Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Christian Habits Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning to Unplug with Hannah Brencher | 23 Oct 2024 | 00:28:48 | |
Most of us realize that our screens are consuming us. We know we should cut back on our screen-time but are at a loss for how to start. My guest on the Christian Habits Podcast today, Hannah Brencher, started off with a 1,000 hour screen-free challenge, and she hasn’t looked back since this pivotal life-change. Hannah gives practical tips as well as inspiration to start putting down our phones and re-discovering the world around us! What We Discussed on the Podcast
©Taylor Zorzi / Zorzi Creative Hannah Brencher is a writer, TED speaker, and entrepreneur. She founded The World Needs More Love Letters, a global community dedicated to sending letter bundles to those who need encouragement. Named as one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good,” Hannah has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Oprah, Glamour, USATODAY.com, the Chicago Tribune, and more. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, Lane, and daughter Novalee. Find Hannah at hannahbrencher.com. Connect with Hannah on Instagram, Facebook,or Pinterest. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Learning to Unplug with Hannah Brencher appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Christy Osborne: Love Life Sober | 25 Sep 2024 | 00:33:21 | |
So many of us today are looking for ways to cope with the pressures of life. Instead of going to God, we turn to our phones, food, shopping, or even alcohol. Such was the case with Christy Osborne, my guest on the Christian Habits Podcast. Christy talks about her journey to sobriety and the choice to live without alcohol in her new book Love Life Sober. Even if you do not struggle specifically with alcohol, you will hear many helpful ways to deal with any addiction. What We Discussed on the Podcast
Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober, is a graduate of the University of Southern California and attended law school at Pepperdine University. After passing the California bar exam, Christy relocated to London and assumed various roles in law, public relations, and business development. She founded a popular website for American expat women and became a royal commentator on SKY News in the UK. Christy discovered her true calling when she chose sobriety and began openly advocating for it on social media. As a highly trained senior sobriety coach featured in/by Marie Claire, Newsweek, The Daily Mail, Yahoo, PBS, London Daily News, Hip & Healthy, and more, she empowers women throughout the US and UK to redefine their relationship with alcohol. Visit her at LoveLifeSober.com. Connect with Christy on Instagram. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Christy Osborne: Love Life Sober appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Memorizing Scripture with Glenna Marshall | 21 Nov 2023 | 00:27:36 | |
Do you struggle to memorize Scripture? I do. For years I thought I couldn’t memorize it because I don’t have a good memory. But for the last couple of months–ever since I read Glenna Marshall’s book on memorizing Scripture–I’ve been going great guns with Scripture memory and love it! If you’re someone like me who has struggled for years to commit God’s Word to memory, my latest episode of The Christian Habits Podcast (links below) will help. My guest, Glenna Marshall, has a new book out about the power and unexpected blessings of memorizing Scripture. It has been life-changing for her, and I can already tell it will be life-changing for me! What We Discussed on the Podcast
GLENNA MARSHALL is a pastor’s wife and mother of Find Glenna online at GlennaMarshall.com or on Instagram. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Memorizing Scripture with Glenna Marshall appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 07: Breaking Free from the Idol of Skinny With Christina Smith | 13 Aug 2014 | 00:28:48 | |
See also: Taste for Truth Christian Weight Loss Podcast. https://barbraveling.com/christian-weight-loss-podcast/ for more info! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/taste-for-truth-weight-loss-encouragement/id1203994286?mt=2 to view on iTunes.
Interview with Christina Smith Today I’m excited to share an interview with my friend Christina. We’ll be talking about how to follow lifelong eating boundaries, how to break free from the idol of skinny, and how Facebook sometimes gets in the way of that. Christina shares her journey and how God has helped her along the way. She also gives practical suggestions for change. To subscribe or listen on iTunes: click here Other Resources:
<enclosure url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/christianhabits/Christine_Interview_2.mp3″ length=”24675329″ type=”audio/mpeg” /> The post 07: Breaking Free from the Idol of Skinny With Christina Smith appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 06: How to Break a Habit | 06 Aug 2014 | 00:16:55 | |
Do you ever feel like you can’t break that habit that has been plaguing you all your life? In today’s podcast we’ll talk about three steps you can take if you want to break your habit. To listen on iTunes: click here To listen on Stitcher: click here If you’d like more info on this subject click on the following links:
<enclosure url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/christianhabits/How_to_Break_a_Habit_Test_with_intro.mp3″ length=”14689750″ type=”audio/mpeg” ></enclosure> The post 06: How to Break a Habit appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 05: Breaking Habits: An Attitude That Keeps Us Stuck | 30 Jul 2014 | 00:12:11 | |
In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we’ll talk about an attitude that keeps us from breaking our habits. If you’d like help with breaking a habit, check out the breaking a habit tab at the top of this blog. Click here to see the questions on today’s podcast. To listen on iTunes: click here To listen on Stitcher: click here <enclosure url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/christianhabits/Entitlement_1.2.mp3″ length=”10715754″ type=”audio/mpeg” ></enclosure> The post 05: Breaking Habits: An Attitude That Keeps Us Stuck appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 04: 6 Tips for People Pleasers | 23 Jul 2014 | 00:10:54 | |
http://traffic.libsyn.com/christianhabits/people_pleasing_2.mp3
Do you ever feel like you have to say yes when someone asks you to do something? Do often find yourself saying yes and then regretting it later? Does it bother you when people are unhappy with you? If so, you may be a people pleaser. In this podcast, we’ll talk about 6 different things you can do if you want to break the habit of people pleasing. We’ll also renew our minds with the people pleasing questions from I Deserve a Donut. If you’d like to subscribe to the podcast or listen to it on iTunes, click here, and then click “View on iTunes.” (It may not be there right away as I am having technical difficulties, which also explains why I have two play buttons rather than one!) People Pleasing Questions
Question: Are you a people pleaser? Do you have any tips for us? The post 04: 6 Tips for People Pleasers appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 03: How My Friend Lost 140 Pounds | 16 Jul 2014 | 00:36:35 | |
See also: Taste for Truth Christian Weight Loss Podcast. https://barbraveling.com/christian-weight-loss-podcast/ for more info! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/taste-for-truth-weight-loss-encouragement/id1203994286?mt=2 to view on iTunes.
Interview with Terry Tignor Today I’m excited to share an interview with my friend Terry Tignor, who has lost 140 pounds over the last 2 1/2 years. Terry is the friend I mentioned in the intro to I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat). Terry has wonderful words of wisdom, and I know her interview will encourage you, no matter how many pounds you have to lose! In this episode, Terry shares some of her struggles along the way and how God helped her through the process. Resources We Talked About on the Podcast
To listen on iTunes: click here To listen on Stitcher: click here http://traffic.libsyn.com/christianhabits/03_03__140_Weight_Loss_-_Interview_with_my_friend_Terry.mp3I hope you enjoy the interview. I submitted my podcast to iTunes today so should be available there in the next day or two! (Unless I did something wrong!) The post 03: How My Friend Lost 140 Pounds appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 02: When Life is Hard: 11 Questions to Ask | 09 Jul 2014 | 00:21:51 | |
Welcome to the Christian Habits podcast, episode two! I won’t normally write a separate blog post to go with the podcast, but thought I would today so I could explain what it’s like to do a podcast. The nice thing about blogging is that if you forget to say something when you write the first draft, you can easily add it in before you publish. Or if you said something you didn’t want to say, you can easily take it out. You can’t do that with podcasting! Or at least if you can, I don’t know how to do it yet. So if you ever hear me saying something in a podcast and think, Does Barb really believe that?, write and ask me. It could be that I was just being spacey–as in today’s podcast when I called my youngest daughter my oldest daughter–or it could be that I’m wrong and need correction! What I Meant to Say Here’s an example. In today’s podcast I talk about some practical ways to change our lives when we’re discontent. If I’d been on the ball, I would have given you lots of examples rather than just a couple from my own life. I also would have pointed out that sometimes we have to give up what we think we need to be happy–but that that’s not a big deal since God is the only one who can make us truly happy anyway. But alas, I got sidetracked and didn’t say all those things. I can already see that podcasting will be a wonderful “opportunity” to let go of perfectionism. Hopefully, this is the last time I’ll correct myself on the blog unless I say something really drastic. But as you listen to future episodes, just keep in mind that I am forgetful, absent-minded, spacey, and technologically challenged so listen to each podcast with that in mind! Show Notes I also wanted to let you know that if I reference something in the podcast, I’ll try to include the link to it or information for it in the blog post. Podcasters call the blog post the “show notes” so if you hear me saying that, it’s just the blog post. Today’s “show notes” include the discontentment questions and Bible verses from I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat). Here they are: https://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/When-Life-is-Hard-Bible-Verses-and-Questions.png Discontentment Bible Verses and Questions
Psalm 40:1-3a I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Psalm 63:1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is so water. Psalm 63:7-8 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 68:19-20a Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverance. Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. Jonah 2:9a But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed. John 16:33 These things I (Jesus) have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world. Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 3:7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 6:7-8 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. <enclosure url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/christianhabits/02_02__When_Life_is_Too_Hard_-_Letting_Go_of_Discontentment.mp3″ length=”18829961″ type=”audio/mpeg” ></enclosure> The post 02: When Life is Hard: 11 Questions to Ask appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 01: Welcome to the The Christian Habits Podcast | 05 Jul 2014 | 00:03:52 | |
A few months ago, I interviewed my friend Terry who lost 140 pounds. Rather than doing it on video, I thought, I’ll just tape it and then I can make a podcast. Little did I know how complicated it was to make a podcast! It’s definitely not for the technologically faint of heart! But thanks to Terry’s wise words of wisdom that I wanted to share with all of you, I persevered. And now I am excited to introduce my new podcast! I’ll be doing some interviews, some how-to podcasts, and some podcasts you can use to renew your mind with either on the way home from work, while you exercise or clean your house, or anything else you might like to do. I look forward to walking, exercising, cleaning, and commuting with you! How to Listen to the PodcastTo listen on iTunes: click here To listen on Stitcher: click here For a list of all podcast episodes:https://barbraveling.com/christian-podcast/I’ll try to post a podcast every Wednesday (the interview with my friend is the third episode), at least for the first few months, and will also cut down on my regular posts during this time period so I can put my efforts into the podcast. After it starts becoming routine, then I’ll start doing a mix of regular posts and podcasts. I hope you enjoy listening to it. This whole thing will be somewhat experimental so please let me know if you have any ideas of how to make the podcasts better! This is definitely a learning-as-I-go experience! Here’s the first podcast! (Hopefully!) (If you’re getting this post by email, you may need to go to my blog to access it.) http://traffic.libsyn.com/christianhabits/01_01__Intro_to_The_Christian_Habits_Podcast.mp3The post 01: Welcome to the The Christian Habits Podcast appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Christian Weight Loss: Is Fun and Easy Possible? | 24 Apr 2014 | 00:05:54 | |
This isn’t a podcast, but it’s listed as a podcast because of the recording. Suppose you’ve been trying to lose the same 20 pounds (or break that same bad habit) for the last six years. Every time you start doing well, something comes up: a vacation, a holiday (Easter, for example), a hectic few weeks at work or at home–something that throws you off your weight loss plan. What you really want is just to relax and enjoy life–eat what you want when you want–and still be able to lose or maintain your weight. Is that too much to ask? After all, aren’t we told that life should be easy? That we should be able to get what we want with very little effort? Let’s do an option chart to see if we can get what we want in this situation. Since we also want a close walk with God, let’s add that column to the chart this time. Once again, I’ll use a recording to explain the chart. (I explained these charts in my last post. Click here to get that post.) The recording is 5:54, and I apologize for it being a bit “echo-y.” I’m trying to find the best place in the house to do this, and didn’t choose a good room today! To listen to the sound recording, click here. Options Lose Weight The Good Life!! Relationship with God Lose weight quickly and easily!!!!!!! NOT AN OPTION!!! Give up because it’s too hard. ↓ ↑↓ ?↓ Muster up all the will power you can find and just lose this weight!!!!! You can do it!!!! ↓ ↓? Renew your mind every once in awhile to see if that helps. ?↓ ↓ ?↑ Give up whenever it’s hard and start being good tomorrow!!! ↓ ↑↓ ?↓ Beat yourself up because you’re such a failure. ↓ ↓ ↓ Commit to 1) lifelong boundaries 2) renewing your mind every single time you break your boundaries. Get an accountability partner if you can’t make yourself renew your mind. ↑ ↓↑ ↑
P.S. In order for an option chart to be a true “renewing of the mind” tool, you would need a “Relationship with God” column as that will help you look at life from a biblical perspective. P.S.S. I’m thinking of starting a podcast. If anyone has any advice for me or ideas for a title, please let me know! I interviewed my friend who lost 140 pounds this week and was fascinated by all she had to say, but I haven’t been able to figure out how to put it on my blog yet. Any suggestions would be helpful! Other Weight Loss ResourcesTaste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study is focused on the lies that make us eat, body image, and the weight loss process. I wrote this Bible study to go along with the questions and Bible verses in I Deserve a Donut, and although you can do the study without I Deserve a Donut, it’s best if you have both books. I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat) is a renewing of the mind resource to use in the midst of temptation and also to prepare yourself for temptation. I use it all the time, just for regular life. It is filled with 36 sets of questions and over 150 Bible verses that you can use to have conversations with God about life and food. The questions and Bible verses will help you renew your mind, taking off the lies that make you eat and putting on the truth that will set you free. It’s also available as a free app. Freedom from Emotional Eating: A Weight Loss Bible Study is more focused on emotional eating. Although there is material on boundaries and breaking free from the control of food, most of the book is devoted to learning how to let go of negative emotions. The comment I get most often with this book is that yes, it helped me with eating, but it helped me even more with letting go of my negative emotions.
