Only Love Today-Testimonies and Resources for Christian Moms

Megan Estes-Expert Encourager, Author of "Loving the Mom God Created You to Be"
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Only Love Today exists to encourage Christian moms to "live like Christ" in their context by sharing testimonies, tips, tools, and resources to encourage Christian parents. Whether you're a stay at home mom, working mom, homeschooling mom, or all of the above, you'll be challenged and inspired to keep pursuing Christ in every season of Christian parenting.

  1. Aug 10

    054-Wendy Speake-40 Day Sugar Fast: What Happens When You Stop Reaching for Sugar

    "Fasting reveals what's already in our hearts." — Wendy Speake We reach for sugar when we're tired. When we're lonely. When the day has been long and we want something — anything — to take the edge off. Wendy Speake, author of The 40 Day Sugar Fast, says that reaching is telling us something. Not a food problem. A heart thing. In this conversation, Wendy walks us through what actually happens when you fast from sugar for 40 days: what surfaces, what breaks, and what God does with the space it leaves behind. This isn't a diet. It's an invitation — to stop turning to the pantry and start feasting on Him. 🎁 Discover how God wired you to serve.Every mom carries gifts meant for more than the grocery list. Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms, built around the five gifts of Ephesians 4 — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher — and find your design.👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources ▶️ Subscribe & watch on YouTube.Don't miss a conversation — FOLLOW the Only Love Today show and be encouraged every month! ✨ In this episode: Where the 40 Day Sugar Fast started — and why it was never really about sugarHow to actually begin (the practical, non-overwhelming version)What fasting exposes: the triggers, the cravings, the heart underneathFeasting on Scripture in the space where the snack used to goWhy fasting with a community changes everythingMiracles, testimonies, and what happens after day 40The same principle applied to social media — the other thing we reach for 🙋 About Wendy Speake:Wendy Speake is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher whose work invites believers to trade their comfort habits for intimacy with Christ. She's the author of The 40 Day Sugar Fast and creator of the 40 Day Social Media Fast, and she writes for women who are hungry for more than another self-improvement plan.🌐 Website: wendyspeake.com📸 Instagram: instagram.com/wendyspeake 🔗 Resources Mentioned in this episode: The 40 Day Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake 40 Day Social Media Fast Wendy Speake on YouTube 🎧 More from Only Love Today: Leah Rohlf — Whole Food Nutrition and Lyme Disease (ep. 7)Eryn Lynum — Practicing Sabbath as a Family (ep. 13)Kelsey Wickenhouser — Kingdom Fit Moms (ep. 22)💡 Takeaways: Fasting isn't a diet plan. It's a spiritual practice with a physical doorway.What you reach for when you're depleted tells you what you're really trusting.Fasting doesn't create heart issues — it uncovers the ones already there.Empty hands are the point. Fill them with Scripture, not a substitute snack.You don't have to do this alone; community is what carries people to day 40.It's God's kindness — not shame — that actually changes us.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Wendy Speake and her books01:57 The origins of the 40 Day Sugar Fast14:35 Practical tips for beginning a sugar fast15:10 How fasting reveals heart issues and triggers19:53 Feasting on God's Word during fasting24:59 Community support and shared fasting experiences29:59 Miracles and testimonies from fasting35:01 Living in a fast: lifestyle and ongoing practices39:54 Encouragement to pursue spiritual intimacy through fasting 🔎 Keywords: 40 day sugar fast, sugar fast, Christian fasting, spiritual detox, Wendy Speake, fasting and prayer, food and faith, spiritual growth, breaking sugar addiction, biblical fasting, social media fast, Christian women #OnlyLoveToday #40DaySugarFast #ChristianFasting #WendySpeake #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianWomen #FaithAndFood

  2. Jul 27

    053 - Dr. Ashlie Andrew-Christian Working Moms: Work-Life Balance, Boundaries & Mom Guilt

