Christian Family Life: Recent Episodes
Christian Family Life
What started as a question “God you created marriage can you make it work?” soon became a statement “God, you created marriage you can make it work.” Thank you for joining us on the Christian family life podcast where we get into the good, the bad, and the ugly in our marriage relationships and mine God‘s word to see what it has to say about it.
The oneness that you create within your marriage has a direct impact on how you parent the children!! Our team takes the time to share about this topic and what we learned along the way over 30 years of marriage!!
As you and your spouse, look to parent your children, in the ways of the Lord, it is vital that each of you are also learning to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and might, and that you are continually growing in your faith.
Loneliness, fear, rejection, and anger are just a few of the emotions that we all navigate as we walk through difficult times. Today we interview Dustin and Rekah and they walk us through the choices they made to look to the Lord and pursue each other as they journey through infertility and the doors of adoption being closed.
Communio is a nonprofit ministry that trains and equips churches to share the Gospel through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family.J.P. De Gance is the founder and president of Communio and the co-author of the book, Endgame: The Church’s Strategic Move to Save Faith and Family in America. JP is also the author of the Nationwide Study on Faith and Relationships.
Parenting is ordained by God and part of God's design. It is also a privilege and is rewarding! Today as we dig into this podcast we will focus on our mission as parents and also being reminded of our Heavenly Father and His love for us and how we can use our relationship with Him as an example with our children.
In marriage, we often vision cast and set goals. What does the next year look like? How about five years from now? Ten, Twenty, etc.? But, have we ever thought about trial casting? Preparing ourselves for the realities that come with life. Listen in as our CFL Team gives some good, practical, and Biblical advice on this topic!
Remember, your spouse is not your enemy. Take up the shield of Faith and quench those fiery darts of division that the enemy is hurling at your marriage. It may look like you' surrounded on every side, but if you submitvyourself to God, resist the devil, he has to flee (James 4:7). You'll find you are surrounded, by God's presence! His presence allows us to Reign in spiritual warfare. Our team digs into this faith principal today!
Is regular prayer a part of your marital routine? Do you and your spouse passionately pursue the Lord through prayer to keep you focused on what He wants you to focus on? Prayer allows us to humble ourselves and let the Lord step in! Today our team challenges us to make time on the regular to pray together.
Whether you are navigating healthy or unhealthy conflict in your marriage, today you will hear some practical advice from our CFL team on how you can work through it and honor God and your spouse in the process.
Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. If we are walking in the spirit we walk in freedom and we bring freedom to those around us. This brings great joy to your home. Listen in as we chat about the activities of the Holy Spirit in your marriage.
Today we have a difficult conversation on the state of divorce in our culture. When we look to scripture we see that was no God's original intent. God desires that when a husband and a wife join together in a covenant relationship that it would produce a bond that reflects the image of God. Because of that very purpose, Satan attacks the very thing that should be pointing toward Him. Join us as we talk through some thoughts on fighting for your marriage and leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit to help you fulfill this high calling!
The Drakes continue sharing the journey that God placed them on. As we walk through this second part, we hear about God's leading and sustaining as they walk through various trials they did not see coming. listen in to this God story and let God use it to encourage you and your spouse on your own personal story!
On todays podcast we interview the Drakes. They share their amazing God story on how He has blessed them both with biological children and then an adopted son. The story is inspiring and provides us with a message of God's calling, dealing with rejection, God's provision, and then the realities of life and keeping their marriage strong. Join us on this first of a two part story.
We often talk about one of God's purposes for marriage being reproduce a Godly heritage. We get that from Genesis 1. This purpose is for all couples. One of the ways that we can fulfill this purpose, whether we have children or not, is to invest into the Fostering/Adoption community. You can actually foster or adopt or you can help in various areas that make an impact to that community. Listen in as we challenge all couples to get involved in some way!
Today we expand our conversation on reproducing a Godly heritage, and it's not just about your own children. Investing in others is just as important. If you do not have children of your own yet, you are not off the hook for this purpose in your marriage. Listen in as we talk about discipleship through your marriage.
Today we interview Rick and Christine Jacobs from 4kids.us and their call to foster and adopt. In this interview you will hear about the joys of fostering/adopting and you will also hear the difficulties that it had on them as a couple. Listen in as they share some amazing insight on how God intervenes and makes a healthy way for everyone invovled.
Our team takes time this week to have a little fun, remember difficult times in our 30 years of marriage, but look at the times that we truly experienced JOY!!! You will be encouraged and challenged to seek true joy in todays episode!
Join us today as our CFL team chats with Carolina Ferrer, founder of Carolinas Compassionate Counseling. It's interesting how our lack of mental and emotional connection affects our marital intimacy! Today we are challenged to fight the enemy through the power of the Holy Spirit to create an environment of health in all areas of your marriage!
The CFL team had the opportunity to interview Dr Amy Trout, PsyD. She is the founder and executive director of a private practice, Cornerstone Consultants. In our conversation we talked about the growing need for mental health counseling and how the church and ministries like Christian Family Life can get involved.
As we enter May, we touch on a topic that for many years has been pushed to the side, but we recognize it needs to be talked about. This month we will be interview experts in the field as they give us valuable insight on the topic. This week we share a podcast that we did last year to set up the month.
