The Laundry Hour (with Jaime Williams)

It has truly been a fantastic three seasons sharing my heart and God’s word with you all. The Laundry Hour began out of a desire to be faithful to God and ends with that same heart. My finale charge is for you to do the same 💜 I love you!

It has been quite a year studying love with you all! Revelations 2:4 reminds us to not abandon the love we had at first. It’s been a while since we’ve talked about loving God. Today’s finale is also a recap of “the love we had at first”. Let’s not forget how to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength ♥️.

Today I share that other Brown City Camp takeaway that connected so well with our Love Series. Step into Revelation Chapter 2 with me and remember the love we had at first. ♥️

You probably noticed there was no episode last week, and here’s why! My family and I went to the biggest Christian family camp in America. In this episode, I share a few of my biggest takeaways ♥️.

Wrapping up our Church portion of the Love Series, I share my husband and my church experiences over the years. What we’ve learned, what questions we’ve been asking, and what our hearts currently long for. Rather than referencing scripture in this episode (I know...shame on me), I reference people and talks that have informed our journey. (Rethinking Church by Francis Chan: Nov 8th, 2013 and Oct 12th, 2018. And Real Christianity/ReLearn Church by Dale and Veronica Partridge). ♥️

This episode isn’t about signing up for the next small group, outreach opportunity, or finding an area to serve. We’re looking at some hard topics like giving and reconciling with one another. If that sounds hard to you (like it does me sometimes), we must go back to Acts 2 as our background. The power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the definition of love as laying yourself down are the FOUNDATIONS for seeing real fruit in our lives. (Scriptures I referenced: Romans 12:13, Matthew 5:21-24, Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:10). ♥️

It’s easy to assume that the “one another’s” apply to everyone, but they were really given as commands of how we are to treat others in the body of Christ. Since we are members of one another, of the same body... shouldn’t we want to nourish, cherish, and do well to our body, the body of Christ? We typically care for our physical bodies well. How much more should we care for our spiritual body...Christ’s body? There are many scriptures I reference, but today’s episode is kind of like an “open your bible with me” kind of episode. So if you have time... crack it open with me and read along! ♥️

As believers in Jesus Christ, our lives should be marked by love... they should be marked by how well we die to ourselves. Very counter cultural, but that’s what’s truly transformational! Listen to some of Jesus’ last words to us about how we should function as His Church. (Scriptures I referenced: John 13:35, John 15:12-13, John 17:20-21, Galatians 5:24) ♥️

Today’s episode is a look at Acts chapter 2! Before we can experience the fellowship of believers, we must experience the uniting power of the Holy Spirit and the convicting truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! ♥️

Hebrews 12:1 says to lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely. It sounds like a command to get rid of whatever could distract and hinder us from running the race. In Matthew 19, Jesus tells his disciples not to hinder children from coming to Him. I wonder if as parents our examples, teaching, and leadership could hinder rather than help our children come to Christ. If that’s true, how do we acknowledge those hinderances and lay them aside?? (Scriptures I referenced: Matthew 19:14, Romans 6:19, and Hebrews 12:1) ♥️.

So it seems I love talking about love languages lol. I just think it’s a helpful tool to personalize how we love, how we understand behaviors, and even how to apply the appropriate discipline based on how our children feel loved. One size does not fit all in the categories of loving, training, or disciplining.

Last week, we talked about the most important thing we can teach our children. This week, it seems...we’re talking about the most important thing we can teach our children LOL. I promise they’re different, but they definitely go hand in hand. (Scriptures I referenced: Judges 2:10, Deuteronomy 6:7, Acts 1:8, Jude 1:24-25). ♥️

There are so many things discussed and shared in the book of Proverbs, but it seems the most important take away is the fear of the Lord. Which means, that’s the most important thing we can teach or train our children in. Listen for some highly practical and transformational examples straight from God’s word of how we can teach our children how to fear the Lord.

