Transformed Family

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

AFMWG Family Transformed

Family Transformed – Episode 217

Are you ready for a transformation within your own family? How about a challenge for a transformed family? This is a follow-up to the last episode of Heart Transformed 

Thanks to our sponsor, CTC Math a wonderful math curriculum for kids K-12

Why is it we can see the faults in other people so much easier than we can see the faults in ourselves? Did you know when we focus on ourselves first (the opposite of what we have been taught), and get our own spiritual house in order, the rest of the family will see the change and want to be a part of what you have? If you didn’t catch the last episode, Heart Transformed  be sure to check it out.

St. Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:1-4 [ Read on air]

When our family is at peace, when we are serving the Lord as a group, we will all get along so much better. I taught my children that God put us together as a family on purpose. There are no mistakes in Lord’s plan for family life. Each person was selected to be together because of what they could learn from each other. It is a beautiful thing when it works the way God designed. If we focus on the things above we are so much happier.

The best teacher is the example we set If we want our family to read the Bible, we need to read the Bible. If we want our family to pray, we need to lead in prayer. Years ago I wanted my husband to be the spiritual leader of our home, and he is in so many ways, but not in the way I wanted him to be. I wanted him to lead the Bible studies and the prayer sessions we had as a family and while he contributed to these, he is not a leader. So we became co-leaders, I would initiate the studies and he and I would contribute to the discussion. We can become upset or bitter because things do not go our way rather than take on the leadership ourselves if that is what God leads us to do. Don’t box yourself in with your own ideas, but rather what works best for your family. Never, never compare your family to other families. That will surely set you up for failure. Many people put up a good front when everything is falling apart. So don’t judge by exteriors.

Here are some simple things to do, for yourself if you do not have a young family and with a family, if you do:

  1. Start each day by giving thanks. By doing this we are giving God all the glory (Colossians 4:4 – When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.”) That is enough for us to rejoice daily.
  2. Family prayer. Begin each meal with thanks to God. Keep it brief. Have a nighttime routine that includes prayer.
  3. Encourage each member of the family to have their own time to pray.
  4. Participate in helping. Whether it is each other or contributing to the family needs. Meals, cleaning up, helping when needed.
  5. Participate in ministry outside of the home. Volunteering, visiting the elderly (neighbor), etc.

Talk to your family members and add to this list. As the children grew and left home we had a big gap in our lives, and my husband and I found we were no longer praying together because our nightly routine was changed. Even when our children were younger, the two of us would pray each evening together. This habit changed as our lives became busier. For anyone who has children, you always think you will have so much time when the kids grow older, but soon find that our lives just change and often become even busier. We must make the time to pray together.

If you are alone in your home and have a good prayer life, that is wonderful, now invite a friend. I pray with my friends often. Sometimes it is in church, sometimes it is a friend in need. I am part of several email prayer groups that send out prayer requests. I set up a Facebook group – A Few Minutes with God years ago for prayer requests. It was used to help people who needed prayers and also to post their praise reports.

And that is really the crux of the transformed family, and that is you will have so many praise reports! A praise report is where we thank God for the blessings in our lives. My son was hit by a falling object that was large and metal off of a single-story roof. The injury could have been so bad, but it turned out that while it bled profusely, the damage was minimal and mostly a scrape. That was a miracle. No swelling, no concussion, no brain damage, or worse! So thank you Lord for your blessings. If you think about it each day you can come up with so many things to thank the Lord for and to praise His Name. But, it takes time to stop and think.

What do you do when you enter a church? Is it a time to be social, or is it a time to listen and pray? Can we pray and be social? Of course! But I feel that often church is used as a social outlet rather than a time of worship. Going to church for me is a time to get on my knees, for as long as I am able, and begin by thanking and praising God, asking His forgiveness for the ways I have offended Him, and petitioning Him in prayer. However, you serve to worship it is an individual choice.

This week I challenge you to work within your own family no matter how big or how small and make positive changes. Small to begin with and grow as your family grows and adapts to a time of prayer, worship, and growing closer to the Lord. I pray this is a blessing to you and your family.

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

All Things New: Breaking the Cycle & Raising a Joyful Family

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

A new Book by Erin McCole Cupp

It is always a pleasure to talk to people I have gotten to know from their writing and social media. I’ve read Erin’s blog and known her work for some time. I was excited to learn about her new book, All Things New: Breaking the Cycle & Raising a Joyful Family published by Our Sunday Visitor.

What is the book about?

Through the framework of the Greatest Commandments and the Beatitudes, Erin tells us how we can have a joyful life, even when our own childhood was less than ideal. She draws on her own and other people’s experiences to show how it’s possible.

Erin wants readers to know that they have the freedom to choose a different path and that it’s possible to break the cycle of abuse and dysfunction.

Keep up with Erin

If you don’t have TikTok, follow her on Instagram for sure!

What’s your passion?

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

What kind of passion am I talking about?

I’m talking about the kind of passion that propels your life in a positive direction, and ideally, of course, toward God and for his glory.