Have you every been invested in? Have you ever invested in others? Scripture is clear that this is important for our own spiritual and emotional growth. We as a CFL team make a statement, "The best investment we make in our own marriage is by investing in others." Listen in today as we chat about discipleship, mentorship, coaching, etc. and the importance of it as one that receives it but also as one that shares it.
God not only has purpose for your marriage as well as providing us our personal perfect provision, but God wants us to truly enjoy your marriage! Be reminded of the good times, enjoy the rewards and milestones that come with staying married. Get through the difficult times to see your marriage strengthened on the other side!! Join us as we are reminded of the good old days and start creating new ones!
Identity is such a big deal and making sure we truly understand who we are in Christ and who He has called us to be is a game changer in relationships! You bringing your best self to the marriage will go a long way in fulfilling your purpose as a married couple. Join the CFL team as we discuss identity!
Being accepted by others is a big deal for everyone. Nobody wants to go through life feeling rejected! Today we have a conversation on how acceptance can be healthy in your marriage and how this action by both individuals will provide oneness in your marriage. Listen in as we encourage you to work on this area of your marriage and bring health to your relationship.
The reality of marriage is that there will be times that we hurt our spouse, or they hurt us. In those moments, are we able to forgive? Are we willing to forgive? What drives that decision in you life? Our team will point us towards scripture to find the answer!
Difficult conversations are going to happen within our marriages. Whether it's over finances, children, work, being hurt and offended, etc. we know that they will come up. How should we approach them? Do we not have them or do we blow up and get it all out? Listen in as our team walks through this necessary topic.
What are we looking to to define if our marriage is normal? Today our team talks about what we should be looking to in order to help us define where we are at and what areas we need to grow in as individuals and as a couple to continue to strengthen our marriages.
On todays podcast we take the time to chat with Richard and Elizabeth Albertson, founders of Live The Life (livethelife.org). One of the tools they share today is titled, "Take Out The Trash". Listen in as we discuss this tool and a few others that will help you and your spouse in your everyday interactions!
Shame is a tool that Satan uses to keep us from moving forward and living a victorious life. Jesus brings conviction, forgiveness, and redemption to give us a life that is thriving in Him. This allows us to draw closer to the Lord and also to earthly relationships, starting with our spouse. Listen in today as we chat about the difference between shame and conviction and how we can thrive in our marriage when we are living free in the Lord.
On todays podcast Roland and Tammy interview Will and Cindy Goff who have celebrated 55 years of marriage. This podcast is so impactful because of God's redemption story and God's calling on a couple that is still answering His call on their lives to invest in other couples, and to help them thrive and understand God's purpose for their marriages.
Today, Roland and Tammy along with Gio and Suzy share what they have learned over three decades of marriage. You will be challenged and encouraged as they share what God has taught them and how they have applied Biblical faith principles along the way.
Joining us on todays podcast are Brandon and Lauren Piner. They share the excitement of dating and getting married, to the joys of sharing a life together, and then the blessings of raising a family. This conversation is a great reminder to pursue romance while living in all the realities of life!!
Join us today as Gray and Shelly Foshee share how God did a deep work in each of their lives after several years of a difficult marriage that ultimately transformed their marriage.
Regardless of what stage of marriage we are in, it's always good to hear an Amazing God Tale! "God Tales" are stories of God's love, care, and faithfulness in marriages and how those couples navigated the different seasons of life. Join us today as we chat with Ian and Nickie Connell and hear how God brought them together and what keeps them together and thriving.
Our CFL team had the privilege 0f partnering with Motor Racing Outreach for a Marriage Conference. At the conference we fielded some questions, but really didn't have the time to go in depth. Today we have taken those questions and spent time working through them. Hope the conversation today helps you get answers for similar questions you may have!!
Healthy tensions do not need to be negative. They can be positive, constructive, and they will always be there. Listen in today as we encourage and challenge you to create healthy patterns in dealing with tensions that enter into your marriage.
Is the grass really greener on the other side? We are the only ones that struggle with these issues? Things will never change? We should just focus on the kids? Divorce would be easier! Do you ask yourself some of these questions or ones similar? Satan continues to lie to us to keep us from pursing God's purpose in our lives and our marriage. Today we challenge you to hit the reset button!! Take a step back and hear the Truth from God!
Happy New Year!!! Today we talk about goals. How do we set up goals that will point us to the purpose God has for us as a couple, and create oneness in our marriage.
Here is a good start: Matthew 6:33“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Let's seek God out and what He wants for us and then we can create an environment to help us reflect His image as a couple.
When we think of generosity in the context of marriage, we typically envision a couple or a family being generous with others. But what would it look like if we were most generous to the one closest to us … to our spouse? Today our CFL team interviews one of the most generous couple we have met. Fred and Kelly Waite share with us their story and the "why" behind their generosity to each other, their family, and beyond!
It is imperative that faith-based values are balanced with an understanding of how they apply within a relationship. For example, forgiveness should be accompanied by understanding and movement towards resolution. It is not falling into a cycle of overlooking serious issues thereby enabling destructive behavior. Today our CFL team talks about the misuse of "FAITH Love" and steps you can take to move towards a healthy "FAITH Love" relationship.
Being loved by faith is such a special gift that can be given to each of us. It is the greatest gift ever given by God through His son Jesus, but it can also be and extension of our relationship with God that propels us to give the same gift to our spouse!! Let's not only learn how to give the gift, but also how to receive it. Join us as we discuss this topic on todays podcast.
