Afleveringen
-
Is sex something that has brought you and your spouse closer together, or has it been a pain point in your marriage? Is sex something you can talk about freely with each other and your kids, or is there a cloud of shame that still hangs over the subject?
We are so thrilled to be joined on this episode by the founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed, Kristen Miele as she shares God's heart and vision for the beauty of sex in marriage.
On this episode:
We talk about how our upbringing affects our sex life in marriage, including the effects of "purity culture" teachingWe hear God's heart and design for sex and how it is in essence, worshipWe discover how learning to talk about sex with our kids is not only essential for them but good for our marriageTo find Kristen's incredible resources and curriculums, please check out her website:
https://www.sexedreclaimed.com/
You can get 15 percent off at Kristen's site with the coupon code CHRISTIANPARENTING
Have any questions or feedback? Get in touch with us: [email protected]
-
When our kids look at our marriages, what do they see?
Even if you don't have kids, this episode is for you because our marriages matter to others, including the next generation. Join us for this Thursday Thought in which we reflect on and pray about our discussion from Ep. 26 in which we learned that âif we truly want what is best for our children, we need to want what is best for our marriage as well."
Grab your journal, your Bible, a pen and find a quiet spot for a time of reflection and prayer as we seek God's healing and his best for our marriages so they may be a blessing to others, especially the next generation.
A Breath Prayer from Psalm 147:3
Inhale: You Heal The Brokenhearted
Exhale: And Bind Up Their Wounds
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
It's so easy to believe that marriage only matters to a husband and a wife. But as God has really been laying on our hearts, it's time for us to realize that our marriages matter to so many more, especially the next generation. Whether you have kids or not, this episode is for you.
Now, to the parents listening - this episode is not a guilt trip about the ways in which your marriage is hurting your children. It is though, as we found, a gracious "wake-up" call from the Lord to realize that if we truly want what is best for our children, we need to want what is best for our marriage as well.
In this episode, we discuss:
God's vision for the next generation of marriagesHow our marriage can impact our children's well-being positively and negativelyHow the simple practice of apologizing to our spouse and children can be transformationalQuote:
âIn his lab, John found that the amount of stress hormones that show up in a childâs 24-hour urine sample accurately reflects the quality of the parentsâ relationship. The worse the marriage, the more stress hormones there are in the childâs urine. Thereâs no question that the cradle that holds the child is the parental relationship. The cradle can either gently soothe the child to sleep or violently throw her to the floor.â (Dr. Daniel Segel from the Forward to "10 Principals For Doing Effective Couples Therapy")
Resources
10 Principles For Doing Effective Couples Therapy by Drs. Julie and John Gottman
https://www.gottman.com/product/10-principles-for-doing-effective-couples-therapy/
An Article On the Work of Dr. Gordon Harold
https://danieldashnawcouplestherapy.com/blog/parents-fighting-in-front-of-kids#:~:text=In%20another%20study%2C%20Gottman%27s%20research,with%20happy%20and%20stable%20marriages.
A Summary of Some of Dr. Harold's Findings
https://www.familysolutionsgroup.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Inter-Parental-Conflict-and-Family-Separation.pdf
An Academic Study on "Constructive" vs. "Destructive" Conflict
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3829624/#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20marital%20conflict%20places,Grych%20&%20Fincham%2C%201990).
Have questions? Want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]
Your support, both financial and prayer, make all the difference! To make a charitable donation, please visit our website: livingmarriages.com
-
In Episode 24, we had the privilege of having a conversation with Christie Thomas about the importance of small faith habits in discipling our kids.
In this Thursday Thought, April leads us in a time of reflection and prayer, giving us a chance to celebrate with God the little habits we might be sharing in already that form us and our children and asking God to help us build simple, new habits that will stick. (Even if you don't have children, this episode is for you as small faith habits matter to all of us!)
So grab your journal, your Bible and find a quiet place to spend some time with us and the Lord!
Resources:
Little Shoots Deep Roots with Christie Thomas
https://littleshootsdeeproots.com/
Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker
https://littlehousestudio.net/books
We would love to hear from you about some of the little habits that have worked for you and your family's spiritual life. You can e-mail us: [email protected]
If you'd like to support us with a charitable donation or find out more about us, please visit our website: www.livingmarriages.com
-
How do you foster a sense of spiritual connectedness with God and your spouse when you also have the reality of little ones bringing daily joy and chaos?
