SPF 052: The Body Image Struggle

What do we do when we feel the body blues? Many women struggle with body image - how we perceive the way we look. It can be crippling as we move through our days, affecting our attitudes, our joy, even our intimacy with our husbands. Today we are looking at one of the root causes of the body image struggle and four truths to help us with this spiritual issue.

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Life Hack - Meal Planning

If you've ever struggled with meal planning, here is a really easy solution! Think of all your favorite recipes and write them on an index card - one recipe per card. You can include the ingredients, recipe, or where to find this information (ie Pinterest, Cookbook). Then give it a shuffle and pull out the first 7 cards and write them down in your calendar. You just meal planned your week!

Add new recipes by creating new cards. Skip a meal card if it's out of season or you're not feeling it. Use the cards to write down the ingredients you need. #brilliant

My friend Lindsay gave me this idea - you can check out her vlog on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdx3wfaQNaDf2C6Gpg9aORw

The Body Image Struggle

The body image struggle is a spiritual issue:

  •  body and soul are not separate - the only time we will be separate from our body is at our death.
  • we were made in God’s image and bear his glory as Creator
  • our bodies are created to work for a purpose for God’s glory - we are created for physical thing

A main reason we struggle with body image is living in a culture of comparison. We need to stop looking at others and look to the Truth of God's Word.

Four Helpful Truths

  1. Remember that God is the Creator Isaiah 29:16
  2. Outward beauty is fading, but inward beauty can grow Proverbs 31:30
  3. God made our bodies to work and that means wear and tear Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
  4. We are need to be grateful for the gift our our bodies Psalm 28:7

Resources

Truth in Love Podcast - Association of Certified Biblical Counselors - Episode 113 Body Image and Your Spouse

The Gospel Coalition - As You Start that Diet: Three Truths About Body Image

SPF 051: When God is Silent

Have you ever had seasons in your life where you poured out your heart to God only to get crickets? It churns up a lot of emotions in our hearts. Today we are talking about what do we do when God is silent? How does it help our faith? We will look at two people who experienced God’s silence and give you a practical faith building tip in the silence. PLUS this episode is super special because there is a free musical resource especially for SPF listeners!  Connect with me on Instagram @sheprovesfaithful

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Help me grow the She Proves Faithful podcast and continue encouraging women around the world with Gospel-centered content!

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Free Music Bundle Download from Lantern Music

Andy Johnston creator and musician of Lantern Music has a free exclusive download bundle for She Proves Faithful listeners.

 https://lanternmusic.bandcamp.com/album/she-proves-faithful-bundle

Click on "Digital Album" and put $0 in price to download the album free compliments of Andy Johnson. If you love these songs and they bless you, I encourage you to purchase more of his music!

When God is Silent

How do we pray and have faith when we don’t know if God will answer?

It has to start with rooting our faith in the TRUTH OF God’s Character.. We have to develop a right theology of who God is through the Word of God in order to have right thinking about the times when He is silent to us.

We must know and trust the character of God in the silence. Because if we love God for what He gives us (including answers to all our requests and questions) then we will hate God for what He takes away.

How to Build our Faith in the Silence

So how do we trust in His character? How do we come to know it?

- Read the Bible (SPF reading plan)

- make notes of character traits of God and how the play out in life (Creator = pot/clay)

- memorize and teach them

Two Examples

The Canaanite Woman Matthew 15:21-27

Jesus Crucified Matthew 27:45-56, Isaiah 53

Favorite Resources

Phylicia Masonheimer:  http://phyliciadelta.com

Dr. Joel Beeke's sermon on How Christ Matures Mothers:  http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?m=t&s=62151628229

Become a teammate of the She Proves Faithful Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/sheprovesfaithful

Lantern Music Download:  https://lanternmusic.bandcamp.com/album/she-proves-faithful-bundle

Bebo Norman Beautiful Scandalous Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6iCRyvcZrc

SPF 050: Lauren's Top Ten

It's episode 50 and to celebrate I'm sharing my top ten things - some life hacks, some resources, some ideas, and some Truth. Today's show is jam packed with lots of fun!

