How to Stop Fighting Your Spouse [Podcast #15]

This podcast episode is the first part of the session I taught at the North Carolinians for Home Education Conference, "How to Stop the Fighting in Your Home." You can view the prezi for this session here.

Why do we want to stop the fighting in our home?

• Because it is pleasant to have a peaceful home (Prov 17:1).
• Because we want to love and obey God (Eph 4:1-4).
• Because we want to prepare our children for a life of maturity (Eph 6:4).

Three ways to stop the fighting in your home:

1.        Set a peaceful example.

• Stop fighting your spouse (Prov 26:21; Prov 21:19).
• Stop fighting your children (Eph 6:4; Prov 15:1).

Do You Panic When Tempted?

“If he felt any ungracious thought or any temptation generating, he would not panic or feel helpless to resist it. This was because his past experience of God’s faithful assistance allowed him to wait until just the right moment to call out. When the time came, he would address himself to God, an the evil thoughts would vanish right away.”

— Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

Brother Lawrence working in the monestary kitchen

There have been times in life when I have panicked or felt helpless in the face of temptation. I see now that this is simply a lack of faith in the victory and power over sin that we have in Christ. What freedom to be able to calmly face a desire and opportunity for sin and know that I do not have to be defeated! To know that I have all I need in Christ to walk in holiness.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

— 1 Corinthians 10:13

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

— 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

Why We Love Love Stories [Podcast #14]

There are not many good stories without love in it. Actually, I can't think of one, but there might be one.

We can see in the very first verse of the entire Bible that a story has begun. As Genesis 1 proceeds, the stage is set and the main characters have been introduced.

In Genesis 3 the crisis begins as sin enters the world. There are many foreshadows of the coming of the hero and savior. The super-human Jesus Christ enters the scene, "takes the bullet" and delivers the people from destruction.

We are currently still in crisis, and Jesus is still saving people. But God has already told us what happens in the end! Justice and Love win! The enemy is defeated. And those who trust Christ live happily ever after.

Series on Genesis 1

Most of the greatest questions about life are answered in the book of Genesis. Where did the earth and universe come from? Where did we come from? Why are we here? What is expected of us? Where did evil come from?

We have started a series on Genesis 1 on Sunday mornings at our church, Highland Christian Fellowship. You can now stream or download the series as it unfolds on the Downloads & Resources page. So far, there are four parts:

1. Our Cosmic Context (Intro to Gen)

2. God Created Everything (Gen 1:1)

3. God Is Sovereign (Gen 1:1)

4. God is Good (Gen 1:2)

The Beginning of All Stories - Genesis 1:1 [Podcast #13]

A Genesis 1 inspired "doodle" by Meredith Riggins

Did you know that the entire universe consists of time, space, and matter (energy/mass)? Have you considered that this is a reflection of the tri-unity of God?

“A trinity is not a trio or a triad, but a tri-unity, with each part comprising the whole, yet all three required to make the whole. Thus, the universe is all Space, all Time, and all Matter (including energy as a form of matter); in fact, many scientists speak of it as a Space-Matter-Time continuum. Furthermore, note the parallels between the divine trinity and the tri-universe in terms of the logical order of its three components. Space is the invisible, omnipresent background of everything in the universe. Matter-and-Energy reveal the reality of the universe. Time makes the universe understandable in the events occurring in it. Note that exactly the same sentence will apply if the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit replace the words, Space, Matter, and Time.”

Dr. Henry Morris, “The Tri-Universe,” Founder of Institute for Creation Research.

I have been teaching a series on Genesis 1 at our church. The following podcast is the first part of a teaching on Genesis 1:1.

Steps 5-8 for How to Help Your Children Become Self-Motivated [Podcast #12]

Here is the third and last episode in the podcast series about How to Help Your Children Become Self-Motivated. This is part of the recording of a workshop I presented at the annual North Carolinians for Home Education Conference 2014.

The first part is Foundations for Helping Your Children Become Self-Motivated [Podcast #10]. The second part is Steps 1-4 for How to Help Your Children Become Self-Motivated [Podcast #11].

You can return to the notes post for the entire workshop to view and download the notes or view the prezi.

I would love to hear your comments and questions, so please leave a comment here or send your question to matthew@truthtofreedom.org!

Free Downloads & Resources

I started a brand new page that will be filled with free downloads and resources! There will be two types of content, audio recording and documents.

I have loved producing the Truth to Freedom podcast, and will continue to do so. There is also a desire, though, to have the Bible teachings available in an archive where they can be organized and downloaded. I have recently started a series on Genesis, chapter 1. I just uploaded the teaching from Sunday, which is part 4. It is titled "God Is Good" and focuses on Gen 1:2. Soon I will put up parts 1-3.

Also available is the full recordings of one of the sessions I gave at the annual North Carolinians for Home Education Conference: How to Help Your Children Become Self-Motivated.

Documents currently available include the free e-book on Elders in the Church, an essay on Biblical Conflict Resolution, and an essay on Ministry Appointment and Ministry Commission. Many more to come!

Steps 1-4 for How to Help Your Children Become Self-Motivated [Podcast #11]

Here is the second podcast in the series about How to Help Your Children Become Self-Motivated. This is part of the recording of a workshop I presented at the annual North Carolinians for Home Education Conference 2014. The first part is Foundations for Helping Your Children Become Self-Motivated [Podcast #10].

Foundations

• The ultimate goal for parents is to raise mature, Christ loving believers.
• Parenting should move from discipline to discipleship, from external motivation to internal motivation.

This episode covers the first four steps:

1. Pray for your children to surrender their hearts to Christ (Eph 3:14-21).
2. Teach your children truth from God’s Word (Psalm 19:7-11).
3. Teach your children God’s purpose for life and how everything we do fits into it (Deut 6:4-9).
4. Encourage and affirm your children (1 Thess 2:11-12).

You can return to the notes post for the entire workshop to view and download the notes or view the prezi.

I would love to hear your comments and questions, so please leave a comment here or send your question to matthew@truthtofreedom.org!

What have you learned about helping your children become self-motivated?
Please leave a comment and let us know.