Afleveringen
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On this Thursday thought, we consider how God's fingerprints are all over our stories, especially when we're in a place of pain or confusion and may not sense God there. We reflect on what it means that Jesus calls us "friends" (John 15:15) and we pray that we might see how our stories, our marriages are a part of God's larger story.
Next Steps
In this episode, we share the story of our journey through infertility. We understand that the journey of infertility is painful. We also know that you might be in the middle of another journey of pain or confusion. We'd love to be able to hear your story and pray with you. Please feel free to reach out to us by clicking here.
You can also e-mail us: [email protected]
Want to support this non-profit ministry with a charitable donation? Please visit our website http://livingmarriages.com
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On today's episode, we share how God showed up in a very unique way for us. You'll hear how April kept seeing the time 11:11 and the Scripture God finally nudged her to check out, the evening before we found out we were pregnant.
We also humbly acknowledge that our story is not everyone's story - that God may have another outcome for you in the journey you're on. At the same time, we believe that if we're willing and open, we'll see God's fingerprints all over our story telling us how, in fact, we are a part of his big story.
Next Steps
We understand that the journey of infertility is painful. We also know that you might be in the middle of another journey of pain or confusion. We'd love to be able to hear your story and pray with you. Please feel free to reach out to us by clicking here.
You can also e-mail us: [email protected]
Want to support this non-profit ministry with a charitable donation? Please visit our website http://livingmarriages.com
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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On this Thursday Thought, we reflect on what it means to be blessed. We'll discover how being blessed is not about what we have (or don't have) but rather the presence of God in our lives.
We reflect on Stanley Hauerwas' invitation to consider the Beatitudes, those beautiful "Blessed are..." from Matthew 5 and what this might mean for our marriage:
Too often the Beatitudes are turned into ideals we must strive to attain. But Jesus does not tell us that we should try to be poor in spirit, or meek, or peacemakers. He simply says that many who are called into his kingdom will find themselves so constituted.
Stanley Hauerwas, "Jesus Changes Everything"
Next Steps
In this episode, we share the story of our journey through infertility. We understand that the journey of infertility is painful. We also know that you might be in the middle of another journey of pain or confusion. We'd love to be able to hear your story and pray with you. Please feel free to reach out to us by clicking here.
You can also e-mail us: [email protected]
Want to support this non-profit ministry with a charitable donation? Please visit our website http://livingmarriages.com
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How many times have you heard someone say, "I'm so blessed..." when they're referring to having something they desire? Does that mean that someone who doesn't have what they desire isn't blessed?
On today's episode, April and Aaron share their 3 1/2 year journey through infertility and how God met them in the midst of their journey, even though they couldn't always sense him. You'll also hear how God taught them what true blessing is (hint: it's not in what you have or don't have).
Whether you are on the journey of infertility or not, this episode points to the lovingkindness of the God who meets us in the midst of our pain and confusion.
Next Steps
We understand that the journey of infertility is painful. We also know that you might be in the middle of another journey of pain or confusion. We'd love to be able to hear your story and pray with you. Please feel free to reach out to us by clicking here.
You can also e-mail us: [email protected]
Want to support this non-profit ministry with a charitable donation? Please visit our website http://livingmarriages.com
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Join us for this Thursday Thought as we:
find out how Aaron and April's fun date wentreflect on our friendship with our spouseconsider how God might be inviting us to invest in that friendship with funWe'll meditate on Proverbs 17:22 together and pray God's grace and blessing on the friendship in our marriage.
If you have a story of something fun you like doing in your marriage that we can share with our listeners, please click here!
Or you can e-mail us: [email protected]
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Recently, we have been reminded of the importance of fun and friendship in marriage. To make sure we have time to invest in some of that fun ourselves, we're keeping the episode shorter and asking for your help!
We'd love to hear from you about one way you and your spouse have fun in your marriage We'll share your ideas in an upcoming episode.
You can click right here and get in touch with us: https://livingmarriages.com/contact#httpslivingmarriagescomcontact
Or e-mail us:
God bless!