The post Christian Weight Loss: Is Fun and Easy Possible? appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Let Go of Regret and “If Only” – Option Charts | 16 Apr 2014 | 00:03:47 | |
Do you ever say, “If only I hadn’t messed up,” or “If only life were easier?” “If only I had made a different choice?” “If only I were more like so-and-so?” So often we live in the land of “if only” and “I should have.” This is not a pleasant place to live. Not only does this sap our energy and make us constantly discontent with life, it also keeps us from looking at our real-life options. We spend so much energy thinking about what we should have done or what we wish life were like, that we have no energy left over to stop and think, “Okay, I can’t change reality, but what can I do?” And is what I’m currently doing, working? If you struggle with regret and if only, an option chart will help you renew your mind. Since this is kind of a hard tool to describe, I’m going to try to be a real techy person and explain it in a recording. Since this is the first time I’ve ever tried to put a recording on my blog and I’m not a techy person by any stretch of the imagination, let’s use my own trial today for example. First I’ll truth journal and then I’ll make an option chart. Truth Journaling ExampleBeliefs: 1. I can’t believe this is so hard. 2. If only I were more of a techy person. 3. Maybe I should do this later. 4. Or use a different example. This isn’t a very good example. 5. Maybe I should skip it altogether since it will be so hard to figure out. 6. Besides, I probably won’t be able to figure it out anyway. Truths: 1. This is not surprising! Most techy things are hard in the beginning for me. Why should this be any different? 2. But I’m not, so I might as well accept it. God can use this struggle for good in my life. 3. I have been saying that for almost two years now. I could say that ’til the day I die. Let’s just get it over with. 4. Oh well. If I go for perfection, I’ll never get it done. Let’s just do this. 5. No, Barb. You want to do it. Get it done! 6. I bet I will! Option Chart ExampleTruthfully, just truth journaling would probably have been enough to make myself do this, but since this is supposed to be a post about option charts, I better continue on! Here are the steps to making an option chart:
A recording on my blog The Fun & Easy Life Get this recording on the blog (and write this post) in 15 minutes with little effort!!!NOT AN OPTION!!!!!!!!!!! Give up: Just say, “I’m never going to put a recording on my blog because it’s too hard.”↓ ↑ Keep planning to do it but never get around to it.↓ ↓ Beat myself up because I’m such an inept person.↓ ↓ Try to do it, but demand perfection!!↓ ↓ Accept the fact that 1) this won’t be easy and 2) it may not be very good. Remember that life is about God and that 1) I should be willing to sacrifice for Him and 2) I don’t need a perfect recording because God loves me no matter what so that even if everyone in the world says, “Barb, this is a terrible recording!” God will say, “Who cares? Life isn’t about perfect recordings!”↑ ↓↑↑ Audio for Option Chart ExplanationIf you’d like to listen to my explanation of these charts, click on the play button at the top of this blog or below. The recording is 3 minutes 47 seconds in length, and surprisingly–after procrastinating this project forever–it took about 25 minutes to figure out and do! http://traffic.libsyn.com/christianhabits/Option-Chart-Explanation-4.16.14-blog.mp3
What I always find when I do option charts—and you can do these for all areas of your life—is that I regularly do those middle options—the ones with all the down arrows. When I see what those options are doing to the rest of my life, it opens up my eyes to how crazy I’m being. The option chart is a great way to renew your mind, especially if you’re dealing with regret or wishing life could be different. If you’d like to give it a try, click on this link for a blank option chart, or just draw your own in your journal: Option Chart. Note: This wouldn’t really be a renewing of the mind (looking at life from a biblical perspective) experience unless you had a “relationship with God” column. I have a full explanation of the process with a relationship with God column in Freedom from Emotional Eating. Update: Here is another post with a relationship with God column: Christian Weight Loss: Is Fun and Easy Possible? The post How to Let Go of Regret and “If Only” – Option Charts appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 9 Questions That Will Help You Stop Procrastinating | 16 Nov 2013 | 00:12:59 | |
I still remember the look and the feel of the cookies in my college dorm’s candy machine. Great big sandwich cookies filled with vanilla cream. The perfect thing for avoiding homework. The perfect thing for gaining twenty pounds while avoiding homework. College was the place I learned to procrastinate, and food was my chosen vice. Instead of studying for tests, I would eat. The idea was that if I could just get a little treat to study with, then studying would be more fun. And of course it was more fun—for about five or ten minutes. But then I finished the cookie and the fun was over. This started a pattern that lasted for more than thirty years. Have a hard job? Put it off. Hope it goes away. When the situation becomes desperate, break down and do it. Not a very efficient way to live life. Thanks be to God He is able to break us free from bad habits no matter how long we’ve been enslaved by them. After years of sporadically renewing my mind in this area of my life, I am finally learning how to set goals and accomplish them. New Course: How to Stop ProcrastinatingClick here to find more info. One of the ways I renew my mind is to ask myself the procrastination questions in The Renewing of the Mind Project or I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat whenever I don’t feel like working. I journal through the questions in my journal (or in my mind if I can’t make myself journal), and usually I find myself actually wanting to do the dreaded task as I answer the questions. Why? Because truth changes desires. And answering the questions helps me see the truth. Here are the questions from The Renewing of the Mind Project: 9 Questions That Will Help You Stop Procrastinating
Note: If the job seems overwhelming, try breaking it into smaller steps. Each step should be fairly easy and non-intimidating. After breaking it into steps, block the whole project from your mind and focus on one step at a time. P.S. Click here for Bible verses on procrastination. Question: Do you procrastinate? Do you have any good tips for overcoming procrastination? The post 9 Questions That Will Help You Stop Procrastinating appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Practicing the Presence of Jesus with Joni Eareckson Tada | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:22:00 | |
Do stressful situations steal your peace? Have you allowed the disappointments in your life to keep you from feeling close to Jesus? Do you wish to experience the calm you feel in your quiet moments with God all throughout your day? In my interview on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), Joni Eareckson Tada shares wisdom from her personal life experiences about learning to stay close to Jesus all throughout the day. We also discuss her newest book, The Practice of the Presence of Jesus. What We Discussed on the Podcast
Joni Eareckson Tada is an esteemed Christian stateswoman and respected global leader in disability advocacy. Although a 1967 diving accident left her a quadriplegic, she emerged from rehabilitation with a determination to help others with similar disabilities. Mrs. Tada serves as CEO of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization which provides programs and services for thousands of special needs families around the world. President Reagan appointed Mrs. Tada to the National Council on Disability, then reappointed by President George H.W. Bush. During her tenure, the ADA was passed and signed into law. Mrs. Tada served as advisor to Condoleezza Rice on the Disability Advisory Committee to the U.S. State Department. She served as Senior Associate for Disability Concerns for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. The Colson Center on Christian Worldview awarded Joni Tada its prestigious William Wilberforce Award, and she was also inducted into Indiana Wesleyan University’s Society of World Changers. Joni Eareckson Tada has been awarded several honorary degrees, including Doctor of Humanities from Gordon College and Doctor of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary. She is an effective communicator, sharing her inspirational message in books, through artwork, radio, and other media. Joni Tada served as General Editor of the Beyond Suffering Bible, a special edition published by Tyndale for people affected by disability. Joni and her husband Ken were married in 1982 and reside in Calabasas, California. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Practicing the Presence of Jesus with Joni Eareckson Tada appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Susie Larson: Staying Strong in Battle | 26 Sep 2023 | 00:33:29 | |
Has the joy and peace in your life been replaced by stress and strife? Is your inner narrative filling you with thoughts of despair? Do you find yourself questioning God’s goodness? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may be in the midst of a spiritual battle. My guest today on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), Susie Larson, shares such valuable wisdom from her very personal experiences in spiritual warfare, and from her book Strong in Battle. What We Discussed on the Podcast
The post Susie Larson: Staying Strong in Battle appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Dannah Gresh: Finding Healing for Your Marriage | 22 Aug 2023 | 00:31:06 | |
Marriage is hard, we all agree. And when a spouse has an addiction to pornography, a marriage can be stretched to its breaking point. However, when God is involved, there is always hope! On today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), my guest, Dannah Gresh shares about this particular struggle in her own marriage which was the inspiration for her newest book, Happily Even After. What We Discussed on the Podcast
Dannah has sold over 2 million books and reaches women and girls in more than 100 countries. She and her husband Bob live in State College, Pennsylvania on a small farm that could be confused as a petting zoo. Horses, llamas, peacocks, chickens, goats, dogs and cats abound. The family pastime is chasing whoever—or whatever—might be loose. Find Dannah online at dannahgresh.com. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Dannah Gresh: Finding Healing for Your Marriage appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Sarah J. Hauser: Finding Rest When Life is Hard | 25 Jul 2023 | 00:28:37 | |
