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Encouragement for Mamas

Posted in Balance, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, mommy anger, mommy wars, Motherhood, podcasts, sins and struggles, the Gospel

019: Lies Moms Believe with Rebekah Hargraves

My sweet friend, Kayla Nelson, joins me today for a special episode of the podcast - she is actually coming on the show to interview…

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Posted in advice, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Church Issues, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, mommy wars, Motherhood

Honoring God in the Mommy Wars

  The mommy wars, though largely unheard of in the generations which went before us, are something which every mama today has likely experienced. Even…

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Posted in advice, Balance, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, book recommendations, Christian Walk, current events, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Motherhood, podcasts, Resources

018: Becoming MomStrong with Heidi St. John

I am honored to have author, speaker, podcaster, and mama of 7, Heidi St. John (also known as The Busy Mom), on the podcast today!…

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Posted in Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's love, God's Word, Motherhood

When Mommy Guilt Comes Calling

My friend, Laura, from Homemaking for His Glory, is on the launch team for Lies Moms Believe and graciously invited me to share a guest-post on…

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Posted in Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Motherhood

When Motherhood Just Feels Too Hard

My friend, Elizabeth, is on my launch team for Lies Moms Believe and graciously opened up her blog for me to share my heart on…

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Posted in Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Motherhood

Viewing Our Children as Arrows

I had the privilege of guest-posting for my friend, Sarah Demott, while she’s on maternity leave from her blog. I hope that what I shared…

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Posted in biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, false teaching, God's Word, Motherhood

When “Motherhood is a Woman’s Highest Calling” Backfires

Tuesday marked the beginning of Launch Month for my new ebook, Lies Moms Believe (And How the Gospel Refutes Them), which releases Friday, November 10th (and…

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Posted in advice, Encouragement for Mamas, Motherhood, Real Life Posts, toddlerhood

Tips for Embracing the Two Year Old Phase

Christia Colquitt from Faith Filled Parenting recently launched an awesome new blog series entitled “Embrace the Phase”. It is designed to provide mamas with various…

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episode 16 living life on mission with shontell brewer
Posted in advice, Balance, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Marriage, ministry, Motherhood, podcasts, Prayer

016: Living Life on Mission with Shontell Brewer

Shontell Brewer joins me on the podcast today to discuss how we can go about living our lives on mission, with purpose and intentionality. She is…

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Posted in Babies, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, Motherhood, podcasts, postpartum depression, pregnancy

014: Overcoming Prenatal and Postpartum Depression and Anxiety with Valerie Keinsley

Valerie Keinsley is a Christian, wife, mama to two, and home business owner residing in Indiana. She joins me on the podcast today to share…

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5 Ways Moms Can Fulfill the Great Commission
Posted in advice, Babies, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Homemaking, Hospitality, Motherhood

5 Ways Moms Can Fulfill the Great Commission

As many of you may have already picked up on, I have a passion for showing moms that, they too, can go about fulfilling the…

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Posted in advice, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Motherhood, Quiet Times

How to be in the Word as a Busy Wife and Mama

I had the pleasure of guest-posting for my sweet friend, Jenn, back in March, when I shared about the importance of wives and moms being…

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Posted in advice, Babies, Balance, biblical womanhood, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Motherhood, podcasts

013: Surviving Toddlerhood with Rebekah Thompson

My friend Rebekah Thompson joins me on the podcast today in what I know will be a super helpful episode for all you mamas! Rebekah…

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Mama, You are too busy not to have friends
Posted in Christian Walk, Church Issues, Encouragement for Mamas, friendship, God's Word, Motherhood

Mama, You are too Busy NOT to Have Friends!

I so appreciate my sweet friend, Amber, inviting me to write for her again! I first wrote for her blog on the topic of finding…

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Husband of the Blogger Pt. 3 - Men's Ministry in the Church
Posted in Encouragement for Mamas, fatherhood, Husband of the Blogger LinkUps, Interviews, legacy, Marriage, Uncategorized

Husband of the Blogger Link Up Part 4: Legacy

  It’s time for another installment in the fun Husband of the Blogger LinkUp Series we’ve been doing! If you missed the first 3 parts,…

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The Work at Home Mom Life with Erika Oeding Hull Home and Hearth Podcast Episode 12
Posted in advice, Balance, creativity, Encouragement for Mamas, Homemaking, Motherhood, podcasts, work

