Have you thought to yourself: I’ll never get over this? Have you tried over and over again to get out from underneath the control of a habit or a sin in your life only to be discouraged once again? If so, you will be greatly encouraged by my interview with Kirby Kelly about overcoming temptation which [...] The post Kirby Kelly: You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel appeared first on Barb Raveling ..read more

Many singles today spend their lives regretting past mistakes, relationship failures, or worrying about what their future may (or may not) hold. However, God’s plan for every single – actually, married people, too – is to live their lives for Him, right now, in the present! My guest today, Ryan Wekenman, has a beautiful yet very real perspective on his own singleness, as well as the needful spiritual formation of those he ministers to.  This episode is for all Christians! We will be discussing Ryan’s new book, Single Today: Conquer Yesterday’s Regrets, Ditch Tomorrow’s Worries, and Thrive ..read more

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night worrying about something? I know I do! With so much going on in our world and lives, it’s easy to give into to worry and anxiety. On today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we’ll talk about letting go of anxiety by walking through Lesson 15 from my new Philippians Bible Study together. Each lesson in the Philippians Bible study is on a different topic, but since Philippians is all about finding joy in difficult circumstances it’s the perfect book of the Bible to go to for help. On the podcast, we’ll talk about five different options we c ..read more

Do you ever feel like you want to change, but you can’t seem to make it happen? Do you long to be closer to God? So often we change as soon as we become Christians, then go for years and years without any growth. In the Closer to God Bible Study Series, you’ll have a chance to study the Bible in a way that will help you visibly grow as you go to God for help with life. Today, I’m excited to announce the second book in the Closer to God Bible Study Series: Philippians!! Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. One of the main themes of the book is finding contentment in all circum ..read more

In today’s culture, there is a mental health crisis. So many are looking for answers, yet much of the advice given does not provide sustainable relief. However, we know that the only way to true and lasting peace is to know the Prince of Peace! On the Christian Habits Podcast today (links below), my guest, Christopher Cook discusses this very topic and his new book Healing What You Can’t Erase. What We Discussed on the Podcast The culture’s current mental health crisis Common advice that simply doesn’t work “Anxiety is just an alarm.” What does this statement mean? What is true peace? What a ..read more

It’s easy to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious when we focus on the turmoil in the world (or our own lives). Media and culture don’t help because they are constantly feeding us worrisome things. However, there is hope! My guest on the podcast today, Brant Hansen, (links below) has an encouraging new book set to release in just two weeks: Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance. Brant reminds us that we truly can have peace and abiding joy – no matter our circumstances – if Jesus is the center of our lives. What We Discussed on the Podcast How to become joyful when that isn’t your natura ..read more

Has the joy and peace in your life been replaced by stress and strife? Is your inner narrative filling you with thoughts of despair? Do you find yourself questioning God’s goodness? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may be in the midst of a spiritual battle. My guest today on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), Susie Larson, shares such valuable wisdom from her very personal experiences in spiritual warfare, and from her book Strong in Battle. What We Discussed on the Podcast How to discern the schemes of the enemy The negative effect of  apathy and ..read more

Are you going through a hard season right now? Does God feel silent? Sarah J. Hauser, my guest on the Christian Habits Podcast (links below), is no stranger to these difficulties. In our interview, she shares about her new book, All Who are Weary: Finding True Rest by Letting Go of the Burdens You were Never Meant to Carry, and about the difficult season she went through to learn the truths she writes about. What We Discussed on the Podcast Sarah’s battle with depression How a perfectionist mindset can manifest in unexpected (and harmful) ways The antidote to perfectionism How we should resp ..read more

Do you often feel rushed and like you’re not really enjoying life? Does your heart long for rest and for sweet fellowship with dear friends? If so, you’ll be encouraged by the Danish practice of hygge (HYOO-guh) which my podcast guest, Jamie Erickson, discusses in her latest book: Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow. Today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast (links below) considers the beautiful practice of true hospitality. What We Discussed on the Podcast How, for the Christian, hygge is much more than décor and creating a cozy atmospher ..read more

As a parent of adult children, do you find yourself distraught about the choices they’re making? Do you worry that they’ll leave their faith and never come back? Do you wonder if you did something wrong in raising them? We’re living in a season of great turmoil in the area of faith and morals and this can make it hard to parent. If you struggle with these things, I hope you’ll get some encouragement from my conversation with Mary DeMuth on the Christian Habits Podcast today (links below). Mary’s new book, Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Children with Joy, will give welcom ..read more