    Balance is a lie we keep chasing. Dr. Ashlie Andrew — professor at Concordia University Irvine's Townsend Institute and mom of two — makes the case for something better: work-life harmony. In this conversation we trade the pressure to do it all for the freedom to do the right things now, name the mental load moms actually carry, and talk honestly about boundaries, burnout, and the grief no one warns you about when your career self and your mom self stop looking the same. If your teeter-totter never quite balances, this one's for you. 🎁 Discover how God wired you to serve. Every mom carries gifts meant for more than the to-do list. Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms, built around the five gifts of Ephesians 4 — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher — and find your design. 👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources ▶️ Subscribe & watch on YouTube. Don't miss a conversation — subscribe to Only Love Today wherever you listen, and catch the full episode on YouTube so you can see it face to face. ✨ In this episode: Why "balance" is the wrong goal — and what work-life harmony looks like insteadThe stat that reframes everything: 71% of the household mental load falls on momGlass balls vs. plastic balls — how to know which ones you can't let dropModeling boundaries your kids (and your coworkers) can actually seeThe red flags of burnout, and the small daily tweak that buys back your timeMom guilt vs. mom grief — grieving your professional self without shame 🙋 About Dr. Ashlie Andrew:Dr. Ashlie Andrew is an assistant professor at Concordia University Irvine's Townsend Institute, where she helps lead the Organizational Leadership master's program. Her research centers on mothers in the workplace, boundaries, and work-life harmony. 🔗 Mentioned in this episode: Boundaries by Dr. John Townsend 🎧 More from Only Love Today: Ep. 5: Jill Savage — No More Perfect MomsEp. 51: Vivian Cumins — Burnt Out MomEp. 8: Mental Health for Christian Moms💡 Takeaways: Work-life balance is a teeter-totter, not an equation — aim for harmony you can live with.Having it all doesn't mean having it all at once. Let the timing be God's.Name your glass balls (family, faith) and let the plastic ones bounce.Model boundaries out loud — vacation honored, calendar blocked for the school assembly.Use technology and outsourcing to buy back 30–60 minutes a day.Give yourself grace. You're not showing up worse than before — just different. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 The balance of work and family life 07:16 Empowering moms in the workplace 13:43 Redefining work-life balance 16:32 The pressure of expectations on mothers 17:48 The mental load of motherhood 22:36 Establishing healthy boundaries 27:19 Finding work-life harmony 33:34 Recognizing burnout signs 36:44 Advice for working moms 🔎 Keywords: work-life harmony, work-life balance, Christian moms, working moms, boundaries, mental load, mom guilt, burnout, motherhood and career, faith and work, women in the workplace #OnlyLoveToday #ChristianMotherhood #WorkingMoms #WorkLifeHarmony #ChristianWomen #MomLife