Are you going through a hard season right now? Does God feel silent? Sarah J. Hauser, my guest on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), is no stranger to these difficulties. In our interview, she shares about her new book, All Who are Weary: Finding True Rest by Letting Go of the Burdens You were Never Meant to Carry, and about the difficult season she went through to learn the truths she writes about. What We Discussed on the Podcast
SARAH J. HAUSER is a writer and speaker living in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and four kids. She shares biblical truth to nourish the soul — and the occasional recipe to nourish the body. Sarah completed her B.A. and M.A. at Wheaton College. She’s a member
The post Sarah J. Hauser: Finding Rest When Life is Hard appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Andrea Herzer: Living with Chronic Pain and Illness | 27 Jun 2023 | 00:30:21 | |
Do you suffer from chronic pain or a debilitating illness? Have you recently received a difficult diagnosis? Or are you or a loved one simply going through a difficult trial right now? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you will be greatly encouraged by my interview with Andrea Herzer about her new book: Incurable Faith: 120 Devotions of Lasting Hope for Lingering Health Issues. What We Discussed on the Podcast
The post Andrea Herzer: Living with Chronic Pain and Illness appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Jamie Erickson: Cultivating Holy Hygge | 30 May 2023 | 00:33:03 | |
Do you often feel rushed and like you’re not really enjoying life? Does your heart long for rest and for sweet fellowship with dear friends? If so, you’ll be encouraged by the Danish practice of hygge (HYOO-guh) which my podcast guest, Jamie Erickson, discusses in her latest book: Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow. Today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below) considers the beautiful practice of true hospitality. What We Discussed on the Podcast
When she’s not curating memories, hoarding vintage books, or homeschooling her five kids, JAMIE ERICKSON can be found encouraging and equipping a growing tribe of mothers all across the globe on the Mom to Mom podcast, through her blog The Unlikely Homeschool, at national conferences, and in her book Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child With Confidence How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Jamie Erickson: Cultivating Holy Hygge appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Mary DeMuth: Parenting Your Adult Kids with Joy | 02 May 2023 | 00:28:03 | |
It can be hard to transition from parenting young kids or even teenagers to parenting adult children. That becomes even more difficult when our kids make choices that worry us. In today’s Christian Habits Podcast episode (links below), I visit with Mary DeMuth about her new book, Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Children with Joy. Mary gives us welcome advice for parenting our adult children with joy. What We Talked About on the Podcast
Mary DeMuth is an international speaker, a podcaster, and the author of over forty books, fiction and nonfiction, includingThe Day I Met Jesus. Through God’s healing, Mary has overcome a difficult past to become an authentic example of what it means to live a brand-new story. She loves to help others“re-story”their lives through the books she writes. Mary lives inTexas with her husband of 30 years and is Mom to three adult children. Learn more at marydemuth.com Get Mary’s free ebook: A Year of Weekly Prayers for Your Adult Kids. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Mary DeMuth: Parenting Your Adult Kids with Joy appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Mark Batterson: How Please, Sorry, and Thanks Can Change Your Life | 04 Apr 2023 | 00:23:19 | |
Mark Batterson is an influential pastor and a prolific author of over twenty-three books. His latest book, Please, Sorry, Thanks: the Three Words that Change Everything digs into how every relationship can be positively affected by a new revelation and application of these three words in our lives. I think you’ll really enjoy my interview with him today on The Christian Habits Podcast (links below). Things We Discussed on the Podcast
Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. One church in multiple locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Capital Turnaround, Miracle Theatre and the DC Dream Center. Mark is the New York Times bestselling author of 23 books, including Please, Sorry, Thanks: The Three Words That Change Everything and Win the Day, as well as several books for children, including The Best Worst Day Ever, written with his daughter Summer. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill and have three children. Visit markbatterson.com and @MarkBatterson for more information. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Mark Batterson: How Please, Sorry, and Thanks Can Change Your Life appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Embracing Trust with Joanna Weaver | 07 Mar 2023 | 00:49:23 | |
Do you ever find yourself wondering why certain things are happening in your life? Or paralyzed with regret, spending too much time in woulda-coulda-shoulda thinking? Are you afraid to admit that, at times, you question whether or not God really is good? If you can relate to any of these questions, I invite you to listen to my interview with Joanna Weaver on today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below). We discuss her newest book, Embracing Trust, and how to live with abiding peace and joy in the good times and the bad! Things We Discussed on the Podcast
With more than 1.6 million books in print, Joanna Weaver is the bestselling and award-winning author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, as well as Having a Mary Spirit, Lazarus Awakening, and At the Feet of Jesus devotional. A pastor’s wife, mother of three, and avid Bible teacher, Joanna loves speaking to women about the powerful freedom that is found in making Jesus Lord and trusting Him for things bigger than themselves. She lives with her family in Hamilton, Montana. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Embracing Trust with Joanna Weaver appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Kirby Kelly: You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:30:39 | |
Have you thought to yourself: I’ll never get over this? Have you tried over and over again to get out from underneath the control of a habit or a sin in your life only to be discouraged once again? If so, you will be greatly encouraged by my interview with Kirby Kelly about overcoming temptation which is the subject of her book: You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel. You, too, can find freedom from your habits and addictions! What We Discussed on the Podcast
Kirby Kelly is a Christ-centered content creator and influencer. She runs the Bought + Beloved podcast along with content on her YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok. She uploads weekly content that inspires, encourages, and teaches people the Truth of the Bible and how to cultivate a relationship with Jesus. Her passion is teaching God’s truth everywhere she goes; on stages and in front of cameras, through writing and one-on-one conversations. Kirby desires to see this generation and culture flourish in freedom and confidence in their identity and to walk in the victory that has been won on the Cross. kirby-kelly.com How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Kirby Kelly: You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Christian Loneliness: How to Stop Being Lonely | 08 Feb 2023 | 00:26:18 | |
We live in an age where people are more connected than ever through social media and email, yet loneliness is rampant in all age groups. It’s easy to feel lonely even when we’re surrounded by people both online and in our own lives. We’re not the only ones who feel this way. Mother Teresa once said, “The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love.” In this post and podcast episode, I’d like to talk about how to cure loneliness if you’re a Christian. We’ll begin with asking the question, “Is it normal to feel lonely?” Is it normal for Christians to feel lonely?I would answer that question with a resounding “Yes!” Even Jesus felt lonely. In the Garden of Gethsemane He wanted his disciples with Him yet they were asleep. I’m guessing He also felt lonely at the cross when so many of His disciples had deserted him. And I can’t imagine He didn’t feel lonely in ministry at times. Over and over, we see Him leaving the crowds and going off to be alone with His Father where He was strengthened to once again do ministry. We also see King David who had both friends and followers feeling lonely. In Psalm 25:16, he prays, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” And we see Elijah, hiding in a cave in 1 King 19 feeling lonely. God says, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” And Elijah replies, “I’ve been zealous for you, Lord, but I’m the only one left!” Elijah was feeling alone in ministry. God basically tells Elijah, “You are not alone, Elijah! There are 7000 others besides you who haven’t bent the knee to Baal.” Why does God allow loneliness?So why does God allow Christian loneliness? Well, the simple answer is that God is not a micromanager! He lets us do our own thing, and often the things we do lead to loneliness. Technology also contributes to loneliness. Think back to the day before television, the Internet, and even the radio weren’t invented yet. My guess is that people were less lonely in those days because they spent more time visiting with each other. I think God also allows Christians to feel lonely sometimes for things He wants to accomplish in our lives. I remember when several of my good friends moved far away when my kids were young. I was super lonely and unhappy in that phase of my life, but God used my loneliness to draw me closer to Him and also to mature in ways He wanted me to mature. That said, God doesn’t want us to stay in our loneliness! The two greatest commandments, love God and love others, both speak to relationship. God wants us to be close to Him and others. And He wants us to love well. The more we do that, the less lonely we’ll feel. Loving others involves effort. And the interesting this is that working on breaking free from loneliness will lead toward loving others well. The first step to overcoming loneliness is to find out what is causing it. What causes loneliness?I can think of four different causes of Christian loneliness.
So how do you stop being lonely? After all, we can’t just snap our fingers and feel like we belong all of a sudden! The truth is that it can take quite a bit of work to overcome loneliness. To be successful, we need to make overcoming loneliness a goal, not a desire. And goals take work to accomplish. But it is possible! Following are some steps to end Christian loneliness based on what type of loneliness you’re experiencing.