It's easy to define a performance based marriage, but it is not as easy to define a faith based marriage. Join us as we share some thoughts on this topic as we recorded in front of a live audience at Trinity of Fairview in Fletcher, NC. We would like to give Sean and Kristin Froelich as well and Adam and Sherry Guice a special thank you for inviting us to join their church family on this weekend.
Join us today as we spend some time with Ryan and Marissa Pierce. They share a thought with us that will help us better understand how to cultivate thankfulness in our homes. That phrase is "Water your own Garden".
It is easy to look around and see others "gardens" and think you want that, but in all reality it is because someone is tending their own garden and we need to do the same to ours!! Thankfulness is cultivated, make the investment!
When we understand God's faith principle of provision, we will grasp that our spouse is God's gift to us and because of that we should desire to make sure we are prioritizing them above any other earthly relationship. This attitude will create in us a heart of thankfulness for the person God has brought to us! We would like to thank Ric and Kim Perez for hosting us to record this podcast in their back yard with several couples from the area!!
Thoughts come from many different places. The enemy may tell us lies, which can sometimes be partial truths, luring us into believing them. People may speak things over us, some true and some false.We may have our own thoughts, which can sometimes lead us down rabbit trails, spiraling us downwards. Today our team encourages you to check your head and your heart through the lens of scripture, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your towards healthy thoughts about your spouse and how to better express those to them.
It is easy to default to the negatives about our spouse! The realities of life can quickly send us down a path that makes us question our relationship and future. One of the best ways to combat this is by being thankful for the good, the bad, and the not so good about your spouse! It allows you to look at your relationship through a lens of faith that can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit. Join us today as we chat about being grateful for your spouse.
Learning to transfer loyalty from your friends to your spouse is not as easy to do, especially if you have life long friends. Today our team talks about making sure our spouse is number one in our relationship and how we need to set healthy boundaries that will help your relationship thrive as well as with the friends you have.
Good healthy boundaries should create bridges not isolation. As you create boundaries with your children it should draw you closer to the Lord, your spouse, and your children. Helping our children understand how to respect the different relationships in the home will create a healthy environment for everyone. Listen in as we touch on this topic of boundaries with your children.
Often the word "Balance" is used to express one's idea of what a healthy life should look like. However, balance actually conveys the idea that everything in our lives should receive equal time and attention, including God. Isn't that contrary to God's Word? Listen in as we answer this question.
Leave and Cleave is an important Biblical principle, but how are we using it? Are we pushing our extended family away or are we creating a bridge that creates a healthy environment that everyone can thrive in and enjoy. Today our CFL team takes the time to talk through boundaries with the in-laws!!
The purpose of boundaries should be to establish health...not create division! Many times boundaries are weaponized to create space for what we want, not necessarily what we need. Listen in today as we encourage you to build boundaries that will also create bridges for healthy relationships.
God's second purpose for marriage is to reproduce a Godly heritage. There are so many negatives that our culture throws at us as couples when it comes to children. "They cost too much", "This world we live in is a mess, why bring children in to it", "Children will be a hinderance to what you want to accomplish". Our goal in this podcast is for you to see it from God's lens. When we do, we will see it is something to celebrate!!
Brad and Tiffany Haines, author of Wrestling Hurricanes, join us on this podcast that was recorded in front of a live audience at Haerfest Coffee and hosted by Mazevo Church. Brad and Tiffany share how the trials they faced and are currently facing are realities that can very easily destroy their marriage. It is a journey that led Tiffany Haines to answer the “why” questions. And, spoiler alert, the answer is simply the glory of God. This is a powerful interview that will help you and your spouse release the tensions and help you rest in the Creator!!
Sally Meredith, co-founder of Christian Family Life, joins us to share what sustained her marriage to Don and the legacy they have left for their children and grandchildren! 54 years of marriage is amazing, but it didn't come without it's challenges. Listen in today as we are encouraged to look to God to sustain our marriage, and the blessings that can flow out of it to impact the next generation
On todays episode we continue our conversation with Will and Cindy Goff. There story of how God completely restored what had been broken is inspiring and will bring you hope for your marriage!
What newlywed couple wants to know what skills will be needed about future events such as child rearing, midlife changes, empty nesters or retirement at the time of their wedding! Newlyweds have many years to prepare for those occasions! Well, here we are, now in our 70’s……how did we get here so quickly? Listen in today and be encouraged as Will and Cindy Goff share some rich information on how you can have a vibrant marriage at the beginning and as the years go on!
We are joined today by Zach and Abi Schneider as they share some key elements that they included in their dating, engaged, and now married life to help them begin building a strong foundation that will last a lifetime! Whether you are dating, engaged, or married for 40 plus years, you will be blessed and encouraged by this conversation.
Answering questions like Why Get Married?, Are Compatibility and Good Intentions Enough?, How Can We Live Happily Ever After?, How Can We Cultivate Authentic Intimacy?. Today we just touch the tip of the iceberg as we discuss some foundational truths to help you build a strong marriage, or help you to get back to the basics and help rebuild and strengthen your marriage so you can begin to thrive in it.