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Lauren's Top Ten

*Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning if you click on them I receive a small kick back for my recommendation, at no charge to you! Plus, these are my TOP TEN so I of course, highly recommend (and own) all that I mention here!

No. TEN

OCHO organic candy bars. They are practically vegetables ;) I buy mine at Costco for around $10 for 50 mini candy bars.

No. NINE

Pants with elastic waist lines - I'm laughing out loud typing this out - I found some great ones at the Loft and Target (maternity!).

No. EIGHT

Church History 101 - a short, very informative read about church history from the 1st century to the 20th century!

Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries
By Sinclair B. Ferguson, Joel R. Beeke, Michael A. G. Haykin

No. SEVEN

The Happy Planner - I love how it's customizable and pretty and functional! You can get it at Hobby Lobby with at 40% of coupon if it's full price! Or get free shipping on Amazon!

No. SIX

Sermonaudio.com is an incredible library of sermons. It's like a cup of morning coffee for your brain. I love that you can do a search within a search!

No. FIVE

The MuTu System - a workout system to help get a core and pelvic floor that work. This is a great program for women who have given birth two months ago or 6 years ago. I have loved the program and when I'm consistent with the workouts I feel stronger and I actually learned how to tone and strengthen the mysterious pelvic floor!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 12 WEEK PROGRAM HERE

No. FOUR

The Six Second Kiss - trying giving your hubs a little six second smooch before he leaves or your leave. The physical affection show love and respect.

No. THREE

Life Hack! Make your own foaming hand soap! Get a foaming soap pump (amazon or grocery store) and Dr. Bronner's castille liquid soap. You need about 7 parts water and three parts soap. Adjust soap and water levels to your desired soapiness.

No. TWO

There are some fun SPF products in the works including a Bible Study on biblical faithfulness in the grit of motherhood. You can check out SPF mini bible studies and the Anchored Bible study in the SPF store.

Discipleship Plans: Foundations
Discipleship Plans: Foundations
$7.00

No. ONE

Patient faith: James 1 and James 5

Resources used: Matthew Henry commentary - free on the biblegateway.com app!

 

SPF 049: The Social Media Battle with Guest Laura Ferguson

It’s no secret I love the Instagram. I love the pictures, I love the stories, I love the likes. Smart phones and social medial platforms have been inserted into our daily routines. They make life better in so many ways, but there are some heart level issues when it comes to our social media usage. Today I talk with guest, Laura Ferguson about some red flags to look out for on social media and six boundaries for ambassadors of Christ. 

Some of my Favorite Take-Aways

  • Often we want to know that we are chosen in others areas, by other people, when being chosen by God is what will really satisfy.
  • Social media can lead to a distracted mind rather than a sound mind.
  • Before we are filled with other people's words (on social media), let's be filled with God's Words and be like the mighty and strong tree in Psalm 1

Six Boundaries for Ambassadors of Christ

Laura came up with six boundaries that we can implement to help our hearts severe ties with a need for social media. Social media isn't inherently good or bad, it's a tool, but can sometimes become an idol. When you notice your heart strings singing for Instagram or to be noticed and liked by others to validate you, take a look at some of these boundaries:

  1. Set limits on the times of day you use social media
  2. Utilize the privacy feature to shut down notifications at certain times of the day
  3. Protect your purity when it comes to who you follow
  4. Honor your husband with your social media usage
  5. Never choose your phone over your kids
  6. Get time with the Lord before you get time with social media

Recommended Resources

Amazon links are affiliate link which means SPF gets a small commission if you click or purchase from these links at NO additional cost to you! Thank you!

12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You - Reinke

I have not personally read this book, but statistics from the Podcast are referenced from Tony Reinke's research and the forward is written by John Piper. You can see an info graphic from this book HERE

 

 

 
 

About Laura

Laura lives in Minnesota with her hunky Canadian husband and two children, Malachi and Hazel. She loves talking about the Lord, singing about the Lord, and contemplating the every day happenings of her life with the Lord. She loves coffee and is an extroverted introvert and loves instilling God's truth into the lives of women. You can learn more about her HERE.

