Living Out Biblical Womanhood

In this month’s podcast, we decided to do something a little different. Rather than address a specific topic, we thought it would be helpful/encouraging to take a look “behind the scenes” in how our podcasts come to life. We’ve had numerous listeners ask us many of the same questions (ie: “Where do you get your topics/questions?”, “How do you prepare?”). We wanted to share with you how truly blessed we feel to experience not only how the Lord uses this podcast in your lives but in ours as well. Join us as we chat about the “podcast journey” we set out on almost three years ago and some of the stories from our times together.   Shownotes: Quote (from a book): “Approved to God” https://utmost.org/updated/approved-to-god/  

In Titus 2:3-4, we find some pretty clear verses for what the Lord has for young mothers. They are to be “busy at home.” What exactly does that mean? Could it possibly still have relevance in the year 2025? The Bible is a book written for all time and it lays out a beautiful blueprint for how our Creator wants to use the uniquely designed female to inhabit and influence her home. None of our lives are the same, and many dynamics play into how our homes are run. But as women, we are called to carry out a divinely-inspired plan within our home, marriage, and family. Join us as we talk about the incredible value the Lord places on us being “busy at home” and what it could look like for you, as you walk in faith and trust.    Shownotes: Books: “Eve in Exile” Rebekah Merkle “The Accidental Feminist” Courtney Reissig

Last month we looked at what it means to live a life of submission to one another. We laid some groundwork for how God wants us to live in relationship to one another. (If you haven’t heard it yet, we encourage you to.) This month we’re talking more specifically about submission in marriage. What does the Lord call us to (and not call us to) as we live to please Him as wives? What does this look like in our lives as we trust God through our husbands? What if they make a mistake? Never fear, God is big enough and sovereign enough to work all things for our good as we trust Him. Join us as we talk about the freedom found in the roles He has for us and the grace to live them out.    Shownotes: Books: “Men and Women Equal Yet Different” by Alexander Strauch “Men and Women in the Church” by Kevin DeYoung “The Excellent Wife” by Martha Peace   Teachings: The Christian and Their Marriage (1 Peter 3:1-7)  The Rock Church February 28, 2021 https://www.experiencetherock.com/messages/recent-messages/?enmse=1&enmse_sid=131&enmse_mid=909   Article links: Submission in Marriage and Beyond  https://www.biblicaleldership.com/2023/05/23/submission-in-marriage-and-beyond/   When Submission is Hard  https://www.biblicaleldership.com/2023/06/05/when-submission-is-hard/

What does it mean to live a life of submission? One yielded to His good plans for our lives? This isn’t a podcast about submission as wives, but rather as women who want to live lives pleasing to the Lord. We have daily opportunities to serve, love, and give ourselves to the people and situations around us. But it isn’t always easy. There is a death of the “self” that has to happen and we need His help to be able to “do the next right thing.” Join us as we talk about what this submissive life looks like in our lives (including some practical tips on attitudes, habits and encouragement). Real joy comes from living for the Lord.   SHOWNOTES: Teaching: Krista Whitney, The Rock Church https://www.experiencetherock.com/messages/special/enmse=1&enmse_sid=165&enmse_mid=1157&enmse_av=1   Podcast: “Obedience”, The Elisabeth Elliot Podcast, May 6, 2024

Our marriages are full of opportunities to love our husbands and honor the Lord as we do it.  They are also full of opportunities to sin against our husbands and not confidently walk the road of forgiveness when we’ve been hurt or sinned against. Instead, we can harbor a bitter heart and our view of and relationship with our husbands is not at all what it should be. It’s not always easy to “make the next right choice” and seek to cultivate a heart that can truly forgive.  Especially when our feelings get in the way. But God offers us hope! Join us as we talk about what this struggle looks like in our lives and ways we’ve leaned into the Lord to grow in it.    Shownotes:   Books: “Amish Grace” by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt; David L. Weaver-Zercher “Bitterness — The Root That Pollutes” Lou Priolo

In our world today, you don’t see a lot of modesty in the way women dress. Culture tends to think it’s an outdated notion and why can’t women wear whatever they want? The Bible may have been written centuries ago, but it’s absolutely relevant for our lives today. The Lord has good and helpful thoughts to steer us in this area. And as we grow in our understanding of who we are in Him, our heart can then be reflected in the clothes we wear. Join us as we talk about what the Bible has to say about modesty, the struggle it can be to live it out in our world, and the goal of honoring Him.     Shownotes: Books: “Modesty — More Than a Change of Clothes” by Martha Peace & Kent Keler “Girl Talk — Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood” by Carolyn Mahaney & Nicole Mahaney Whitacre