012: The Work at Home Mom Life with Erika Oeding Hull

Erika Oeding Hull of Chaotic Blessing joins me today to talk about the work at home mom life. She is a wife, mom of 5,…

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Perspective for the Overwhelmed Homemaker
Posted in biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Homemaking, Motherhood

Perspective for the Overwhelmed Homemaker

I’m over on Raising Homemakers again this week, sharing a message I am really passionate about. This is one that I hope will provide some…

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Posted in advice, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, mommy anger, Motherhood, Real Life Posts, sins and struggles

Help and Hope for the Angry Mom

I had the joy of guest-posting for another blogger friend this weekend, and pray that this article proves helpful to you!     There is…

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Posted in Adoption, advice, Babies, Balance, book recommendations, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, foster care, God's love, God's Word, Motherhood, podcasts, Prayer, Uncategorized

011: Don’t Waste Your Wait with Naomi Quick

Naomi Quick is a wife, homeschooling mama to 6 kiddos 8 and under, two of which have been adopted through the foster care system, writer,…

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Barriers to Christian Mama Friendship
Posted in Church Issues, Encouragement for Mamas, friendship, God's Word, mommy wars, Motherhood, Uncategorized

The 5 Biggest Barriers to Christian Mama Friendship

    Mamas, we need each other. How desperately so! We crave the kind of encouragement, wisdom, understanding, and inspiration which can only come from…

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The Home and Hearth Podcast Episode 10 - Cultivating Joy and Simplicity in Your Life with Kristi Clover
Posted in advice, biblical womanhood, book recommendations, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Homemaking, Interviews, Marriage, Motherhood, podcasts, Prayer, Uncategorized

010: Cultivating Joy and Simplicity in Your Life with Kristi Clover

Kristi Clover joins me today to provide us with some wonderful and practical tips for how we can be cultivating more joy and simplicity in our…

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Husband of the Blogger Pt. 3 - Men's Ministry in the Church
Posted in advice, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Church Issues, current events, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Husband of the Blogger LinkUps, Interviews, Love, Real Life Posts, Uncategorized

Husband of the Blogger LinkUp Pt. 3 - Men’s Ministry in the Church

We are so enjoying doing these Husband of the Blogger Link Ups each month, where Owen gets a chance to come on the blog and…

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Leaving Room for Fatherhood
Posted in advice, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, fatherhood, God's Word, Marriage, Motherhood

Leaving Room for Fatherhood

It’s a joy to be guest-posting for my friend, Lauren, again this month! Today, I’m sharing the following thoughts in honor of Father’s Day.  …

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Posted in Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, fatherhood, God's love, God's Word, podcasts, Prayer, Quiet Times

009: Hope for the Fatherless with Amber Durgan

  My sweet, sweet friend, Amber Durgan, joins me today for a special Father’s Day episode of the podcast. We realize that Father’s Day is…

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The Home & Hearth Podcast Ep. 8 sexual intimacy in marriage - Keelie Reason
Posted in advice, biblical womanhood, Encouragement for Mamas, Marriage, podcasts, pregnancy, sexual intimacy

008: Sexual Intimacy in Marriage with Keelie Reason

Keelie Reason of Love, Hope, Adventure and I am The Sex Talk Lady joins me for episode 8 of the podcast to talk about the…

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Posted in advice, Babies, Balance, Encouragement for Mamas, Motherhood, pregnancy, Real Life Posts, Uncategorized

Dear Mama Transitioning to Two Kiddos

Dear Mama Transitioning to Two Kiddos, Now 6 months out from having had my second baby, I want to write to you today…

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Posted in biblical womanhood, Dating, Encouragement for Mamas, Homemaking, Husband of the Blogger LinkUps, Interviews, Love, Marriage, Real Life Posts, Uncategorized

Husband of the Blogger LinkUp Pt. 2 - What Our Husbands Wish We Knew

If you joined us last month for the introductory first part in this fun new series, then you know that I and a handful of…

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Posted in advice, Babies, Encouragement for Mamas, podcasts, pregnancy, Resources

HandH 007: Prenatal and Postpartum Fitness with Olivia Cagle

*Disclosure: This post does contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links below, I will receive a commission,…

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Posted in advice, Babies, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, miscarriage, Motherhood, podcasts, pregnancy, stillbirth