Read more about her social media fast on her blog: Life with the Fergusons

SPF 048: Dealing with Sin in Our Children - Part 2

God graciously gives parents biblical means to accomplish biblical goals - and that includes dealing with sin in our children. Today we are covering a few biblical methods that truly get to the heart of of the matter. This is part two in a two part series. 

Small Wins with Toddlers - Teaching Language Building Blocks

Check out this simple online class taught by a Speech Language Pathologist and sweet friend. You will learn some basic building blocks to language and it helps parents overcome some communication hurdles with their kiddos. I've really enjoyed the class.

Click here for more information:  Small Wins with Toddlers

This is an affiliate link meaning I receive a small commission from any sale. But I have been through the class and recommend it to my listeners!

Dealing With Sin in our Children - The Means (i.e. Methods)

We need biblical approaches to accomplish biblical goals.

What’s our biblical goal? That our children might know the living God, repent of their sins and walk in obedience to His ways.

Psalm 78:5-7 "He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments"

MEANS NO. 1

The first means God gives us to deal with sin in our children is by giving us Authority as parents

- honor your father and your mother

- Exodus 20:12, Deut 5:16, Ephesians 6:1-3

Parents maintain their authority over their children by

- first fearing God - showing that there is a higher Authority than themselves.

- repenting and being humble when we sin

- We need to not be lazy or complacent and diligently lead our children in instruction of God’s Word, but also in correcting them and disciplining them when the sin. 

MEANS NO. 2

Another means God gives us in dealing with sin in our children is correction and discipline.

Proverbs 13:1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

- when we teach them the law of God and they disobey the law of God our discipline of their choices show them there is a big Authority - the ultimate Authority to whom we are accountable to - in our discipline of their sin we teach them that there are consequences to sin.

- Proverbs 29:15, 17 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

MEANS NO. 3

“As parents we need to be giving our children a worldview, an understand of themselves as creatures that’s large enough to support the things we say to them during our times of correction and discipline.”  Tedd Tripp Instructing a Child's Heart

-Scripture is our personal history.

-Teach Children to develop Godly habits that reflect the truth.

- Apply Scripture to everyday life.

- Model spiritual vitality for our children.

- Grow in to a mature relationship with our children.

We have a big task but it is God that works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose.

Recommended Resources

I am so excited to share with you these resources. Amazon links are affiliate links and provide a small kick back to me at no cost to you if you click on the link or purchase through the link.

Truth in Love Podcast Episode: When You Can't Spank Your Kids

Dealing with Sin in Our Children
By Arthur Hildersham
Instructing a Child's Heart
By Tedd Tripp, Margy Tripp
Family Worship Bible Guide
By Joel R Beeke Ph.D.

SPF 047: Dealing With Sin in our Children

It’s not secret our children sin. But how do we respond to their sinful nature as their mothers? How do we not grow wearing in their instruction? Today is all about three motivations behind why we should desire to help our children in the area of sin. And it’s not so we can finish a whole cup of coffee without a single reheat.

This is Part 1 in a two part series.

Life Hack

For camping, for picnics, for lunches, get rid of those blue-filled-goo-filled frozen things. Buy some water bottles, freeze them, and use them as the ice packs for your coolers. That way you can drink the water as they defrost. Double use!

The SHORT Book

Arthur Hildersham gave three sermons about dealing with sin in our children and it's all in a little book. It's filled with wisdom and biblical Truth to help us diligently instruct and teach our children and deal with their sin - the very thing that separates them from God!

Our Motivation to Deal with Sin in our Children

1. In regard for our children - We are motivated to deal with their sin out of compassion for their eternal soul and for their joy in the Lord. For their is no one on earth who a child is more connected with, than his or her parents.