Well, that’s about it. I hope you’re not feeling too overwhelmed by all these ideas! The bottom line is that we can break free from Christian loneliness but it takes a bit of work. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of these ideas, just print out this post and circle the ideas that appeal to you, then narrow it down to 1-3 ideas to start out with. Then ask God for help and give it a whirl! You’ll not only be helping yourself, you’ll also be helping all the other lonely people out there who are looking for friends! How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Christian Loneliness: How to Stop Being Lonely appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| A More Loving Way to Disagree with Mike Donehey | 12 Jan 2023 | 00:41:10 | |
Do you have loved ones in your life with whom you disagree? Do you find it hard to engage with someone who has a different opinion than yours? Are you prone to just “agree to disagree” when beliefs differ? If any of these are true for you, my interview today on the Christian Habits Podcast with Mike Donehey (links below) will give you a more peaceful approach and practical tips to have more healthy conversations when divisive topics arise. What We Discussed on the Podcast
“If we are to love in the gray spaces—the places where our arguments find just footing on either side—curiosity and kindness must lead the way. Our desire to be heard must not overpower our need to hear what others are saying. Our desire to be understood must not overshadow our need to understand others.” “When grace is our baseline, then being disapproved of no longer feels like being disowned. We can even invite in divergence because we know where we stand. We know whose love we stand in.” About Mike DoneheyMike Donehey is a singer, songwriter, podcast host, and former lead singer of the Christian contemporary band Tenth Avenue North. He’s also the author of Grace in the Gray: A More Loving Way to Disagree (WaterBrook; on sale 1/17/23) and the bestselling author of Finding God’s Life for My Will. Mike, his wife, Kelly, and their four daughters live in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s also the host of Chasing the Beauty podcast. For more information, visit mikedonehey.com, or find Mike on his social channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post A More Loving Way to Disagree with Mike Donehey appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive with Jordan Raynor | 14 Dec 2022 | 00:44:22 | |
If you’ve ever experienced stress over your personal productivity, today’s episode of The Christian Habits Podcast with Jordan Raynor will really encourage you (links below). I talk with Jordan about his book, Redeeming Your Time: 7 Biblical Principles for being Purposeful, Present and Wildly Productive. What We Discussed on the Podcast
“Our work matters today because it is a means of glorifying God and loving our neighbors as ourselves. But our work also matters for eternity because God can use it to build his kingdom.” “In today’s distracted world, being fully present is one of the most valuable presents you can give.” “Which problem, once solved, is going to make most of my other problems easier to solve or disappear entirely?” “Opportunities that aren’t attached to some meaningful end aren’t opportunities. They are simply possibilities that stir up frantic excitement.” About Jordan RaynorBestselling author Jordan Raynor helps Christians respond to the radical, biblical truth that their work matters for eternity. He does this through his books including the bestselling Redeeming Your Time: 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive and The Word Before Work: A Monday-Through-Friday Devotional to Help You Find Eternal Purpose in Your Daily Work (WaterBrook; on sale 11/15/22), The Creator in You (children’s book), Mere Christians podcast, and weekly devotional (“The Word Before Work”)—content that has served millions of Christ-followers in every country on earth. In addition to his writing, Jordan serves as the executive chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which he previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own. Jordan served in the White House under George W. Bush and has twice been selected as a Google Fellow. Jordan and his books have been featured on dozens of media outlets including CNBC, Fast Company, WIRED Magazine, Forbes.com, In the Market with Janet Parshall, Dad Tired, Ken Coleman Show & The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast. He lives near Tampa, Florida with his wife and their three young daughters. For more information, visit https://www.jordanraynor.com & https://www.instagram.com/jordanraynor How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive with Jordan Raynor appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Daniel Fusco: Unlocking Resilience When Life is a Mess | 16 Nov 2022 | 00:40:48 | |
When trials and hard times come into our lives, we can find ourselves questioning God and becoming bitter. On today’s episode of The Christian Habits Podcast (links below), I talk with Daniel Fusco about how developing resilience during trials can actually be a path to fruitfulness and growth in our lives, and also about his new book, You’re Gonna Make It. What We Discussed on the Podcast
Daniel Fusco is an author, a church planter, and the lead pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver, Washington. His radio program, Jesus Is Real Radio, is broadcast across the country, and his TV show, Real with Daniel Fusco, airs across the globe. He also hosts the popular You’re Gonna Make It podcast and is the author of Crazy Happy, and You’re Gonna Make It. He has written numerous articles for CBN.com, PreachingToday.com, and Relevant. Fusco and his wife, Lynn, have three children and reside in southwest Washington How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Daniel Fusco: Unlocking Resilience When Life is a Mess appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Jennifer Slattery: 9 Common Idols and How to Resist Them | 19 Oct 2022 | 00:41:01 | |
Do you find yourself looking to other people or things to satisfy you? Are you tempted to doubt that Jesus alone really does offer a life of joy, peace and contentment? On today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), I visit with Jennifer Slattery about nine common idols we are tempted to worship and how to resist them. What We Discussed on the Podcast
How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Jennifer Slattery: 9 Common Idols and How to Resist Them appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| When Life is Hard: 3 Temptations & 3 Solutions | 21 Sep 2022 | 00:21:39 | |
I don’t know about you, but when life is hard, I’m often tempted to do things that aren’t good for me. Eat, for example. Or waste time on my phone. Or sit like a lump on the couch and think of all the things that could possibly go wrong and how my life will be even worse in the future. What I don’t normally do is run to God for refuge and strength and perspective. At least not first thing. When I do get around to that, I feel about a million times better. My problems don’t seem as huge through the lens of Scripture, and I feel much better soaking in God’s love and protection. In today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), I talk about three temptations we face when life is hard and three solutions for each temptation. I got the idea for the episode from one of my quiet times a couple of weeks ago. I was reading about the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4, and it made me think about how Jesus responded to His trials and how often we are tempted to respond to our own trials. I’ll include a picture of the notes I made in my Bible below. (I don’t usually draw lines through the Scripture in my Bible, but I was out of room!) If you’re going through something hard right now, I hope this podcast episode helps you! What I Discussed on the Podcast
The post When Life is Hard: 3 Temptations & 3 Solutions appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Dana K. White: How to Declutter and Get Organized | 01 Jun 2022 | 00:43:14 | |
Do you feel overwhelmed by the task of getting organized? Does a simple glance around your home or office tell you that clutter is taking over your life? If so, my podcast interview with Dana K. White from A Slob Comes Clean (links below) will offer helpful advice about how to tackle these projects without stress. What We Discussed on the Podcast
Dana K. White is a Wallstreet Journal bestselling author, blogger, podcaster, speaker, and (much to her own surprise) a decluttering expert. In an attempt to get her home under control, Dana started blogging as “Nony” (short for anonymous) at A Slob Comes Clean. Dana soon realized she was not alone in her housekeeping struggles and in her feelings of shame. Today, Dana shares realistic home management strategies with her signature humor and a message of hope for the hopelessly messy through her blog, weekly podcasts, and videos. Dana lives with her husband and three kids just outside of Dallas, Texas. Learn more at www.aslobcomesclean.com. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Dana K. White: How to Declutter and Get Organized appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Asheritah CiuCiu: Growing a Prayer Habit | 04 May 2022 | 00:45:00 | |
In this interview with Asheritah CiuCiu, we discuss how to grow a prayer habit using the REST method from her new book, Prayers of Rest: 365 Prompts to Hear God’s Voice. If you find yourself struggling to make prayer a daily habit, Asheritah offers many helpful ways to cultivate this powerful discipline in this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below). What We Discussed on the Podcast
Asheritah Ciuciu is a bestselling author, national speaker, and host of the Prayers of REST podcast. She is the founder of One Thing Alone Ministries, an online ministry that helps women all over the world find joy in Jesus through creative and consistent time in God’s word. Asheritah grew up in Romania as a missionary kid and studied English and Women’s Ministry at Cedarville University. She is married to her high school sweetheart and together they raise their three spunky kids in NE Ohio. Asheritah is the author of several books, including the best-selling Advent devotional Unwrapping the Names of Jesus. Her writing and speaking has been featured on Focus on the Family, Revive Our Hearts, Moody Radio, Relevant Magazine, Proverbs 31, and MOPS International. For more information about Asheritah, her books, and writing/speaking ministry, visit www.asheritah.com. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Asheritah CiuCiu: Growing a Prayer Habit appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Joshua Becker: Overcoming Distractions to Live a More Meaningful Life | 06 Apr 2022 | 00:32:19 | |
In Joshua Becker’s new book, Things that Matter, he talks about eight common distractions that keep us from living a meaningful life. Joshua Becker is a former pastor and the founder of the influential Becoming Minimalist blog, where he has been helping millions find more by owning less for the last 15 years. On today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), I visit with Joshua about two of those distractions—the pursuit of leisure and the pursuit of happiness. Things We Discussed on the Podcast
Joshua Becker, author of Things That Matter: Overcoming Distractions to Pursue a More Meaningful Life, is also the bestselling author of The More of Less, The Minimalist Home, and founder of Becoming Minimalist, a website dedicated to inspiring others to find more life by owning less. The website welcomes over 1.5 million readers each month and has inspired millions around the world to consider the practical benefits of owning fewer possessions. He is also the creator of Simplify magazine and founder of The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization changing how the world cares for orphans. He’s a contributing writer to Forbes and has appeared in dozens of media outlets, including Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CBS Evening News, and “The Drew Barrymore Show.” Joshua and his family live near Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit BecomingMinimalist.com. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Joshua Becker: Overcoming Distractions to Live a More Meaningful Life appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| When You Can’t Make Yourself Read Your Bible – 9 Tips | 21 Mar 2022 | 00:19:47 | |