HandH 006: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and the Goodness of God with Caitlin Schwanke

  Caitlin Schwanke is my sweet guest for episode 6 of the podcast, and I am so grateful to be chatting with her today. On today’s episode, we…

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Posted in Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's love, God's Word, Love, Motherhood

Mom Crush Monday: Motherhood Reveals God’s Love for You

I have so enjoyed following along with Brittany Dyer’s weekly series, Mom Crush Monday, and learning from the other mamas that have been featured there…

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Posted in biblical womanhood, creativity, Encouragement for Mamas, Motherhood

Cultivating Creativity Through the Various Seasons of Motherhood

I’m honored to be guest-posting at my friend Lauren’s blog again today! I hope you are inspired and encouraged, mamas. Cultivating Creativity Through the Various…

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Posted in advice, Biblical standards, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, podcasts, Prayer, Quiet Times, Resources

HandH 004: Bible Study for Busy Women with Katie Orr

Katie Orr is my guest for the 4th episode of the Home and Hearth podcast! It was such an honor to get to chat with…

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The Home & Hearth Podcast Ep. 3
Posted in Adoption, advice, book recommendations, Christian Walk, Church Issues, Encouragement for Mamas, foster care, Marriage, Motherhood, podcasts, Prayer

HandH 003: Foster Care and Adoption with Lauren Jane Bellows

On this episode of the Home and Hearth podcast, I chat with my blogging friend, Lauren Jane Bellows, on the topics of foster care and…

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The Home & Hearth Podcast Ep. 2
Posted in advice, biblical womanhood, book recommendations, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, Marriage, Motherhood, podcasts, Real Life Posts, Resources

HandH 002: Mothering and Homeschooling Wisdom from a Mama of 11 with Amy Morse

I am so, so excited to be sharing this interview with you today! On this episode of the Home and Hearth podcast, I chat with my…

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Posted in advice, Balance, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Real Life Posts, Resources

The True Key to Finding Balance in Life

I met Lauren in the Conservative Christian Momma Bloggers group on FB (have I mentioned lately how awesome that group is? 😉 ), and was…

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Posted in Adoption, advice, biblical womanhood, book recommendations, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Motherhood, Real Life Posts, Resources

Book Review - “Don’t Waste Your Wait: Embracing the Journey of Bringing Your Child Home”

I first met Naomi Quick about a month or two ago when she joined the Conservative Christian Momma Bloggers group I’m a part of on…

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Finding Joy in Hospitality
Posted in advice, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Homemaking, Hospitality, Real Life Posts

Finding Joy in Hospitality

My sweet friend, Amber, of Embrace This Joyful Life has been doing a great series on her blog all about helping us to cultivate joy in…

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Posted in Babies, Encouragement for Mamas, Motherhood, Resources

Book Review - “Miscarriage and Mourning: Encouragement After Pregnancy Loss”

As someone who has never experienced the pain of miscarriage, it may seem strange that I chose to join the launch team for a book…

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Posted in advice, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Marriage, Motherhood, Quiet Times, Real Life Posts

Why We Feel Weak in our Marriages and Mothering

    I just love it how the Lord brings people together! Jenn of What You Make It blog and I “met” on Instagram a…

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Posted in advice, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Quiet Times

My Favorite Bible Study Tools!

I’m so honored to have been given the opportunity to guest-post for Tiffany over at Seeing Sunshine! She just had a baby, so it was…

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Posted in advice, Babies, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Motherhood, pregnancy

Top 20 Bible Verses for Labor

When I was pregnant with my firstborn, I heard someone mention the idea of meditating on various Bible verses while in labor as a way…

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Posted in biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, mommy wars, Motherhood

The Problem with Mommy Guilt- Why Moms Should Be Free in Christ

I’m so honored to be guest-posting today on my sweet friend Sarah Liberty Hardee’s lovely site, Liberty, Grace, Love, on the topic of mommy guilt.  …

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Top 10 Podcasts for Christian Moms
Posted in Encouragement for Mamas, Motherhood, podcasts, Real Life Posts

My Top 10 Favorite Podcasts for Christian Moms

I first came across the wonderful world of podcasts in the fall of 2015 and have never looked back! Being able to listen to an…

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Posted in advice, Babies, Encouragement for Mamas, Motherhood, Resources

How to Naturally Boost Breastmilk Supply

I am so honored to be guest posting today over on my friend Rebekah’s site, Surviving Toddlerhood! It was a joy to work with her…

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Home and Hearth Podcast
Posted in Announcements, Christian Walk, Church Issues, current events, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Homemaking, Hospitality, Interviews, Love, Marriage, Motherhood, Real Life Posts, Resources, Updates

The Home and Hearth Podcast is Coming!