Establishing a strong foundation before you even get married is so important. If you are dating or engaged make the time to have the conversations and go through pre-marital counseling to help you with this process. If you are married and have drifted a little, take a listen to Daniel and Rachels as they encourage us with personal stories on how they planned and built this foundation that they continue to build on. It's never to late to be reminded of your early dating days and your love story and hit refresh.
On todays episode we take time to talk about the importance of setting goals. We are fans of living in the moment, but also believe that you need to pray over and communicate your dreams and goals. It is a great practice to help you define your marriage mission statement that God has given both of you and how you will execute it. Join us as we discuss this important topic.
Reed Crosson from Ron Blue Trust ronblue.com, shares some practical financial advice that you and your spouse can implement that will help relieve some of the tensions your marriage may be feeling.
Today we spend time with Reed Crosson of Ron Blue Trust (https://www.ronblue.com). In the first part of a two part interview, Reed helps us understand the purpose of money and how we can implement that into our marriage. Reed shares that money is a tool, a test, and a testimony! Great information that will greatly impact your marriage in a positive way!
Celebrating milestones in life are important! Today our CFL team has some fun celebrating a ministry milestone of 100 episodes for the Christian Family Life Podcast. Listen in and enjoy!
We are conditioned to believe that nothing good can come from a trial. In todays episode we discuss what scripture says about trials and how we can look at them from a different perspective. Dare we say even as a blessing.
Join us today as we talk about the truth about trials. You’re either in one, coming out of one, or getting ready to go into one. It’s a crazy cycle that we all need to learn to navigate.
Conflict within a marriage cannot be avoided. Scripture tells us not to be surprised (1 Peter 4:12) when trials come our way. How we communicate within those trials with our spouse will either help or hurt the situation. It is important to take the time to understand your go to style of communication and ask the questions, why do I communicate in that way? Do I need to change the way I communicate with my spouse?
Marriage communication problems were sited as the most common factor leading to divorce. How you communicate is such a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to your marriage health. We need to humble ourselves and honestly search the heart to figure out why we communicate the way we do! Is there something within my heart that is influencing the way I communicate to my spouse? Today we go to the basics of how to get to healthy communication!
Gray and Shelly Foshee share with us how important it is to invest in other marriages. By doing so, the Foshee, were able to notice how much of an impact it had on their own marriage. This is a good reminder to not keep your relationship isolated from others, but find ways to care for, help, and encourage other couples, as well as, receive from others. Using the resource "Two Becoming One" was a great tool for them to do just that! For more info on how you can be a marriage discipler check out christianfamilylife.com
Join us today as we talk with with Gray and Shelly Foshee and hear their story of redemption that has fueled them to become marriage missionaries. It's amazing what God can do when we think there is nothing that can help. Gray and Shelly are excited about continuing to share what God has done in their marriage with so many others.
LeWayne and Yasmine Young share with us the ups and downs of marriage and how they leaned on God to give them hope in the midst of navigating a blended family!! Often times we believe the lies that we have no hope and nothing will ever change, or this is too hard!! We hope that the Youngs story will encourage you to believe that in Christ there is always hope and redemption!!
Join us on todays podcast as we interview Lewayne and Yasmine Young about the tensions in your marriage that come from a blended family. LeWayne and Yasmine help us understand the term Remerge and what that looks like when two families come together.
Many people ask us, what is the best piece of advice you can give us to make our marriage better? Our answer today is very different than if we were to have answered this question 20 plus years ago. Listen in as we share what we believe to be great advice to help strengthen you marriage and for it to thrive.
Your marriage is worth fighting for. Enjoy mountain top experiences as you work through the valley. Today our team shares why the fight is worth it and important.
Freedom to love and accept your spouse is based on your relationship with God!! Letting God's love and forgiveness for you (The Gospel) flow through you to others starting right in your own home with your spouse! Pray for each other and pray that the Holy Spirit help you move your marriage from performance to faith. Check out our resource "Two Becoming One" for more insight to this topic. https://www.christianfamilylife.com/cfl-store/
"I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them." Andy Bernard said this in "The Office". God not only has purpose for your marriage as well as providing us our personal perfect provision, but God wants us to truly enjoy your marriage! Be reminded of the good times, enjoy the rewards and milestones that come with staying married. Get through the difficult times to see your marriage strengthened on the other side!! Join us as we are reminded of the good old days and start creating new ones!
Sex is one of the most common marriage issues (for example, nearly 80% of couples are mismatched in how often they want it), but it doesn't have to be that way. Listen in as we continue our talk with Dr. Michael Sytsma!
Today our CFL team sits down with ordained minister, licensed professional counselor, certified sex therapist, professor, and national speaker Dr. Michael Sytsma. Dr. Sytsma has over 30 years of clinical experience in sex therapy and he founded Building Intimate Marriages, Inc. He is also co-founder of Sexual Wholeness, Inc. and co-author of the book we are discussing today, "Secrets of Sex & Marriage: 8 Surprises That Make All the Difference.
Join us on this second part of our conversation with Shaunti Feldhahn, co-author of "Secrets of Sex & Marriage". Shaunti shares with us some insightful thoughts and introduces a few of the 8 surprises that make all the difference when it comes to sex and your marriage.
Today we interview Shaunti Feldhahn who is a bestselling author, social researcher, podcaster, with a graduate degree from Harvard. Join us in this first episode of the two-part interview as we discuss her findings on why we are not on the same page in our sex life.
