In our day and age, we have forgotten what love really is. On the one hand, we live in a culture which uses the word “love” at the drop of a hat – “I love your top!”, “Oh, I just love pumpkin pie!”, “I love it when it snows”. These statements are made innocuously, […]
January 2018 Scripture Writing Plan: The Trustworthy Plans of God
Today’s the big day, friends! Since announcing several weeks ago that we would begin a Scripture Writing plan together in 2018, several of you have expressed not only your interest in participating, but also your excitement over when I would finally release the plan for January. Well, the wait is now over! Here is our […]
024: Grace, Holiness, and Mission with Jess Connolly
Jess Connolly joins me on the podcast today to talk about our position in Christ as redeemed women, and what parts grace, holiness, and mission have to play in our lives. This is a chat you will not want to miss! Jess is a church planter’s wife, mom of 4, small business owner, author, speaker, […]
Book Review: “Indescribable: 100 Devotions about God and Science” by Louie Giglio
*I received a complementary copy of this devotional in exchange for my honest review. When I saw a book review opportunity come open for Louie Giglio’s new devotional for kids and read its description, I jumped at the chance to check it out! I want to first provide you with the official product description […]
023: Waking Up to the Possibilities with Kat Lee
Kat Lee from the Inspired to Action Podcast and HelloMornings joins me on the podcast today to discuss topics pertaining to her newly-released book, Hello Mornings: How to Build a Grace-Filled, Life-Giving Morning Routine. More than even just inspiring you to make the most of your mornings, Kat really encourages us with the perspective that we have each been […]
New Year’s Resolutions and the Gospel
We are fast approaching the season in which people begin to focus on making New Year’s Resolutions. Many of us are currently thinking through our plans and goals for 2018, drafting up resolutions for how we are going to live better, more productive, more fruitful lives in the new year, and all the while […]
022: Putting Feet to Our Faith with Tricia Goyer
Tricia Goyer, wife, mom of 10, and author of seventy books joins me on the podcast today to talk about the concepts found in her newest book, Walk it Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time. I know you are going to be encouraged and inspired by today’s chat! […]
Advent, Mommy Guilt, and the Gospel
Advent wreaths with Advent candles. Advent calendars. Jesse trees with their daily ornaments. Special Advent readings and devotionals. The to-do list this season grows ever longer each year, and the mommy guilt grows ever deeper right along with it. Houston, we have a problem. It has become fashionable in recent years to do “all the […]
Book Review + Giveaway: 3 New Spiritual Journals from Waterbrook Press
Multnomah/Waterbrook Press recently contacted me about the three new journals they released, and I am thrilled today to be able to not only offer you a review of them, but a giveaway, as well! To start things off and provide you with a description of each journal, here is their official press release: New Journals […]
Book Review: “Fruitful” by Phylicia Masonheimer
*I received a complementary copy of Fruitful in exchange for my honest review. You may already be familiar with Phylicia Masonheimer, having heard her on the podcast today talking about her first book, Christian Cosmo. Well, this fall she came out with a second book, this one entitled Fruitful: A Year-Long Guide to an […]
021: The Sex Talk for the Single Girl with Phylicia Masonheimer
Phylicia Masonheimer joins me on the podcast today to discuss topics surrounding her new book, Christian Cosmo: The Sex Talk You Never Had. Whether you are a single gal anticipating marriage, a married woman needing to refresh her perspective of sex, or the mama of daughters, this podcast is for you! Be sure to find me on […]
5 Ways the “Perfect Mom” Pursuit Negates the Gospel
There are some friends you make in the blogosphere who are just extra special. One of those I have had the blessing of getting to know is my sweet friend, Angel Penn. She has been a never-ending source of encouragement to me from the time we first became friends, and I am thrilled at the […]
Why Rules and Regulations Aren’t the Answer (And What Actually Is!)
I’m honored to be guest-posting on my friend, Megan’s, blog today about another topic covered in #LiesMomsBelieve! As Christian moms living in an increasingly dark and perverse culture, we so desperately want to preserve our children’s innocence as long as we possibly can. We want to shelter them from all that is out […]
Mamas, We are Believing Lies (But There’s Hope!)
