Our 1 Blessed Mess

Ep. 20 - Worthy of Your Pain: Reconciling Suffering with Faith

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2434801/fan_mail/new] What happens when faith collides with real-world suffering? We tackle this question head-on, diving deep into a conversation most would rather avoid. Pain is universal—no one escapes it—yet our Western church culture often lacks a robust theology for navigating life's darkest valleys. Through the lens of Job's ancient story, we uncover how God never explains the "why" behind suffering, offering instead His presence and character. This biblical truth challenges common misconceptions that obedience equals comfort or that faith shields us from hardship. Jesus himself promised trouble in this world, while Paul, Peter, and James all spoke of suffering as an expected part of the faith journey. Science confirms what scripture suggests: transformation often emerges from our deepest pain. Studies reveal that 50-60% of trauma survivors experience positive change through what psychologists call Post-Traumatic Growth—new possibilities, deeper relationships, increased personal strength, spiritual renewal, and greater appreciation for life. Whether you're currently walking through darkness or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers both comfort and challenge. God collects our tears, draws near to the brokenhearted, and promises His presence through the waters and fires of life. Consider sharing this episode with someone who needs to hear they're not alone in their suffering. Your Listening to our 1 blessed mess, with ben and liz Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/our1blessedmess]

Ep. 19 - The Shepherd's Voice: Tuning into God

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2434801/fan_mail/new] The ability to hear God's voice is a cornerstone of authentic faith, yet many believers struggle to recognize when the Lord is speaking to them. In this heartfelt conversation, Ben and Liz unpack Jesus's powerful metaphor of sheep recognizing their shepherd's voice, revealing how this ancient imagery perfectly illustrates our spiritual relationship with God today. Drawing from John 10, they explore how sheep know their shepherd through consistent exposure, trust, and relationship—not through inherent knowledge. This same pattern applies to our spiritual lives as we learn to attune our ears to God's guidance through Scripture, the Holy Spirit's promptings, and wisdom from godly community. The couple shares vulnerable stories from their own faith journey, including a remarkable moment when they both simultaneously felt God directing them to move to Florida during a church service—a prompting they initially resisted but later confirmed through multiple channels. This testimony demonstrates how God often speaks through layered confirmation, giving us assurance in significant life decisions. For those wanting practical help, Ben and Liz outline four essential tests for discerning God's voice: the Scripture test (alignment with God's Word), the character test (reflection of God's nature), the fruit test (producing love, joy, peace), and the community test (confirmation from mature believers). They complement these with actionable steps including creating regular quiet time, journaling spiritual impressions, and establishing prayer partnerships. Perhaps most comforting is their reminder that God shows tremendous patience with our learning process. Just as parents delight in a child's wobbly first steps without expecting immediate perfection, our heavenly Father rejoices in our growth as we develop spiritual discernment. The ultimate goal isn't perfect performance but genuine relationship—a connection where we recognize His voice amid life's competing noises. Ready to develop a more intuitive recognition of God's voice in your life? Listen now, and start your journey toward clearer spiritual discernment and deeper communion with the Shepherd who knows you by name. Your Listening to our 1 blessed mess, with ben and liz Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/our1blessedmess]

Ep. 18 - Cheerful Giving: How it Changes You

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2434801/fan_mail/new] What happens in your brain when you give generously? Ben and Liz tackle the fascinating science behind "cheerful giving" and reveal how our brains actually release dopamine and endorphins during acts of generosity – the same reward chemicals we experience when receiving gifts ourselves! They share vulnerable stories of their giving journey, including a surprising mountain bike gift divinely orchestrated between Ben and a missionary friend, and a powerful moment when they each received the exact same financial amount to give while praying separately. These experiences reveal how giving stretches our faith while simultaneously connecting us more deeply with God's heart. Drawing from Randy Alcorn's Treasure Principle, they unpack six transformative frameworks for developing a cheerful giver's heart, including the fundamental understanding that "God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving." Studies confirm that generous people break free from the scarcity mindset that plagues our culture – the more you give, the more "enough" you feel you have. For those wanting to cultivate generosity, Ben and Liz offer practical steps anyone can implement: start where you are (consistency matters more than amount), practice gratitude daily, make giving decisions as a family, and build giving into your budget as a priority. The rewards? Joy that transcends circumstances, freedom from materialism's grip, modeling kingdom values for your children, and storing up eternal treasures. Mentioned in the Episode:  * Treasure Principle [https://amzn.to/3Gj2Zl4] (affiliate link) Your Listening to our 1 blessed mess, with ben and liz Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/our1blessedmess]