This is a challenge that we share with many of our listeners. That's why we're so excited to chat with Christie Thomas from Little Shoots, Deep Roots about ways in which we can cultivate a deeper spiritual journey "with" our kids instead of "in spite" of them!
In this conversation you'll hear:
Why small habits rather than large changes are much more effective in discipling your kidsSome small practical habits that will help your kids grow with JesusWhy and how God is freeing us from the guilt of hypocrisy in raising and discipling our kidsTo find out more about Christie's incredible ministry (including books, videos and her new podcast), please visit her website: https://littleshootsdeeproots.com/
For more on Living Marriages or to get in touch with us, visit us at our website: www.livingmarriages.com
or email us: [email protected]
-
On this Thursday Thought, please join us for a time of reflection and prayer as we consider the ways God is inviting us to "plant" and "tend" to the small habits in our marriage so that they may grow into the living, connected and intimate marriage he has for us!
We'll consider the "mustard seeds" in our marriages as well as invite God, our "master gardener" to come and help us tend, weed and even prune what's already there.
To read the parable of the mustard seed, click here for Matthew 13.
Grab your Bible, your journal and find a quiet space to join us and the Lord!
Want to get in touch? Send us an e-mail [email protected]
-
I confess! I (Aaron) love big, radical things! I'm always looking for the "next big idea" that will change our lives and our marriages, the "silver bullet" or "magic formula" that will bring dramatic transformation. However, while we should not discount the big things, I've been learning the ways in which God is inviting us to discover and invest in the small things. When these are done often, with intentionality and care, they will make a big difference in our marriage.
In this episode:
We talk about how "small things" is a kingdom principal that applies to our marriagesWe explore the concept of "bids" in relationships as put forward by Dr. John GottmanWe invite you to find the small things that are already happening often in your marriage and discuss where they aren't happeningResources
A study from Penn State on how the small things make us feel loved:
https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/love-actually-americans-agree-what-makes-people-feel-love
An article from the Gottman Institute on "bids" in relationship:
https://www.gottman.com/blog/marriage-not-big-thing-million-little-things/?
A fun blog from the Gottman Institute on some of the small things couples do for each other:
https://www.gottman.com/blog/small-things-often-ingredients-happy-relationship/
Want to share with us some of the small things you do often for each other? Send us a note! [email protected]
-
Have you felt at times that God has abandoned or forgotten you? - In times of grief, doubt and confusion, do you worry that he might not care for you the way he promises to in Psalm 23?
Grab your Bible, your journal and your favourite beverage and join us for this Thursday Thoughts edition of Living Marriages as April leads us in a time of reflection and prayer in Psalm 23. How can we recognize the voice of our Good Shepherd? How can we know that he is in the valley with us and, even in the midst of the darkness, that he will provide for us and for our spouse? April shares a personal story of God's presence as our shepherd through the valley of infertility.
Let us know how we can be praying for you! [email protected]
-
Do you ever wonder where God is in the valleys of life?
If you need hope and encouragement for the journey, this episode is for you! Kyle Brooks, pastor and author of "Through the Valley: 40 Days on Psalm 23 A Lenten Devotional" is our guest.
In our conversation, Kyle candidly shares:
How he came to write a Lenten devotional based on Psalm 23How he and his wife Stephanie navigated Kyle's cancer diagnosis and treatment while also welcoming their first childThe challenges of having a connected marriage while raising two young childrenThrough it all, he shares the hope and encouragement we have because, "The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing."
To find out more about Kyle, his devotional and podcast, please check out the following:
https://kylebrooks.substack.com/
https://www.tapestryoakland.org/
https://www.multiracialministry.com/
If you'd like to connect with us for prayer or with some feedback, suggestions or questions about the podcast, we'd love to hear from you! [email protected]
-
How would you answer these two questions about intimacy in your marriage?
Is it safe to love?Is it safe to be loved?If you have positive answers, join us in thanking God that you are able to both give and receive love in your marriage!