Comparing ourselves to others is a universal struggle. We’ve all done it. Whether it’s connected to our physical appearance or our abilities or our possessions. It’s so easy to do and it almost never ends well. It can cause bitterness, envy, pride, and insecurity. It’s a matter of the heart and needs God’s truth to help us sort it out and weed it out. We need to apply His ways to our lives and learn to live a life of contentment and thankfulness. Join us as we talk about what the “snare of compare” looks like in our lives and practical ideas we’ve implemented to be women who look to Him first.    Shownotes: Books: “Respectable Sins” by Jerry Bridges “Seated With Christ” by Heather Holleman    Teachings: Written paper and video teaching by Carolyn Mahaney: https://asucru.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/snare-of-compare1.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhGcD8ikHGw&t=1148s

Being a mother is an amazingly wonderful calling on our lives. It is also very hard work. We can feel the pressure to be that “perfect” mom or have our “performance/what we do” and the desired outcome of our efforts be what drives us. When that happens, our hope is not in God. God has called us to live by grace and leave the outcome of mothering to Him. Join us as we talk about what this struggle looks like in our lives and ways we’ve navigated keeping our hope in Him to be the mother He has called us to be.

We need to be women who memorize Bible verses. We know that it has the ability to change our lives in so many necessary ways. Everything from transforming our minds to bringing us comfort, encouragement, admonishment, and hope. The list is endless. But it’s not always easy to memorize and when challenges present themselves, we can oftentimes get discouraged and stop trying. Instead, we need to arm ourselves with tips and “practicals” on how to start again (and keep going). Join us as we talk very practically about what verse memorization looks like in our lives and the importance of the “just start today” attitude.   Shownotes: Books: “The Insanity of God Book” by Nik Ripken  with Gregg Lewis “Teach Them Diligently” by Lou Priolo   Teachings: Psalm 119 — Delighting in God’s Word   App: Quizlet.com https://quizlet.com/mobile    Websites: https://www.openbible.info/topics/

We need to be good stewards of all that He gives us and this certainly includes our money. We should be careful to live in a way that honors Him. This is a call to understanding budgeting and finances. This may seem easier for some as they have more money. But is it necessarily about the money we have or is it a matter of the heart? Join us as we talk very practically about what budgeting looks like in our lives and how we live that out in creative and faith-filled ways. What works for one family might not work for another, but when the heart is to live for Him and His plan for our lives, amazing things can happen.   Shownotes: Books: “George Muller: The Guardian of Bristols's Orphans” by Janel and Geoff Benge “The Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples” by Larry Burkett “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey “Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey “Money Matters for Teens” by Larry Burkett “Investing for the Future” by Larry Burkett The Rock Church and The Rio Church Teachings on Money/Stewardship: http://www.experiencetherock.com/messages/recent-messages/?enmse=1&enmse_sid=117&enmse_mid=769 http://www.experiencetherock.com/messages/recent-messages/?enmse=1&enmse_sid=137&enmse_mid=950 https://www.experiencetherock.com/2023/03/matter-of-honor-series/ https://theriochurch.com/sermons/putting_money_in_its_place_1_care_provider/

Being married is a part of God’s good plan and it brings amazing blessings into our lives. However, it also reveals areas we need to work on, both in ourselves and in our husbands. And the necessary conversations we need to have about those areas aren’t always easy. So, just how do you speak into your husband’s life in a way that honors God and helps your husband grow? Practically speaking, are there tips we can remember to have those conversations go the way that they should? What if you’ve talked and things aren’t changing/getting better? When should help be sought? Join us as we honestly talk about what we’ve found it means to “sharpen one another” in our marriages in an attempt to glorify God and have (and not have) those hard conversations.   Shownotes: “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” — Elizabeth George “Love and Respect” — Emerson Eggerichs “The Excellent Wife” — Martha Peace “Don’t Be Stupid” — Bill Young (The Rock Church, message about godly correction) https://tinyurl.com/billyoung-dbs

Being a part of a church family means many wonderful things. Serving within your church family is on God’s heart and needs to be on ours. We may struggle in living this out for either lack of understanding or not knowing how to make it happen in the busy and different seasons of our lives. How do we overcome those struggles and do what He asks? What kinds of blessings are there for us as we lay down our lives for others? How can we “finish strong” in our Christian walk as we strive to imitate Jesus? Join us as we talk about what serving the Body of Believers looks like in our lives now (and then). Practical tips are a must and the Word gives us help and hope.   Shownotes: Books: “Imagine Heaven” by John Burke

