As parents, we devote at least two decades to raising our children so they can go off into the world as (hopefully) confident, kind, and capable individuals. It’s easy for our identity to get wrapped up in parenthood, but we eventually have to confront who we are once the kids are gone - and that can be intimidating. Jim welcomes author, speaker, and marriage coach Jill Savage to talk about her book Empty Nest, Full Life, and how much joy can be found in the season after kids. From dissolving codependency to reconnecting with your spouse, from reigniting old hobbies to finding new ones, from “bleacher-butt” friends to deep, lasting friendships, this conversation will encourage you to be intentional in whatever stage of parenting you are currently in.

Jim's Takeaways for Moving Forward in the Empty Nest

• Remember that your children haven’t left your life
• Reinvent the relationship with your adult children (they aren’t your major emotional support!)
• Work out flexible ways to stay in touch
• Reactivate your social life
• Practice healthy doses of self-care

HomeWord Links:

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

HomeWord+ Online Courses: https://homeword.com/homeword-plus/

Jill Savage Links:

Jill Savage: https://jillsavage.org/

Empty Nest Resources: https://www.emptynestbook.com/the-resources/

No More Perfect Marriages LIVE Events: https://jillsavage.org/no-more-perfect-marriages-live-oct-2024/

Leave a Message for HomeWord: 949-485-3905

Have a question you want Jim to answer? Email us! info@homeword.com

Books:

Empty Nest, Full Life: https://a.co/d/anzRZh8

Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: https://a.co/d/9zG4nTd

Doing Life with Your Adult Children: https://a.co/d/gmFWAMP

Order Jim’s New Book:

A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

Studies show that Gen-Z is the loneliest generation despite the pervasiveness of technology. However, loneliness isn't new; it can be experienced by a single person, a married individual, a person in a church community - even in families. So how do we keep this experience from evolving into a lifelong condition? Jim welcomes author, speaker, and founder of Ruth Graham Ministries, Ruth Graham to discuss her book, Transforming Loneliness: Deepening our Relationships with God and Others When We Feel Alone. Having lived through many seasons of loneliness herself, Ruth shares how being honest with God and a trusted friend opens up the door for transformation - and how loneliness has a positive side if we look for it.

Jim's Takeaways

Replenishing Relationships

• We have to seek replenishing relationships. We all have VDPs in our lives - Very Draining People - but I want to focus on VIP’s. Do you have VIP’s in your life? People who really replenish your relationships?
• We need friendships primarily in two areas:
  • Mentors - do you have someone who can coach you, and give you wisdom and wise counsel? Someone you can imitate?
    • These mentors can also be found in books in certain seasons of our life - but they shouldn’t be your primary mentor.
  • Peer Support - This could be one person or a small group of peers that you are honest and open with - you tell them when you’re lonely, hurting, struggling, etc. A good peer relationship will be someone who shares back, and you can walk alongside, pray with, and encourage each other - and hold you accountable.

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

HomeWord+ Online Courses: https://homeword.com/homeword-plus/

About Ruth Graham: http://www.ruthgraham.com/meet-ruth-graham/

Ruth Graham Ministries: http://www.ruthgraham.com/

Leave a Message for HomeWord: 949-485-3905

Have a question you want Jim to answer? Email us! info@homeword.com

Books:

Transforming Loneliness: Deepening our Relationships with God and Others When We Feel Alone: https://a.co/d/6PmxxM7

In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart: https://a.co/d/8BoLlJB

Ruth Graham Books

Order Jim’s New Book:

A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

Blended families are a beautiful picture of hope after loss or pain. Two adults find themselves falling in love again and the possibilities seem endless! But - how does blending your family actually work? How do you navigate stepsiblings, former in-laws, money, and parenting? On today’s episode, Jim welcomes renowned blended-family expert Ron Deal to talk about the principles in his book, Building Love Together in Blended Families. Jim and Ron discuss the beauty and complexity of bringing two family units together - and how ‘all you need is love’ is, with all due respect to the Beatles, not going to cut it in the long run.

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

HomeWord+ Online Courses: https://homeword.com/homeword-plus/

About Ron Deal: https://www.rondeal.org/

Smart Stepfamilies: https://smartstepfamilies.com/

FamilyLife Blended: https://www.familylife.com/familylifeblended/blended-families/

Books:

The Smart Stepfamily: Seven Steps to a Healthy Family: https://a.co/d/glkVkMm

Building Love Together in Blended Families: https://a.co/d/bsATUm8

Preparing to Blend: https://a.co/d/ezJ0VkN

Ron’s Books on Amazon

Order Jim’s New Book:

A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

Sometimes you hear a story that plants seeds of change in your life. It challenges you, encourages you, takes root in your heart and mind - and you can sense that God wanted you to hear it at this moment. Jim’s conversation with Megan Fate Marshman; speaker, author, and teaching pastor is one that left our team profoundly impacted. With discussions on grief, trust, suffering, and humility, we believe this episode will leave its mark. And we, like Jim and Megan, trust God to work in your life as you listen.

Megan’s new book, Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried about a Thing, is now available at most booksellers.

