No Higher Calling

Ep 38- Parenting and Discipleship

Brettnay's husband, Simeon, is a co-host of the podcast, General Order 4. His podcast takes a deep dive into Biblical discipleship as Christ outlined with His disciples. Simeon joins Brettnay as they do a joint episode for both of their podcasts. They explain what Biblical discipleship really is- a transfer of the life of Christ in you into the life of someone else. While we often think of the responsibility believers have to disciple new converts, this episode discusses the importance of having a discipleship mindset within the home. The call Christ gave His disciples was a call to be with Him. Our children are with us, living life with us. It falls under the jurisdiction of our stewardship as parents to be intentional with this time God has given us, and give our children the Word of God. This will enable them to grow in maturity- spiritual and emotional maturity. 

Resources: Find General Order 4 on all major podcast platforms.

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

Ep 37- The Beauty of Birth with Katie Ferguson

Katie Ferguson, with Open Heart Doula, joins Brettnay on this episode. Katie was instrumental in Simeon and Brettnay's beautiful homebirth experience with their third baby. God used her in many ways, but the most life-changing for Brettnay was having Katie open her eyes to the realization that birth doesn't have to look one way. You have options, and you get to make the choice of what is best for you and baby.

Listen in as Katie answers questions like. . .

-What is a doula?

-How are they an important part of the birth team?

-Is a doula only for natural, homebirths?

Brettnay and Katie transition into talking about the beauty that is found in birth. The experiences Katie has had from being at over 80 births has given her a deep appreciation for a woman's body, the birth process, and God as Creator. Whether your best birth looks just like Brettnay and Katie's, or something completely different, God desires to reveal Himself to you in a deeper way as you lean on His strength and as you mirror the character of the Life-Giver.

 

Resources:

Open Heart Doula

NHC Blog: Our Home Birth Experience

NHC Blog: Ivy Jade's Birth Story

 

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

Ep 36- Do The Next Thing

Brettnay has been studying the life of Elisabeth Elliot. Elisabeth and her husband, Jim, had big dreams of how God was going to use them on the mission field. All of those plans drastically changed when Jim was speared to death by the very people that he desired to share Christ with. Elisabeth was overwhelmed as she worked through those days following her husband's death. The only way she was able to cope was by doing the next thing. Following Christ and obeying Him in the responsibility of that next thing led her from that thing to the next. This lesson led her to thousands of "next things" she accomplished for Christ.

We all face seasons of uncertainty and overwhelm. Brettnay shares how God is using this lesson of doing the next thing in her life. 

 

Resources:

Suffering Is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn

 

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

Ep 35- Truth, Lies, & The Birth Control Pill

The Holy Spirit led Brettnay and Simeon to share their personal journey with the birth control pill, the lies they believed regarding it, and the truth that God brought them to. They have a strong desire to help families and glorify Christ, even in the area of fertility and intimacy. Culture has led us to believe lies that are in direct opposition to God's Word. We must stand for truth, no matter how difficult or inconvenient. Every life is precious, and every life deserves to be fought for! Why? Because every life is created in the image of God! As Brettnay and Simeon have sought God's Word, medical advice, and researched this issue for themselves, they have come to believe that the birth control pill is an abortive form of contraception. This episode shares how they came to that belief and where God led them from there.

 

Resources: The Fierce Marriage Podcast: Abortion, Birth Control, IVF, and Babies (Adam and Chelsea Griffin)

Is Abortion the Killing of the Unborn by Clarence Sexton

For more information on the negative affects hormonal birth control has on the body, read Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden

 

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

Ep 34- Simplified Hospitality with Marcie Fowler

Hospitality should not be a daunting task. It is something God has called believers to. Whatever God asks of us, He always equips us to do. So, why do we feel like showing hospitality is so difficult? It is because we have gotten our eyes off of Christ's intentions for hospitality and onto the world's version. When you look to the world's standard, all of the sudden your house is too small, not chic enough, food not fancy enough, conversations not impressive enough. 

Marcie Fowler joins Brettnay in this episode as they debunk myths as to why many women think that hospitality is unattainable. Marcie's mission is to help women in this area and to provide advice to help simplify hosting while keeping your focus God's focus. 

Resources: https://www.marciefowler.com/

Follow Marcie on Instagram @marcie.carol.fowler

Marcie's Freebie: 5 Easy Crowd Pleasing Meals

*Be watching for Marcie's Hospitality Course coming in September!