If you struggle, as many of us do, please don't lose hope. God is for you and your marriage and he wants you to be able to give and receive love in the fullest expressions of intimacy in our marriages.
Grab a journal and your Bible, your favourite beverage and find a quiet space to reflect and pray together and to hear God's heart for the intimacy and connection he has for us in our marriage.
If you'd like to connect and have us pray with you or walk with you in some way in your marriage, we're here! [email protected]
-
When we use the word "intimacy," our culture (and even our churches) have conditioned us to think of what happens in the bedroom, of sexual intimacy.
While sexual intimacy is an integral part of marriage, it is not the full picture of what God has created us for and invited us into. There is so much more to intimacy and today's episode is meant to get the conversation going on what intimacy in marriage can look like beyond the bedroom.
According to Eric Erickson, intimacy is the potential someone has for connectedness and it hinges on 3 things:
CommitmentVulnerabilityCommunicationTwo important questions we ask about intimacy in marriage:
Is it safe to love?Is it safe to be loved?Resources:
This is a bit of a technical paper (but still very approachable) and is a good look at Erickson's ideas on intimacy:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2733523/#:~:text=As%20such%2C%20Erikson%20emphasized%20three,communicate%20inner%20thoughts%20and%20feelings.
A link to Henri Nouwen's essays on Intimacy:
https://archive.org/details/intimacyessaysin0000nouw
Have questions or need prayer? Get in touch with us: [email protected]
-
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10
It is fairly clear that marriages in our society are under attack. In Episode 16, we learned from Braden and Kristen Hafner of Family Life Canada that two of the enemy's strategies to destroy our marriages are subtle: difference and drift.
Please join us in this Thursday Thought as we spend time together and with the Lord:
reflecting on how difference and drift might be creeping into our marriagepraying for God's strength, grace and wisdom to overcomeGrab a journal and your Bible, find a quiet spot for some reflection and prayer and join us as we seek God together for our marriages!
-
Difference and Drift. These 2 things can be subtle but deadly for our marriages.
Have you discovered some differences with your spouse that have left you discouraged? Do you find yourself drifting further and further apart from your partner?
We're so excited to share our conversation with Braden and Kristin Hafner of Family Life Canada about God's hope for our marriages!
On this episode you'll hear:
Why marriage matters to God and usHow differences and drift can sabotage our marriagesHow there is hope and healing in Christ for our marriagesHow the small habits can really bring transformationIf you'd like to find out more about Braden and Kristin's work with Family Life Canada (including more information about the weekend getaways) please click here: https://www.familylifecanada.com/
What are some "honeymoon habits" that you and your spouse enjoy? Let us know! [email protected]
-
As we have wrestled with what Thursday Thoughts episodes could be about, God has brought some fresh vision! What would happen if, every Thursday, we had the space and time to reflect on God's wisdom from that week's Tuesday teaching and pray that God would bring that wisdom to life in our marriages?
On this episode:
Aaron shares God's vision from Ezekiel 37 for why this two-part approach might make senseWe take some time to reflect on where we're at with God and in our marriageWe also take time to pray that God would breathe his life and Spirit into our marriages, to bring the hope and healing we desireFor Thursday Thoughts moving forward, we encourage you to find some time and space where you can listen and enjoy some reflection and prayer. Grab a warm beverage and your journal and join us as we seek God together for our marriages!
-
Have you ever paused to consider, that your marriage matters to more than just you and your spouse?
In episode 4 of the podcast, our guest, Dr. John Littlejohn said this: "Marriage is about what glorifies God."
On today's episode, we look at why our marriages, although they are for our good, also have deep kingdom significance. We'll hear:
How our marriages can be the best "relational apologetic"Aaron confess his selfishness in his marriage to AprilHow understanding God's purpose in our marriage can pull us out of selfishnessIf you'd like to find out more and begin experimenting with a Marriage Mission Statement, here is a resource to help you get started. (We'll have more on this in future episodes.)
https://drkimblackham.com/marriage-mission-statement/
To connect with us, share some thoughts or questions with us, send us an e-mail! [email protected]
-
Why is it that our marriages can sometimes feel like the loneliest of places?
