You probably already know this, but let's revisit it with some numbers behind it... A study released by the American Psychological Association reported that the second and third leading causes for holiday stress are a lack of money (62%) and commercialism (53%). Yikes. We're seeing "SALE" every time we scroll or turn on our wind-down show at the end of the day, and our fingers itch to go take a look because honestly we never knew how much we needed that 72% off salad spinner and what if it's never on sale like this again?!? The next few weeks will be amplified, feeding us a constant stream of inadequacy and the pressure to buy into most of our everyday life. But we're choosing to hit reset. We're backing up and taking a bigger perspective. What would it look like to focus more on where you're distributing your time, talent and treasure instead of just your dollars? What happens when you feel obligated to be, buy and do all the holiday things? Resentment. That's what happens. What if we choose joy over obligation? More importantly...how do we choose joy over obligation? Catch today's podcast, A Conversation About Big Spending & [...]

It’s almost Advent time – a time of reflection, anticipation, and preparation. This time of year invites us to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Christ's birth so we will actively remember the hope, peace, joy, and love that He brings into our lives. There are so many Advent resources designed to help us remember the true meaning of Christmas – so many that it can be hard to narrow down. Here are a few of our favorites: family Giving Manger (preschool, young elementary)  The Giving Manger helps families shift the focus of Christmas back to giving. Every time a family member does something kind for someone else, they get to place a piece of straw in the manger. On Christmas Day, the Baby is placed in the manger filled with service and love. As your family serves one another and others, you’ll find your hearts + home have more of the kind of joy only Jesus offers us. Tiny Theologians ABCs of Christmas Cards (elementary)  This set of ABC Cards helps your kids understand what the holiday season is all about: [...]

We did something a little different on the podcast this week, Erica. Somer + Michelle took a confidence quiz in real-time -- and whew, it opened up a raw, honest dialogue. Of course, we want you to listen, but what we really hope is that you'll take this as our invitation to answer these questions honestly yourself. And if you really want it to be impactful, listen to this one with someone you trust and share your answers with one another. We were low-key shocked by the vulnerability generated from a Buzzfeed quiz. (You read that right!) Here's the truth: Finding genuine confidence isn't just about acknowledging your strengths but also understanding your vulnerabilities. We all have insecurities, moments of self-doubt, and areas where we long for validation. You're not alone in these feelings. And while we'll never encourage you to stay there, there's zero shame in admitting where you're weak. So hit play with an open heart. Ask God to help you recognize the areas where you feel confident and where you feel exposed. He's big enough to carry you through both. We hope this episode speaks to your heart as much as it did to ours. Listen [...]