When we talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of marriage, we point at the ugly and define it through he lens of sin!! the Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Join is as we chat about the effects of sin in your marriage and how, by pointing to scripture, we can work on moving towards the good and even the best of marriage.
Today we will touch on 3 more connection killers that are pretty prevalent in marriages. Hopefully this chat will help us sit and discuss these past six types of connection killers we have talked about and come up with a game plan to avoid them!!
Do you remember those early days of dating and marriage? You were always thinking about each other, romance was alive and well, things were hot! What happened? Why did the connection stop? What connection killers are you allowing into your marriage? Join us as we discuss 3 types of connection killers in this first of two podcasts!
Our CFL team was out in Snohomish, WA and our topic of discussion was Physical/Sexual Intimacy. We bring this important topic to the podcast to encourage each of you to have the discussion an go through the questions that we pose in this segment!
Last week we talked about being Spiritually healthy with the Lord and allowing that to spill over into your relationships, starting with your spouse. We believe that as we become more Spiritually healthy it will begin to open the doors for emotional health within our marriage. Join in on the conversation as we talk about having an emotionally healthy marriage.
Spiritual Intimacy between husband and wife truly is a spillover of your personal relationship with the Lord. The closer we each grow in our walk with Jesus, the closer we will be to each other. Today we talk about the importance of spiritual intimacy in your marriage.
Discover what you may need to help you heal so that you can strengthen your relationships around you. We've heard the phrase, "healed people heal people, hurt people hurt people", listen in today as Buffy Wimmer, from Collaborative Counseling, speaks into the healing process in this second part of our conversation on mental health.
Today we are joined, for a two part podcast, by Buffy Wimmer from Collaborative Counseling Group! Buffy will help us, in the first part, how to identify and understand trauma, whether it is big T trauma or little t trauma! This is such a great conversation to be had by all of us to better understand what we are truly dealing with and how to Biblically work through it to produce healthy relationships!
Kina Scott and Lisa Adam continue to give us amazing nuggets in the area of mental health and its affect on relationships. Being aware of symptoms like withdrawal, isolation, lack of communication and so much more, as well as creating a vulnerable environment within the home to have the conversations and removing the fear of getting help are what we will tackle today!!
We continue our conversation this month on mental health and it's affect on relationships. Today we are joined by Kina Scott and Lisa Adams with New Phase Christian Counseling & Restoration Center on this two part series talking about Mental Health as a whole, symptoms to be looking for, erasing the stigma of mental health, and the role of the community and church.
Our CFL team into what 2023 will look like for our podcast. We start off the year takling about mental health and how it affects your relationships, starting with your marriage. We look forward to interviewing experts in this area over the next few weeks to help us navigate and have victory over mental health struggles.
As we close out 2022 we are grateful for what God has done in marriages in communities, churches, and countries around the world. Today we highlight some of our favorite moments of 2022!! Thank you for faithfully listening and for supporting the work of Christian Family Life!!
During the hustle and bustle, we encourage you to take time to connect with your spouse. Today we discuss the importance of pursuing emotional intimacy with the Lord and your spouse as you invest in everyone else during the holidays.
According to a survey done by the American Psychological Association, money and finances are the number one cause of stress for Americans. Mixing the two, holiday expectations with financial obligations, can take a toll on your emotional well-being. Join our conversation as we discuss how to navigate holiday expectations and spending.
We seem to get caught up in fulfilling all the expectations placed on us for the Holidays. Some expectations are placed there ourselves. We don't have to get caught up in the busyness and allow it to cause tension in our home. Today we discuss some thoughts that could help you and your spouse actually enjoy the Holidays and not miss what is important!
As you enter the holidays you could very well be navigating some real extended family tensions. Who's traditions will you keep, who's house to go to, do you host at your home, what exceptions are placed on you by your extended family? Whatever it may be, we all have some tensions to navigate. Today we walk through some ideas to implement to help you through the process.
This podcast was recorded with a live audience from Defined Coffee in Mooresville, NC. Is conflict wreaking havoc in your marriage? Do you feel distant from your spouse and wonder if you’ll ever feel close again? Do you long for resolution to the points of contention in your marriage? True closeness and companionship can seem elusive, today we literally work through the word CONFLICT in hopes that by FAITH you can move towards your spouse rather than drifting away.
Listen in today as Roland and Tammy talk about 7 ways you can be a blessing to your spouse. The enemy tries to get us to think negatively about our spouses but when your focus is to bless them, you can't help but to think good things about them.
Agape love is the active force that God uses as an instrument of change. This force leads couples into a faith-based relationship and is the only type of love referred to in Scripture with promises attached. Today we talk about how agape love can impact your marriage!
I’m sure we can all think of times when our homes were not loving, joyful, peaceful, etc. It’s in these moments we should be reminded that the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present Holy Spirit desires to turn things around. He can show up in power if you invite and allow Him to work in your marriage. Today we chat about releasing that power in your marriage!!
Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. If we are walking in the spirit we walk in freedom and we bring freedom to those around us. This brings great joy to your home. Listen in as we chat about the activities of the Holy Spirit in your marriage.
The Holy Spirit possesses the attributes of deity, such as omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence and eternality. He does works only God can do, such as creating, regenerating and sanctifying, and He can do it in your marriage! Listen in today as we talk about the Holy Spirit and the POWER to impact your marriage.