2. In regard for ourselves - Our souls should be greatly distressed at the condition of our children’s souls. So it is a comfort and a peace that we share and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ask Him to open their eyes- to see their nature healed of and saving grace covering their souls.

3. Out of duty to God - We have an authority, one whom we are accountable to. He’s given us quite the trust - precious children. But not only has He given us a trust but a charge concerning our children:   that they are born to us from God and for God therefore God has charged us educate them and bring them up for His glory.

Mamas need to be Good Forgivers

We have to remember Ephesians 4:32 as much as they do “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

We need to be good forgivers and we need to be faithful diligent mothers to keep believing God’s good Truth of this ministry of dealing with sin in our kids.

Additional Resources

Dr. Joel Beeke has 62 sermons on sermon audio on children - it has something for everyone! Look at these topics:

  • Teaching Your Children How To Read the Bible
  • Training Our Children in Godly Living
  • How to Train Children to Respect their Mother and Father
  • Building Convictions in Your Children
  • Preparing Our Children to Leave Home

Listen for free here:  Sermon Audio - Joel Beeke

Instructing a Child's Heart
By Tedd, Margy Tripp

SPF 046: The Myth of Neutrality - Is there "middle" ground?

Neutrality is a myth. But the world wants you to believe the lie that there is middle ground, a safe zone, a compromise. Tomato Tomato - But that’s all a lie and today we are going to unravel this myth and talk about three essential things in developing a biblical worldview.  

 

HOSPITALITEA is in the HOUSE

She Proves Faithful is excited to offer two organic loose leaf tea blends! These are perfect to brew up for friends that come for a visit, or to give as gifts, or to enjoy as you read the Word of God.

As a thank you for listening to the SPF Podcast, I'm offering 10% off with the code SPFPODCAST at check out.

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Stay Well Tea Blend - sheprovesfaithful.com/shop/staywell

Neutrality is a Myth

There is no one neutral. We know this because Jesus says in Matthew 12:30, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

James 4:4 says, "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

There is a for God and against God.

There is fearing the Lord and not fearing the Lord.

Everyone has a worldview

Everyone has a worldview - it’s the lens through which we interpret and understand the world and our lives; it’s the reason behind what we do; it’s our belief system that is they why behind our what.

Our worldview is either biblical or worldly.

The Worldly Worldview rooted in Secular humanism:

secular humanism is by definition "an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems." (merrium webster dictionary)

Secular Humanism seen in the Bible - Romans 1:18-32

We need to heed Colossians 2:6-8:

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. We are either rooted in Christ or rooted in empty deceit and human tradition."

Three Essential Truths to Develop a Biblical Worldview

It starts with knowing God.

  1. God is Creator - Genesis 1,2, Isaiah 40, Romans 1
  2. God is Most High - Romans 11
  3. God is the Divine Providence - Eccl 3:14

Write those three beliefs out - teach them to yourself - and to your children. Find verses that correspond with them. They are foundational to our worldview. From those truths found in scripture will begin to flow the reason for the life we live and have implications on ETERNITY.

Voddie Baucham said in regards to worldview:

"Scripture overrides and over arches everything unless we are actively intent on conforming our worldview to Scripture, what happens is we allow scripture to be conformed by our worldview. and we re-read things and try to make them fit instead of asking ourselves “why am I committed to this position in the first place? what is it that’s making me committed to this position in the first place?”

Recommended Resources

 

Total Truth - Nancy Pearcy

An incredible tool in understanding and developing the Biblical Worldview.

 

Voddie Bauchum Sermons on Worldview:

Sermon Audio Biblical Worldview

Sermon Audio The God Who Created Everything

The Gospel Centered Life - Thune / Walker

This is my favorite study to help develop our foundational beliefs about sin, repentance, Jesus and purpose. I love it.

 

 

 

SPF 045: The Necessity of Biblical Faithfulness in the Grit of Everyday

There is a necessary faithfulness to motherhood, to marriage, to our places of ministry, that will endure the grit of every day. It shows our allegiance, our steadfastness to the Glory of God. Today we are talking about some hallmarks of faithfulness and how they impact our daily roles and responsibilities.