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We were so inspired by our conversation with Your Bible Coach Keith Ferrin in episode 36! Who knew that reading our Bibles could be helpful AND fun!
On this Thursday thought, we spend more time in reflection about what it means that time with God in the word is "relational", not just "informational" and we pray that you may grow in intimacy with God and each other through your time in his Word.
Ignatian Gospel Contemplation Resources
A helpful short video that explains the practice of gospel contemplation: https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-contemplation/
Another helpful website with further explanations and guided examples of Ignatian gospel contemplation: https://www.lindsayboyer.com/ignatian-meditation
Next Steps
Would you like to explore some of these ideas further or would you like prayer for your marriage? We'd love to journey with you in that so get in touch! [email protected]
We need your prayers and support to keep this non-profit ministry going. Please consider how you could partner with us. To make a charitable donation, visit: http://livingmarriages.com
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"We expect the Bible to be true, we just don't expect it to be good."
Keith Ferrin
Anybody who has grown up in the church has been taught that reading our Bibles is an important part of being a follower of Jesus. The problem is that many of us don't know where to start or if we have, how to stay consistent with it. These problems follow us into our marriages where, with the busyness of life and young families, bible reading habits either disappear of feel burdensome.
Today's guest, speaker and Bible coach Keith Ferrin, offers insight into this problem, helping us move from seeing Bible reading as a burden to the joy God has meant it to be!
On this fascinating episode we discuss:
A mindset shift from an informational to a relational approach to ScriptureA methodology shift that will help us understand and enjoy what we readHow Bible reading that is enjoyable and alive can transform your marriage and familyTo find Keith and his excellent resources, please visit:
https://www.keithferrin.com/
He also has a wonderful YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@keithferrin
If you'd like to connect with us to ask for prayer, coaching or to give us feedback or suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! [email protected]
You can also visit our website to find out how you can support this non-profit ministry with a charitable donation: http://livingmarriages.com
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Grab a pen, your journal, your Bible and your favourite drink and join us for this Thursday Thought!
Today, Aaron shares a reflection on what unity is from God's perspective and how it's been his heart for humanity since the beginning of time. He also prays that we'd discover what it means to have Christ at the head of our marriage and that we'd find a "togetherness" as we confront problems.
Resources
Check out Tim Mackie's excellent bible study on the idea of "One Flesh" from The Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/classroom/adam-to-noah/sessions/15
Next Steps
We'd love to hear from you! If you'd like prayer for your marriage, would like us to journey with you in your marriage or have feedback or ideas for us, get in touch: [email protected]
Support our non-profit ministry! If you'd like to help keep new episodes of the podcast coming, please visit http://livingmarriages.com to make a charitable donation. Thank you!
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"We are on the same team!"
This one simple truth has the power to transform our marriages and bring us greater unity. Yet, it is a truth that eludes us as so often we find ourselves seeing our spouse as the problem, rather than being able to confront the problem together with our spouse.
In this episode, we chat about:
How easy it is for us to forget that we are on the same teamGod's invitation to shift our mindset to one of unityHow making the time and effort to connect with one another is an important key to unityWe also discuss the Edmonton Oilers latest Stanley Cup playoff run and what we can learn in our marriages by Leon Draisaitl playing good defence.
Next Steps
We'd love to hear from you! If you'd like prayer for your marriage, would like us to journey with you in your marriage or have feedback or ideas for us, get in touch: [email protected]
Support our non-profit ministry! If you'd like to help keep new episodes of the podcast coming, please visit http://livingmarriages.com to make a charitable donation. Thank you!
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Do you believe that God has "better" for your marriage? Do you want to join God in discovering all he has for you?
In Episode 32, we heard from Ron and Amanda Falk about how God has invited them on the journey to discovering the freedom and sanctification he has for them in their marriage. It hasn't always been easy or smooth but it has been good.
On today's Thursday Thought, we follow up with some reflections on what sanctification might and might not be in marriage and we pray for the humility and grace we need to be open to what God wants to do in our marriages.