5 things I’m passionate about

  • My faith:
    • specifically Scripture,
    • Sacraments and
    • most especially the Eucharist
  • My family
  • People – getting to know them, serving them, teaching them, being with them

What’s your passion?

What propels you forward? What are the things in your life that drive you and that without, you would be bereft? Do these draw you to or away from God? Others? Yourself?

Find or rediscover your passion. It’s in you, let it out. If we live out the passion God poured into us, we will give him glory.

And if scripture is your passion or you’d like to discover if it could be your passion, join me to learn about the Gospel of Mark. You can join the group at any time. It is a no pressure group of supportive people who love God’s word.

Going Back to Work After Baby

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Going Back to Work After BabyEpisode 23–Going Back to Work After Baby

Special guest, Ambrielle Smith, offers practical advice for mothers going back to work after a baby.

As an educator and mother of two babies, she knows the struggle of juggling work and family.

She shares some things that a mom of a new baby might want to stock up on before returning to work. 

She also gives clothing suggestions to postpartum moms for dressing comfortably, but fashionably.

After returning from maternity leave, Ambriell shared that it’s easy to return to work thinking you can do all of the things you used to do before the baby was born. But with the responsibilities of a new baby, she emphasizes the importance of setting additional boundaries.

Finally, we end our discussion talking about the challenges of breastfeeding as a working mom. She gives advice on things to do to make that process a little easier.

Helpful Resources:

Onyx Pearl Designs

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More About Ambriell SmithGoing Back to Work After Baby

Ambriell Smith is an educator who works with the Houston ISD.  In addition to being an educator, Ambriell is a budding entreprenuer.  She owns and operates Onyx Pearl Designs, an arts and crafts, clothing store. She and her husband, Sean, live in Houston with their two children.

 

 

 

Mom to Mom Radio Show

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

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Mom-to-Mom Radio Show with Cindy Rushton

Welcome to Mom-to-Mom Radio Show! Your time of encouragement mom-to-mom! Join Cindy Rushton, your show hostess, as she joins you weekly for YOUR show—mom-to-mom.

Mom-to-Mom Radio Show covers it all for godly women! Imagine! You can retreat with us as often as you would like (and forever!) as we take you from home to homeschool to home business to homemaking… ALL IN OUR AWESOME ONLINE RADIO SHOW!!

Cindy Rushton unashamedly confesses that nothing invigorates her quite like getting out there WITH you. BUT…this is the next best thing! These podcasts are recorded mom-to-mom, on teleseminars and online workshop, and during our workshops on the road. You are going to LOVE these whether you join us right there at YOUR computer or you take us along on your Mp3 player! Ready?

We are so excited to be able to bring to you regular recordings that should meet you wherever you are in your journey. Just take a look at the potpourri of topics you can expect to see Cindy cover here:

  • Restoring balance to overloaded lives
  • Building a godly legacy
  • Stepping up the call
  • Defeat busyness
  • Dare to dream
  • Getting the “good” things done
  • Setting and reaching your goals, to-do’s, dreams, and life purpose
  • Living victoriously when tough times come
  • Building a godly home and godly family
  • Becoming a godly womanhood
  • Holidays
  • Homeschooling
  • Getting fit and healthy—spirit, soul, and body!
  • Let’s Make a Memory
  • Living out your life purpose
  • Make sweet memories
  • Building a happier and happier ever after marriage
  • Mentoring and ministry
  • Mothering
  • Organization for the Messy Mom
  • Positioned for Your Purpose
  • Pressing toward the mark
  • Secrets to ultimate productivity
  • Pursuing Proverbs 31
  • Developing your quiet time
  • Establishing disciplines, routines and schedules
  • Taking Care of Mom to-do’s
  • Getting unstuck
  • Victorious living
  • Developing and pursuing God’s vision

Connect with us today! Listen online. Follow our RSS feed. Sign up for our updates. Follow Cindy at her website. This show is YOUR show. Don’t miss even one episode! For now, pour a BIG cup of tea and dig in! It is YOUR time mom-to-mom! Enjoy!

About Cindy Rushton…

Cindy2015Cindy Rushton is a Christian author, speaker and minister who currently lives in Greater Nashville Area. She is the mother of Matthew (31) and Elisabeth (28) and Mimi to Joshua (7), Achilles (5) and Oliver  (2). Cindy is the author of almost 150 books, Bible studies, Action Guides and homeschool resources. She has produced thousands of audio workshops and online classes/conferences/podcasts. If that is not enough, she also manages her own website found at CindyRushton.com and her own blog: Cindy’s Desk(Top!) and she hosts and produces the popular online radio show, Iron-Sharpening-Iron Podcast (another featured podcast here at UCPN). Cindy can be found online on social media (see links at her website to connect with her). Cindy also enjoys working as a background actress for shows like ABC’s Nashville and various movies/videos.

Go check her out today and get to know Cindy and all that she has going on. You will find a friend who will come alongside you during your journey. She will be there to encourage, inspire, empower, and share practical ideas that are sure to help you step up to the call.