The podcast is coming! The podcast is coming! haha Can you tell I’m a little bit excited? I just wanted to offer y’all an update…

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Posted in advice, Biblical standards, Christian Walk, Church Issues, current events, Encouragement for Mamas, mommy wars, Motherhood, Real Life Posts

5 Tips for Making Peace in the Mommy Wars

  If you have followed Hargraves Home and Hearth for very long, you know that one of the topics I am passionate about is exposing…

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Mamas, We are but Toddlers Ourselves!
Posted in Biblical standards, Christian Walk, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Love, Motherhood, Real Life Posts

Mamas, We are but Toddlers Ourselves!

  I recently told my husband that I find the newborn days - even with all the round-the-clock feedings, sleep deprivation, postpartum recovery, etc., associated…

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Posted in Announcements, Babies, Encouragement for Mamas, God's Word, Motherhood, Real Life Posts

The Birth Story of James Owen

[social_warfare] Hey, friends! Boy, it has been a while since I’ve written for y’all here! It’s so nice to be back again. In the weeks…

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Posted in Babies, Christian Walk, Church Issues, Encouragement for Mamas, Motherhood

Is Motherhood a Woman’s Highest Calling?

  In an effort to reject and refute feminism’s common lies and misconceptions which are pervading our culture and to simultaneously encourage mothers in their endeavors…

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The Grandeur in the Ordinary
Posted in advice, Encouragement for Mamas, Homemaking, Hospitality, Motherhood

The Grandeur in the Ordinary

      As wives, moms, and homemakers, it can be so easy to sometimes feel like we are daily caught up in the mundane.…

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About Me!

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Posted in advice, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, community, God's love, God's Word, guest posts, Love, sins and struggles, the Gospel, theology, walking by the spirit

Show Them Grace: 5 Practical Ways to Give Grace to the Women around You ~A Guest Post by Amy Seiffert

Posted in advice, anxiety, Balance, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, book recommendations, book reviews, busyness, Christian Walk, Church Issues, community, comparison, discipleship, Encouragement for Mamas, fear and worry, freedom, friendship, God's love, God's Word, hard seasons, holiness, Homemaking, Hospitality, identity, infertility, joy, legacy, ministry, Motherhood, perfectionism, productivity, Quiet Times, raising boys, raising daughters, Resources, sins and struggles, suffering, the Gospel, theology, trial, walking by the spirit

Book Review: “Grace Looks Amazing On You: 100 Days of Reflecting God’s Love” by Amy Seiffert

Posted in advice, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, Christian Walk, Church Issues, community, discipleship, friendship, God's love, God's Word, mentorship, ministry, online ministry, the Gospel, theology, walking by the spirit, young women

The Call to Mentorship and Discipleship: Answering The Why and The How ~ A Guest Post by Kayla J. Nelson

Posted in advice, Biblical standards, biblical womanhood, busyness, Christian Walk, Church Issues, comparison, Encouragement for Mamas, false teaching, God's love, God's Word, Homemaking, legacy, mommy wars, Motherhood, perfectionism, podcasts, productivity, raising boys, raising daughters, the Gospel, theology, walking by the spirit, women's roles, work

094: Navigating the Working Mom Life (Part 2) with Katie Walters

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Free Part of Lies Moms Believe