Grab your Bible, journal and your favourite drink and join us as we seek God's heart for our marriage!
Next steps
If you'd like prayer or support for your marriage, or even find a marriage mentor, we'd love to connect with you: [email protected]
Please consider supporting this non-profit ministry through prayer and charitable donations. You can find out more at our website: http://livingmarriages.com
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Counselling is often seen as a "last ditch" attempt to save a marriage that is in crisis. But what if that wasn't the only time seeing a counsellor could be beneficial?
Today's guests, Ron and Amanda Falk, began seeing a counsellor when things were actually pretty OK in their marriage and have enjoyed incredible growth and fruit in their marriage because of it!
In today's episode we chat about:
The benefits of counselling in helping them understand themselves and each other better and how their communication has improvedHow counselling did help in a time of crisis as wellGod's heart for marriage as a place of hope and freedom and their call from God to become marriage mentorsResources
One tool that they mentioned has been helpful for them is the "Ultimate Intimacy App" designed by a Christian couple. You can find more information on that app here:
https://ultimateintimacy.com/
To become a marriage mentor (or find mentors) in Canada, please visit:
https://www.familylifecanada.com/become-a-homebuilder/#become-a-marriage-mentor
Next Steps
If you'd like to get a hold of us, we'd love to hear from you: [email protected]
We are a non-profit ministry and need your prayer and financial support to keep this podcast going! Please consider supporting us http://livingmarriages.com
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Grab your Bible, journal and your warm favourite beverage and join us for this Thursday Thought as we reflect on and pray through our money stories that we brought into our marriage.
Aaron shares some of his money story and how God has been doing a work of healing in his life around his scarcity mindset. He'll also lead us in a Lectio Divina around Psalm 37:1-7 as we get to hear from the Lord how he invites us to trust and delight in him, especially as it pertains to our money story.
Next steps
Get in touch! We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]
We are a non-profit ministry! If you're feeling called to support us, please visit our website to find out how you can make a charitable donation: http://livingmarriages.com
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Money, Sex and In-Laws: These are often the three most intense areas of conflict in any marriage.
On today's episode, we dive into the area of finances and see how our "money story" (how we were raised to view and treat money) can impact our marriage. We'll also invite you to explore your money story with your spouse with some of these great conversation starters provided below!
Sample Questions to Ask About Your Money Story (from Shaun Maslyk, CFP)
What were your childhood experiences with money?What is your earliest money memory?What are your childhood memories, both positive and negative, about money?What money lessons did you learn from your mother, father or another parental figure?Resources
https://www.moneysense.ca/columns/a-rich-life/whats-your-money-story/
If you'd like to support the work of Living Marriages Ministries (a registered non-profit,) you can make a charitable donation at our new website! http://livingmarriages.com
Get in touch with your feedback, prayer requests or episode ideas: [email protected]
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Sex is a beautiful and wonderful gift that God has given us within the context of marriage. It is something that we can enjoy, that we can serve one another in and that ultimately is an act of worship.
However, sex can also be a pain point in many marriages as we wrestle with past trauma, shame and bad teaching.
On this Thursday Thought, we reflect, together with God on our understanding of sex and his hope for us in this area. We ask some important questions of why we think of sex in the ways we do and if there are areas of surrender and healing we need from God. We pray for God's perspective on sex and to increase the sexual intimacy in our marriage.
We also encourage you and your spouse to go back to Episode 28 and our conversation with Kristen Miele. After listening to that and then this episode, spend time with your spouse in a safe and curiosity-filled conversation about sex in your marriage. We pray that it will bless you.
Have some thoughts, questions or would you like to reach out? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]
Please also consider making a charitable donation to keep this non-profit podcast on the air: www.livingmarriages.com
We thank you for tuning in, for your prayers and support!
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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]
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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 “if 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
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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:
“In his lab, John found that the amount of stress hormones that show up in a child’s 24-hour urine sample accurately reflects the quality of the parents’ relationship. The worse the marriage, the more stress hormones there are in the child’s urine. There’s 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.” (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
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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
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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]
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