Do you ever have a hard time making yourself read your Bible? Or do you start out reading, only to find yourself reading the same passage over and over again because you can’t make yourself concentrate? I spent twenty years of my Christian life struggling to have a daily quiet time. I’d do fine when I was in a church Bible study but when I was on my own, I just didn’t have the discipline to read my Bible. And even with church studies, you’d often find me rushing through all the lessons one hour before class! Back in those days, I would have loved to have someone take me by the hand and help me develop a daily quiet time habit. Following are some of the things that helped me develop a now 20+ year daily quiet time habit. Tips to Help You Become Consistent with Bible Reading
That’s about it. I tried to come up with one more tip so it would be an even ten, but I couldn’t think of one! My prayer is that you will be able to develop a Bible reading habit that fills your soul and draws you closer to God. If you’d like help with a study that will engage your mind, check out my latest book below. James Bible StudyThis is a Bible study I didn’t set out to write. It came out of one of my own quiet times when I couldn’t make myself focus on the Bible. After several times reading the same paragraph over and over because I couldn’t concentrate, I thought, Maybe if I write some questions down first, it will be easier to concentrate. I did that and I loved the process. Not only did the questions help me apply the passage to my life at the moment, they also drew me closer to God as I used that Bible passage to visit with Him about what was going on in my life. If you’d like to see a sample of two of the 20 lessons in James, check out these blog posts (you’ll find the lessons at the end of each blog post):
The post When You Can’t Make Yourself Read Your Bible – 9 Tips appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Single Today with Ryan Wekenman (for Singles & Marrieds) | 07 May 2024 | 00:48:09 | |
Are you a single person? Or a married person who struggles with regret, overthinking, or worrying about what the future may (or may not) hold? If you fit into either of these categories, today’s Christian Podcast episode will help! I’ll be visiting with Ryan Wekenman about his new book, Single Today: Conquer Yesterday’s Regrets, Ditch Tomorrow’s Worries, and Thrive Right Where You Are. I love Ryan’s new book and found it incredibly helpful, even though I’ve been married for 42 years. I only wish his book had been available back when I was single. It’s a spiritual formation and Christian growth book, but it’s also an incredibly helpful how-to manual for living a vibrant, rewarding life as a single person (or a married person). Join us on the podcast today as we discuss Ryan’s new book and how to live in the present with God each and every day. What We Discussed on the Podcast
Ryan Wekenman is a storyteller and pastor who is passionate about finding creative ways to help people explore life’s biggest questions. He has a master’s degree from Talbot School of Theology. He is the co-host of two podcasts, Stories in Scripture, a show that brings the Bible to life for people all around the world, and Afterthoughts, a weekly conversation about faith, culture, and the church. Ryan is the teaching pastor of Red Rocks Austin, a young, vibrant church he helped start with a few of his best friends. He lives in Austin, Texas. Connect with Ryan at his website, or on Instagram. Online Philippians Bible StudyI’d also like to invite you to our online Philippians Bible study, which begins May 15. We’ll be covering the following lessons in that Bible study. Wednesday mornings classes: 9 am PST, 10 am MST, 11 am CST, 12 pm EST
Click here for more info on the study and to sign up for it: Philippians Online Bible Study How to Listen to the Podcast:
The post Single Today with Ryan Wekenman (for Singles & Marrieds) appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Navigate Life Change (Even if You’re Not Crazy about the New Life) | 02 Mar 2022 | 00:25:23 | |
Are you in the middle of a big life change? Or still adjusting to an old life change? Change can be difficult, even when it’s positive. Yet so many life changes don’t feel one bit positive. Here are just a few of the life changes we go through:
Since I’m experiencing my own life change at the moment (my husband just became a travel physical therapist and we’ve left our home of 30 years to travel around the country doing physical therapy and writing), I thought it might be helpful to do a podcast/blog post on how to navigate major life change. Following are a few things I’m trying as I enter this new season of life. 10 Tips to Navigate Life Change Well
My husband and I on top of Guadalupe Peak in Texas – we are immensely enjoying our current life change! Renewing Example: Barb’s Journal Entry – 1/10/22One of the ways I like to renew my mind is to make an option chart. When you hear the phrase option chart, you might think of a chart that explores all of our possible options. But a renewing option chart explores the options we’re currently taking to see how those options are affecting different outcomes we want: things like our relationship with God, our relationship with others, progress on a goal, or our personal wellbeing. In the following chart, I’ve listed three things I want: to be happy in our new lifestyle, to feel close to God, and to be able to be productive in this lifestyle. To write and podcast and get other writing-related things done. I put those at the top of the chart and all of my tendencies on the left side of the chart. I always start by writing down what I really want, which is always completely unrealistic. In this example, I wrote, “to be perfectly happy all the time during travel therapy.” Since I am NEVER completely happy all the time, even on vacation, it stands to reason I won’t be completely happy in this new life so I listed “NOT AN OPTION” on that line. With all the other options, I listed an up or down arrow indicating how I thought that action would affect the outcome and then listed a reason I thought it would go that way. You’ll notice that my middle options almost always have a whole row of down arrows! Yet those are the options I consistently take if left to my own devices. On the bottom row, I always list what I call the “God” option. I think about it for a bit and record what I think God would want me to do. Then I evaluate that option with arrows. And I almost always discover that God’s plan is best. Option charts help me have the strength to do what God wants me to do because they show me that God’s way really is best. Following is a picture of my journal entry. Because it’s hard to fit charts in a blog post format, I thought it would be easier to just upload an image. I apologize in advance for my messy handwriting! At the time I wrote this, I had no idea I would be posting it on my blog! This option chart completely changed my perspective. I’ve also done some truth journal entries that have helped. By making a commitment to regularly renew and also employ some of the other tips I mentioned, I’m able to celebrate and enjoy the good aspects of this experience and live a contented life. God is good. We just need to go to Him for help to see that life is also good, especially when we’re having a hard time adjusting! Have you gone through a big life change recently or in the past? I’d love any tips you have for me on how to adjust! Resources Mentioned on the Podcast
The post How to Navigate Life Change (Even if You’re Not Crazy about the New Life) appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Avoid (or End) an Emotional Affair | 02 Feb 2022 | 00:37:41 | |
If you’ve been married a long time, chances are good you’ve been attracted to someone at some time or another. In today’s podcast, I’ll be visiting with my friend Trish about how to keep that initial attraction from morphing into something that could potentially hurt your marriage, your family, your community, and yourself! We’ll be discussing how to avoid (or end) an emotional affair. What We Discussed on the Podcast
The post How to Avoid (or End) an Emotional Affair appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Achieve Your Goals – 10 Tips | 04 Jan 2022 | 00:34:40 | |
Do you ever set goals and fail to reach them? I used to do that all the time. The only goals I completed each year were my recreation goals! Over the years, though, I’ve learned some tips to help me be more successful with reaching goals. On today’s podcast, we’ll discuss ten tips about how to achieve your goals this year. I’ve asked my friend and fellow podcaster and writer, Dr. Melanie Wilson, to help me with this podcast as she is the master at completing goals!
Following are the tips we’ll discuss more fully on the podcast: Tips to Help You Achieve Your Goals
Melanie Wilson is a Christian psychologist turned homeschool mother of six. She is also the author of a fascinating book called A Year of Living Productively. For one year, Melanie made a commitment to try a different productivity strategy, app, or program each week. In the book she shares how it went that week and what she liked and didn’t like about each of the productivity strategies. Resources We Talked About on the Podcast
The post How to Achieve Your Goals – 10 Tips appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| To Give Advice or Not Give Advice? 6 Rules to Follow | 24 Nov 2021 | 00:28:29 | |
To give advice or not to give advice? That is the question. In the past I used to answer that with, Of course I should give advice! Why wouldn’t I give advice?! Well, I have since learned a few reasons why I shouldn’t! Why You Should Think Twice Before Giving Unsolicited AdviceFor starters, too much advice can hurt relationships. On our end, we think we’re giving wise advice to help people be safe and happy. But on their end, they often feel like we’re trying to fix them. This makes them annoyed with us and hurts relationships. Unsolicited advice can make the recipient feel unloved. Again, we’re trying to keep them happy and safe because we DO love them! They on the other hand feel like we’re focusing on something negative in them. That can make them think we’ll only love them if they’re perfect. Unsolicited advice also hurts relationships when we give the same advice over and over. This makes people not want to be with us because they’re tired of getting advice! Finally, unsolicited advice can hurt relationships with our adult children because it’s seen as a lack of respect. We think, I need to tell them this so they don’t make the same mistakes I made! They think, Mom (or Dad) doesn’t realize I’m an adult! So how do we break free from giving too much advice when it’s something we just do without thinking? Well, let me give you some advice about that… How to Decide if You Should Give Advice or NotIn this blog post (and podcast episode), I want to share an acronym I’ve made that’s helping me know when to give or not give advice. I’ll warn you ahead of time, though. Usually I decide I shouldn’t give advice after asking the questions! I call the acronym SPIKER. Think of a person standing at the volleyball net, jumping high to shove the ball down the other side of the net and take out the opponent. That’s how advice often feels to the advice-receiver. We think we’re giving a nice gentle lob over the fence to help them have a better life, but they think we’re pounding them with advice. This acronym will help you evaluate what you have to say so see if it’s worth giving. With the holidays coming up, it seemed like the perfect time to share this acronym as many of us will be surrounded by people we want to give advice to! SPIKER Acronym: 6 Questions to Ask Before Giving AdviceAsk these questions before you give advice. If you have adult kids coming home for the holidays, think about what kind of advice you may want to give them while they’re here. (Yes, I know it’s already running through your mind!) Ask yourself these questions before they get home. Or better yet, each morning before they wake up! For Covid/Political Discussion: You can also ask these questions to determine if it’s worth getting involved in a political or Covid discussion – or if it’s worth saying that comeback you’re dying to say when the topic comes up. You’ll just have to tweak the questions a bit since they’re designed with advice giving in mind. For example, with P for Profitable, you could ask, “What are the odds they’ll change their mind if I engage this topic with them?” or “Is this discussion worth the damage it could do to our relationship?”)
If you’d like to hear some examples of this acronym in action, check out the podcast episode. (Scroll down for links to listen to the podcast or click the player at the top of this post.) How to Give Advice: 6 RulesIf you decide to still give advice after going through the questions, follow these six guidelines to help it be a positive experience.
Often we want to stop giving advice, but we believe lies that drive us to do it. Here are a few of these lies and some truth that will help us change our way.