We have many choices to make on the daily when it comes to how we will respond to our spouse. We can dig in our heels and "stand our ground" or we can choose to "give up". What we mean by "give up" is to be willing to sacrifice your desires and yield to the power of the Holy Spirit. Join us as we discuss the power of the Holy Spirit in your marriage!
Are you and your spouse passionately pursuing God in prayer? This podcast will focus on the thought that when we pray together it brings us closer to the Lord and to each other.
Do you want to enjoy amazing intimacy in your marriage? Start by praying together!! This is a good reminder that taking time to pray together is a practice that strengthens your marriage. Whether you are currently praying together or not, we’d encourage you to not look at the past, but look to the future and the spiritual intimacy you can begin to cultivate through prayer together. Our CFL team takes the time to chat about the importance of this spiritual discipline for you as a couple!
Did I marry the right person? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Perhaps while you were dating you were so sure you wanted to spend the rest of your life with that person. Then again, maybe you observed red flags and ignored them. It could be that you thought you would make it your mission to mold them into your “ideal spouse”. Listen in as we look at Genesis 2 and what scripture shares with us about this topic.
We generally have a desire to be in a relationship. God placed that there. We start off by being interested in others and looking around, but not in a desperate way, to see who that person might be. And on a day, not expected by either one of you, God put us together. Today we talk about God giving us His perfect personal provision for us. We need to rest in believing that He knows who is best for us and by faith receiving them as a gift from God.
Remember, your spouse is not your enemy. Take up the shield of Faith and quench those fiery darts of division that the enemy is hurling at your marriage. It may look like you' surrounded on every side, but if you submitvyourself to God, resist the devil, he has to flee (James 4:7). You'll find you are surrounded, by God's presence! His presence allows us to Reign in spiritual warfare. Our team digs into this faith principal today!
Identifying the real enemy in your marriage is important (spoiler alert: It is not your spouse). Join us today as our team talks about reigning in spiritual warfare together!!
Today we expand our conversation on reproducing a Godly heritage, and it's not just about your own children. Investing in others is just as important. If you do not have children of your own yet, you are not off the hook for this purpose in your marriage. Listen in as we talk about discipleship through your marriage.
God has entrusted our children to our guidance. He gives a blueprint found in scripture to help and equip us to navigate this high calling.. Listen in as we share with you some lessons learned over 52 years of parenting combined.
The answer to why God created marriage and why get married provide purpose in your marital relationship. You cannot experience oneness in marriage if you are not unified in your purpose for being together. Listen in today as our team discusses God's original intent for marriage. The first purpose is, to reflect the image of God.
In a nutshell, they need you to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. This type of intimacy with God will give you the capacity to love your spouse with no strings attached. With your focus on God, your heart will be open to love your spouse how He has loved you. Today is our one year anniversary and as we celebrate we want to bring it back to the basics. Listen in as our team shares their journey of salvation and how it has impacted their marriage.
Our CFL team recorded this episode in front of a live audience at Defined Coffee. We had a great time at this date night event chatting about effective communication. What is effective communication in marriage? It is the ability of husband and wife to share each other’s thoughts, feelings, and desires while speaking, listening, and understanding one another in a way that is life giving."
Did you come from a healthy home? A home where mom and dad loved you and truly invested blood, sweat, tears, and money into you as a child? Or did you come from a toxic home? A home that was somewhat distant emotionally and/or physically? Regardless of your upbringing, one of the most challenging conversations you will have as a husband and wife, will be about setting boundaries with your parents. Today we give some practical advice to help you as you navigate these waters.
When a spouse knows that their husband or wife is totally committed to them, that all matters within their marriage will be decided within their home, they start to create an intimate environment for oneness. Listen in as our CFL team shares about the Biblical principle of leave and cleave!
Most of the time we walk into this decision based on how it was executed in our home, or what culture has defined as a husband or wife responsibility. The problem with this thinking is what if you both had different examples? Or what if your parents did not align with the cultural norms and your spouse’s parents did? Listen in today as our CFL team shares some insight on this topic.
Are you tired of doing the laundry? Are you tired of coming home after a long days work and being handed the children? Do you feel like you do most of the work around the house? Today our team shares thoughts on what our Biblical roles are as husband and wife and how understanding these roles help us understand how to handle responsibilities within the home. Spoiler alert: it's less about who does what and more about the posture of your hear!
What does the Bible say about your role and responsibility within marriage? What does our culture tell you about it? How has our background and traditions defined it? Listen in today as Roland, Tammy, Suzy, and Gio share what is Biblical approach to roles and responsibilities and how it can be a win win as we honor God and each other!!
We have fun with this podcast!! God created sex within the marriage union, so let’s enjoy it!! Our team shares some practical advice as well as our 24 hour naked and unashamed experience! Let’s enjoy what God gave us!
Tune in now as it’s the guys turn! Roland and Gio speak to the men regarding the importance of pursuing a biblical perspective on sex. Men and women are different in more ways than we can really define. God’s design is that those differences would bring us together. The enemy on the other hand has a very different plan. Sex can be honorable and undefiled or it can be minimized and defiled. Let’s discuss!
Listen in as Sally, Tammy, and Suzy discuss some of the hurdles people experience to enjoying a great sex life in their marriage. In Genesis 2 God not only created sex but He also gave it His blessing. Remember, what God creates, Satan corrupts. Let's take it back to what God intended!
