MomLife Ministries Podcast

Send us a Text Message. Join Melanie as she reveals the heart behind the theme for the MomLife Ministries Podcast and local MomLife groups across the country for August 2024-May 2025. Wholehearted—Loving God: Heart, Soul, Mind, & Strength MomLife Ministries wants to help you take a step toward building connections with some mom friends. Whether you have lots of experience leading a group of women or none at all, MomLife Ministries is here to put all the tools that you need in your hands. We provide 9 months of easy-to-use curriculum that includes teaching videos, discussion prompts, printed materials, as well as training and ongoing encouragement specifically for leaders! Find out more about MomLife Ministries at momlife.org. Start a MomLife group in your area for the September 2024 - May 2025 MomLife season as a: Independent Table MomChurch Partner*Note: leader registration will close for the 24-25 MomLife season on July 19.* PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON MOTHER’S DAY, MAY 12 at momlife.org/get-connected. Want some quick answers? Learn what you get with a MomLife membership: momlife.org/what-you-get. More Questions? Email info@momlife.org Register now as an Independent Table Mom. Register now as a Church Partner. Get some MomLife merch at bonfire.com/store/momlife. Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beauty… in Summer! Let’s talk about summer! For moms, the thought of summer can come with a whole range of joy or dread or some uncertain mix of both. One of the messiest parts of being mom is the constant need to transition—from one growth stage of our kid(s) to the next, from work to rest, from season to season. It’s always keeping us on our toes! Join Melanie and Christy as they share some encouragement about how to enter summer with mindfulness, letting go of pressure to perform or craft perfection, but to embrace both the beauty and mess of summer rhythms and routines. MomLife Ministries wants to help you take a step toward building connections with some mom friends. Whether you have lots of experience leading a group of women or none at all, MomLife Ministries is here to put all the tools that you need in your hands. We provide 9 months of easy-to-use curriculum that includes teaching videos, discussion prompts, printed materials, as well as training and ongoing encouragement specifically for leaders! Find out more about MomLife Ministries at momlife.org. Start a MomLife group in your area for the September 2024 - May 2025 MomLife season as a: Independent Table MomChurch Partner*Note: leader registration will close for the 24-25 MomLife season on July 19.* PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON MOTHER’S DAY, MAY 12 at momlife.org/get-connected. Want some quick answers? Learn what you get with a MomLife membership: momlife.org/what-you-get. More Questions? Email info@momlife.org Register now as an Independent Table Mom. Register now as a Church Partner. Discussion questions: Summer to Thrive Guide from goandtellgals.comandWe love 1 John 4:16, NLT—“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” Let’s keep seeking Jesus, holding steady to his love for us, which will help us to live in love with the people around us.Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful CONNECTION. We all need help—in faith, motherhood, marriage… life in general! And yet it can be so hard to ask for it and accept it. Why is that? Join Melanie and Christy as they talk about some steps we can take to inform, strengthen, encourage, and prove our belief in Christ that will build our confident hope in who he is and what he is able to do. Which will in turn help us to navigate this beautiful mess of life. 2024-25 MomLife Leader Registration OPEN NOW! We’re always looking for new leaders and churches to host MomLife groups! If you love connecting with moms and want to use your time and energy to encourage other moms to grow in their faith and friendships, you might be a good MomLife leader! You can host a group in your home, your church, a coffee shop, over your lunch break at work… the options are endless for how you use the MomLife curriculum to engage with gospel-centered teaching videos, spiritual discussion prompts, and personal study. Check out more information about becoming an independent Table Mom (lead a small group of mom friends) or Church Partner (lead a larger group of moms) at momlife.org. Discussion questions : Hebrews 10:23-25Mark 9:14-29Matthew 17:14-21I believe, help my unbeliefSubscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful CONNECTION. Melanie and Christy are joined with friend and special guest Tabitha Dowdy. Tabitha serves on the MomLife Ministries Board of Directors and Planning Team and she serves as the Kids Ministry Director at her local church. Listen in as they talk about how both the idea and follow-through of obedience can be challenging. But also how it serves as a way to connect to Father God. … We’re always looking for new leaders and churches to host MomLife groups! If you love connecting with moms and want to use your time and energy to encourage other moms to grow in their faith and friendships, you might be a good MomLife leader! You can host a group in your home, your church, a coffee shop, over your lunch break at work… the options are endless for how you use the MomLife curriculum to engage with gospel-centered teaching videos, spiritual discussion prompts, and personal study. Check out more information about becoming an independent Table Mom (lead a small group of mom friends) or Church Partner (lead a larger group of moms) at momlife.org. ... Discussion questions for today's episode: Philippians 2:12-13Jer 7:23, Prov 8:33-34, John 10:27Beautiful Obedience PDF.Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. MomLife: Messy. Lovely. Real. Melanie and Christy are joined with some special friends: Tabitha Dowdy, Alicia Mullinix, Megan Evans, and Sydny Simpson. All of these women serve in various ways as leaders of local MomLife groups. Listen in as they talk about the importance of building community among fellow moms and specifically why they felt the nudge to spend time investing the lives of others. We hope that as you listen you are encouraged to take a step to build connections with some moms friends. Whether you have lots of experience leading a group of women or none at all, MomLife Ministries is here to put all that tools that you need in your hands. We provide 9 months of easy-to-use curriculum that includes teaching videos, discussion prompts, printed materials, as well as training and ongoing encouragement specifically for leaders! Find out more about MomLife Ministries at momlife.org. Start a MomLife group in your area for the September 2024 - May 2025 MomLife season as an Independent Table Mom (meet in your home, coffee shop, over lunch at work, in your church, etc.) or Church Partner! REGISTRATION FOR LEADERS IS OPEN with a special early bird discount now through April 30! Early bird discount is $10 off for Independent Table Moms and $200 off the curriculum fee for Church Partners! *Note: leader registration will close for the 24-25 MomLife season on July 19.* Want some quick answers? Learn what you get with a MomLife membership: momlife.org/what-you-get. More Questions? Email info@momlife.org … Register now as an Independent Table Mom (lead a group of 2-12 moms). Register now as a Church Partner (lead a group of 20+ moms with multiple small groups). Get some MomLife merch at bonfire.com/store/momlife. Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful CONNECTION Melanie and Christy are joined by friend and special guest Stephani Cook. Stephani has had a long career in school psychology and she also loves writing, and speaking; she serves on the Board of Directors of MomLife Ministries as Vice President. She has been married 30 years and has two adult kiddos. She is passionate about helping others to improve relationships and to discover intentional, abundant living. She especially has a heart for those in the field of education or in transitional seasons of life. Check out more about Stephani at stephanicook.org. Listen in as they talk about building connection with your kid(s), who can sometimes feel like an alien in your home. ... Find out more about MomLife Ministries at momlife.org. Think about starting a local MomLife group for the September 2024 - May 2025 MomLife season as an independent Table Mom (meet in your home, coffee shop, over lunch at work, in your church, etc.) or Church Partner! Details coming soon—registration for leaders opens in April! ... Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions: Deuteronomy 6:6-7Ephesians 3:14-21Recommended resources: Connect Through Fun PDFHabits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family RhythmsIntentional Parenting: Autopilot is for PlanesHow do I talk to my kids about…, Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful CONNECTION Marriage is hard. It holds great beauty and is also overwhelmingly messy at times. Melanie and Christy share some things that they have learned to be helpful in building and maintaining connection in marriage. Find out more about MomLife Ministries at momlife.org. Think about starting a local MomLife group for the September 2024 - May 2025 MomLife season as an independent Table Mom (meet in your home, coffee shop, over lunch at work, in your church, etc.) or Church Partner! Details coming soon—registration for leaders opens in April! ... Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions:: Ephesians 5:31-32… Recommended resources: Connect Through Fun PDFmomlife.org/resources-by-topic5 Keys to Healing From Trauma: A Simple Guide to Process Pain and Get Your Life Backtheprattclinic.comSubscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful CONNECTION As we think of all of our relational connections, there’s both beauty and mess. A common messy connection for women can be with our in-laws. Because it’s a common question and struggle we hear from moms, we want to take an extra episode to share some specific encouragement about how to build connection in these special relationships. And a big part will be seeking Jesus for wisdom. Two friends join Melanie and Christy: Sara from Colorado and Dorena from Nashville, Tennessee. Sara shares her perspective as a daughter-in-law, and Dorena shares her perspective as a mother-in-love. Dorena Williamson is an author of kids books that are written with both the child(ren) and adults in mind! Check them out at dorenawilliamson.com/books/. ... Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions for today's episode: Romans 12:18Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful WISDOM Join us for this special Q & A episode! Melanie and Christy are joined with friend and special guest Jenn Powell. Jenn serves on the MomLife Ministries planning team as the Director of Fun and she works full-time as a physical therapist. Listen in as they respond to questions sent in by moms! Questions like: How do we battle entitlement in our kids? How do we prepare for the day our kids leave home? How do we respond when our kids start making similar mistakes that we did? …And more! Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions for today's episode: Hebrews 3:13-14Recommended resources for today’s topic: Give Them Wings: Preparing for the Time Your Teen Leaves HomeThe Parent Adventure: Preparing Your Children for a Lifetime with GodFind Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely WorldLent Resources—momlife.org/lent Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful WISDOM Melanie and Christy are joined with friend and special guest Jenn Powell. They have a candid conversation around the hot topic of how to seek the wisdom of Jesus in the hard decision about schooling your child(ren). We get it—it’s hard! It feels weighty and important, and as moms we want to make the very best choice possible. Our goal isn’t to give you an answer, but to offer some helpful encouragement as you process what might be right for you and your family. Note: we merely touch on the various school options, as well as the depth of emotion and challenge that exists in making a decision about school. We encourage you to have your own candid conversations with friends about school choices—How can you best learn from one another? How can you be supporters and cheerleaders for one another, even if your choices are different? How can we spur one another on in looking toward the perfect wisdom of Jesus as we grow in discernment? And, If you are in the middle of considering a decision for your child(ren), here’s a couple of steps you can take: (1) Gather some wise voices around you and learn about what made them choose their specific path. What do they love about their choice? What’s a unique challenge they’ve experienced with their choice? How has the Lord guided them in their decision? (2) Ask a small group of friends to pray with and for you as you seek wisdom. Think about inviting them to help you process these questions (based on the doors of discernment by Fr. Mike Schmidtz): Aligns with God’s Word, family values, etc.?Is the option available to you locationally, financially, etc.? Take into account your/your child(ren)’s personal gifts, abilities, needs, and vulnerabilities.How might this choice benefit your child/family? What unique challenges might you need to be mindful of?Special resource to help further your processing: The School Choice Workbook by Risen Motherhood. It will help you think biblically and prayerfully converse about school options. Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Hard things happen. It’s uncontrollable and oh so uncomfortable. So when they do, how do we respond? How do we get through? Melanie & Christy help to define what perseverance is and how it’s possible. They also share tips for how to build perseverance in our kids. Discussion questions: What have you learned through the experience of hardship? Romans 5:4-5Psalm 34:17-18Luke 2:10, Luke 12:32, Matthew 10:31, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:1, Genesis 50:21 Resources: Article-Strains of the Season: Winter Blues, Portia Collins Devotional-Upon Waking, Jackie Hill Perry Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad: The Perspective Shift That Could Completely Change the Way You Mother, Abbie Halberstadt The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too, Sissy Goff raisingboysandgirls.com Building a Resilient Life: How Adversity Awakens Strength, Hope, and Meaning, Rebekah Lyons It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered, Lysa Terkeurst The Hard Good: Showing Up for God to Work in You When You Want to Shut Down, Lisa Whittle Books of Liturgies to walk you through difficult seasons/situations—Every Moment Holy Volumes I, II, and III Journal—Rest: A Journal for Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful WISDOM Christy welcomes special guest Lauren Groves, a mom of two and lover of Jesus. She is thoughtful and kind, and always looks to point women toward the wisdom of the Lord. She is a licensed professional counselor that specializes in trauma and children; she has a heart for helping others walk in the freedom that Christ offers. Listen in as they discuss seeking God’s wisdom when discerning what is good from what is God’s best. Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions: howPsalm 16 (CSB) Recommended resources: Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable MomentsAll That's Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment“What Discernment is Not,”Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful WISDOM Christy talks about Hagar’s story in Genesis and she will guide you through a reflection to get ready for the new year. We need your help to shape our February podcast episodes. We will be talking about How we seek Jesus in the midst of the mess? Is there a mess you are facing that would like to hear us discuss… Email us at info@momlife.org. Reflection Questions from Podcast: Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Recommended resources for today’s topic: Strains of the Season: Resolutions2024 Dream GuideGet some MomLife merch at bonfire.com/store/momlife. Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful PURPOSE Melanie and Christy are joined with special guest Starr Cliff. Starr is a speech and language pathologist with her local school system. She has been married for 25 years and has 3 children, ages from 18, 20, and 21. Starr loves people and loves walking with them through seasons of mess and/or beauty. Listen in as Melanie, Christy, and Starr discuss how their friendship has helped to shape their beautiful faith and purpose and how the good news of the gospel propels us to move through our everyday life with willingness and wonder. Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions: Whether for the Christmas season, or life in general?Hebrews 4:15-16Recommended resources: Christmas is the Greatest MysteryTwo Truths and a Lie About Celebrating AdventBeautiful Mess Family Advent Devotionalmomlife.org/AdventGet some MomLife merch at bonfire.com/store/momlife Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful PURPOSE Melanie and Christy are joined with special guest Janey Pitts. Janey is an author and speaker with a vivacious spirit and calling to serve the Lord. She is passionate about inspiring others to become the person God has created them to be in their families, relationships, and overall lives. She has a Masters Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served on church staff for student ministry and missions. Janey passionately shares profound biblical truths using her knowledge of first century Biblical culture as well as translating the original Greek and Hebrew languages and puts it all into modern day relevance. Listen in as Melanie, Christy, and Janey discuss the historical, cultural, and spiritual relevance of Jesus being born and how it impacts our Christmas celebrations. Find out more about Janey at janeypitts.com and @officialjaneypitts. Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions: Hebrews 1:3reason for the seasonAdvent is a season on the Christian church calendar that is marked with longing and anticipation; it reminds us that our true hope is found in Christ alone. During Advent, we spend the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas remembering the coming of baby Jesus, and we anticipate his coming again. Celebrating Advent helps us to slow down and celebrate with mindfulness and purpose. To help you celebrate Advent with your family, we are offering a FREE PRINTABLE: Beautiful Mess Family Advent Devotional. Check it out! Recommended resources for today’s topic: Deeply Defined: Understanding Who You Are In ChristChristmas is the Greatest MysteryBeautiful Mess Family Advent Devotionalmomlife.org/advent Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful PURPOSE Melanie and Christy are joined with special guest Sara Turnquist. Sara is a writer who desires to speak into the spaces of women’s lives where they are struggling: with momming, with faith, and with life in general. Her presence is kind and full of warmth and grace. She always has a good story to tell and we just know you’ll be encouraged by her words today. Listen in as Melanie, Christy, and Sara discuss some common lies we believe and how to confront them with the Truth of what God says. Find out more about Sara at saraturnquist.com. Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions for today's episode: Psalm 139Recommended resources for today’s topic: Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your PeaceStop Calling Me Beautiful: Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep WorldPraying God’s Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual StrongholdsGet some MomLife merch at bonfire.com/store/momlife. Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. As we seek Jesus we find beautiful faith and also beautiful purpose. Some of the messiest things we face are the questions of: Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? If we are seeking Jesus to help us with answering those questions, we will find stability and security in who he has created us to be. He has given us an identity of great value and a calling of great purpose—whether that is on display in front of 1000s or 10s. You, sweet mom, matter and have outstanding worth. Join us as we talk about identity, purpose, and calling. Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion: Who am I?What is my purpose?Check out this FREE PRINTABLE for finding beautiful purpose.Ephesians 2:10Read it in contextTara-Leigh Cobblegood worksResources: It's Not Your TurnMade for ThisThe Importance of IdentitySo Happy to Know You!Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Melanie & Christy are joined with special guest Megan Evans. Megan's a wife, mother, & writer, She is passionate about spurring others on to know & walk at the pace of Jesus. She has a beautiful website—unhurrymyheart.com—where she offers encouragement for hurried hearts who want to be still. She’s a beautiful follow on IG @megan.m_evans, offering snippets of peace, joy, & calm into your day as you scroll. She also has a new book, Permission to Walk: A 40-Day Journey to Unhurried Peace, that helps readers learn how to truly be at peace with themselves, our world, & God in a society that prefers constant movement and distraction. Listen as they discuss the purpose, challenges, and beauty of developing a practice of prayer. Discussion questions Jeremiah 29:13Recommended resources Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer Storybook: A True Story of How You Can Talk With GodPrayer Downloads When You Pray This Is How We Pray: Discovering a Life of Intimate Friendship with GodPrayer CardsPrayer Journal for Mom for Kidsvalmariepaper.com/about/journals/everymomentholy.comPraying God’s Word Day by DayThe Prayer PracticeSubscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful FAITH We encourage you to save this episode to listen to outside as you take a prayerful walk in creation. But even if you can’t, we know Jesus is present wherever we are, whatever we are doing. Melanie describes what it would be like to literally take a walk with Jesus and then guides listeners through some scripture and prompts for a time of prayer. Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions for today's episode: Psalm 42 (NLT)Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)Psalm 105:3-5a (ESV)1 John 1:9 (NLT)1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)Philippians 4:6 (NLT)Psalm 121Recommended apps for daily scripture reading and guided prayer: Lectio 365Lectio for FamiliesDwellSubscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons

Send us a Text Message. Beautiful Mess: Seeking Jesus, Finding Beautiful FAITH Melanie and Christy talk about what it looks like to seek Jesus through the practice of reading scripture. We know it can feel daunting and overwhelming, or like you don’t have the time or space to add it into your hectic schedule. Listen in as they share tips and encouragement for why scripture is necessary to building your faith and finding help for the big stuff, the ordinary stuff, and everything in between. Build Your Mom Community with a Podcast Club! Discussion questions Reading scripture feels… Psalm 121FREE downloads Time Tracking WorksheetInductive Bible Study TipsThe Greatest Story Ever ToldResources The Bible Recap The Bible Recap PodcastWoven: Understanding the Bible as One Seamless StoryAwaken: 90 Days with the God Who SpeaksNLT Filament BibleESV Study BibleWays to Stay Motivated to Read Your Bible Everyday Dwellbiblehub.combiblegateway.comblueletterbible.orgM Subscribe & please leave a review! Follow us on socials @momlifeministries Find out more: momlife.org Editing: Angela Edwards Music: "Another Successful Day" BoDleasons