No definitely not. Sometimes it’s worth giving advice. Just think it through first if you’re a person who tends to give too much of it. The Bible gives us all kinds of encouragement to ask advice from wise counselors, and advice can be life-changing! My guess is that if you’re a person who gives too much advice, you’re also a person who loves people and wants the best for them. That’s a good thing! Just be careful how you give it. Let your words edify and build up people. And love them well! Resources We Talked About on the Podcast
The post To Give Advice or Not Give Advice? 6 Rules to Follow appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Plan a Productive Day with Polly Payne | 27 Oct 2021 | 00:30:05 | |
Do you struggle with productivity? Do you find that you often have trouble getting through your to-do list? At the end of each day, do you feel discouraged that you didn’t achieve more? If so, you’ll want to listen to today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, where I interview Polly Payne, the CEO of Horacio Printing and the creator of the Dream Planner. Polly shares many helpful tips so that we can productively focus our energy on what matters most each day and finally conquer that to-do list! Things We Discussed on the Podcast
The post How to Plan a Productive Day with Polly Payne appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Darryl Dash: 8 Habits for Christian Growth | 29 Sep 2021 | 00:26:55 | |
Most all of us have the desire to grow in God, but we often don’t know how to begin. My guest on the Christian Habits Podcast today, Darryl Dash, has written a great new book on this topic called 8 Habits for Growth: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ. Darryl discusses the habits in his book and gives helpful advice for the Christian desiring to go deeper in their faith walk. Things We Discussed on the Episode
DARRYL DASH is pastor of Liberty Grace Church in Toronto. He is
The post Darryl Dash: 8 Habits for Christian Growth appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Stop Being Angry – 12 Tips | 01 Sep 2021 | 00:29:01 | |
Do you ever get irritated with friends who believe differently than you do about politics or Covid? Do you get annoyed with the faults of a spouse or family member? Do you get frustrated with people who drive at a different speed than you drive? If so, today’s post and podcast will help. We’ll be discussing how to stop being angry. Before we do that, though, let’s look at what anger is. What is anger?When I first started helping people let go of anger, I discovered people have different definitions for anger. Many picture anger as the person who is yelling and swearing, but anger is more than that. It also includes resentment, irritation, annoyance, and frustration. Often we stuff feelings of anger because we feel bad about it. But if you stuff those emotions for too long, you may not even know you’re angry. How do you know you’re angry?If you’re used to stuffing or denying your anger, it will be hard to spot it in the beginning. Look for times when you feel out of sorts. Then think back to the last few hours. Did something just happen to upset you? Did you read something on the news? A post on social media? Did someone say something hurtful? Ask yourself, “What emotion am I feeling?” This will help you begin to recognize your emotions. Anger, resentment, irritation, frustration, and bitterness all fall into the category of anger. Judgement and pride are accompanying emotions. What causes anger?Have you ever been in a situation where you were angry and your friend wasn’t? Even though you were both witnessing the same thing happening? We all get angry at different things because of our different life experiences, beliefs, and personalities. If we know why we’re angry, it will be easier to stop being angry. Begin by asking yourself, “Why am I angry?” Here are a few reasons we get angry, irritated, annoyed, or resentful:
Any time I teach on anger in a Bible study, I’ll always have at least one person in the room bring up righteous anger. The idea is that there are good forms of anger and bad forms of anger. The problem is that even if there are good forms of anger, we engage in the bad form 95% of the time. So rather than defend ourselves for the 5%, we’re better off if we work on the 95% of unrighteous anger! It’s true that God is angry in the Bible at times and since we know God never sins, we know it’s possible to be angry and not sin. But Romans 3:10 tells us that “none is righteous, no not one.” So my question is, can an unrighteous person have righteous anger? That question is up for debate and people will answer it in different ways. One of the ways people answer it is to point out how you need righteous anger to right all the wrongs in the world–to help save the innocent from their abusers, for example. My question is, could you help the innocent with a motive of love rather than an emotion of anger? When Jesus died on the cross, I don’t think he was angry. Jesus appears to be angry in the temple when he is overturning tables and it’s possible he was–but if you look at those passages, it doesn’t actually say he was. Although if he was, He would be another example of God–who is 100% righteous–being angry. I think you could make a biblical case for both points of view, so I usually try to avoid this part of the anger topic. But since it’s a topic that always comes up, I thought I should at least mention it. What does the Bible say about anger?If you look up anger in the Bible, you’ll find some examples of God being angry and all kinds of verses telling us not to be angry. The only passage that seems like it’s saying we can be angry is Ephesians 4:26-27: “Be angry and yet do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.” Here’s the interesting thing, though. In the Greek, the verb for “be angry” can either be translated “be angry” or “you are being angry.” The reason for this is that the imperative 2nd person plural form (be angry) is the same as the present active indicative 2nd person plural form (you are continually being angry) in the Greek. (See pages 12 and 111 in Essentials of New Testament Greek by Ray Summers, Broadman Press, 1950.) But even if we use the imperative form, the verse still tells us to let go of our anger before we go to sleep. Why? Because otherwise we’ll give the devil an opportunity. I don’t know how many times I’ve given the devil an opportunity by holding onto my anger for not just a day but weeks and months and even years. When we do that, we hurt ourselves and others. How does anger hurt us and others?Here are just a few of the ways our anger, irritation, annoyance, and resentment hurt ourselves and others:
So how do you stop being angry? Much of the literature on how to stop being angry focuses on how to control our anger. With this approach, we’re still angry. We’re just learning how to control it. I agree that we need to learn to control our anger. We don’t want to have outbursts because they hurt people and scare people. But what if we could let go of the angry feelings altogether? If we could do that, we wouldn’t have to control our anger because it wouldn’t be there to control. This is actually possible, and I’ve experienced it myself. My brother once said, “Barb, you say the things everyone else is thinking but are afraid to say.” This is true. That’s why it was so much more helpful for me to learn how to get rid of the angry thoughts, than just control the anger. Because if it was in my head, I was going to say it. God did teach me how to let go of anger, and although I still get annoyed at times, it’s no longer a big issue in my life. God can do the same for you. Following are 12 tips to help you stop being angry. How to Stop Being Angry – 12 TipsWhen I first started practicing these tips, I thought I was inviting myself to life of misery. A life of everyone else getting what they wanted but not me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The more I learned to let go of my idea of what had to happen for me to be happy, the happier I became. Here are the steps I took–and you can take–to stop being angry.
If you decide to make a project of letting go of anger, try to remember that life isn’t fair, nor is it easy. Letting go of anger is an act of laying down your life to love others well. That’s not easy. When I worked on it, I made a commitment to renew my mind every time I was annoyed with my husband. In two months, I saw a huge change in my attitude. It’s worth going through the effort to let go of this emotion! Jesus came to give us abundant life. That abundant life is only dependent on us walking in the Spirit. It’s not dependent on us controlling all the people in our lives so they don’t hurt us. It’s also not dependent on all the leaders in the world making policies that will keep people safe and allow all of us to live the lives we want to live. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness. All of those things are the opposite of anger. My prayer is that God will continue to help each of us grow in walking with Him so that each year, we see more of His fruit in our lives. More Resources to Help You Stop Being Angry
The post How to Stop Being Angry – 12 Tips appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How To Renew Your Mind | 19 May 2021 | 00:40:29 | |
If someone told you to have a quiet time, you’d know what to do: read your Bible and pray. But what if they told you to renew your mind? Would you know how to renew your mind? Maybe not. The renewing of the mind doesn’t have a clear protocol like a quiet time has. Maybe that’s because it’s so messy. How is the renewing of the mind different than a quiet time?With a quiet time, you know you’ve done it when you’ve “read your Bible and prayed.” With the renewing of the mind, you know you’ve done it when you’re seeing life–and more specifically, your current situation–from a biblical perspective. It might take a simple prayer to get to that point, a long truth journaling session, a Bible passage, a chart, some Scripture meditation, a five minute run-through of some questions, or any number of things. In order for it to be a true renewing of the mind experience, our thinking needs to be transformed. And in order for our thinking to be transformed, our minds need to be actively engaged. Listening to a sermon while we clean the kitchen and talk to the kids isn’t going to cut it. Neither is having a quiet time just so we can check it off our list for the day. What does it mean to renew your mind?So what is the renewing of the mind? How do you do it? (Note: I give many practical examples of how to do it on the podcast version of this blog post. You can also find examples in the links at the bottom of this post.) Paul talks about the renewing of the mind in Romans 12:2 where he says: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Paul goes into more detail in Ephesians 4:22-24: “That, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Paul tells us that the renewing of the mind involves a taking off and a putting on. We do this in several different areas:
So we’re not just reading the Bible–we’re taking everything we’ve learned in the Bible, talking it all over with God, and actively trying to look at life through His eyes. You can’t do that without a working knowledge of the Word. You also need a willingness–and a desire–to change. And you need time with God as He is the One who renews our minds. What does God do through the renewing of the mind?In a sense, the Holy Spirit is acting as our counselor, peeling away the lies so we can see what life is really like and how we should respond to it. When I renew my mind, I usually start out frazzled and unhappy, thinking certain things have to happen in order for me to be happy. I usually end up peaceful and content, willing to live any sort of life for God–not always, but more often than not. God has used this discipline in my own life and the lives of countless others to help them with the following:
If we want to see transformation in some area of our lives, it’s important to take the time to renew our minds. What’s the difference between renewing in general and renewing to break a habit, lose weight, break free from a negative emotion, etc.?Any time you read the Bible, you’ll have the potential for a renewed mind because God changes us through His Word. How we’ll change will depend on what we’re reading about and how engaged our mind is as we’re reading. Our minds can also be renewed when we listen to a sermon or read a Christian book. If our mind is thinking biblically by the end of the experience, it has been renewed. However, when we’re renewing for a specific goal, it’s helpful to do some specific renewing. Following are some suggestions. How do you renew your mind for a specific goal?
If you’re trying to change a habit, you may need to renew several times a day as the truth only changes desires for a few hours in the beginning. Renewing is vital for transformation in the area of our habits, but it’s also helpful for other reasons. Here are a few of them:
I hope that you’ll give renewing a try. It’s a life-changing habit, but it takes some stamina in the beginning to learn how to do it in a way that will be effective. My prayer is that God will bless you through this habit! Blog Posts about Truth Journaling
The post How To Renew Your Mind appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Finding Hope When Life is Hard with Ginny Owens | 21 Apr 2021 | 00:38:56 | |
In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I talk with Ginny Owens, an award-winning singer, songwriter, author and speaker. Ginny candidly shares biblical wisdom for finding hope when life is hard which can also be found in her new book: Singing in the Dark, set to release on May 1st, 2021. Some Things Ginny and I Discussed on the Podcast
Ginny Owens has had an award-winning career that encompasses two decades as a singer/songwriter, recording artist, author and speaker. During that time, Owens has released 10 albums, five EPs and two Christmas projects garnering critical success, chart-topping radio singles, and numerous film and television placements. She continues to inspire others with the truth of the gospel through personal stories, songs and Bible teaching. In 2014, Ginny released her first book, Transcending Mysteries: Who is God And What Does He Want From Us, co-authored with Andrew Greer and published by Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins. Her most recent set of EP’s, entitled Expressions I and Ii (November, 2020; February, 2021) have amassed millions of streams across multiple platforms. Ginny currently resides in New York City and is in her final year of a Master of Biblical Studies at seminary. Connect with Ginny on Twitter at @GinnyOwens, on Instagram at @GinnyOwensOfficial, and online at ginnyowens.com or facebook.com/GinnyOwensMusic. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post Finding Hope When Life is Hard with Ginny Owens appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Meditate on Scripture | 24 Mar 2021 | 00:22:09 | |
Often before a trip, I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with my mind buzzing. I remember all I have to do and have a hard time getting back to sleep. That happened last night, so I got up and had my quiet time. I was having a hard time focusing so I decided to do some Scripture meditation. It wasn’t long before God’s peace washed over me and I felt better about the day. On today’s podcast and blog post, I’d like to talk about how to meditate on Scripture. What is Scripture Meditation?According to Google, the definition of meditate is to think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time. So when we meditate on Scripture, we’re not just reading through it. We’re taking time to really think deeply about it. And the deeper we think, the more it seeps into our bones so God can use it to change us. This morning is a good example. I began my quiet time stressed with all I had to do today. But by the end, I was completely relaxed and feeling peaceful about my day. That wouldn’t have happened with a quick read of a short devotional or a passage of Scripture. I needed to deeply interact with God and the Bible in order for it to change me. And thankfully God gave me the perfect Bible passage this morning in my regular reading to give me the help I needed today. What’s the Difference between Meditating on Scripture and Bible Study?Bible study is all about getting to know and understand God’s Word. That’s a good thing. But Scripture meditation carries it a step further as it’s about soaking in God’s Word and applying it to our lives, allowing it to shape us and change us. BillyGraham.org puts it this way: “When we meditate on the Word of God, we seek to make personal application of the Scriptures to our own lives and circumstances. This results in more than the intake of information; it transforms by leading to the formation of the individual into Christlikeness.” Below this paragraph, you’ll see an example of a Scripture meditation I did on Luke 8:4-15. You can see what I wrote in my journal, but I also spent time thinking about what I was seeing in the Word and talking to God about it. The little box on the left about halfway down the page was where I applied the passage to my own life, which led to some good prayer time with God and insights I could apply to my life. https://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_9375-1-scaled.jpgScripture Meditation on Luke 8:4-15 How Do You Meditate on Scripture?There is no written procedure in the Bible for meditating on Scripture, and I’m guessing you already have your own way of doing it. But I thought I would include a few tips here in case you haven’t tried it before.