 

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

Ep 33- All Things for Our Good

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Our idea of all things working together for good often means we cling to this verse as a promise of happiness and ease for our lives as Christians. That is not the truth God was conveying in this verse. Circumstances and trials come into our lives that do not feel as though they are intended for our good. Sometimes, it feels that those difficulties will the be thing that drown us in sorrow, confusion, anxiety and doubt. The promise we find in this verse is that God will orchestrate every single detail of our lives not only for His glory, but also for our good- our eternal good. 

Brettnay shares several dark valleys God has chosen for her family to face. Sudden death, mental illness, abandonment, and miscarriage are just a few of the chapters God's written into Brettnay's story. As she shares her journey, you will hear that though there were days where the sorrow threatened to capsize her faith, God was ever faithful. Watching God work miracles in her life has provided her with anchors of faith as she can look back and see God's guiding hand in every twist and turn. Whatever trial you are looking to, lean on Christ. His ways might not always feel like they're for our good, but friend, they are. The good He desires to work in our lives is a transformation that makes us more like our Saviour.

Resources: A Letter In Your Loss by Kristen Kelley

Blog: A Poem Remembering Our Baby

 

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

Ep 32- A Life Infused with Christ

Infuse: to cause to be permeated with something that alters usually for the better

Is every area of your life infused with Christ? Does He permeate into your schedule, your marriage, your motherhood, etc? Friend, He should! So often we clench our fists, not allowing God to have control of everything. We think we know better. This episode is a challenge to let go and let God. Allow Him to permeate every area of your life. Discover the unity and oneness found only in Him, and relinquish all control into His mighty hands. He can do better with our lives than we could ever do for ourselves!

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

Ep 31- Gather Round Homeschool

Gather Round Homeschool has been the curriculum Brettnay and Simeon chose to use for Eden's K5 school year, and they are all in love with it! Not only has this curriculum provided Eden with a wonderful foundation of learning, but also it has helped guide their family as they've solidified even more what they believe God intends for their home school journey. In John 10:10 Jesus says, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Christ has gifted us with life abundant. Gather Round has helped Simeon and Brettnay achieve God's abundant blessings on their homeschool year with Eden. 

This curriculum is not just centered around God. God is infused into every aspect of learning. Join Brettnay on this episode as she shares about how Gather Round works and how it has worked for their family this year.

Resources:

Gather Round Homeschool

Video: What is Gather Round Homeschool By Rebecca Spooner

Video: How Do I Know It's Enough? by Rebecca Spooner

Spell to Write and Read

Masterbooks

*In the month of July, we're celebrating 6 months of the No Higher Calling podcast!! You'll find details about a fun giveaway and how to enter on this episode.

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

 

Ep 30- How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum

Choosing to home educate your child is a big decision. Once you make the choice and become a "homeschool family," now what? There are hundreds of curriculum choices out there, and it can quickly give you the feelings of overwhelm and frustration. I've been there. I had to realize that choosing the "perfect" curriculum wasn't going to make or break our homeschool experience. Curriculum is a wonderful and important tool, but it is just that, a tool. 

In this episode I outline steps to help you choose the homeschool curriculum that you believe God has for your family to use as a tool in your child's education. Start with writing out an educational philosophy and educational goals and then narrow it down to what homeschooling method best aligns with your core values. Doing these things will guide you to choosing from hundreds of options to a handful. The most important thing you can do in making this choice is to pray! He wants your children to receive a wholesome education even more than you could. Why? Because He has a specific plan and purpose for their lives, and He wants them to be adequately prepared to follow Him wherever He may lead.

Resources: Homeschooling Methods by Paul & Gena Suarez

*In the month of July, we're celebrating 6 months of the No Higher Calling podcast!! You'll find details about a fun giveaway and how to enter on this episode.

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org 

Ep 29- Why We Are a Home School Family

God has led Simeon and Brettnay to be a home school family. Home education is so much more than just school; it is a way of life. In this episode, they outline the main reasons why they have chosen this path for their family. Whatever education model God leads your family to, the child's education is always the parent's responsibility. We must be engaged and purposeful in this area.

 

Follow Brettnay's motherhood journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/nohighercalling_ and www.nohighercalling.org