reliance; an assurrance of mind of firm belief in the integrity, stability, or veracity of another, or in the truth or reality of a fact -Webster's 1828 Dictionary

Confidence: that which has a firm foundation; steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage -definition of the Greek word hypostasis (confidence)

We live in an instable world that seeks to shake our confidence. We must remember that our confidence is not rooted in anything other than Christ. Because of that, our confidence is steadfast and sure!

In this episode, we discuss how to live confidently in a broken world.

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 118:6, 8

Proverbs 11:28; 14:26; 28:26

Ezra 33:13

Jeremiah 48:7

Philippians 1:6; 3:3

Isaiah 14:24

II Corithians 12:9

Ephesians 3:11-12

Hebrews 3:14; 4:16

I John 2:28; 5:14

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God has an order. Culture disrupts that order and dwells in compounded confusion. This is clearly seen in context of marriage and the roles within marriage. 

When God established the first marriage in Genesis, He called what He designed very good. Simeon and I go back to the beginning to dicuss...

-Responsibilities and roles within marriage

-Husband and wife working as a team

-Satan's attack on the nuclear family

Scriptures Referenced:

Genesis 2 & 3

II Corinthians 6:14

Ephesians 5:25-33

Titus 1:5

Resources:

Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle

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Our lives can be inundated by fear, yet God's Word tells us again and again to fear not. How are we to obey that command when there are so many things that cause us worry and concern?

We discuss identifying irrational versus rational fears. We must not waste our time worrying about fears that are not based in reality. But when we do have real fears, we need to learn to give them to the Lord, remember is faithfulness, and trust Him with the outcomes.

Scriptures Referenced:

Proverbs 19:23

John 10:10

Romans 8:28

II Timothy 1:7

Hebrews 13:5-6

I John 4:18

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Laundry can be quite the pain point for homemakers. The endless mountains of clothes to wash, fold, and put away can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I share some tips that have helped me stay on top of our laundry as a family of seven. I also share great tips from some of my audience! Thank you to all those who added your input. I hope maybe one of these ideas will help you find better rhythms in this area of homemaking.

Resources:

NHC YouTube: Make Your Own Laundry Detergent 

Young Living Thieves Laundry Soap

Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater (affiliate link)

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

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