When you’re learning a new skill – or interested in seeing how others do things – it can be helpful to look at some concrete examples. We looked at an example of Scripture meditation earlier from my journal. Below you’ll find another example of how I meditated on Psalm 95 this morning. Psalm 95:1-2: 1Come, let’s sing for joy to the Lord, Let’s shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.2 Let’s come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving, let’s shout joyfully to Him in songs with instruments.The first thing I noticed was that David asks us to do four things. So I wrote the word ME on the left hand side of my journal page and circled it. Then I drew four lines going out to the right in sunshine fashion. At the end of each line, I wrote one of the things we’re supposed to do:
I noticed there was a lot of joy going on–something I needed at the moment! I looked at the next verse and realized that it told us why we can be joyful: 3 For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods.The first thing I noticed about this verse is that we can be joyful because the Lord is a great God. NOT because:
So even though my life felt overwhelming at 3:00 am (and not super great), I could still rejoice because the Lord is a great God no matter what is going on in my life!! The next things I noticed about that verse is that He is a great God and a great King above all gods. I spent a little time thinking about what kings were like and didn’t get a lot out of that. Then I noticed it said all gods. I thought to myself, What other gods is David talking about? There’s only one God. Then I realized, Oh, he’s talking about idols. That’s when I realized why I was stressed. I was making other things–getting things done before my trip for example (including writing and taping this podcast)–more important than God wanted to make them. So I spent a little time talking to God about that and repenting and then I went back to the Scripture. 4 In whose hand are the depths of the earth, the peaks of the mountains are also His. 5 The sea is His, for it was He who made it, and His hands formed the dry land.This passage led me into meditating on God’s creation. I thought about the depths of the earth (backpacking with my family to the bottom of the Grand Canyon), the mountains I’ve climbed, and visits to the beach. I thought about how free I feel when I’m in the wilderness and the majesty of God’s creation. It made me realize God created life to be simple–He put Adam and Eve in a garden, not a busy office. That doesn’t mean He wants us to stay in the garden. But it does remind me that overall life is pretty simple. It’s about God. So even though God wants me to get things done today, He also wants me to remember that His yoke is easy. His burden is light. He doesn’t demand perfection. He doesn’t demand a finished to-do list. Nothing drastic will happen if I don’t write this blog post and tape the podcast. This automatically started relieving my stress. I was starting to feel pretty peaceful by this point. I went back to the Scripture and I could fully engage with it as I worshipped God through those ancient words of David: 6 Come, let’s worship and bow down, Let’s kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.At that point I stopped. I could see that the Scripture switched gears, but I felt like I’d already received a wonderful lesson from God. I decided to save the rest of the passage for tomorrow. Before I finished, I went back up to the top and read the passage again. I read it differently this time than I had the first time because I’d taken the time to meditate on it and apply it to my life. The first time I read it I was stressed and distracted. When I read it again, I was peaceful and free and rejoicing with David. We’ll look at another example of how to meditate on Scripture in a minute. First, let’s look at some reasons to meditate. Reasons to Meditate on ScriptureThere are many reasons to meditate on Scripture. We just looked at one of them–it changes our attitude! Here are some other reasons to meditate on Scripture:
I’d like to include one more example before we finish: how to meditate on Scripture to break a habit. For this purpose, I’d look for a relevant Bible verse first rather than just using whatever I’m reading that morning in my quiet time. You can easily find Bible verses for negative emotions, habits, and losing weight in the Renewing of the Mind Project or I Deserve a Donut (and Other Lies That Make You Eat). Let’s try meditating on 1 Corinthians 6:12: All things are permitted for me, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.How would you diagram that verse? Do you see any connections right off the bat? If you want, take a minute to diagram it. You don’t need to diagram a sentence to meditate on Scripture, but it’s helpful if you have a pen and paper at hand. Right away I noticed that one phrase was repeated twice: all things are permitted for me. I think to myself, Really? I don’t think I’m permitted to murder. So right off the the bat I start thinking, oh, Paul must be talking about things God hasn’t told us not to do–so neutral things. I then think about my habit. Let’s say I’m working on trying to control how much time I spend on the Internet. I think, Well that’s pretty neutral as long as I’m looking at okay sites — so I would say it’s permitted for me. Then I look at the passage again and notice there are two other phrases. I would probably take the time to diagram the passage at this time. It would look something like this in my journal. Scripture Diagram for 1 Corinthians 6:12 https://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_9373-rotated.jpgI diagrammed this the day after writing this blog post. My mind went a different direction than what I shared below. But it’s a good example of how different things can come out of Scripture meditation each day. I’d look at that diagram and think, I wonder why Paul just chose two thing to talk about: 1) Not all things benefit and 2) I won’t be mastered by anything? I’d mull this over for a bit and realize it makes perfect sense. Too much time on the Internet is not beneficial to me and it can control me – it’s a hard habit to break. At this point I could go in a number of different directions. I might make a little chart that says “Benefits of Controlling Time on the Internet” and “Benefits of Letting Myself Spend As Much Time As I Want on the Internet.” Or I might just think of how I feel when I spend too much time on the Internet and how it affects my life. Then I might go back to the passage again and read it all over. That’s when I’d remember to look at the other part of the verse: I will not be mastered by anything. I’d ask myself, Does the Internet master me? Can I easily stop? If I can’t, I might visit with God about that. Maybe I’d come up with a set of boundaries for how much time I could spend on the Internet. I might make another commitment to renew my mind whenever I broke my boundaries. Or I might ask, “Why does God want me to control of my habits–and not have them control me?” This could lead to all kinds of helpful insights. In SummarySo basically Scripture meditation is taking the time to really interact with God and the Bible passage in a way that will impact you. I did that this morning with Psalm 95 and I’ve been peaceful all day, doing what I needed to get done (including writing a much longer blog post than I needed to write!) and doing it peacefully and joyfully. With breaking a habit you’ll have to meditate on Scripture or renew your mind throughout the day. But with some things, the truth can last all day. And that’s a wonderful thing! How to Listen to the Podcast:
The post How to Meditate on Scripture appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| Letting Go of Anxiety with God’s Help | 17 Apr 2024 | 00:27:28 | |
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night worrying about something? I know I do! With so much going on in our world and lives, it’s easy to give into to worry and anxiety. On today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we’ll talk about letting go of anxiety by walking through Lesson 15 from my new Philippians Bible Study together. Each lesson in the Philippians Bible study is on a different topic, but since Philippians is all about finding joy in difficult circumstances it’s the perfect book of the Bible to go to for help. On the podcast, we’ll talk about five different options we can take when anxiety hits, and which options are most helpful. If you’d like to download a copy of Lesson 15, click here: Free Downloadable Bible Study Lesson: Lesson 15 Philippians Bible Study by Barb Raveling.In the podcast episode, I mentioned that I would include an image of how I diagramed Philippians 4:8-9. Here’s an image of that diagram: Online Philippians Bible StudyI’d also like to invite you to our online Philippians Bible study, which begins May 15. We’ll be covering the following lessons in that Bible study. Wednesday mornings classes: 9 am PST, 10 am MST, 11 am CST, 12 pm EST
Click here for more info on the study and to sign up for it: Philippians Online Bible Study Resources We Mentioned on the Podcast
The post Letting Go of Anxiety with God’s Help appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 8 Signs You’re People Pleasing and How to Stop People Pleasing | 24 Feb 2021 | 00:30:16 | |
When I was in my forties, I didn’t even consider “no” an option. Instead, I did everything everyone asked me to do without even thinking about it. This led to stress, resentment, and sometimes doing things God didn’t want me to do. Not bad things, but things that weren’t right for that time in my life. In this post and podcast, I want to talk about people pleasing: how to know when you’re doing it and how to stop people pleasing. Note: This is an old post that I have updated and added a podcast to. People Pleasing vs. Self-Pleasing vs. Pleasing GodBefore we look at how to stop people pleasing, let’s look at the difference between people pleasing, self-pleasing, and pleasing God. Most of us lean towards one of two camps: “I’ll do what I want to do!” or “I’ll do what you want me to do.” The second camp seems more loving but it’s not. Listen to what Paul says in Galatians 1:10: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” With people pleasing, we’re putting others above God and it’s hard to be loving when you do that. So no matter what camp we’re in, our goal should be to move out of that camp and land in the I-want-to-please-God camp–not the I’ll-please-myself camp. It can take years to overcome people pleasing. I should know because I’ve been working at it ever since I started writing this blog eight years ago! God has made great strides in this area of my life but I’m not all the way over it. Here’s the truth though: The more we focus on pleasing God, the happier we’ll be–especially when we remember that God gives grace. We’re not pleasing him to get Him to love us or accept us. He already loves us. This is also a good reason to please others–out of love for them rather than to get them to love us. 10 Signs You’re a People PleaserIf you’re a people pleaser, chances are good that you already know it. But it can still be helpful to look at a list of signs to be able to check yourself. When I googled people pleasing, I found this post. Since I can’t improve on it, I’ll share the link so you can check it out yourself: 10 Signs You’re a People-Pleaser. I also thought it would be helpful to include my own list of 8 signs you’re people pleasing in an unhealthy way. I came up with this list during a coaching session. I was having a hard time making decisions (because I want to make everyone happy), and my coach asked me to make a list of signs that I was making decisions in an unhealthy way. Following is the list I came up with. 8 Signs You’re People Pleasing in an Unhealthy Way
The question is, how do we change? How do we stop people pleasing when the behavior is so ingrained in us? The first step is to renew our minds with truth. Four Truths That Will Help Us Stop People PleasingHere are four truths we need to remember on a big picture level. These truths correspond to the reasons we people please up in the first section of this blog post:
After filling our minds with these overall truths, it help to process situations one at a time when we find ourselves people pleasing. Here are some steps for how stop people pleasing based on my book, Rally: A Personal Growth Bible Study, which is a Bible study about going to God for help with trials..
