Families today are centered on so many different things- sports, academics, entertainment, social status, etc. As Christians, the only thing our homes should be centered on is the Lord Jesus Christ! What is a Christ-centered family? Join me as we walk through Scripture and answer this question. 

As Christian mamas, I believe we'd all say that we want to have homes that are centered on Christ. How does that happen? In this episode, I discuss the Christ, the character, the cost, and the crown of a family who is centered on Jesus Christ. 

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"If giving up a holiday that brings Him zero glory is a sacrifice I must make to be more like my Savior, is that too much of a price to pay?"

Simeon joins me in this episode to discuss our stance on Halloween. I understand this is a controversial topic amongst Christians, and we take a very strong, possibly radical stance, on it, but we are convinced that our position comes from one that has been bathed in prayer and Scripture. 

I John 1:5 “. . .God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

A friend of mine wrote, "Why would I celebrate the very darkness Christ has saved me from?" Halloween is a holiday that is engulfed in darkness and evil.  The Bible talks about those very things having the spirit of anti-Christ, something that is direct opposition to the very nature of God.

As we set a goal for Christ-likeness in our lives and homes, we have come to believe that this holiday has no place in the life of a Christian. Maybe you agree with us, maybe you don't. Our desire for this episode is not to judge or condemn, but to do a deep-dive into God's Word and see what He has to say on the topic. May our hearts be challenged to always be conforming more into the image of Christ. Where that lands you as a family might be a different place than where it's landed us. We should never be afraid to have our standards challenged as we study and grow in the truths of Scripture. 

Resources:

NHC Blog: Standing for Light When Surrounded by Darkness

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

Erin Bates Paine joins me on this episode to talk about the importance of saturating our homes with God's Word. No matter what we face, God's Word always has the answers that our hearts need. Erin shares how God used a trial to give her an intensity about abiding in Scripture, praying Scripture over her marriage and children, and filling her children's hearts with God's truth. She walks through why memorizing Scripture is important and ways she has incorporated Scripture memorization in her home. 

As Erin sought to saturate her home, marriage, and motherhood with Scripture, God led her to create a resource to help accomplish this goal. She discusses ABC cards that have verses for children to memorize that correspond with character traits they should be growing in. This is a wonderful tool to help you use the Bible as you train and discipline, and as you seek to let God's Word take root in the hearts of your children. She also shares about a set of 30 Bible promise cards for women to pray and claim. 

Resources: 

chadanderin.com (You can find Erin's ABC and Promise Cards under the store tab)

Pray Big for Your Marriage

Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_, No Higher Calling Facebook Page and www.nohighercalling.org 

My reading challenge for 2021 continues. I’m excited to say that I have hit my goal for the year (40 books) with 3 months to spare!! The past quarter has been filled with some great reads. In this episode, I share what books I've been reading with my personal review of each book.

Resources: 

NHC Blog: My 2021 Reading Challenge Part 3

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

Casie Ravert joins me on this episode to share truths that God has etched on her heart through some difficult storms in her life's journey. She talks about how when you first set out into adulthood, you have dreams of what the coming years will hold. We all have a "Plan A". We hope our lives will go according to that plan, but it rarely happens. Casie and her husband, Adam, have walked through some bitter waters as the pages of their story include miscarriage and infertility. Casie shares that it was in her lowest moment that she cried out to God. She asked Him why He wasn't answering, and He reminded her that He was. The answer just wasn't the one she was praying for. 

Are we still willing to trust God when His answer is no? Do we find our identity in Him and Him alone, or do we require something else to give us security and joy? Is there hope for a heart that is shattered? Casie answers these questions as she shares how God has guided her heart and given her an eternal perspective. 

Through this journey, God led Casie to start New Mercies Music. Their first CD is out- He Is Still God. This CD includes the song that inspired this podcast episode, But If Not. At the end of the episode, you will hear the song. I pray that it will encourage your heart as it has so greatly encouraged mine!

Resources:

New Mercies Music

New Mercies Music- He Is Still God CD

This CD is now streaming! Search Adam & Casie Ravert to find it. 

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

We have many exciting things happening in our family right now! Two very special guests join me on this bonus episode to share some exciting news with you. It is an honor to get to share our journey with you. God is at work in our family, just as He is at work in yours! Let's give Him much praise as we see His guiding hand in our lives!

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

The tasks of home can often feel repetitive and mundane. There are always meals to cook, piles of laundry to fold, and surfaces to dust. As Christian women, we want to glorify Christ with our days, but is He really receiving glory as we mop our floors? As I've searched the Scriptures, I believe that the answer is, yes!! If the glory of God is the end accomplishment of all that we do, then it doesn't really matter what the task is. All that matters is that He is glorified. If God is glorified, one task isn't more important than another. What matters is that our Savior receives the glory due His name!

In this episode, I share ways that God has directed my perspective to eternal things and transformed my mundane moments of homemaking into moments of worship. 

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

"For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted." -Amy Carmichael

We live in a sin-cursed, fallen world. As we journey through life, we will face inconveniences, difficulties, and trials. We can either allow those things to make us bitter, or make us better. Katie Davidson joins Brettnay in this episode to talk about how God has taught her that when she keeps her focus on Him, even the sourest of days can have blessings abundant. 

To keep this heavenly perspective, you must have God's Word deeply seeded in your heart. You will need a deep well to draw from when the hard circumstances arise. God has not left us to journey through life alone. He is our ever-present Shepherd who goes before us. He also gifts us with friendship. Finding an "iron sharpeneth iron" friendship is always a blessing, but it can be an even greater treasure when you have someone to walk with you through life's ebb and flow. Brettnay and Katie share some of the unexpected adventures God brought into their paths in the past few months, and how God has used those to drive this lesson a mile deep in their hearts.  

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

The toddler and preschool years are full of lots of challenges, but there is so much sweetness in this season! Children are alight with wonder and curiosity about the world around them. The soil of their hearts is soft and easily cultivated as we seek to pour Truth into them. The days are filled with giggles, playtime, and precious moments of togetherness.

Brettnay is mama to an almost 5 year old, 3 year old, and a 15 month old.  In this episode, she shares some of her favorite resources she uses with her children in these categories. . .

-Educational

-Arts & Crafts

-Bible

-Audio

-Toys

This isn't a comprehensive list, but these are things that have been loved and enjoyed in Brettnay's home!

Resources:

No Higher Calling Blog: My Favorite Preschool Resources

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org

Schedules are something that everybody struggles with. It takes so much thought, and sometimes trial and error, to find a schedule that is perfect for the needs of your family. Then, once everything is going smooth, seasons change, and so does your schedule. 

I want to be a wise steward of the time that God has given me. I also need to realize that God doesn't call me to do more than He gives me time to accomplish. How can we find balance in our schedules? I share some ways God has helped me prioritize what exactly it is that He has for my family to invest our time in. Time is precious, and I don't want to waste the opportunities God has given me. Having an intentionality in planning my days allows us to redeem the time and accomplish all that God has for our family.

At the end of the day, if schedules go haywire and seasons bring stressful demands, God is sufficient! We can rest in His strength and His sufficiency. I might not accomplish everything on my to-do list, but if I do those things that are important in light of eternity, I can find peace and contentment.

Resources: 

She Laughs Without Fear by Jami Balmet

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Real Cool History for Kids Podcast

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