Getting counsel before making decisions used to be the norm in the Christian life. It’s not so much anymore. Why is that? It could be because people either don’t know about it as a biblical resource, or they feel like they’d rather search the internet and not have to interact with “a real person” (who might not tell them what they want to hear). No matter the reason, lack of counsel can lead to unfortunate outcomes. It’s vital that we understand what the Bible says about getting counsel — who we should go to (and not go to), and how to give counsel when people ask us for it. Join us as we talk about the practicals of what this has looked like in our lives and a few tips on making it part of yours. 

Laying down your life for your family isn’t necessarily easy. We can easily know the Lord has called us to it, but it’s hard work (often found in small, daily choices), calls for sacrifice (oftentimes in ways that feel very personal), and needs a vision that can only come from the Lord. The world we live in lies to us about what this means and what it should look like. We need the Truth to keep us encouraged and on track with how to live it out. Join us as we talk about how we’ve honestly engaged with this calling in different seasons of life, amidst the world’s lies, and with hearts to obey His Word.   Shownotes: Books: “Habits of the Household” Justin Whitmel Earley “You’re Not Enough (and that’s okay)” Allie Beth Stuckey “Live Your Truth” Alisa Childers “Eve In Exile” Rebekah Merkle

Talking about politics and Christianity and how they go together (or don’t) can be a touchy subject. Is there value in us talking about it as Christian women and citizens of the U.S.? How do we decide who to vote for and what happens when people have differing opinions than ours? Is it possible to face the future with hope and courage? Some of our answers might just surprise you. Join us as we talk about politics and the Word and what it means for each of us. **We will NOT be talking about specific candidates or issues.    Shownotes: Messages and resources from The Rock Church/Utah http://www.experiencetherock.com/messages/recent-messages/?enmse=1&enmse_sid=161 https://www.experiencetherock.com/mp3/message/2024/04-King-Jesus/02-politics-policies-people.pdf  

One of the ways God wants us to love our husbands is with phileo love. This is a friendship love, one of personal affection, tenderness, and companionship. It’s a type of love that we can often overlook or under-value. How does He want us to love our husbands in this way? We need to better understand it to walk in it. Join us as we talk about how we phileo love our husbands with practical tips and stories of our victories and struggles along the way.    Shownotes: Books: “Love-Life for Every Married Couple” by Ed Wheat

God wants us to be women who are self-controlled in our speech. We know it isn’t easy. Our speech can get us into trouble. Whether we struggle with anger, gossip, or simply saying too many words, we need His help to change and grow. Thankfully, His Word is full of wisdom and practical ways to grow. By His power, it’s possible to become a woman who is self-controlled in her speech. Join us as we talk about our own struggles in this area and the victories (and setbacks) along the way. 

God wants us to be hospitable. The Bible is pretty clear about that but sometimes we can get confused about what it means. Do we need to only use the good dishes and buy expensive food? Is it something you can only do if you have a home and family? The answer is “No!” —Hospitality is having a heart to love like Jesus did, in community and fellowship. You don’t need much to see Him bless your heart to serve others. Join us as we talk about some very practical tips on what hospitality is (and isn’t) and how you can show it no matter what stage of life you’re in.     Shownotes:   Book: “The Hospitality Commands” by Alexander Strauch

As parents, our hearts long to be involved in our children’s lives and for some, that means homeschooling them. It’s not for everyone, nor should it be. But if God calls your family to homeschool, it’s good to know why, and how to answer some of the questions you’ll no doubt get asked (ie: “What about socialization?”). What are some of the pros and cons of homeschooling and some daily practicals in our homes? Join us as we talk about what homeschooling looked like in our lives and some of the answers we gave to those who asked.

Sexual Intimacy Physical intimacy within marriage is a true gift from God. He designed it and has good plans for it within the relationship between husband and wife. It’s important we understand some foundations of this gift along with some honest differences between men and women, and the critical importance of good/healthy communication. Join us as we talk about how to grow in this precious area and some practical thoughts from our own lives.   Shownotes: Books: “Intimate Issues” by Linda Dillow & Loraine Pintus  “The Act of Marriage” by Tim and Beverly LaHaye “Sheet Music” by Kevin Leman “Love Life for Every Married Couple” by Ed Wheat “Intended for Pleasure” by Ed Wheat