No Higher Calling

An Introduction to a Charlotte Mason Education with Leah Boden

Leah Boden, the Modern Miss Mason, joins me to give a beautiful introduction to a Charlotte Mason education. She emphasizes the wonder and delight found in this method, no matter what form of education your family chooses.

In her own words, the advice she shares is, "For every mother who desires to cultivate a lasting foundation of curiosity and wonder for her children from home, whilst continuing a rich life of learning for herself."

We discuss. . .

-A brief introduction to Charlotte Mason and her works

-What it means for children to be "born persons"

-How faith in Christ is woven into her ideals

-What a typical day of Mason-style schooling looks like

 

Resources:

https://www.leahboden.com/  

https://www.instagram.com/modernmissmason/ 

Modern Miss Mason by Leah Boden https://amzn.to/452wRKc 

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Psalm 23~ He Restoreth My Soul

"We are living the transition between paradise lost and paradise restored." -Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth

One day, paradise will be restored. All will be made right. But for now, we live in a broken, sin-cursed world. Because of this, we often find our souls in desperate need of restoration. This beautiful phrase in Psalm 23 reminds us that it is our Shepherd who restores us. Once we have been through the green pastures and by the still waters, our souls are restored. 

Restore means to "revive, refresh, renew." Do you need your soul restored? God delights in trading beauty for ashes. Let Him take your brokenness and restore beauty to your soul. 

 

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 23; 51:7, 10

Isaiah 43:19; 61:3

John 4:5-30

James 4:8

 

Resources:

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W Phillip Keller: https://amzn.to/3CJZGid 

The Heart of the Shepherd by Stephen Chappell: https://amzn.to/3Sh6B8R

 

If you do not know Christ as your Shepherd, email me at nohighercallingpodcast@gmail.com. I'd love nothing more than to share how Jesus Christ can be your Savior.

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Developing a Devotional Posture

Have you ever felt like you are too busy to spend time with the Lord? If we're being honest, I believe we could all answer "yes." There will always be distractions and pressing schedules. I'm not here to make you feel guilty, but I am here to challenge you (and myself!) to make Christ preeminent in our lives. Ladies, we will never be the women God desires for us to be if He does not have His rightful place in our lives!

In this episode, I share how God is teaching me to keep my heart and mind in a devotional posture. This happens through reading His Word and meditating on it, staying in a state of prayer, and continually worshipping Him. 

 

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 1:2; 19:14; 49;3; 104:34; 119:10, 15, 18, 97, 105

Proverbs 4:20

Isaiah 26:3

Matthew 4:4; 6:6-7

Mark 11:24

Luke 11:9

John 15:7

Romans 8:26; 15:4

Philippians 4:6, 8

I Timothy 4:13

II Timothy 3:16-17

I Thessalonians 5:17

Hebrews 4:12

I Peter 2:2

 

Resources:

Time Saving Mom by Crystal Paine: https://amzn.to/3mRLy1z 

NHC Shop: Pen the Proverbs

Prayer Mate prayer app

Head to Toe Prayer Journal: https://www.nohighercalling.org/shop/p/head-to-toe 

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Encouraging Your Children to Love Books

The Brazzell household loves books, from the oldest to the youngest! I often receive messages from moms asking me, "How do you get your children to enjoy books?" In this episode, I share various ways you can encourage a love for reading in your child (and in yourself!) Rich literature provides such delight. Expose your children to a feast of it! 

 

Resources:

NHC Podcast: Mothering in the Digital Age with Sarah Boots

NHC Podcast: The Importance of Reading with Your Kids Part I with Sarah Boots

NHC Podcast: The Importance of Reading with Your Kids Part II with Sarah Boots

NHC Podcast: Too Much TV?

 

A Beatrix Potter Treasury: https://amzn.to/3LhOz4F 

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh: https://amzn.to/41rgk0i 

A Madeline Treasury: https://amzn.to/3AfdCis

The Brambley Hedge: https://amzn.to/43PSkWc 

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Dads & Homeschooling Part II with Simeon

Simeon joins me in this episode to talk specifically to the husbands and dads represented by the ladies who listen to this podcast. So grab your husband and a cup of tea and join us as we chat about the role God has for dad in the home and in the education of your children.

 

In the previous episode, Simeon addressed the importance that the father plays in the home as the spiritual leader. Many of those responsibilities lead families to make the choice that homeschooling is the educational model that aligns best with their family values. We ask the question, "What role does dad play in home education?" Simeon shares great practical advice on how the husband & father can be a co-laborer with mom in this area.

Here's a highlight of some of the points covered in this episode:

-How dad can communicate, encourage, and pray for mom as the teacher

-The importance of the family table creating a lifestyle of learning

-The impact of dads reading aloud to their children

-Ways dad can get engaged in the learning and interests of the children

 

 

Resources:

NHC Podcast: Family Worship https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/family-worship/id1547126864?i=1000594670765

NHC Podcast: How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum https://ryw6ld.podbean.com/e/ep-30-how-to-choose-a-homeschool-curriculum/

Family Worship by Donald Whitney: https://amzn.to/3UyoCAX

Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay Clarkson: https://amzn.to/3MBBqVe

Gather Round Homeschool: https://gatherroundhomeschool.com/

The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie: https://amzn.to/3KYtmwl

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Dads & Homeschooling Part I with Simeon

Simeon joins me in this episode to talk specifically to the husbands and dads represented by the ladies who listen to this podcast. So grab your husband and a cup of tea and join us as we chat about the role God has for dad in the home and in the education of your children.