Life Hack - S'mores 2.0

There is no dessert more summery than a campfire s'more. But the hard brick of hershey's chocolate - no bueno.

Try this little summer trick - replace the cold hard chocolate witha spreadable chocolate like Nutella or Trader Joe's Cookie and Cocoa Spread. Amazing.

Favorites

Here are my two favorites right now - these are probably a little cheaper in store, but if you can't get them in your area, try through Amazon and if you have Prime, it's free two day shipping ;)

Three Hallmarks of Biblical Faithfulness

 "There is a necessary faithfulness to motherhood, to marriage, to our places of ministry, that will endure the grit of every day. It shows our allegiance, our steadfastness to the Glory of God.” - Lauren Hlushak

There are the highs and lows of life, but inbetween there is there every day grit. Where you just have to get ‘er done. Where there are little joys and little set backs, where there has to be dinner, encouragements, little lessons of hope and truth, and a whole lot of grace and repentance.

The grit can wear us out. It’s like sand in the shoe - it can be really irritating after awhile unless we understand that that faithfulness is an unrelenting drive to glorify God. 

1. Believe what the Bible says about God - His existence, His character, His work.

2. Endurance in the Truth rather than the fleetingness of feelings.

3. Live by faith and not by sight.

Our Hope in Faithfulness

  • God is faithful 2 Timothy 2:13 “if we are faithless, he is faithful for he cannot deny himself.”
  • Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit so we can grow in it! Galatians 5:22

Favorite Resources

Try Amazon Prime (free 2 day shipping on millions of products) for only $3 for 30 days!

SPF 044: Four Graces that Comfort in Times of Grief

I little life update, and a marker of grace. I’m sharing with all my SPF friends and listeners four gifts of grace during a time of grief in miscarriage.

Four Graces of Comfort

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:16

Grace No. 1: The Living and Active Word of God

God's Word points to His plan and purpose of His Glory and what He has done for us!

Read: Psalm 103

Grace No. 2: Perspective and Thanksgiving

God gives us perspective in times of grief.

Read: Colossians 3:15-17

Grace No. 3: Community

God uses the Body of Christ to provide comfort.

Read: 2 Corinthians 1

Grace No. 4: Sovereign Joy in Sovereign Pain

God uses sovereign pain in our lives to advance the Gospel and that is a joyful thing.

Read: Philippians 1

“If you love God for what He gives you, you’ll hate God for what He takes away”
— Benham Brothers

SPF 043: Turning to the Lord - Three Lessons from Ezra

God is a Sovereign God who has graciously given us clear and good instructions for our living. The book of Ezra demonstrates these two Truths so well, I just had to share some history and some encouragement to hide in our hearts. The days are long but the years are short. Let us not drift away.

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Three Lessons From Ezra

1. God makes things happen according to His Will

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. Proverbs 21:1

2. The enemies of God are enemies of God and will be our enemies too

Romans 5:10 - we are enemies of God before Christ

1 Corinthians 15 - God is putting all enemies under the feet of Christ

John 15:18-25 - If you are of the world, the world will love you

1 Peter 2:18 - endure when we suffer for God

1 corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

3. God’s Word shows us our sin and sin must be called sin for forgiveness to be known

Ezra 10:10 "break faith" is what sin is - not believing who God is and entrusting ourselves to the world instead.

We need to come before God with humble hearts.

What’s the worldly call in your life? What’s calling out to you?

Join She Proves Faithful in the Word FREE: sheprovesfaithful.com/bible

Books for your Consideration

The Gospel Centered Life

This is my favorite Bible Study to do with new and mature believers. IT IS SO GOOD. Seriously. I'm doing it for a third time. Try it! (*affiliate link)

Heralds of the Reformation

If you liked the book Radiant - you'll love this book! Rich church history of the saints who persevered in the midst of persecution to see the Word of God and the grace of God reach people. (*affiliate link)

 

 

 

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