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

HomeWord+ Online Courses: https://homeword.com/homeword-plus/

About Megan Fate Marshman: https://www.meganfate.com/about

Follow Megan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganfate/

Hume Lake Christian Camps: https://hume.org/about-hume/

Books:

Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried About a Thing: https://www.meganfate.com/shop/p/relaxed-book

Meant for God: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You: https://www.meganfate.com/shop/p/meant-for-good

Order Jim’s New Book:

A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

Have you fallen into a negative thinking pattern when it comes to your marriage? Are you praising your spouse in your mind or are you focusing on the things they do “wrong”? While this is not uncommon, it is a pattern that will not change unless you catch it, address it, and alter it. Jim welcomes writer, author, and speaker Ted Lowe to discuss this concept from his book, Us in Mind: How Changing Your Thoughts Can Change Your Marriage. This episode is one to save, share, and replay whenever you need practical tips and encouragement for strengthening your marriage!

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

HomeWord+ Online Courses: https://homeword.com/homeword-plus/

About Ted Lowe: https://forusmarriage.com/

Ted Lowe Blog: https://forusmarriage.com/blog/

Books:

Us In Mind: How Changing Your Thoughts Can Change Your Marriage: https://a.co/d/d3dO01n

Order Jim’s New Book:

A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

Jim’s Primary Takeaway

Does it really matter?

It’s all too easy to make mountains out of molehills in our marriages. We’re not talking about serious issues like adultery, abuse, or addictions - we’re talking about your spouse leaving the toilet seat up, leaving dirty dishes in the sink, leaving clothes lying around - these are the little things that can lead to arguments. Ask yourself: in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter? Have calm conversations around things that really bug you, of course - but recognize when something is not worth the energy (or enmity) against your spouse.

“We should not be ashamed to discuss what God was not ashamed to create.” - Howard Hendricks.

This is the third installment of our Sexual Integrity series. Today, Jim welcomes Dr. Juli Slattery; a clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and the president/co-founder of Authentic Intimacy. This episode focuses on addressing our personal views on sexual integrity. Did we grow up with the topic of sex as off-limits or dirty? Did we believe that sex was a pass/fail test? Jim and Juli discuss how to begin untangling the web of misinformation around sex and spirituality we may have as adults - so we can guide our children on their journey of biblically sound sexual integrity.

If you missed the first two installments of this series, check out these episodes to catch up: Episode 18 - Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexual Integrity with Jim Burns

Episode 19 - A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity with Erin Mashaw

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

HomeWord+ Online Courses: https://homeword.com/homeword-plus/

About Juli Slattery: https://www.authenticintimacy.com/about-juli-slattery/

Authentic Intimacy: https://www.authenticintimacy.com/

Sexual Discipleship Ministry: https://sexualdiscipleship.com/

Books:

A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

Authentic Intimacy: https://a.co/d/h4xMgAL

Chasing Love: https://a.co/d/8vya62B

This is the second installment of our Sexual Integrity series! Today, Jim is joined by the Parent Engagement Director at Northpoint Community Church and co-author Erin Mashaw to discuss their new book, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity. By looking back at “purity culture” and the unintended ramifications of that movement, Jim and Erin explain what Sexual Integrity means for kids and teens today. Through adapted language and a strong emphasis on God’s grace as shown throughout the Bible, we can encourage our children to live a life of biblical integrity without the burden of shame.

If you missed the first installment of this series, check out last week’s episode to catch up: Episode 18 - Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexual Integrity with Jim Burns.

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

HomeWord+ Online Courses: https://homeword.com/homeword-plus/

Erin Mashaw at Northpoint Community Church: https://northpoint.org/parent

A Parent’s Guide to Conversations About Sex: https://northpoint.org/conversations

Books:

A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

Bible Verses:

1 Thessalonians 4:3

Talking to your kids about sex might feel like a low priority for parents, especially when we hope they'll wait until marriage. However, research shows that positive, value-centered conversations about sex lead to less promiscuity and confusion among children. In today's episode, Jim encourages parents to teach their children about sexual integrity. When kids understand their worth comes from Christ, they can better recognize and resist the world's temptations. Join Jim and special guests over the next few weeks to discuss healthy sexuality and pre-order his new book, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity.

HomeWord Website: https://homeword.com/

HomeWord Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@homeword

Jim Burns Blog: https://homeword.com/jims-blog/

Books:

PRE-ORDER A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

God Made Your Body: https://homeword.com/product/god-made-your-body/

Pure Foundation Series: https://homeword.com/product-category/pure-foundation-series/

Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 6:20

Romans 12:1 & 2

Psalm 119:37

Proverbs 4:23

Genesis 1 & 2

1 Thessalonians 4:3

Matthew 19:4-6

Communicating the Gospel

The Four Principles

1. Lead with Love
   1. This is the message of Jesus. He didn’t agree with those who were going against the morality of the day, but He did lead with love. We should too.
2. Kindness Matters
   1. Is it possible to be kind and still hold a biblical worldview? YES, it is!
3. Make sure that our kids understand they were made in the image of God
   1. Make sure they understand that God created them! When God created them, He said it was “very good”!
4. God Loves You Unconditionally
   1. Make sure they know that He loves them completely and unconditionally!