Simply Living For Him

Today I am asking you ONE question that may change everything for you. Recently, I started asking this question of everything I do and it has changed me. Do you ask yourself this question? *Note: In this episode I mention a verse (John 17:4), but didn't explain the context of it. I should have given the background first. Here is an excerpt from Bible.org to add to what I said about the verse: "Christ’s aim in His earthly ministry was to glorify the Father by accomplishing the work which He gave Him to do (John 17:4). Now, He prays that the Father would glorify Him with the eternal glory that He shared with the Father before the world was, so that He in turn would glorify the Father (John 17:1, 5). That prayer assumes Jesus’ deity and His full equality with the Father (John 10:30), who does not share His glory with any creature (Isa. 42:8; 48:11). As Jesus boldly claimed (John 5:23), “All will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

As we approach the end of the homeschooling journey for my oldest child, I fondly look back at those early years. Not because I had a clue what I was doing, but because I now am closer to seeing the full journey and how it played out over the years. I wouldn't change a thing, even with all the ups and downs, because God's plan is always perfect. Today I want to encourage you if you are homeschooling little ones...take a deep breath. There is so much to tell you, so you can live this homeschooling life abundantly! And most of it isn't about choosing curriculum! Join me today and listen in as we talk about sanity savers and must-know tips for early years homeschooling. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Today's podcast is a topic I address often but it never seems to be enough. So many women are living a life comparing to others. I, myself, included have done this yet the past few years I have really come to terms that God has created each of us to live a life uniquely designed for His purpose. We all have a different role to play, and when I look to what someone else is doing I am denying the unique role God has set apart for me in His perfect plan. My life isn't supposed to look like anyone else's and that is exciting! We actually are sinning when we begin to look at someone else's home, marriage, kids, or whatever it is and desire it for ourselves. There is a difference between admiring and coveting. My ministry, my family, my home...none of it is supposed to look like anyone else's. As long as I am following God in all I do, then I am content in that. The one thing we all do have as a common purpose is to glorify God in all we do! Yet, how we do that in each of our lives may look different. Stop lookin

Prayer is not a subject that I can just to tackle in thirty minutes on this podcast episode, but here are some thoughts about the power in our prayers and perhaps starting a women's prayer group of your own. There is so much more to be said about the discipline of prayer, but this is a start! The power in our prayers comes from God and it is not something to be taken lightly. Join me today and then share with me your thoughts! www.simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

When you hear the word simple do you think minimalism? Living simply doesn't mean you have to live in a tiny house, a farmhouse, or even the country. You can live simply right where you are. It is more about the state of your heart than the state of your home. Because I believe when your heart is turned toward Jesus, you will naturally desire less of the things of this world. So what does it really mean then to live simply? Listen today and find out what I mean when I am simply living for Him! www.simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

My life verse is Matthew 6:33. We are to seek after the things of God before anything else. Our culture however has traded the Truth of God for a lie, and everyday we are surrounded by those lies. I struggle myself at times with taking my eyes off of where they need to be, when I fix them on worry, doubt, anxiety or whatever it is that lures me away. Join me today as we talk about how to truly live a Matthew 6:33 life in a Romans 1 world. Be encouraged today to live for Truth! ~ Register for Simply Living for Him Retreats www.simplylivingforhim.com/retreats --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Today I am talking about our favorite curriculum over the 12 years we have homeschooled, plus my favorite helps! I'm talking about preschool, elementary, middle, and high school- right now I have one in every group (but preschool!) And I am talking about all subjects! So listen in and then tell me...what are your favorites? www.simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

All of human history has always had 24 hours in each day, and for many of those centuries most time was spent merely surviving. Yet, our culture is constantly saying we don't have enough time! God knew what He was doing when He created 24 hours in each day, so how can we use the time He created for us well? Today I am encouraging you to manage your time well by looking at time through the lens of God. I'm sharing some Bible verses about time and hoping that if you view time through the lens of God, it may help how you to use it more wisely. Before you can manage your time well, you need to understand it and the One who created it. www.simplylivingforhim.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

This is the time of year when I typically lose my motivation and want to throw in the towel. It's dark, cold, and June may as well be a million years away. But over the years, I have learned many lessons about my attitude and how I can turn around the winter doldrums and continue to thrive in our homeschool. Join me today as I encourage you that Spring is coming! But don't waste the time now... Have you tried the Phonics Museum app? I was given a trial and loved it! Check out this link and grab YOUR FREE PRODUCTS and YOUR FREE TWO-WEEK TRIAL! –>www.phonicsmuseum.com/simply --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

This is not a “financial advice episode” but an encouragement episode. We are not going to tell you how to make money or start a business, but get to the heart of the matter. Today I have my very favorite guest with me–my hubby, Steve! We have been a one-income family since early on in our marriage and I wanted to share our story to encourage others that it is possible to survive and THRIVE as a one-income family. We were married right out of college, had a baby that first year, lost three jobs, had four kids, and homeschooled- all while remaining a one-income family. God has truly provided for our needs when we sought Him first. We are not saying our way is the right way to do things (only God can tell you what is right for your family) but we are sharing how we have managed to listen to God above society’s standards for the past 17 years. God has given Steve a thriving business as our sole provider and has even provided opportunities for me to contribute along the way. A simple lifestyle with our eyes on