Last week, we looked at what we’re called to BE and this week is all about what we’re called to DO! This revelation kind of blew my mind...just like our husbands sacrificial love for us makes us feel deeply loved, our husbands feel most respected though our submission. Our submission is a way of saying “I respect your authority and position in my life”. (Scriptures I referenced: Ephesians 5:22-24 and 33, John 14:15). ♥️

A study in Genesis 2 teaches us that woman were created FOR man, that wives were created FOR husbands. Created to help. Help them do what? Understanding this is at the core of understanding our purpose and mission in marriage, but also as women. (Scriptures I referenced: Genesis 2:15, 18-19, 22, Genesis 3, 1 Corinthians 7:16). ♥️

So last week we talked about how we are to train, but how do we do that through the gospel of grace? We must acknowledge and hold work and grace equally in our hands. Living by grace and through grace. (Scriptures I referenced: Philippians 2:12, John 15:5, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8, James 2:17, 1 Corinthians 15:10)♥️.

Ever wonder why the Christian walk is referred to as a race or good fight? It requires endurance, perseverance, and training. Titus 2:4 says that older women are to train younger women on how to love their husbands and children. Now I’m not technically an older woman, but I’m just studying for myself and inviting you to listen along. AND to share your own studies with me through email ([email protected]). It’s always easier to train with others :)

I hope y’all have enjoyed this Loving God and Loving Others series like I have. Today I wanted to recap what we’ve discussed since January and share some examples as we seek to apply this to our lives going forward. This is our ultimate call and command. We can’t get this wrong.

It’s my husband’s birthday!!!!! So it’s only right that I spend today talking about how much I am grateful for and love him! You’ll also learn the story of how we met :) I hope this episode encourages your thoughts of love towards the husband God has given you! ♥️

James 5:16 says that confessing our sin to one another brings healing. I hope that you’ll pray for me as I pray for you. Today’s episode is a life update based on Matthew 23:23 ♥️. Hope it encourages you if you’re at all like me... and lose your way sometimes.

I love how God speaks! Making the connection from loving others like myself to loving others like Christ requires a middle phase. This phase or “Stage 2 of Love” is a journey to understanding how to love your “enemy” like God loves His. It looks like compassion, mercy, and grace. It looks like not insisting on our own way. And this can only happen in a relationship where there is authentic communication. (Scriptures I referenced: Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 106:44, Joel 2:18, 2 Kings 13:23, and 1 Corinthians 13:5)♥️

In today’s episode, journey with me as we look the 5 Love Languages and discuss how to love God and others through them. We will hit on three stages of love based on the Loving Others episodes and walk through practical ways of actually being loving.

We have been taught by God to love one another by the many examples He’s proved His love for us. That is how Jesus can say “love like I have loved you”. It’s more than loving others like we would love ourselves. We’re going to need the Holy Spirit’s help for this one. (Scriptures I referenced: John 13:14, 35, 1 John 4-11-12, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 1 John 3:23, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 1:23, John 15:13)♥️.

Jesus said “You’ve heard it said love your neighbors and hate your enemies”... but I say “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES”. And then He compares it to being merciful and perfect like God the Father. How does that compare at all? Well... God the Father knows something about loving His enemies. He sent His Son to die so His enemies could become His children. What a love ♥️ (Scriptures I referenced: Matthew 5:13-18, Luke 6:27-26, and Romans 5:8-which I didn’t actually mention but quoted).

In today’s episode, we discuss who our neighbor is and what it looks like to love like ourselves. Spend time today thinking about how you love yourself. Not to focus on you, but to have descriptive ways to now love your neighbor. It all comes back to the Golden Rule: do unto others as you wish they’d do unto you. (Scriptures I referenced: Leviticus 19:17-18, 34, Romans 13:10, Luke 10:25-37, Luke 6:31) ♥️

At the core of each human being is the desire to elevate and fight for oneself, yet love needs a heart that says “i’ll lay myself down”. As we continue to look at Jesus as our perfect example, we’ve got to ask ourselves if we will lay our lives down to love? (Scriptures I referenced: Matthew 22,5, and John 13, John 15:13, Genesis 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, John 17, Matthew 23:12) ♥️