On this episode, we explore God's heart and design for community and why that is so critical to us having healthy, hopeful marriages. We chat about:
How community is part of God's character and how Jesus had communityThe kind of community God is inviting us into with people outside of our marriagesThe differences between "sharing" and "vulnerability" in these friendshipsThe book by Justin Whitmel Earley that we quote A LOT from in this episode can be found here:
https://www.justinwhitmelearley.com/
Get in touch and let us know how you've found community you can be vulnerable with: [email protected]
Our website is: www.livingmarriages.com
-
Do you struggle with the shame of sexual addiction and brokenness in your marriage? Have you been hiding a pornography addiction from your spouse, even if you know it's destroying your marriage?
There is good news: God has not given up on you or your marriage!
Our guest today, Matt Cline of Restored Ministries, has been given an important assignment by God: to help bring hope and healing to marriages that have been broken by sexual shame, addiction and trauma.
In our conversation, you'll hear:
A story of how a prayer for God's favour in marriage led to a husband's hidden sexual sin coming into the light so that there could be healing and restorationA question of whether accountability partners are everything we've made them out to beThe role of the Holy Spirit in putting sexual sin to death and bringing restoration and healing in a marriageTo connect with Matt and find out more about the amazing work God is doing through Restored Ministries, check out his website: https://www.restoredministries.ca
If you have any thoughts, questions or episode ideas, we'd love to hear from you: [email protected]
-
Have you ever felt like you and your spouse were just glorified roommates? Like you are ships passing in the night?
We've been there! As God breathes life into our marriages, we're grateful he gives us practices and routines to help us feel more connected and thriving with each other. One of those practices is the weekly check-in.
On this episode, you'll learn the importance of this practice and why consistency and heart questions are key to unlocking the potential of this practice (along with God's Spirit of course!)
Resources:
"The Marriage Journal" by Jeremy and Audrey Roloff and Chris and Jamie Herb:
https://www.beating50percent.com/products/themarriagejournal?srsltid=AfmBOoq0fgk9udQlcTwS5qV8FPfZ1ZgVIzHs_bzQNRE8IN5QF_eg5e8_
Guidelines for a weekly check-in:
1. Find a consistent time each week and stick with it
2. Ask each other heart questions (see below)
3. Plan the coming week together
Here are some "heart questions" for your weekly check-in:
âHow is your heart?â
âWhat brought you joy this week?â
âWhat did you struggle with this week?â
âWas there any ways in which I encouraged and blessed you this week Was there a way I hurt you this week?â
âHow can I serve you this week? How can I pray for you in the coming days?â
Let us know how it's going! Share some of your heart questions with us: [email protected]
-
When was the last time you felt "untethered" in your marriage? Lost, disconnected, alone? This happened recently to us. Thankfully, God gave us a way through and his roadmap was Psalm 92. In this episode, we'll discuss:
The transformative power of declaring daily God's steadfast love and faithfulness in your life and marriageHow a simple practice can help you feel more anchored in God's love and careHow this practice can also help you feel more connected as a couple and a familyA suggestion for an evening Examen practice. Ask each other at dinner or before bed:
What was one "rose" from your day, one "thorn" and where did you see God's faithfulness today?
Let us know how this practice is going and how it's changing things for you and your marriage! [email protected]
-
Have you ever felt that when your spouse is listening to you, it only LOOKS like they're listening? That as soon as you're done speaking, they will unleash their advice and their opinions on you?
On this Thursday Thoughts episode, we'll discover HOW we listen matters just as much (or more) than the fact that we are listening. We'll also learn:
that "listening to understand" is more important than "listening to convince"how listening to understand can help us escape the drama triangleResources:
âIn a study of two types of listening, clinical psychologist Faye Doell demonstrated how people who listen in order to understand versus listen in order to respond have higher across-the-board relationship satisfaction.â
from "Good Inside" by Dr. Becky Kennedy
https://www.goodinside.com/book/
An excellent article on the drama triangle:
https://www.idmin.org/_files/ugd/0d9c11_b989426836064bd3a9dfdfe15fe4e382.pdf
Want to get in touch with us? [email protected] and check out our new website: www.livingmarriages.com
- Laat meer zien