  3. Jul 13

    052- Nick Stevens Sr. - Raising Resilient, Brave, and Risk Taking Kids

    🏔️ "The most important thing about any person is what they think about when they think about God." — Nick Stevens Sr. quoting A.W. Tozer Summary After losing his daughter in an avalanche, Nick Stevens knew that he needed to share his experiences with other fathers and men. What does it look like to raise brave kids in a world that begs us to play it safe? Nick Stevens Sr. knows something about risk — on mountain faces, in grief, and in the everyday work of fathering. After walking through the loss of his daughter Lygon, Nick found that trusting God and letting our kids stumble aren't opposites. They're the same act of faith. This conversation is about roots and wings, holy risk, and the God who holds us steady on the hardest climbs. 🎁 Before you listen — discover how God wired you to serve.Every mom carries gifts meant for more than the carpool line. Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms, built around the five gifts of Ephesians 4 — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher — and find your design.👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources ▶️ Don't miss a conversation.Subscribe to Only Love Today wherever you listen, and watch the full episode on YouTube so you can see Nick tell it in his own words. ✨ In this episode: How losing his daughter reshaped Nick's faith and his fatheringWhy "roots and wings" both require letting kids fallReading God's character in His creation — biblical principles through natureThe mindset shift that turns anxious parenting into brave parenting🙋 About Nick Stevens Sr.Nick is a father who has learned to trust God through both summits and sorrow. He is passionate about encouraging and equipping fathers and grandfathers to lead their families well.🌐 Website: https://nickstevensauthor.com/📘 Facebook: facebook.com/nickstevens 🔗 Mentioned in this episode: Cairns for the Climb from the Journals of Lygon Stevens — https://nickstevensauthor.com/shoppingStillwater Cattle Company — https://www.stillwatercattlecompany.com/Nick Stevens —https://nickstevensauthor.com/🎧 More from Only Love Today:Ep. 10-4 Habits of Raising Joy-Filled Kids with Chris Coursey Ep. 26 - Intentional Parenting; Building Self-worth, Resilience and Connection with our Daughters- Nellie Harden Ep. 11- Built From the Ashes of Adversity - Elizabeth Mmbone 💡 Takeaways: Trusting God means risking the unknown and loosening our grip on control.Kids need safe places to fall — that's where resilience is built.The outdoors is a classroom for biblical truth and trust in God's design.Grief, as heavy as it is, can deepen faith and pull a family closer.Letting kids take real risks grows real confidence.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 Prayer and spiritual guidance02:50 Nick's journey and family background05:41 The impact of loss on fatherhood15:12 Lygon's life and legacy19:08 Trusting God amidst risk and fear20:59 The transforming power of grief24:36 Navigating family dynamics through loss24:45 Encouraging risk-taking in parenting26:35 The importance of roots and wings33:12 Creating opportunities for growth35:10 Teaching biblical principles through nature45:26 Mindset shifts for raising brave kids50:59 Discovering your God-given gifts51:36 Equipping for service and God's glory 🔎 Keywords: faith, fatherhood, risk-taking, mountain climbing, loss, grief, trust in God, parenting, resilience, raising brave kids, spiritual growth #OnlyLoveToday #ChristianMotherhood #FaithfulParenting #RaisingBraveKids #TrustGod #risktakingkids

  4. Jun 29

    051 - Vivian Cumins- Burnout Is a Silent Epidemic — Faith, Restoration & Finding Balance

    🎁 FREE RESOURCE FOR MOMSWondering how God uniquely wired you? Take the free Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms — based on Ephesians 4 (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) — and discover how your gifts show up in your everyday life as a mom.👉 onlylovetoday.com/resources ➡️ Looking for a rancher you can trust to provide great food for your family? Check out: https://www.stillwatercattlecompany.com/ 🎧 Enjoying this episode? Subscribe to the Only Love Today podcast so you never miss a conversation, and watch the full episode on YouTube for the complete experience! Overview Have you ever pushed so hard for so long that your body and soul just… stopped? Vivian Cumins knows that feeling — and she knows the way through it. In this episode, Vivian shares her remarkable journey from a full career in the Air Force and Forest Service into retirement, ministry, and a calling she couldn't ignore. She gets real about burnout, mental health, perfectionism, and what it actually looks like to surrender control to God and let Him restore you. If you're running on empty, this one is for you. Her honest story of hitting rock bottom with burnout — and what God said when she didWhy perfectionism and control are quietly exhausting women everywhereThe role of journaling in hearing God more clearly and understanding yourself betterHer 52-day devotional format designed for busy women who need real encouragement fastPractical, scriptural steps to avoid burnout before it takes you downWhat the story of Nehemiah teaches us about restoration and rebuildingSources Mentioned Vivian's website: viviancumins.com📸 ⁠@viviancumins on Instagram⁠📖 The Book of Nehemiah — Vivian's scriptural anchor for restoration00:00 — Introduction and Background03:01 — Transitioning to Retirement05:55 — Career Journey and Experience09:07 — Launching a New Ministry12:02 — Navigating Burnout and Mental Health15:01 — Finding Balance and Setting Boundaries18:11 — Prayer and Spiritual Insights21:10 — Personal Testimony of Restoration28:09 — The 52-Day Journey of Restoration30:10 — The Power of Journaling for Clarity33:16 — Understanding Burnout in Women36:34 — The Role of Perfectionism and Control39:09 — Scriptural Insights on Balance and Burnout42:13 — Seeking God in Chaos48:18 — Practical Steps to Avoid Burnoutretirement, burnout, ministry, balance, mental health, personal growth, spiritual journey, women empowerment, life transitions, self-care, burnout recovery, women, journaling, Nehemiah, perfectionism, faith, scripture, restoration