It’s Launch Week for “Lies Moms Believe“!!! I can’t believe this week is already here! It has been such a blessing to me to have such a sweet launch team of amazing women partner with me in getting the word out about the book. One of those sweet ladies is my friend, Amanda Chrabaszcz, who […]
020: Trusting God in Adversity with Jennifer Defrates
My friend, Jennifer Defrates, is no stranger to hardship, trial, and difficulty. Yet through it all, she has found the Lord to be so faithful, loving, and trustworthy as He brings good out of everything and works miracles even in the darkest times. I know you are going to be encouraged through her testimony today! […]
Mothering by Faith
I am honored to be a part of what has been an absolutely fantastic motherhood encouragement series put together by my friend, Tatiana. Today is our final day for the series which has run all month, and I hope as I finish us out today that you are encouraged and inspired for your journey as […]
Rethinking “Mundane” Motherhood
Hannah Christensen, another sweet launch team member for Lies Moms Believe (And How the Gospel Refutes Them), has graciously allowed me to write a guest post for her blog. I hope what I wrote for her site encourages you! <3 ~~~ Not a day goes by that we don’t see the work we […]
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 me! It was a fun change to be the interviewee rather than the interviewer! 🙂 For today’s episode Kayla asked me a series of questions surrounding my new book, Lies […]
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 if you are still pregnant with your very first child as you read this, I imagine you have already noticed the kind of drama which can ensue when you share […]
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! I have been following along with her ministry for several years now (back even before I became a mom myself, I think!), and have been convicted, inspired, and encouraged time […]
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 her blog on the topic of mommy guilt. I hope you’re encouraged! What would you say if I told you that, as Christian moms, we can be […]
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 the topic of how the truths of God’s Word help us along during the hard days of motherhood. I hope you’re encouraged! No one can fully prepare you […]
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 is actually available for preorder now)! I can’t believe we are already to this point! I am pleased to share with you today the first in a series of guest […]
017: Sorority Girls Can Change the World with Katie Bulmer
Katie Bulmer joins me on the podcast today to share her heart for college girls and the incredible impact they can have on the world for Christ. Katie is super vulnerable and real with us, sharing her testimony of being a sorority girl given to partying, drinking, and dating around during college and how […]
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 a wife, mama to five, writer, and lover of hospitality whose passion is to encourage women to live in a Biblical manner. I know you will be inspired and encouraged […]
When God Weeps
Sometimes life is just plain hard. There are money problems, friendships lost, family turmoil, deaths of loved ones, deployments, illnesses, difficult decisions to make, and just regular, everyday struggles. Unfortunately, when faced with one or more of these life situations, our tendency can be to wonder if God cares, to wonder if He is aware of […]
015: Young Women and Christian Ministry with Hannah Bowers
Hannah Bowers is a 21 year old wife, new mama, blogger, and the president and founder of the fast-growing Young Wives Club, a ministry dedicated to encouraging young wives in their marriages and walks with the Lord. She joins me today to share some fantastic wisdom, advice, and encouragement for any young woman looking to […]
Living the Holy Life
When Lauren told me that she had chosen “holiness” as her theme for August, I knew I had to jump at the opportunity to write on a topic that is so close to my heart. You see, I have baggage in my past when it comes to this concept of holy living and what it […]
Why the Old Testament is Important for Today’s Christian Walk
Too often, the tendency of Christians today is to view the Old Testament as outdated, archaic, and irrelevant for life and faith in our modern times. While it is certainly important to understand that we are in no way under the Old Covenant or Law anymore as found in the Old Testament, it […]
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 her journey of dealing with prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety, in the hopes that doing so will encourage fellow mamas and inspire them to be open and honest about […]
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 Great Commission even in the busy season of mothering. So, you can imagine my delight at coming across a likeminded blogger in one of the blogging groups I’m a part […]
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 in the Word. I’m back on her blog again, now sharing how busy wives and moms can actually go about prioritizing time to be in the Word. I hope you […]
When Kindness Became Flirting: What Christian Girls Need to Know About Flirting
I am thrilled to be guest-posting for my friend, Phylicia Masonheimer, sharing, especially for all you single gals, an interesting story from my teen years. We are talking all about the difference between kindness and flirting, and how friendships with guys can be a great thing! I hope you’re encouraged. I’ll never forget […]
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 joy in hospitality, and today I’m sharing a different perspective of friendship for moms - the perspective that we are so busy with the cares of this life that we […]
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 much-needed hope, encouragement, and proper perspective for any woman struggling with feelings of overwhelm or stress in her homemaking. We talk a lot these days, particularly in […]
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 nothing like motherhood to take you down a notch and to reveal to you the sins and selfishness that so pervasively reside in your heart. Prior to motherhood, it was […]
Your Husband is not Meant to Complete You
I’m over at Young Wives Club again this month, sharing another article that I hope will prove helpful to you. From the time we’re little girls, many of us dream of one-day meeting and marrying our very own Prince Charming. With visions of marital bliss, no disagreements or hardship to be found, and […]
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, and speaker dedicated to encouraging and advocating for orphans, adoptive parents, and those involved in the foster care system. She recently wrote a fantastic book entitled “Don’t Waste Your Wait: […]
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 everyday lives, even when the going gets tough. As you will discover as soon as you get to know her through this podcast episode, Kristi is the absolute perfect person […]
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 share his thoughts! If you have missed our first two installments, you can find those here and here. To follow along with my awesome blogging friends who are also a […]
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. As moms, I think we have all been there at one time or another. That moment when we look at our husbands and think them crazy for something they are […]
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 a very hard day for some folks, particularly for people who have lost their fathers or who do not have good relationships with them. For this reason, we wanted to […]
The Church Hurts itself by Majoring on the Minors
Sarah Chardavoyne over at the beautiful site, InkBlots of Hope, has started an awesome new series which centers around how the church hurts itself, exposing different ways in which the church is guilty of doing things which are actually harmful to the Body of Christ. I had the honor of being able to write a guest […]
Your Husband is not Your Enemy
I was so honored and excited to be invited last month to be a new monthly contributor over on the awesome site, Young Wives Club! Here is my first article for them. 🙂 We have all had those moments. If we have been married for any length of time at all, we have all had […]
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 tackle the really heart-wrecking, hard topics of miscarriage and stillbirth. Caitlin has, sadly, experienced both situations, but, through it all, has been such an inspiration to those around her. Her […]
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 in the past. Well, I am so honored to be able to share with y’all the post that I wrote for her series this past Monday! I hope it blesses […]
Spring Cleaning for the Soul
I am so honored to be a new contributor on the awesome site Raising Homemakers, a site I have been enjoying since it first began several years ago. Here is my first article for them. 🙂 We are now nearing the end of spring for a lot of folks, which means many homemakers have been […]
HandH 005: Racial Tension and the Body of Christ with Retha Nichole
Retha Nichole is my wonderful guest for episode 5 of the podcast, and I am honored to be chatting with her today. On today’s episode, we dive deep into the issue of racial tension in the church and culture. This chat is a very meaty conversation on what is too often a very difficult, oftentimes […]
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 her and to pick her brain on all things Bible study and quiet time. Katie’s passion and mission is “equipping busy women to experience God” and to really provide the […]
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 adoption. Whether or not you currently foster or are an adoptive parent, trust me - you don’t want to miss this one! What We Chat About in This […]