Essential Oils 101

Womanhood by God’s Design

Mothering by the Book

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  • When the opportunity arose to review @amyseiffert’s brand new devotional, Grace Looks Amazing On You: 100 Days of Reflecting God’s Love, I had no idea what to expect. I was not already familiar with Amy or any of her previous writings, but I decided to go ahead and review the book, anyway – its description at least sounded awesome. Boy, let me tell you! I was beyond blessed, encouraged, and convicted by this absolute gem of a devotional!
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In addition to sharing my full review and an opportunity for you to win your own copy (link in profile!), I’m also honored to share on the blog today her wise words on how we can give grace to the women around us.
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“I remember how her smile wrapped around my heart like a warm blanket, making me feel cozy and safe; how she told stories and made me laugh; how important I felt helping her in the kitchen. My grandma always gave me a wink and then told me she had a very important job for me to do. At family get-togethers, she’d hand me a small spiral notepad and a golf pencil to record dessert orders from each family member. With her seven children and all their children, there was a lot of pie to pass out. She’d let me count out the forks and napkins, which felt like a special task. It turns out—if you ask any cousin of mine— they all thought they were the special one. Her magic was in the fact that everyone felt like her favorite.
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She truly had mastered the art of giving out grace at every turn. And she spared no one, young or old, with her gracious ways. Grabbing the gold from my grandma’s ways and surveying the gracious acts from some of my dear friends, I want to offer five practical ways to give grace to the women around you."
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Read the rest at the link in my profile!
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#gracelooksamazingonyou #amyseiffert #femalefriendships #givethemgrace
  • NEW ON THE BLOG TODAY:
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My dear friend @kayla_j_nelson from @joyfulandfree_paperie is guest posting for me on the blog today, and it is an honor to share her wise words with you. 💕
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“No matter how long you have been a believer, you are called and commanded to be in discipleship and mentorship in one way or another. Maybe you are new to the faith – then you should be diving into the role of disciple, learning what you need to in order to follow Jesus to the best that He created you to be.
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If you have been walking the road of faith for quite a while, you definitely need to be actively passing that faith and faithfulness on to the next generation as a disciple-maker or mentor.
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Maybe you feel like you’re too busy to be involved in discipleship and mentorship. I’m going to be blunt: if that is the case, then you need to open your schedule. As a believer, Jesus has said, “Go and make disciples.” That doesn’t mean you can just obey when it is convenient for you. That doesn’t mean, when you “find” the time for it. It means right now. Today.
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If you are a mama at home with your kiddos, THAT is your discipleship ground. THEY are the next generation of believers, and you need to be actively teaching them the tools they need to have a faith that survives outside of your four walls.
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But I’m not going to lie, you CAN do more. Maybe you have only one hour a day – why not give it to invest that hour into someone at church? A girl from the youth group maybe, or someone that you know who is new to church. Invite them to come over to your house for coffee or a snack (or meet over Zoom, as may have to be the case right now!).
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You can do so much without ever even leaving your home.”
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Read the rest at the link in my profile! 💕
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#mentorship #goandmakedesciples #greatcommissionliving #greatcommission #matthew28 #titus2women #titus2mentoring #kaylajnelson #risenmotherhood #gospelcenteredparenting #gospelcenteredliving
  • HAPPY EARLY MOTHER’S DAY FROM ME TO YOU! 💕
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With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I want to offer one of you a special Mother’s Day gift bundle including:
. •1 paperback copy of “Lies Moms Believe (And How the Gospel Refutes Them)”
. •1 paperback copy of “Lies Moms Believe: The Companion Bible Study”
. •1 “Living the Mom-Life Free From Lies” 14 oz. dishwasher-safe coffee mug (on the back it says “#mommyfreedom” and “John 8:32”.
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#liesmomsbelieve addresses, with the truths of the gospel, 32 of the most common lies we as moms believe including:
. •Mommy guilt is just something I have to live with.
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•My identity and ultimate fulfillment are to be found in motherhood.
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•I’m a bad mom.
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•”Good” moms do xyz.
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•My body has been ruined.
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•I have no time.
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•Children are a nuisance and interruption.
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•Children ruin marriages.
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•Mothering is unimportant work.
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•My success as a mom depends on how my children turn out.
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•and many more!
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TO ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF THE MOTHER’S DAY GIFT BUNDLE:
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1️⃣Follow @rebekahhargraves for more encouragement.
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2️⃣Leave a comment sharing why you would like to win this bundle
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FOR EXTRA ENTRIES:
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3️⃣Tag a friend (or 100!); one tag per comment so that each tag counts as an additional entry!
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4️⃣For 5 extra entries, share about the giveaway in your stories and tag me so I see it and can be sure to count it!
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Giveaway ends on Tuesday, May 5th at 11:59pm eastern, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday the 6th!
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Happy early Mother’s Day, friends! 😃💕
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#mothersdaygifts #mothersdaygift #liesmomsbelieve #liesmomsbelievebook #liesmomsbelievebiblestudy #lmbcompanionbiblestudy #lmbcompanionstudy #wellwateredwomen #shereadstruth  #butfirstjesus #booksformoms #booksforwomen #booksformoms #biblestudyformoms #biblestudyforwomen #mothersdaysale #mothersdayspecial #risenmotherhood #gospelcenteredmothering #gospelcenteredmotherhood #momlife #mommyblogger #authorrebekahhargraves
  • IT’S PODCAST DAY!
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@katiewalters is a pastor’s wife, mama to 6 kiddos, serves at her church alongside her husband, Josh, and runs, as founder and CEO, the clothing company based in Togo, West Africa called @francisandbenedict. She comes back on the show today for the second part of our conversation to inspire working mamas everywhere with the truth that whatever God calls you to do, that He will equip you for.
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What We Chat about in Today’s Episode:
. ~Advice and encouragement for the mama listening who is feeling a pull to go back to work, start a business, or go in the direction of some sort of work in addition to mothering but isn’t sure what the first step might be
. ~Myths and stereotypes in the church surrounding #workingwomen that we need to get rid of
. ~How Katie has been able to cultivate so well the relationship she has with her kids
. ~Intentionally studying our children and learning who God made each of them to be
. ~Being a cheerleader for our mama friends and pointing out a job well done in their lives
. ~And more!
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Listen in at the link in my profile, on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, or the Podcast Addict App! 💕
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#mamafriends #workingmom #workingmomlife #homeandhearthpodcast #katiewalters #francisandbenedict
  • EVEN DURING THIS TIME OF QUARANTINE, MY IDOLS ARE STILL FAR TOO ALIVE AND WELL
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I’ve shared during multiple “quarantine chronicles” IG Live chats with friends that one of the big things the Lord has been opening my eyes to these last few weeks has been the idols that had been in my heart back when life was “normal” - the things I would turn to instead of Christ to make me happy and cause me to feel a sense of well-being in the midst of a hard day.
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Well, I thought I had learned that lesson.
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I thought I had been convicted down deep.
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I thought (even though I should know better!! 🤔🙄😑) that the pull of those idols wouldn’t be so strong anymore, now that I was seeing them for what they were.
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But guess what? The enemy is still on the prowl, so the spiritual warfare is still a thing.
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When things are hard, I’m still finding myself wishing for a writing day at the coffee shop or a movie night with friends rather than looking forward to my eternal Home or desiring to spend time with my Father.
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When I need a pick-me-up or a boost of joy, I’m still running to my Keurig rather than to my Bible.
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When I’m overwhelmed by another day at home 24/7 with the kiddos, I’m running to Amazon Prime instead of to prayer.
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Now, don’t get me wrong - none of those things are inherently bad. They’re gifts to be enjoyed. But they have taken the place, in my heart, of the Giver. And that is the problem.
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It isn’t that I can’t enjoy writing at a coffee shop, brewing the perfect cup of joe, or having a movie marathon with my girlfriends.
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It’s that none of those things were ever meant to take the place of the Lord, His Word, and my relationship with Him. Psalm 1 teaches that those who are growing in their relationship with the Lord are the ones who are full of vitality, strength, fruit, and supernatural joy. If I want those things, then I have to go to the Source. A cup of coffee and a Hallmark movie just won’t suffice. Because they were never meant to.
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Oh, and that struggle I’m still having even after the Lord revealed to me that I had made those gifts into idols? Yeah, I should have realized the enemy would come prowling as soon as that was revealed! 😑 Time to armor up!
  • WHAT IF WE LOOKED AT THE QUARANTINE THROUGH THIS LENS?
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How has this crazy time and what has happened to you as a result actually served to advance the gospel?
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@priscillashirer quoted this verse weeks ago in an IG Live, near the start of this time of quarantine, and encouraged us all to ponder on it during this unprecedented time in history. Her words and this verse have remained with me this whole time, and I have thought about it quite a bit. How would each of us answer? How has this verse proven true in our lives?
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I hope and pray that the gospel has advanced by the love we have poured on our neighbors, checking on them, gifting them with baked goods, etc.
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I hope and pray that we have been able to present to the watching world an inner peace, contentment, and joy that cannot be humanly explained.
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I hope and pray that on the hard days (that we will all naturally have, and that’s ok!), that even as we grieved, lamented, or got frustrated as the Psalmist himself often did, that we were able to end the hard day circling back around to the truth of God’s goodness and His trustworthy faithfulness.