  5. Jun 15

    050- Chelsea Fains- Don't Let Your Hard Season Be Fruitless" — Faith, Healing & God's Redemptive Plot

    ✨ Do you know your top spiritual gifts? Take my FREE Spiritual Gifts Quiz for Moms — based on Ephesians 4 (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) — and discover how God uniquely designed you to love your family and serve His kingdom. 👉 Take the free quiz → https://www.onlylovetoday.com/resources Have you followed the Only Love Today Show? Loved this episode? Subscribe to the Only Love Today podcast so you never miss a conversation, and watch the full video on YouTube. Your follow helps more moms find this community. 🙌 SUMMARY Chelsea Fain is the award-winning author of The Divine Plotline, a worship leader, teacher, and mom of four. In this conversation she gets raw about the hardest year of her life — a miscarriage that nearly took her life, the healing journey that followed, and how God used her lowest moment to rewrite everything she thought she knew about Him, her past, and her daughter's future. If you're in a hard chapter and wondering where God is — this episode is for you. 🔗 Resources mentioned: 📖 Book: The Divine Plotline by Chelsea Fain Connect with Chelsea: 🌐 Website: https://chelseafain.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/chelseafain More Episodes You'll Love: Ep. 49- Shayla Huber-10 Things I Hate About My Husband Ep. 35- Kris Reece-Toxic Relationships Ep. 33- Chris Coursey- 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages ✨ Takeaways: 1. God meets us in our weakest moments — not after we've recovered, but right in the middle of the mess. 2. Don't let your hard season be fruitless. Pain has a purpose, even when you can't see it yet. 3. The intimacy with God that forms in trials can't be cultivated anywhere else — and it's worth it. 4. Instead of praying your child out of pain, pray for God to reveal Himself to them through it. 5. God loves us in both the joy and the ugly cry — He cherishes both places of worship. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Chelsea Fain and her journey 02:35 The power of prayer and spiritual warfare 04:06 The Divine Plotline: a journey of healing 11:32 Finding God in the midst of hardship 15:57 The journey of healing and intimacy with God 19:17 Finding purpose in painful seasons 22:18 The role of motherhood in understanding God 25:35 Trusting God as the author of our lives 33:35 Sharing vulnerability and the power of testimony --- 🔍 Keywords: faith, motherhood, healing, miscarriage, divine plan, prayer, trust God, testimony, Christian life, resilience, abusive marriage recovery, trusting God in hard seasons, Christian mom, The Divine Plotline, Only Love Today podcast

  6. Jun 1

    049-Shayla Huber-Author of "10 Things I Hate About My Husband"