Most couples need to reprogram their minds because of faulty teachings on sex! Listen in as our CFL team communicates Biblical truths and insights to help dispel myths about sex!
In our culture, sex sells everything. Our society promotes sexuality as more fantasy than reality. Unfortunately reality is quick to shatter expectations about sex. Our expectations about romance and sexual expression rarely meet reality. Listen in today as our CFL team begins the conversation on the truth about sex and draw out what God intended it to be.
Whether you are navigating healthy or unhealthy conflict in your marriage, today you will hear some practical advice from our CFL team on how you can work through it and honor God and your spouse in the process.
Today we have a conversation in helping couples identify what is not ok in dealing with their conflict. Our team unpacks what unhealthy conflict looks like and how you can begin the process of moving towards health and healing as you reveal and address this area of your marriage.
"Conflict is not merely inevitable it is necessary if one wants to grow both character and the depth of a marriage." Dan Allender
Join us on this podcast as we discuss the desire for mutual commitment to resolving conflict without the underlying need to be right. We each want to be all God desires us to be, and experience deep intimacy. We know that doesn't happen without hearing from one another in ways that, at the time, may seem unpleasant. Conflict doesn't have to be all bad!!
Often couples enter marriage thinking that everything will go perfectly. However, we live in a Genesis 3 world and sin is rampant. Yes, even in our marriages. Our CFL Team walks you through what is healthy and unhealthy conflict. Catch a sneak peak on how to navigate those conflicts with a biblical approach, with more to come in the next episodes!
You don't have to go out of the country for your marriage to be on mission. If God calls you that is one thing, but all of us can be on mission in our own backyard. Consider using your marriage as a platform to impact others for the Kingdom of God. Our team breaks down this thought as we look at where we should go to be on mission through our marriages.
Why should our marriages be on mission? We think that a strong Godly marriage will point people to Jesus and provide a healthy environment for those around them. We believe that if one couple in every community, church, and country were willing to share with others their story and where biblical truths transformed their marriage, we could see other marriages impacted. When a marriage is impacted by the gospel, it impacts the home, the church, the community, and the world. Listen in to our CFL Team as they discuss the Why of missions through marriage.
Have you ever thought about your marriage being on Mission? We think of missionaries, short term mission trips, and even helping a local outreach in our hometown, but what if everyday your marriage was able to point someone to Jesus? We think it can be done. Listen in today as we talk about what missions through marriage actually looks like!
Many couples have found themselves In the rebellion stage and it does not necessarily have to do with adultery addiction or abuse and so today I CFL Team will focus on how you navigate rebellion when there is strife in your marriage and you don’t know how to get out of it.
Unresolved resentment impacts our marriages. Spouses typically become critical, fearful, hardened, and uncaring. For a season, resentment may simmer behind the illusion of a healthy marriage, fueled by unmet needs. Sooner or later, however, the compounding resentment explodes into overt acts of rebellion against the spouse. Listen in as our CFL team talks about rebellion and how to navigate this stage.
While we live in Reality, we must be intentional to pursue Romance. If not, it's a slippery slope into Resentment. Listen in as the CFL team dives into the topic of Resentment.
Recently our ministry team was at The House Ministry Center in Snohomish, WA. At the conference we held a Q&A and on this week's podcast we ask and answer those questions. Listen in for some helpful tips on a variety of topics.
Reality hits hard in marriage, and often times it happens pretty quick. It is a stage that is unavoidable but doesn't need to be destructive. Listen in to our CFL team as we point you to scripture and practical ways to navigate reality and pursue romance.
We may desire to stay in the romance stage in our marriage, but reality is unavoidable. The question is how do we pursue romance while living in that reality? Romance doesn't happen unless you pursue it, you have to be intentional about it. You need to study your spouse, which takes a lifetime, to better understand how to best love and care for them. Listen in as our CFL team gives insight to the Romance stage.
Today we get practical. We believe that communication is a skill that we can continue to work and improve on. You never arrive. Join in as our CFL team discusses that within your communication it is important to be honest, direct, kind, and thoughtful. The idea is to effectively share with your spouse what they need to hear from you. We hope that these podcasts on communication are encouraging you to look for ways to effectively communicate with your spouse and bring you closer together.
Rejection, fear, and bitterness destroy communication. Conflicts cannot be resolved in threatening environments. Thankfully Scripture gives us a plan on how to communicate effectively. Join our CFL team as we talk about practical ways to communicate with your spouse using Ephesians 4:29-32 as our spring board!
Why we say something matters. Do we communicate to get something off our chest, or is it constructive and for edification. Today our CFL team talks about the importance of leaning on the Holy Spirit to help us communicate effectively and with purpose.
The best communicators are great listeners! In this podcast, our CFL team will start a series of conversations on communication. We talk about a phrase in scripture that says, "and they were naked and unashamed". We believe that this statement encourages us as a couple to allow our home to be the most vulnerable and safe space for each of us to share our heart and truly be listened to by our spouse.
The past couple of years have brought its share of challenges to couples all around the world! 1 Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." Trials and challenges will come, listen in as we give some practical and Biblical advice on how to navigate and thrive through the trials!!
Our CFL team continues to share best practices as a married couple during the Holiday season. This time of year can get stressful, but with proper planning and communicating, it can be the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas from the CFL team.