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I hope and pray that all this extra time so many of us have had with our kids lately has resulted not so much in all the boxes being checked, all the homework being perfectly completed, and the strict schedules followed, but instead in hugs, helping them process through the big feelings they may be facing in this season, and gospel conversations that never would have happened in quite the same way, if it hadn’t been for this time of quarantine.
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May we all have hope today, knowing that somehow, in some way, God takes every little thing that happens in the lives of His people, brings good from it, and uses it to advance the gospel! Because that is precisely what He is in the business of doing, right here, right now. And He wastes nothing! 💕
  • Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing Amy Parker’s book “Night Night Bible Stories: 30 Stories for Bedtime”. My kiddos loved it, so when the opportunity arose to review @amyparkerbooks’ brand new children’s book, “Night Night, Zoo“, I jumped it!
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Click the link in my profile to read the whole review and to also enter a giveaway to win your own copy! 💕
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#nightnightzoo
  • YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER DURING QUARANTINE (OR AT ANY OTHER TIME!)
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Did you know it is not your responsibility to “have it all together”? That it isn’t your responsibility to have the weight of the world on your shoulders, to keep all the plates spinning, and to drain every last possible bit of productivity and accomplishment from every second of quarantine?
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There have been many posts floating around social media lately from well-meaning folks who are offering various block-schedule ideas for mamas who now find themselves in the throes of crisis schooling (because what they are having to do goes beyond regular homeschooling - homeschoolers are used to being able to go out and do things and these mamas don’t even have that luxury in this time). Other posts are claiming that if you don’t come out on the other side of this quarantine with a new side hustle, then you’ve wasted the time altogether. Then there are yet other posts that make it seem as if everything about the atmosphere in your home, the productivity of your home, all aspects of the wellbeing of your family during this time, all fully depend on you.
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Friend, let those lies go.
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Do you have God-given responsibilities? Yes. Are we commanded to redeem the time well? Yes. But both of those things are a far cry from subconsciously believing that we are the ones who are supposed to be omnipotent - those shoes can only be filled by God.
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So, yes - do you best. Seek to make the most of this time. But lean into the Lord and rest in Him with all that you are. Rely on Him. Have a good cry. Declare a pajama day. Admit this time is hard. And know that His strength will always be made perfect in your weakness - not in your attempting to hold it all together. 💕
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#soulscripts #butfirstjesus #leanintochrist #hisburdenislight #restforyoursoul #trustinthelord #bedeeplyrooted #walkbythespirit #gospelcenteredliving
  • THIS MUG MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO ME NOW IN THE MIDST OF QUARANTINE
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When I first bought this mug, I saw it as a great daily reminder for how to treat people everywhere, no matter who they were, how challenging they were to get along with, and what the situation. I didn’t think about it in terms of my children and my home. Isn’t that always the way it is with our “grand gestures”? We forget to apply them to our nearest and dearest.
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A month into quarantine and state-wide lockdown, I am forced to view the message of this mug in a different way, a way that I have needed as a daily reminder.
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As Mother Theresa once said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”
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So, now, I am seeking to live out the message of this mug in my home, with my family. I’m obviously not going out anywhere, but I am still seeking to wear love everywhere I go:
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When I intentionally stop what I have been doing and walk out onto the porch, ready with a hug and a kiss, to welcome my husband home from a long 12 hour day of working disaster relief with his National Guard unit...
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When I find myself down on my knees again, cleaning up a mess downstairs, scrubbing the bathtub in our master bath, organizing toys in the playroom...
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When I’m in the kitchen making what might feel like the twentieth meal or snack of the day...
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When I’m in the living room kissing a booboo, patting a back, offering a hug...
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When I’m sitting on the floor of Anna’s room, playing Chutes and Ladders...
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When I’m sweeping the kitchen floor yet again, clearing away all the leaves that the kids and the dog have inevitably brought in...
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When I’m in the back yard filling up the kiddie pool again...
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Wherever I may be, in whatever room of the house or whatever place of the yard, I am called -and able!- to wear love. These may not specifically be the places I had in mind when I bought this mug, but they are the most important places I have been entrusted with. And if I can’t be faithful to love here, in these places? Then I am not qualified to go out there and love strangers in all those other places.
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It starts here, at home, first.
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#loveoneanother #loveyourfamily #lovebeginsathome

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