This is the first of a 2 part episode where Simeon opens the Scriptures and digs deep into the role of the husband and father. This episode, while touching on academic education, deals more with a father's role in his home as the spiritual leader. A foundation will be laid for what the broader goal of education and learning is. We are seeking to guide our children in truth, raise them to grow in their spiritual maturity, and to see them fulfill the purpose God has created them for. Having this goal in mind keeps you on a path of spiritual discipleship within your home and family culture. 

 

Scriptures Referenced:

Deuteronomy 6:1-12, 20

Ephesians 5:25-28

Colossians 1:16-17

II Timothy 2:15

Hebrews 11:23

 

Resources:

Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay Clarkson: https://amzn.to/3MBBqVe

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

The Discipline of Remembering God with Gracie Heaton

Gracie Heaton, missionary to the United Kingdom, joins me to share how the Lord is challenging her to remember Him. Psalm 106 contains the record of the children of Israel, how they forgot the works of the Lord and sinned against Him. We can be quick to judge Israel, but how quick are we to forget the works of the Lord?

Psalm 111:4 says, "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered." Gracie shares Scriptural commands for the discipline of remembering God, and practical ways that we can implement this into our lives. This is so important because God desires for us to pass truth to the next generation, and we cannot do this if we are not remembering God ourselves.

 

Scriptures Referenced:

Deuteronomy 8:2

I Samuel 7:12

Psalm 20:7; 77:11-12; 78:6-7; 105:5; 106; 111:4; 143:5

Ecclesiastes 12:1

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

A Tribute to Patch the Pirate

It is a rare day when the voice of "Patch the Pirate" (aka Ron Hamilton) is not heard in our home. Simeon and I grew up on Patch the Pirate audio adventures, and it has been such a blessing to our family to introduce them to our children.

Join Patch the Pirate as he captains the Jolly Roger! You'll fall in love with characters like Sissy Seagull, Alberta Einstein, Commodore, Princess, and all many more. Adventure to many lands all while learning truths from God's Word. These stories are full of biblical wisdom and songs of worship and praise!

As a Christian mother of young children, I am always looking for resources that will aid us in instructing our children in truth and righteousness. I can 100% recommend Patch the Pirate as a wonderful resource to accomplish that. 

Ron Hamilton entered heaven last week, a faithful Christian who received his "well done!" Hear from me and the kids as we say our "thank you" to Ron Hamilton and the entire crew for all their ministry has (and continues) to mean to our family.

 

Our Favorite Patch Adventures:

Eden- Operation Artic

Knox- Patch the Pirate Goes to the Jungle

Brettnay- Kilimanjaro, Kidnapped on I-land, Kingdom Chronicles, The Incredible Race, and The Final Voyage

Others we have greatly enjoyed- Once Upon a Starry Night, Time Twisters, Ocean Commotion, Villain of Venice, Shipwrecked on Pleasure Island

 

Resources:

Patch the Pirate Audio Adventures: https://www.majestymusic.com/patch-the-pirate.html

(missionaries receive 20% off physical purchases if you call Majesty Music)

Patch Plus Streaming App: https://patchthepirate.org/

(receive unlimited access to all Patch Adventures for $6.99/month)

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Psalm 23~ He Leadeth Me Beside the Still Waters

David, the shepherd boy, gives beautiful illustrations about God through the lens of the relationship he has with his sheep. We are journeying through Psalm 23, and this episode brings us to the still waters. Sheep will not drink from waters that are rushing. Neither should they drink from waters that are stagnant. The shepherd must find still, peaceful waters for them to be refreshed by. God does the same thing for us. Throughout hills and valleys of our lives, He has perfectly placed still waters, and He promises to lead us to them. 

 

Scriptures Referenced:

Job 14:1

Psalm 23

Philippians 4:7

Colossians 3:15

 

Resources:

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W Phillip Keller: https://amzn.to/3CJZGid 

The Heart of the Shepherd by Stephen Chappell: https://amzn.to/3Sh6B8R

Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan: https://amzn.to/3UsLPnQ 

If you do not know Christ as your Shepherd, email me at nohighercallingpodcast@gmail.com. I'd love nothing more than to share how Jesus Christ can be your Savior.

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org

Cleaning with Littles

At the first of the year, Sarah Boots from Altogether Lovely Collective joined me to share how "Clean 15" has revolutionized cleaning in their home. I gleaned so much from her wisdom, but being in the middle of an international move, it was not a good time for us to implement them. Fast forward a few months, we are now settled into our new life in Australia, and we have implemented our own version of Clean 15. 
In this episode, I share:

-what Clean 15 looks like for us

-how to incorporate your littles into cleaning

-natural, safe cleaning products 

 

Resources:

NHC Podcast: Clean 15 with Sarah Boots

NHC YouTube: Cleaning with Littles Using Natural Supplies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeJi_LPv34Q

 

Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org