I hope these ideas will help you overcome people pleasing. If you want to start a people pleasing project, just renew your mind every time you catch yourself doing it. How to Listen to the Podcast
The post 8 Signs You’re People Pleasing and How to Stop People Pleasing appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Create a Bible Routine You Can Enjoy | Brittany Ann | 27 Jan 2021 | 00:32:24 | |
Do you ever struggle to read the Bible? Maybe you wake up in the morning, turn off the alarm, roll over, and think to yourself, Just five more minutes. Then you wake up again 30 minutes later and your Bible reading window has disappeared. You would love to create a Bible routine, but you can’t make it happen. Or maybe you’re like I used to be twenty-five years ago. You feel like you should read the Bible, but you’re kind of bored with it. Or maybe you’re so busy you feel like you don’t have the time for it. Whatever the reason for not following through on your goal to create a Bible routine, the good news is that God can help you change. On this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, Brittany Ann from EquippingGodlyWomen.com talks about her book, Fall in Love with God’s Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women, to help us create a Bible routine we can truly enjoy. Brittany Ann is an author, speaker, and owner of the popular website EquippingGodlyWomen.com, where she challenges, encourages, and equips Christian women to be “all in” in faith and family. Her work has been featured on CBN, The Christian Post, Crosswalk, and more. If you’re someone who wants to make reading the Bible a priority, Brittany’s website can help you. Things We Talked About on the Podcast
The post How to Create a Bible Routine You Can Enjoy | Brittany Ann appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 10 Lies that Make Us Give Up on New Year’s Resolutions | 31 Dec 2020 | 00:21:01 | |
How do you feel when you hear the phrase, New Year’s resolutions? Excited? Defeated? Skeptical? In recent years, New Year’s resolutions have gone out of style in favor of goals. The idea is that New Year’s resolutions are vague, so they don’t work—but goals are more defined with action steps, so they work. I disagree with this philosophy. What I’ve found in my own life is that neither one will work unless I go about it the right way. Before we get into that, though, let’s look at the difference between New Year’s resolutions and goals. New Year’s Resolutions vs. GoalsAccording to Google, the definition of resolution is “a firm decision to do or not do something” and the definition of goal is “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” With those definitions in mind, I would say a resolution is about stopping and starting habits, and a goal is more of a check-it-off-your list accomplishment, such as building a garden shed or writing a book. Both of those are good things. The problem isn’t in the word resolution or goal, the problem is how we go about trying to follow through on our resolutions and goals. Two Approaches to New Year’s Resolutions and GoalsIf we only use man-made tools (plans, lists, action steps, etc.), we’ll only be able to do the things we can accomplish in our own strength. For example, I’ve always been great at accomplishing my recreation goals because I’ve always been good at recreation. But I used to be terrible at accomplishing my work goals because I’m not naturally good at work–I can’t do those goals in my own strength. Thankfully, we don’t need to rely on our own strength. If we’re willing to go to God for help and lean on His strength, we’ll be able to succeed even if we aren’t strong in that area. We’ll still use our lists and plans, but we’ll go to Him when we can’t make ourselves follow the plan. At the end of this post, we’ll look at a 5-step process for achieving goals and resolutions using both practical tools and spiritual tools, but before we do that, let’s look at 10 lies that get in the way of our New Year’s resolutions and goals and 10 truths and Bible verses that will help us persevere and gain success with them. 10 Lies That Hurt – 10 Bible Verses That Help1. This will be easy. At the beginning of the year, we’re all fired up. We think, This will be easy! I’ll just make a list of goals and then I’ll change! Unfortunately, change can be a long, slow process with a lot of glitches and failure along the way. We’ll be more likely to succeed if we have realistic expectations of the process. Jesus told us what to expect from life, and this is also true any goals or New Year’s resolutions we take on. These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 2. This is too hard. After we realize it’s not going to be as easy as we thought, we often jump to this conclusion: It’s too hard. This isn’t true! The truth is what we told our little kids when they were growing up: You can do hard things! Especially when we know that God is with us. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need. Hebrews 4:15-16 3. I can’t do it. This is the lie that always come after “It’s too hard” in my journal. I don’t know how many times I’ve written it. Hundreds, I would guess. But here’s the great thing. I’ve written this lie over and over, recorded the truth each time, and then years later, have seen success in the area I thought I would never change. Not because I’m a super disciplined, I-can-do-all-things sort of person, but because of the real-life truth of the following Bible verse. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 4. It should be easier than this. Because we live in an era of entitlement, we often think everything should be easy. Or we might believe the Christian version of this lie: All I have to do is pray and God will give it to me. The truth is that God usually wants us to be involved in our own transformation. It’s a partnership: He asks us to renew our minds and do anything else we need to do on a practical level to succeed with our resolutions or goal, and He does the transforming. All of that—even the renewing—takes time and effort. It rarely falls into the fun and easy category. Instead, we see the truth of this Bible verse over and over. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11 5. I will never get over this. Because we start out thinking it will be easy, we’re always surprised when we fail. This usually happens in the first week or two, and that’s when this thought comes into our heads: This is just like all the other times. I’ll never change. The truth is, it will only be like all the other times if we give up and if we fail to keep renewing our minds. If we instead go to God for help, renew our minds to get His perspective, and keep trying even though it’s painful, we’ll succeed. God will help us. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 6. I’m such a (hopeless case, loser, wreck, failure, miserable excuse of a Christian, etc.). One thing that gets in the way of renewing and also pursuing goals on a practical level is self-condemnation. Satan loves to see us beating ourselves up because he’s the condemner of the saints. It helps to remember that ALL of us struggle with not being able to change the things we want to change. The apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of what to expect when we try to change something we haven’t been able to change before. It’s not pretty. When you’re tempted to beat yourself up, read he wrote in Romans 7:15,18 and then tell yourself, “I’m not a miserable excuse for a Christian. I’m a NORMAL Christian.” For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. Romans 7:15,18 7. Why do I bother? After the 10th year of putting the same New Year’s resolution or goal on our list, we’re ready to give up at the drop of the hat because we don’t really believe we’ll be able to change this time either. We tell ourselves we’ll never change anyway, so why bother? Here’s the truth: We bother because God wants us to bother! He has things He wants us to do and He also wants us to live an abundant life—not a life controlled by our habits. Yes, it’s hard to press on, but it’s always worth it in the end when we slowly begin to see God changing us. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12 8. I just need more discipline. One of the problems we run into when pressing on is to think that we just need more discipline. This is a problem because most of us set resolutions in areas of our lives where we don’t have discipline. So if we need it, we’re out of luck. Thankfully, God is in the business of giving discipline to those who need it. Another word for discipline is self-control and self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It comes through walking with God in hard times—so it doesn’t come all in a flash and it doesn’t come by madly trying to drum it up. Instead, it comes as we go to Him each time we fail and allow Him to fill our minds with truth, perspective, wisdom, hope, and the strength to carry on. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:16, 22-23 9. If I just renew my mind in the morning, that will be enough to make it through the day. Truth changes our desires. So when we renew our minds, we actually want to follow through on our resolutions. Unfortunately, truth doesn’t last all day—at least in the beginning. So we’ll need to renew our minds throughout the day if we want to follow our plans. That, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 10. God won’t love me until I change in this area of my life. Another thing we often do is to think we have to be perfect for God to love us. When we get in that frame of mind, we feel like we need to get perfect first and then ask Him for help. This is backwards. What we really need is go to God first, confess our sin, then work together with God on sanctification. We need His help. And working on goals and resolutions is far more enjoyable and hopeful when we have Him helping us along the way. And here’s the thing, we have a God who knows what we’re going through and wants to help. Why not take Him up on it? But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (Hebrews 4:15-16, which I listed for the second lie, is also a good Bible verse for this one.) My prayer is that God will set us free with His truth in the areas we want to change this year. I hope you’ll consider making some New Year’s resolutions or goals this year and then go to God for help with the transformation process. Let’s take a look at a process to find success with your goals and resolutions. How to Succeed with Your New Year’s Resolutions and Goals
Following are some resources you can use for help with your goals and resolutions. Resources for Going to God for Help with New Year’s Resolutions and Goals
Question: What do you do to get yourself to follow through on your New Year’s resolution or to focus on your word for the year if you’re going that route? What do you say that makes you want to give up? Note: This is an update of a post that was first published 1/20/13 without a podcast episode. The post 10 Lies that Make Us Give Up on New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| How to Stop Being Depressed During the Pandemic (or in Regular Life) | 25 Nov 2020 | 00:21:01 | |
If I were to ask the question, “Have you been depressed at all during the pandemic?” my guess is that every single one of you would answer that question with a yes. I know I have. Many days are great, but there are also those days when I feel like I’m going to go stark raving mad crazy if this doesn’t end soon! That’s why I thought I’d do a blog post and podcast on how to stop being depressed during the pandemic. If you’re reading this after the pandemic, the tips will help for regular life as well! The first thing I want to show you is how I came up with the tips. I find that if I renew my mind first, it’s easier to see how to handle life. The following is an option chart I made to renew my mind about this issue. This isn’t a chart to brainstorm options–it’s a chart to analyze the options we’re currently taking to see how they’re working out for us. The left column shows the options we often take during a crisis. I always put the healthy option choice at the bottom of the chart (the one we don’t often take!). The second column shows how that option affects our peace and joy, the third column shows how it affects our relationship with God, and the last column shows how it affects our lives. An up arrow means that it improves that area (peace and joy, relationship with God, life) and a down arrow means that it makes it worse. After you’re through filling out the chart, take a minute to look it over and ask, “What’s my best option?” I’ll often find that I’m taking those middle options that don’t get me where I want to go in life. The option that requires giving up my “rights”–and also putting out some effort to change life–is pretty much always the best option. I may know that intellectually before I renew, but filling out the chart helps me to see it at the gut level. These are the tips I’ve come up with about how to stop being depressed based on the results of the chart. How to Stop Being Depressed during the Pandemic (or in Regular Life)
That’s about it. I hope some of these things help. Life is hard right now, but it can always be harder so we have lots to be thankful for! If you’re grieving today, take a little time to grieve, but then move on to these other things as life can be better. Also, if you get really depressed, talk to a counselor or a friend. This isn’t a good time to be alone! Resources Mentioned on the Podcast
The post How to Stop Being Depressed During the Pandemic (or in Regular Life) appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||
| 10 Tips to Help You Stop Procrastinating | 05 Nov 2020 | 00:10:46 | |
Coming October 6, 2025: How to Stop Procrastinating Online Course! Click here to find more info: How to Stop Procrastinating. Do you ever find yourself putting off a dreaded task for weeks or even months or years? I have been known to procrastinate a 10-minute job for ten years. Thankfully, God is slowly changing me in this area. Here are ten tips I’ve been using to help me stop procrastinating. Hope they help you as well! 10 Tips to Help You Stop Procrastinating
It feels great to accomplish a dreaded project. If you have one of those projects hanging around the house or the office, see if some of these tips will help. If you’d like more help, check out my new course below. New Course: How to Stop ProcrastinatingClick here to find more info. Resources Mentioned on the Podcast
Discussion: Do you have any other tips for procrastination? Which tips would help you the most? The post 10 Tips to Help You Stop Procrastinating appeared first on Barb Raveling. | |||