The practice of giving Christmas gifts has potential to be holy and precious, and yet somewhere along the way, we have gone astray.  Instead of joy, we feel stress at the prospect of figuring out what to get for so many people, not to mention paying for them all. Instead of gratitude and love, our children feel a sense of let down after the last gift has been opened.  Instead of slowing down to turn our hearts to the Lord and savor time with our families during the holiday season, we rush and bustle.  It doesn't have to be this way! In this episode, we consider what it means to slow down, spend less, and yet give more (of what actually matters) this Christmas. So join us as we cut through the clutter and chaos of the season and redeem Christmas gift giving.   Links and Resources Check out my Christmas gift guide here:  Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide for Christian Families: find tried and true gift suggestions for everyone from grandparents to children. Advent Conspiracy website Advent Conspiracy book*  Fair Trade Gift Guide: includes links and coupon codes to 25 different online shops! Living Water International Gift Cards: give a gift card to drill clean water wells World Vision Gift Catalog: meet a need across the world in honor of someone on your list this Christmas   For More  Subscribe on iOS here. To subscribe on Android, click this link and select your podcast listening app. Or copy this link into your favorite podcast listening app: http://embracingasimplerlife.libsyn.com/rss  Leave an iTunes review here. These help more people find the Embracing a Simpler Life podcast and are greatly appreciated! Follow Embracing a Simpler Life on Facebook and Instagram! *Affiliate links used where appropriate. Thank you!

Redeeming Christmas Gift Giving

A podcast for those who long to live a life that matters eternally. Learn what it looks like to throw off the things that slow you down so you can pursue Christ with all you've got.... because this world is passing away. After all, life is too short and God is too good to live distracted.

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We live in an uncertain time. The whole world is experiencing a pandemic, and we're all affected in many different ways.  In today's podcast we consider what it means to apply the gospel to Covid-19 and to see this season in light of eternity.

We're Back! Eternal Perspective on COVID-19

Our culture (and our human nature) condition us to expect and desire an easy life. Rather than serving, we want to be served. Rather than sacrifice, we want comfort. In this episode of the Embracing a Simpler Life podcast we will be exposing the idol of an easy life, considering the value of "easy" in eternity, and taking a look at what the Bible has to say about all of these things.    Scriptures Referenced James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”  2 Corinthians 4:17, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” John 13:12-17, "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.     Episode Sponsor: Phonics Museum App by Veritas Teaching children to read as early as possible is one of the best things parents and teachers can do for a child’s future academic success, but knowing how or where to start is overwhelming and oftentimes confusing for parents, but it doesn’t have to be… The Phonics Museum is the first complete solution that with little to no parental or teacher involvement will take a child that can’t recognize letters, all the way to reading real books. Visit www.phonicsmuseum.com/easl to claim your two-week free trial!   For More    Subscribe to our podcast on iOS here. To subscribe on Android, click this link and select your podcast listening app. Or copy this link into your favorite podcast listening app: http://embracingasimplerlife.libsyn.com/rss  Leave an iTunes review here. These help more people find the Embracing a Simpler Life podcast and are greatly appreciated! Follow Embracing a Simpler Life on Facebook and Instagram! Get Katie's book here: Heavenly Minded Mom: A 90 Day Journey to Embrace What Matters Most 

The Idol of an Easy LIfe

What does it mean to believe God's word, no matter what? How do we live with unshakable hope, unblinded faith, and sights clearly set on heaven? That is exactly what we're talking about in this week's episode of the Embracing a Simpler Life podcast! Elisa Pulliam shares her story of hardship, along with God's receptive work in her life and all He's taught her through His word about faith regardless of circumstances. Elisa has so much wisdom to share, I know you will be blessed!   All things Elisa!  Elisa Pulliam is passionate about helping women experience a fresh encounter with God and His Word for the sake of impacting the next generation with Kingdom Hope. Her latest book, "Unblinded Faith: Gaining Spiritual Sight through Believing God's Word," is described as "more than a devotional, it's a tool for growing deep spiritual roots." Elisa is the founder of More to Be, a ministry devoted to equipping women with biblical resources, coaching, and mentor training. She also is the owner of the Kaleo Agency, and as a creative strategist, she helps female entrepreneurs, coaches, and writers develop their brand marketing in order to convey their message and maximize their mission with ease. Connect with Elisa at MoretoBe.com or KaleoAgency.net. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter! Find her new devotional Unblinded Faith HERE. And check out her free 90 Days of Faith Challenge here!   Scriptures Referenced  2 Corinthians 3:16-18, "...And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."  2 Corinthians 4:4, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."  2 Corinthians 4:8-10, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."  John 17:3, "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."     Episode Sponsor: Phonics Museum App by Veritas Teaching children to read as early as possible is one of the best things parents and teachers can do for a child’s future academic success, but knowing how or where to start is overwhelming and oftentimes confusing for parents, but it doesn’t have to be… The Phonics Museum is the first complete solution that with little to no parental or teacher involvement will take a child that can’t recognize letters, all the way to reading real books. Visit www.phonicsmuseum.com/easl to claim your two-week free trial!    For More  Subscribe to our email list here. We'd love to be able to stay in touch with you!  Subscribe to our podcast on iOS here. To subscribe on Android, click this link and select your podcast listening app. Or copy this link into your favorite podcast listening app: http://embracingasimplerlife.libsyn.com/rss  Leave an iTunes review here. These help more people find the Embracing a Simpler Life podcast and are greatly appreciated!  Follow Embracing a Simpler Life on  Facebook and  Instagram! Get Katie's book here: Heavenly Minded Mom: A 90 Day Journey to Embrace What Matters Most 