Our ability to actually love and obey God only comes when we have a new heart of flesh given by the Holy Spirit. That heart can finally say “I just want to love you”. (Scriptures I referenced: John 14:15, 1 Samuel 15:22, Galatians 1:10, Matthew 15:3 and 7:21-24, Isaiah 29:13, 1 Samuel 16:7, Romans 2:25-29, and Ezekiel 11:19-20). ♥️

If loving God with all our heart looks like putting our affections towards Him and loving God with all our life looks like putting our eternal life in His hands...what does it mean to love the Lord with all our strength or might? Maybe it’s about His strength and might. (Here are the scriptures I referenced: 2 Peter 1:5, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 12:2, Psalm 105:4, Matthew 11:28, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Isaiah 40:29-31, Philippians 4:13 and 2:13, Colossians 1:11, Ephesians 3:16, Hebrews 13:9, 2 Timothy 4:17). ♥️

So I just had to share about my date last night! My husband and I got to go see Bethel at a worship event. We’re still processing all God did and said, but here are a few things I felt like you needed to know! (Next week, we should be back with our Loving God series).

Though our lives may flow from our hearts, our souls can be lost and even killed. So how can our souls live... rather how can we keep our souls? There are many paradoxes we find when we seek to follow Jesus... this is no different. To save our souls, we must lose our lives. {Here are the scriptures I reference: Psalm 107:5 and 9, Jeremiah 31:25, Psalm 63:8, Psalm 119:167, Matthew 10:28 and Matthew 16:26 (see whole chapter), Luke 12:19 (see whole parable)}. ♥️

What happens in our hearts is the most unpredictable and most important part of us to guard because everything we do flows out of it. How do we love God with ALL our ever changing heart? This episode is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are the scriptures I reference: Deuteronomy 30:6, Psalms 57:7, Proverbs 15:14, Proverbs 23:15, Psalms 73:36, 1 Kong’s 11:4, Proverbs 6:14, 1 John 3:20, John 12:40, Proverbs 4:23, Psalms 51:10, Proverbs 3:5, Matthew 6:21, Deuteronomy 6:6, 2 Chronicles 12:14, Job 22:22 and 31:33, Jeremiah 29:13, Deuteronomy 30:6). Here are two other scriptures I didn’t reference but I SO should’ve (Ezekiel 11:19 and Philippians 4:7). ♥️

Beginning with Deuteronomy 6:4, I attempt to unpack what it means to LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD... Here are all the scripture references I use in the episode: John 14:15, Deuteronomy 11:13, Joshua 22:55, Deuteronomy 13:3, 1 John 4:8 (9-10), Romans 5:8, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 13, John 15:13, Philippians 2:8 (3:8), Matthew 16:24-25, Colossians 3:3, Ephesians 1, 1 Corinthians 1:20, Romans 8:17, John 14:2-3, 1 Peter 5:4, Philippians 3:21, Revelations 21:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:1, Acts 1:8, Philippians 4:13, Matthew 15:21... ♥️

I just love how I’ve become a pivot-er! My journey from faithfulness to transformation by love has led to a deep study of what it means to love God and others. Journey with me this season as we seek to understand the greatest commandments and thus seek to fulfill the law of Christ! (Tall order, I know! I’m excited).

Welcome back to the “laundry room” for The Laundry Hour with Jaime Williams. Whether you’re a SAHM, working mom, woman, or dad, we are glad to have you! I’m starting of Season 3 with yet another talk about Goals, Resolutions, and 2019 (as if you haven’t already been bombarded with enough lol). I hope this adds to your intentional prayer and plan to experience more of God in this coming year!

1 Timothy 6:12 days Fight the good fight of FAITH. In light of surrendering, what does fighting for faith really look like? As we end 2018 and gear up for 2019, my prayer is this episode shapes how you “fight your battles”. ♥️ MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEARS, my sweet fellow SAHMS (and everyone else who listens and loves The Laundry Hour)!