    ✨ Do you know your main spiritual gift? Take Megan's free Spiritual Gifts Quiz designed just for Moms — based on Ephesians 4 (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) — and discover how God uniquely designed you to love your family and serve His kingdom. 👉 Take the free quiz → https://www.onlylovetoday.com/resources --- Love this episode? Subscribe to the Only Love Today podcast so you never miss a conversation, and watch the full video on YouTube. Your follow helps more moms find this community. 🙌 YouTube: @onlylovetodaymom Instagram: @onlylovetodaymom SUMMARY In this heartfelt interview, Shayla Huber shares her transformative journey of marriage, faith, and self-discovery with the broken parts of her heart that God needed to heal. What started as a list of grievances became a doorway to deeper love — and Shayla is honest about every messy step of the way. Together we talk about resentment, perfectionism, attachment styles, and what it actually looks like to choose your spouse on their worst day. If your marriage needs a breath of fresh air (or honest CPR), this episode is for you. 🔗 Resources mentioned: 📖 Book: 10 Things I Hate About My Husband by Shayla Huber → 🌐 shaylamariehuber.com Connect with Shayla: 🌐 Website: https://shaylamariehuber.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaylamariehuber 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shaylamariehuber More Episodes You'll Love: Ep. 29-Healing Your Marriage, Cara Nitz Ep. 33-4 Habits of a Joy-Filled Marriage, Chris Coursey Ep. 35-How to Set Boundaries in Toxic Relationships, Kris Reece ✨ Takeaways: 1. Resentment doesn't have to be the end of the story — honesty and forgiveness can rewrite it. 2. Perfectionism in marriage often masks fear. Letting go of the ideal opens space for real love. 3. You can choose to be "unoffendable in love" — not by ignoring hurt, but by anchoring yourself in something bigger. 4. Understanding your attachment style changes how you fight, communicate, and forgive. 5. Gratitude and perspective are practical tools — not just feel-good advice — for a healthier marriage. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Shayla Huber and her journey 03:07 The reality of rodeo life and family dynamics 11:13 Resentment and the journey to forgiveness 14:58 The impact of perfectionism on marriage 16:16 Confronting disagreements with love 17:06 The power of unconditional love 18:57 Seeing your partner through new eyes 20:45 Forgiveness and healing in marriage 22:31 Understanding attachment styles 24:41 Communication and vulnerability 26:50 Addressing bitterness and critical spirits 29:22 The journey of self-forgiveness 31:32 Navigating conflict with grace 34:12 Finding hope in disappointment 37:36 Practical steps for a healthier marriage 🔍 Keywords: marriage, faith, forgiveness, personal growth, transformation, Christian living, marriage advice, healing, gratitude, spiritual journey, attachment styles, communication, unconditional love, Christian mom, Only Love Today podcast

  7. May 18

    048- Mary Owen - From Shame to Redemption: A Powerful Testimony of Teen Pregnancy, A Closed Adoption, Healing, Addiction & God’s Grace | Celebrate Recovery Global Leader

    In this moving episode of Only Love Today, Megan sits down with Mary Owen, co-author of Never Let Go, to share a raw and powerful testimony of trauma, addiction, redemption, and the life-changing impact of Celebrate Recovery. Mary opens up about teenage pregnancy, a closed adoption, years of hidden pain, and her husband Mac’s battle with addiction. What unfolds is a story only God could write—one of restoration, healing, and generational transformation. If you’ve ever felt too far gone, stuck in shame, or unsure where to turn, this episode will remind you: God never lets go—and your story isn’t over. 👉 Take the next step in your faith and healing journey: Grab Megan’s Spiritual Gifts Quiz + resources to discover how God wired you: ➡️ [Ihttps://www.onlylovetoday.com/resources] 🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube @onlylovetodaymom⭐ Follow Only Love Today so you never miss an episode💬 Share this with a friend who needs hope today Mary Owen has spent over 20 years serving in Celebrate Recovery alongside her husband Mac, helping people around the world find freedom from addiction, trauma, and shame. She is the co-author of Never Let Go, a powerful testimony of God’s redeeming love and healing.Facebook: Mac & Mary Owen TAKEAWAYS You are never too far gone for God’s redemption Healing begins with honesty and safe communityShame thrives in silence—but freedom comes through confessionCelebrate Recovery isn’t just for addiction—it’s for any hurt, hang-up, or habitGod can restore what feels completely lost—including relationships and identityGenerational patterns can be broken through ChristThe only true failure is not getting back up Time Stamps 00:00 – Hope in relapse and recovery 01:30 – Sponsor: Woven In Life 03:20 – Introduction to Mary Owen 05:00 – Life, family, and Celebrate Recovery ministry 12:20 – Why Mary wrote Never Let Go 14:00 – Teenage pregnancy and hidden shame 17:30 – Giving up her baby through closed adoption 22:00 – Marriage struggles and addiction 25:00 – The breaking point and confession 27:30 – Church transformation through honesty 31:00 – Discovering Celebrate Recovery 32:00 – The miracle of finding her son 40:00 – Reunion story and God’s redemption 44:00 – What Celebrate Recovery really is 48:00 – Why everyone needs recovery 51:00 – Breaking generational cycles 53:00 – Final encouragement: You are not too far gone Christian testimony, addiction recovery testimony, Celebrate Recovery story, healing from shame, teenage pregnancy testimony, adoption story Christian, overcoming addiction with faith, Christian podcast for moms, identity in Christ, breaking generational curses, faith and recovery, trauma healing testimony, Jesus redemption story If you’re carrying something heavy, something hidden, or something you think disqualifies you… You haven’t gone too far. God still sees you. God still wants you. And your story can start fresh today.

