Discovering the Dad Who Raised Her Wasn't Her Biological Father with Megan Phillips
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Release Date: 03/21/2023
Ep. 161: Rediscovering the Front Porch: Why It Still Builds Family and Community with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Whether you call it a veranda, piazza, stoop or porch, these appendages to our homes can have a positive impact on our family and community. It doesn’t have to be fancy or huge to be a welcoming respite away from the chores, homework and television. Make it as comfortable as you can and invite the kids and hubby outside for a change of scenery and a bit of togetherness. And include the neighbors of you’re feeling up to having company. Let’s bring back the front porch. This is the tenth and final episode in the Blueprints for Building Your Spiritual Dream Home series. If you’ve missed...
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Ep. 160: Your Scars Tell Your Story with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
What scars do you carry? Maybe you’ve had a c-section (or 3) and don’t want to wear a bathing suit anymore (among other reasons). Maybe you’ve been injured in an accident and try to disguise the evidence. Or maybe you’ve suffered from cancer and now have an ugly scar as a reminder of your survival. Whatever the reason, it’s natural for us to want to cover unsightly scars from public view. When I was in my mid-twenties and almost put my eye out from accidentally shoving my face into a large splinter, I didn’t realize the permanent damage that could have been done until the ER sent...
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Ep. 159: Oaks of Righteousness: Raising Families with Deep Roots with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Home isn’t just a place—it’s a story. When my husband and I set out to build our forever home on his family’s farm, we weren’t just choosing land; we were choosing legacy. Every step across those pastures reminded us that roots matter—both the ones in the soil and the ones in our hearts. And as we stood beneath a solitary oak, we realized this journey was about more than a house. It was about building on a foundation that time can’t shake. This is the eighth episode in the Blueprints for Building Your Spiritual Dream Home series. If you’ve missed any of the previous episodes, I...
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Ep. 158: The Power of Light: Becoming a Spiritual Lamplighter with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
I’ll leave the light on for you. Have you ever heard that line before? Motel 6 turned that phrase into a promise—but spiritually, it’s a calling. Darkness is everywhere, but one light can change everything. That light is Christ in you. Just like lamplighters once walked city streets to protect their communities, you’ve been called to guard your home with vigilance and faith. The Proverbs 31 woman never let her lamp go out—and neither should we. In this episode, you’ll learn practical ways to keep your spiritual flame burning, strengthen your connection to the Holy Spirit, and...
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Ep. 157: Why You Matter: The Hidden Strength in Every Home with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Sometimes the most important role is the one that feels the least glamorous. We live in a world that celebrates big wins and visible achievements. But what about the quiet, everyday work—the kind that rarely gets applause? Have you ever felt unimportant in your own home, wondering if anyone notices the meals, the clean laundry, the late-night homework help? The truth is, your role isn’t just important, it’s essential. You are the strength that holds everything together. This is the sixth episode in the Blueprints for Building Your Spiritual Dream Home series. So far, we’ve seen why we...
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Ep. 156: The Secret Behind a Strong Spiritual Home (Hint: It's Not Being Pinterest Perfect) with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Picture this: a stunning home with gleaming floors and perfect décor—but underneath, the foundation is cracked. Eventually, everything starts to tilt and crumble. The same thing happens in our spiritual lives when we focus on appearances instead of what’s beneath the surface. Without a strong foundation, even the most beautiful house will eventually crack and crumble. The same is true for our spiritual homes. Discover why appearances aren’t enough, how to check for cracks in your spiritual foundation, and practical ways to build a home rooted in faith and grace. Whether you’re...
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Ep. 155: How Building a Dream Home Tests Your Marriage-and Your Faith with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
What happens when building your dream home nearly breaks your marriage? In today’s episode, I’m sharing a raw, honest story from my own life—a season when stress, exhaustion, and unmet expectations left me wondering if my relationship with my husband would survive. But through that struggle, I learned a powerful truth: when we try to manage everything in our own strength, we end up drained and discouraged. The good news? God is the ultimate builder and the best general contractor for your home and family. This is the fourth episode in the Blueprints for Building Your Spiritual Dream Home...
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Ep. 154: Envision Your Dream Home with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Every great home starts with a dream—a vision for life within its walls. But before the first nail is hammered, the blueprint must be drawn. After decades of designing houses, I’ve learned a blueprint isn’t just about rooms and square footage; it’s about reflecting the heart of the family. The same is true for our spiritual homes. God, the Master Architect, has a design for each of us—a home filled with abundant living that’s better than anything we could imagine. Today, we’ll start by asking: What does your spiritual dream home look like? And how do we align that vision with...
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Ep. 153: How to Build a Godly Home: Choosing the Right Location with Carol Roper
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
Ever feel like building a godly home is overwhelming? You’re not alone. In this episode, we uncover the very first step to creating a home that stands strong—starting with the right location. Deciding where to put a dream house is the most important part of the design process. Putting so much effort into creating a great home only to realize later it was built in the wrong place can shatter any hopes we have for a strong family. This week is the first in my Kitchen Table series called Blueprints to Building Your Spiritual Dream Home. These episodes are based on the award-winning blog...
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Ep. 152: Unlocking the Secrets to Effective Communication with Your Teen with Mark Gregston
Building Strong Homes: Blueprints to Strengthen Your Faith and Family podcast
We’ve all heard it before—bridging the communication gap with a teen can feel like trying to build a bridge with spaghetti. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’re diving into one of the most critical aspects of parenting: communicating with your teenager. Today’s guest, Mark Gregston, a renowned expert and founder of Parenting Today’s Teens, will share his invaluable insights and practical tips to help you connect with your teen in meaningful ways. Mark will guide us through the challenges and nuances of communicating with teenagers and will explore common...
info_outlineWhen Megan Phillips was 35 years old, she found out that her father was not her biological dad. This news left her reeling, thinking that her whole life had been a lie. But after the initial shock, she decided she wanted to find her biological father and set about looking for him with only two pieces of information: a fake name and a fake home state (neither of which she knew was fake). But God intervened and she miraculously found her biological dad and was amazed by the wonderful grace of God in her life. Megan's mom told her about her real father in a fit of anger before going to get help for her alcohol abuse. But Megan shares that "in the process of Mom breaking, she shattered me. But I don't know that I'd have it any other way." As I listened to Megan's story the verse from Genesis 50:20 kept coming to mind. What the enemy meant for evil God used for good.
Listen how Megan not only found her biological father, but also two half-brothers and her dad's wife. Megan says that "my life would not be the same today if my (adoptive) dad had not stepped in and raised me as his own." Isn't that the story of the gospel? I know you'll enjoy hearing Megan's story of healing and hope.