Today I am sitting down to share some resolutions for your homeschool. They aren't anything earth-shattering or Internet-breaking, but these simple changes can revolutionize your homeschool and your life. I am talking about social media, spending time with the Lord, comparison(within your family and with other moms), involving your children in homeschool plans, and consistency, just to name a few.  And even if you aren't a homeschooler, I believe these principles still apply to anyone looking to make permanent changes that last...and not just New Year's resolutions. Also, listen in and grab your FREE TWO-WEEK Trial from Phonics Museum--PLUS SOME FREEBIES! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Today I am sitting down in the midst of a snow storm, to chat about practical tips for living a simple life in the new year. I am not trying to sell you the newest organization method or tell you to make resolutions, but I am sharing realistic ways to make simple changes for a simple life, and ultimately focus on Jesus above all else! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Christmas may be over according to the calendar, but is it really? Let's talk about how we can live like it's Christmas all year long, and not just for a few weeks of the year. We are continually anticipating our Savior's return! Let's live like it. Posts mentioned in this podcast: --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Today I am sharing with you the best gift I ever received. Believe it or not, it isn't the Barbie Dream House or the Walkman I received as I child! Or the even the time we received $3,000 anonymously in the mail when Steve was out of work (but that sure was a Christmas miracle!) Nope. Today I am sharing the gift that I want to share with every single person out there... Listen in and join me as I walk down memory lane and share the best gift I have ever received. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

SO much fun! Steve and I are sitting down today to answer questions submitted by YOU! Come and listen to see if we answered your question! We are addressing transitioning to self-employment, hobby farming, ministry, family, marriage and more! Be sure to listen to the end for the most wise marriage advice I have been given ;) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

Anyone who knows me knows that I do not like to be too busy. I enjoy the simple and slow living, but even for me, it is easy to get caught up in rushing through each day and before we know it a day leads to a year and a year leads to years. And we ask, "Where did the time go?" Our life purpose is to glorify God and that means doing so in each moment. Satan wants nothing more than for us to be distracted by the busy so we can't hear Jesus's voice. In a world that is obsessed with hustle, I am encouraging you to listen to His voice and do not conform to the world (Romans 12:2). Live in His timing, not the world's. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

It's the most wonderful time of year! Or is it? Are you starting to feel overwhelmed at the thought of homeschooling and trying to finish your Christmas to-do list? Well, today I am talking about eliminating the stress of the season by incorporating Christmas into your homeschool. This is the time of year we should be anticipating our Savior, not swamped in stuff. Some ideas talked about in this episode: Unit studies- Special studies for Christmas ( Colonial Christmas unit study, studying Jesus' birth, etc.) Letting kids address Christmas card envelopes or write notes Practicing random acts of kindness Delegating by incorporating your children into all the "to-do's:- baking, wrapping, etc. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

For this episode we did something different! Right there in the midst of Black Friday, I recorded this podcast LIVE on Facebook. It was an opportunity to point to Jesus right there in the midst of chaos and clutter. Listen in as I talk about how we can keep our focus in the right place this holiday season. Let's not let the enemy distract us or steal the very joy that Jesus came to bring. There is nothing godly about going into debt, fostering greed, or becoming overstressed over details. I am talking about keeping things simple but also reveling in the fact that there really is nothing simple about Christmas- it is extraordinary and immense-that God would send His Son to save us from our sins and from death. Let's show the world Jesus at Christmas. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/support

With Thanksgiving and the Christmas season upon us, we can get very stressed out about making our home perfect for entertaining. But today I am talking about focusing on hospitality and how you make people feel in your home. The difference between hospitality and entertaining is that one says, "Look what I can do." The other says, "What can I do for you?" I have evolved greatly in this area over the years from seeking the perfect home for my guests, to wanting them to simply feel God's love in my home above all else. There was a time when I wouldn't dare want someone to stop over unexpectedly because things weren't perfect, to now opening my home any time any day. I would rather people leave my home saying, "Karen loves Jesus," rather than, "Karen has a perfect home." Every time you open your door, you are ministering. Remember that as you prepare to open your home this holiday season. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/simplylivingforhim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/simp

This episode is for homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers. Today I am chatting about the things I really want you to know about homeschooling. For the past twelve school years, homeschooling has really evolved in my life from something I ran from to something I couldn't imagine not doing. I am an advocate for homeschooling and am passionate about encouraging others to see it in a light that isn't quite as complicated as it seems. Join me today to hear all the ins and outs, the good, bad and ugly, and why we continue on this journey that often has taught us about so much more than academics. Episode Highlights •It won't save your children •I believe it is best for MY family. What about yours? •It isn't picture perfect and it is not supposed to be.  We are discipling our children not staging a photo •Academics is merely a portion of the big picture •You don't have to have a teaching degree •Your children will not be socialized normally and thats a GOOD thing - •The hard days are necessary •You aren't eq