Ep. 17 - Beyond Borders: Importance of Family Travel

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2434801/fan_mail/new] Having experienced international travel in our youth—Liz on a mission trip to Jamaica at age 12 and Ben as an exchange student in Russia at 15—we knew we wanted cultural exploration to be part of their family DNA. Despite the logistical challenges of traveling with half a dozen kids (including marathon 20-hour road trips), we discovered that the benefits far outweighed the occasional car sickness episodes and roadside diaper blowouts. The science behind our intuition is fascinating. Research confirms that travel experiences create more powerful memories than material possessions—something we verified when none of our children could remember Christmas gifts but could vividly recall details from family trips. Travel activates the brain's novelty-seeking reward system while increasing cognitive flexibility and empathy. We also discuss how experiencing different cultures aligns perfectly with biblical principles, from Abraham's journey to a new land to Jesus declaring the temple "a house of prayer for all nations." In this Episode we cover:  • Science supports that travel memories are stored differently in our brains than gifts or material items • Experiencing different cultures increases cognitive flexibility and makes people more agreeable • Biblical precedents for travel include Abraham's journey and Paul's missionary trips • Traveling connects us with God's multicultural vision of "every tribe, tongue, people and language" • Children exposed to different faith expressions often develop stronger personal faith • Experiencing other cultures doesn't always depend on travel. Find multicultural experiences around your city • Practical tips include packing "busy bags" for kids, bringing healthy food options, and using audiobooks • Budget strategies involve traveling with other families, planning during off-seasons, and meal planning • Using credit card points can significantly reduce travel expenses without creating debt (if done correctly) • Teaching children flexibility and maintaining a "happy heart" when plans change builds resilience • Most Christians today (70%) live in Africa, Asia, and Latin America rather than the West Your Listening to our 1 blessed mess, with ben and liz Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/our1blessedmess]

Ep. 16 - 8 Tips For Newlyweds: Crowdsourced Marriage Wisdom

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2434801/fan_mail/new] What if the secret to a thriving marriage isn’t found in perfection, but in the messy, beautiful journey of serving one another? After 20 years of marriage, raising six kids in eight years, and now navigating life with four teenagers (plus seven chickens, two dogs, and our newest additions—two goats), we've gathered a kind of wisdom that only comes through lived experience. In this candid conversation, we’re sharing eight essential tips for building a strong foundation in marriage. From embracing what we call a “servitarian marriage”—where each of us makes a conscious effort to prioritize the other’s needs—to learning how to fight fair without ever mentioning “the D word,” we’ve found that practical, grounded advice speaks to both newlyweds and couples who’ve been in it for the long haul. We talk about why we’ve never stopped doing date nights (even when parenting has us running on fumes), how keeping short accounts through forgiveness keeps our hearts soft, and why laughter is one of our most important tools in tough seasons. We don’t shy away from the hard stuff, either. Financial disagreements? Yep—we’ve had our share. Coming from different economic backgrounds created tensions we’ve had to navigate with intention. We also share what we’ve learned about valuing all forms of intimacy—not just physical—and how establishing meaningful family traditions has brought us closer, offering a holistic approach to marriage that honors both its challenges and its joys. Maybe most importantly, we open up about our own missteps and the growth that followed—from early days when gaming addiction nearly drove a wedge between us, to the healing power of forgiveness when expectations weren’t met. And our bonus tip? Limit digital distractions. It’s a modern challenge that demands real boundaries and grace. Whether you’re just starting out or celebrating decades together, these eight tips (plus a little bonus wisdom) offer practical tools to help your marriage grow stronger through a posture of mutual service. Because in the end, it’s not about perfection—it’s about embracing the mess together and finding blessing in the journey. Mentioned in this Episode:  * Sacred Marriage [https://amzn.to/3EhfJrB] (affiliate link) * Love & Respect [https://amzn.to/4iYonuh] (affiliate link)  * The Great Sex Rescue [https://amzn.to/4ietxkP] (affiliate link) * Sheet Music [https://amzn.to/4ie27ex] (affiliate link) * Our Servitarian Guide [https://www.our1blessedmess.com/resources/servitarian-guide/] * Our Digital Detox Guide [https://www.our1blessedmess.com/resources/family-digital-detox/] Your Listening to our 1 blessed mess, with ben and liz Support the show [https://buymeacoffee.com/our1blessedmess]