Listen in as our CFL team talks about creating margin during the holiday season. As with any marriage, differing backgrounds will have an impact in the decision making process for what your families traditions will be. Our team shares insightful tips on how to plan your calendar this time of year.
“Humility” - to most people it sounds like a weakened state of mind. Jesus, a King or kings, showed the greatest form of humility as he sweated blood while asking this cup to pass from Him. Today we encourage you to put aside your pride and your achievements and rest on the covenant that God has provided between you and your spouse.
Many people lack a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. Listen in as our team shares that ultimately only Jesus can unlock the deepest dimensions of human intimacy, taking individuals and couples to their truest level of spiritual relationships.
We often equate trials with failure and thus set out to avoid them. Yet to God, trials, though often painful, are a blessing that brings growth and maturity, drawing us closer to Him. Listen in as our CFL team shares some insight on the topic of Trials in a Marriage!!
"You complete me", "You are my air", "You are everything I need". These statements found in movies and elsewhere sound great but truly are statements that place great expectations on your spouse. Many couples walk to the altar to say I do with these phrases and thoughts in mind. Then reality hits. How do we deal with them when we realize our spouse cannot complete us, or they are sucking the air out of us, or we find that there are other things we need? Listen in as our team spends time looking at the great love God has provided for us to complete us, be our everything and how you can share that love with others, starting with your spouse.
Listen in as our team tackles what is likely at the center of most marital issues, selfishness. Our general feeling is we want things done our way and we don't want anyone to mess with it. Today we share some stories that you may relate with and also provide some practical ways to work on our selfishness.
Often times we hear things that sound good and they make sense in our head, unfortunately what sounds good does not always translate to what is the best way to do things. Today our team will tackle the 50/50 relationship. This type of relationship is the epitome of "Performance-based love". The 50/50 relationship requires you to put your focus on your spouse, how can they "do better", "do different", and "do for us". Our eyes are not on the Lord but focused on our spouse and it creates a crazy cycle of unmet expectations. God wants you to provide TLC to your marriage. Listen in to todays episode to find out what that might be!
Are your backgrounds different? Will you get along? Cultural and family differences, even the most innocent ones, can result in disagreements that lead to conflict and hurt. Listen in as our team breaks down this topic and provides hope that our differences can be a blessing to each other!
Our CFL team continues to breakdown this thought of marriage discipleship in every community, every church, and every country. Listen in as we share some practical insight on why we should be involved in marriage discipleship and what it could look like. It really is not that intimidating!!
We often get asked this question. Here are some points you will hear today. Marriage is a platform the Lord can use for us to fulfill the Great Commission. We read in Scripture that God starts with marriage and He ends with marriage. Ephesians 5 uses marriage as an example, but the passage is about our relationship with the Lord. We were created for relationship. This reminder keeps us from drifting towards isolation. And much more!
No outline, principles, or “keys” to a great marriage are possible to put into practice consistently without the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. You can have all the great advice and Bible knowledge possible and still struggle in your marriage. Your surrender to the Holy Spirit by faith is paramount. Knowledge (general information) should lead to understanding (how it works) that then leads to wisdom (ability to apply).
In Genesis 2:25 the Bible says, "And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." Adam and Eve were totally exposed to each other without fear of rejection. Faith in God is the basis for overcoming fear or rejection. We need to have complete trust in God to meet our needs instead of relying on each other’s performance. This type of freedom and trust allows transparency without fear among one another. Our CFL team touches on a few points regarding trust in your marriage!
Why do we create distance when conflict or trials come our way? Are we creating distance to punish the other person or are we protecting ourselves? God relentlessly pursues us and desires deep intimacy with His children. If marriage is to mirror our relationship with Him, shouldn’t we be willing to pursue our spouse the same way? Our CFL staff breaks down this thought of Initiate in your marriage.
When we are loved unconditionally, we are always accepted and never rejected. This acceptance is experienced in our relationship with Jesus. You have heard the phrase, “hurt people hurt people, and healed people heal people.” It is difficult to truly accept your spouse as your perfect provision, if you yourself do not feel accepted and loved unconditionally.
We will never experience reconciliation with anyone until we first reconcile with God. We must recognize our own guilt, confess that to the Lord, and receive the forgiveness God offers through Jesus. When we daily confess our sin and receive God’s grace and mercy, we have the capacity to do the same for others. Gio and Suzy Llerena take the first letter in "FAITH" love to talk about forgiveness in marriage!!
The Christian Family Life team clearly defines what they mean by a faith based relationship verses a performance based relationship. This principle is at the core of what is taught through the material "Two Becoming One".
Gio and Suzy share about how they met and how God prepared them throughout the past 27 years of marriage for them to join Christian Family Life. Gio and Suzy were personally impacted by the "Two Becoming One" study and are excited about leading others locally and globally!
President of Christian Family Life, Roland Martinez, and his wife Tammy share how God prepared them to lead CFL. They share how God used the ministry of Christian Family Life and the faith principles found in the discipleship material, to strengthen their marriage and how that began the process of moving them to where they are today.
Don and Sally Meredith continue to share how God showed them from scripture the thought of "Faith Love". Moving your marriage from performance to faith!!
Don and Sally Meredith share with us on the very first Christian Family Life podcast! They take us back to how the ministry got started and what motivated them to get into the scriptures and find out what God had to say about marriage.