  8. May 4

    047- Cammy Barnes-Standing Firm: Journey of Faith and Activism at Turning Point USA at CSU

    In this inspiring interview, Cammy Barnes, VP of Turning Point USA at Colorado State University, shares her journey of faith, courage, and standing firm in her values in a challenging college environment. From facing opposition and vandalism to experiencing revival and community, Cammy’s story highlights how God is moving even in difficult spaces. You’ll hear how her faith shapes her leadership, how she navigates fear and hostility, and how young people can boldly live out their beliefs with truth and love. This conversation will encourage you to raise confident, faith-filled kids who stand strong in their identity and convictions. -------------------- Want to better understand how God uniquely designed you?💫🎁Take my Spiritual Gifts Quiz and discover how to walk confidently in your calling as a mom: If this episode encouraged you, make sure to: Follow the podcast so you never miss an episodeWatch full conversations on YouTube👉 [@onlylovetodaymom]Cammy Barnes is the Vice President of Turning Point USA at Colorado State University. She is passionate about equipping students to stand firm in their faith and values while engaging culture with truth and grace. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tpusacsu/Turning Point USA – https://www.tpusa.comCSU Turning Point Chapter – https://www.instagram.com/tpusacsu/ Takeaways You can stand firm in your faith even when culture pushes backSpeaking truth with love is both powerful and necessaryCommunity is essential for staying strong in challenging environmentsFear doesn’t have to control your decisionsGod is working even in places that feel chaotic or hostileFaith and activism on college campusesChallenges faced by Christian studentsTeaching values to the next generationNavigating fear, hostility, and oppositionTimestamps00:00 Prayer for Protection and Growth04:51 Introduction to Cammy Barnes07:29 Understanding Turning Point USA on Campus10:12 Facing Adversity and Vandalism12:40 Reactions to Cultural Tensions15:17 Navigating Fear and Threats17:52 Misconceptions and Hostility20:32 The Importance of Healthy Conflict23:10 Cammy’s Faith Journey25:04 Transitioning to a Supportive Environment28:57 Experiencing Revival29:53 Guiding the Next Generation37:04 Engagement and Community43:13 Closing Thoughts Other Episodes You Might Like! [Episode 16- Michelle Anthony, Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family][Episode 10- Chris Coursey-The 4 Habits of Raising Joy-Filled Kids]Turning Point USA, college activism, faith, conservative values, Christian youth, campus safety, free speech, Christian testimony, political science, Christian leadership

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Only Love Today exists to encourage Christian moms to "live like Christ" in their context by sharing testimonies, tips, tools, and resources to encourage Christian parents. Whether you're a stay at home mom, working mom, homeschooling mom, or all of the above, you'll be challenged and inspired to keep pursuing Christ in every season of Christian parenting.

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