Today’s episode is a continuation of the conversation about being transformed and how intentional choices can create change. How much of the change relies on us? Spoiler Alert: our biggest task is SURRENDER.

Scripture References used: Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Hebrews 4:12, Exodus 34:35, Ephesians 2:4-6.

This week’s episode is all about me! Ha... well more like me talking to myself about how to be more intentional. If that’s something you need to hear, then cmon by. I’m glad you’re here!

When I think about how we are to “train up a child in the way they should go”, I get overwhelmed with that enormous responsibility. But if I break down each stage of my child’s like and focus on that area of training... this God given task begins to seem possible. If you feel at all like me, this episode is for you!

And I am so serious about it, too! It may be something you’ve never heard before. But it’s possible that it’ll seem like a hyped up something that was already known to you. But what takes us from valuing something to prioritize it is HARD work. I truly believe if we work hard at these four things, we will experience the transformative life God has created us for! ♥️

So I’ve been walking through my new faithfulness schedule and wanted to share something’s I’ve learned with you.... I hope you’ll share some things with me via email: ([email protected]). Hint hint ;) there’s a challenge at the end of the episode!

If you haven’t been with us from the beginning, The Laundry Hour was birthed from the idea of being faithful and a good steward with what God has given me. I’ve been trying to pursue faithfulness all of 2018. And since I’m known for pivots, it was about time to make one and share it. I’m learning that it’s okay when you realize you’re off course... the realization is a good thing. It tells you its time for a PIVOT back in the right direction.

Crazy how this series is coming to a close. I’ve enjoyed thinking about Girlhood with you. This episode focuses on how Girlhood is all about getting ready to become that rose in full bloom. I hope you enjoy!

If we’ve given them character building blocks and inspired ideals in them... what’s left? The most important moment: the awakening to who God is. It’s the moment we are all waiting for our children to experience ♥️

What is the ideal woman? Proverbs 31, perhaps? Beautiful Girlhood walks through ideals such as ambition, dreams, and purpose after building godly character. Girlhood is a time of preparing so it only makes sense that once a girl builds her character, she begins to build herself into the ideal woman by what she pursues. What is your purpose? What are your ambitions or dreams? How can you accomplish all that God has created you for?

Continuing our journey into “Beautiful Girlhood”, today’s episode focuses on 6 qualities of a beautiful girl (or boy). Let’s model our character and give our children the best pattern to model their lives after, Jesus Christ!

Have ever thought of what it means to be a girl? Do you sit and think about your childhood and wish to redeem parts of it and reminisce with others? Journey with me as I read another book that’s like a continuation of my womanhood journey. I’m excited about how this will prepare me as a girl mom, and also you as we think about how to faithfully be what God is calling us to be!

I think it is SO cool how God works. He’s orchestrating, guiding, and working ALL things out for our good... we just have to seek Him out and walk in the paths He’s clearly set for us. Today’s podcast is all about a podcast I listen to called “More To Be” by Elisa Pulliam. This past week, the More To Be Podcast had two episodes focused on becoming the woman God intends for us to be. Such a great Segway from “Let Me Be A Woman”... right?? I thought so too! Take a listen to those two episodes and then listen to mine to hear some of my takeaways and applications!

I can’t believe I just finished a book during motherhood! Yay, me!!! (You can do it too!). But I’m so grateful for the exhortations to biblical marriage that finish Elizabeth Elliot’s “Let Me Be A Woman”. Have you ever actually defined marriage? What it looks like? How it works well? And what your job is to continue making it grow and thrive? Journey with me. I pray this episode does for you what it did for me. (It’s a longer one, but I promise...it’s also a good-er one too :p)

During our Homes of Grace Series, I was totally convicted by Danielle Richardson’s charge to love our husbands FIRST. That way our love for our children becomes the overflow. Elizabeth Elliot continues with a series of statements about whom your marry. I hope this episode will remind us of things we learned when we were preparing for marriage... mainly an inspired appreciation for this man that God has given us!