Unblinded Faith with Elisa Pulliiam

We are so excited to be back after an impromptu break from podcasting over the past month or so. The reason? We're expecting another baby! Between "book launch burn out" and first trimester, it was time to rest. This week on the Embracing a Simpler Life podcast we are tackling an incredibly difficult topic: suffering. In fact, suffering is the thing that stands between many people and faith in God, because they don't understand how a good God could allow it. At the very least, most of us wrestle with this and struggle to understand. We do. While we don't have all the answers, we have found some handles to help us process suffering through eternal perspective. We have some thoughts and many scriptures we'd like to share with you. Join us as we consider:  How does this life measure up to eternity? What are the good fruits that come from suffering? What does it mean to have hope?    Episode Sponsor: Phonics Museum App by Veritas Teaching children to read as early as possible is one of the best things parents and teachers can do for a child’s future academic success, but knowing how or where to start is overwhelming and oftentimes confusing for parents, but it doesn’t have to be… The Phonics Museum is the first complete solution that with little to no parental or teacher involvement will take a child that can’t recognize letters, all the way to reading real books. Visit www.phonicsmuseum.com/easl to claim your two-week free trial!   Scriptures Referenced John 16:20-22, "...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. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Revelation 21:2-4, “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."   For More  Subscribe to our podcast on iOS here. To subscribe on Android, click this link and select your podcast listening app. Or copy this link into your favorite podcast listening app: http://embracingasimplerlife.libsyn.com/rss  Leave an iTunes review here. These help more people find the Embracing a Simpler Life podcast and are greatly appreciated! Follow Embracing a Simpler Life on Facebook and Instagram! Get Katie's book here: Heavenly Minded Mom: A 90 Day Journey to Embrace What Matters Most

Making Sense of Suffering in Light of Eternity

What does God want from us as Christian parents? What are His goals for our children? How do we work toward those goals? These are all questions we're considering in today's episode as we explore what it means to live out the Great Commission as mothers. Join us as we look at:  Why discipleship matters What this is exactly How the Great Commission applies to motherhood How this might look on a practical level    Episode Links Order Heavenly Minded Mom here! If you are willing, you can leave a review on Amazon here. This is very helpful!    Resources for Children As mentioned in this podcast episode, we've found some great children's Bibles to help our kids connect with God's word from a young age. Here are a few of our favorites. In order from youngest child to oldest: Read Aloud Bible Stories for Kids (all volumes), great for ages 2-4 Jesus Storybook Bible, for ages 4-6+ Children's Easy-to-Read Bible, for ages 5-7+ NIrV Kids' Quest Study Bible, for ages 7+   Resources for Adults The Story: Using excerpted scriptures, this Bible tells the story of God in a chronological, over-view fashion. One Year Chronological Bible: This Bible is reorganized into what scholars believe to be chronological order and divided into 365 daily readings. This is what Katie is reading this year.   Scriptures Referenced  Isaiah 40:6-8,   A voice says, “Cry out.”     And I said, “What shall I cry?”   “All people are like grass,     and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall,     because the breath of the Lord blows on them.     Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall,     but the word of our God endures forever.”   Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24, This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom     or the strong boast of their strength     or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this:     that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,     justice and righteousness on earth,     for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.     For More  Subscribe to our email list here. We'd love to be able to stay in touch with you!  Subscribe to our podcast on iOS here. To subscribe on Android, click this link and select your podcast listening app. Or copy this link into your favorite podcast listening app: http://embracingasimplerlife.libsyn.com/rss  Leave an iTunes review here. These help more people find the Embracing a Simpler Life podcast and are greatly appreciated!    Follow Embracing a Simpler Life on  Facebook and  Instagram!

Redeeming Christmas Gift Giving

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