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Welcome! I’m Deborah. So glad you’re here!

Here you’ll find encouraging, Scripture-filled posts and Bible study tips. Because theology is for every mom! Get to know me here.

Here’s what I’ve written lately…

Overview of Genesis | Book by Book
Looking Back on 2021 | Changes Made, Lessons Learned
Creating a Weekly Schedule | Mom’s Routine
How to Host Well | 5 Hostess Tips
What To Do When You Have Last-Minute Guests

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naptimetheologian

We celebrated 7 years of marriage yesterday. ❤️ I'm filled with thankfulness and awe at God's sustaining grace in us. Can't wait for all the years to come, @heraldgandi ! 😘

I am not one to make New Years resolutions because

I am not one to make New Years resolutions because I set small goals throughout the year. But I do find encouragement looking back at the previous year for things that have changed and lessons I've learned. The biggest lesson I learned in 2021 is this: Your quiet time doesn't have to be quiet, but it has to happen. Here's how...
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Suddenly in 2021 my 3-year-old stopped napping. Totally. Now, of course, I knew this would happen because all kids grow out of their naps. But I wasn't ready for it. The long 3-4 hour naps my daughter would take were full of reading the Bible, writing, and learning theology for me. Hence the name of this page: Naptime Theologian. But when that time was gone, I floundered! We transitioned to her having a 1-hour quiet time during the day where she played in her room. But I felt pressure to fill that time with chores that weren't done yet. A few weeks passed and I hadn't picked up my Bible at all. No wonder I was upset about life and looking for joy elsewhere… I wasn’t taking the time to find it in the Bible, in Christ!
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So, I had to be more flexible with my Bible study time by getting up early, reading while she was awake during the day, or reading out loud to her. Going through this shift in my schedule made me realize how much I need time in the Word each day. I could see how God was using that time studying to keep my attitudes in check and focused on Him. 2021 renewed my thinking about having quiet time as a mom. It doesn’t have to be “quiet” or at a certain time every day, it just needs to happen. ❤️
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What about you? How do you have your quiet or not-so-quiet time during the day? Would love to know your ideas in a comment below!
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PS. The photo is from a trip to London last summer. I'm thinking about the warm English summer as I type this in cold January. 😆
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#biblestudytips #2021 #sanctification #quiettime #motheringforchrist #christianmotherhood

Motherhood is a gift. . I have to remind myself of

Motherhood is a gift.
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I have to remind myself of that when I go to clean the wreck of a room my toddler left behind, when I look over and see her using ketchup as hand lotion, when she's cut a hole in her pants because she's learned how to use scissors.
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All of it, the good, sad, bad, happy, lovely, irritating, frustrating, sweet. All of it is a gift from God. It's what He created women for and I'm thankful He's given it to me.
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#Christianmotherhood #thankful #proverbs31mom

I love a good routine. But this morning we made br

I love a good routine. But this morning we made breakfast with blankets on the counter and only the stove light on and it was really cozy and fun. Sometimes a change from the norm gives a new, more appreciative perspective. Got to give this a try more often! ❤️

Father, please don't ever let awe fade with famili

Father, please don't ever let awe fade with familiarity. Jesus, who created the universe, by whom all things exist, came to earth as a baby. Not to show that he could do it, but to save His people for Himself, to right all wrongs, to begin redemption. May His cradle remind us of His cross. And may we celebrate in wonder at this miracle. Amen.
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Merry Christmas! 🎄❤️
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"The infinite has assumed the form of an infant." Charles Spurgeon.

My face when I have last-minute guests on the way

My face when I have last-minute guests on the way to my house. 😅 If you know me you know that I am a planner at heart. But sometimes you have people over without much notice and don't have time to plan for it. Being prepared for these moments will help you serve others with a happy heart. So! Here are 5 things to keep in mind next time you have unexpected guests:
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1. Your house doesn't have to be perfect. Sure, take a few minutes to clean or pick up, but don't stress if it's not perfect. There's a certain welcoming feeling when you find out that someone else's home is not perfect (like yours). So this is an opportunity to welcome your unexpected guests in that way.
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2. Think: Bathrooms first, always. If you do have time to clean something, go and clean your bathroom first. Any other area of the house can be left til the end. After all it's not awkward if your guests walk in on you washing some dishes, but scrubbing the toilet? Not so much! 😆
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3. Keep it simple. If your unexpected guests are arriving any minute, you have to keep it simple. Don't try to make too much food at the last minute! I would even suggest just picking up some ready made food or ordering something to be delivered.
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4. Along that line, keep food in your pantry for a quick meal. I love to keep cans of tomatoes and beans in my pantry for a quick chili... Just add some ground beef and cheese for the top. If you always have something on hand, then you won't feel as rushed.
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5. Ask for help. This is definitely the hardest one to do for me! But if you're rushing around at the last minute for guests, don't feel bad asking your husband or older children to help you. You don't have to do it all alone!
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Hopefully if you do these things you'll be a bit more prepared to love on those last-minute guests that come to your house. What other tip would you add to my list???
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#hosting #hospitality #meals #oneanothers #1peter

It's Christmas week! 🎄The holidays bring lots o

It's Christmas week! 🎄The holidays bring lots of things for lots of people, but they most definitely bring us more opportunities to practice Christian hospitality. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year to share with other people. ✨

Fellowshipping over food is very biblical.

Because Jesus has taken our place on the cross, we can have fellowship with God. Jesus demonstrated this fellowship by fellowshipping with people on earth before He died for them.

One of the main accusations that the Pharisees had against Jesus was that He ate with sinners, outcasts, and rebels (Mark 2:13-17). But when Jesus eats with these people, the outcasts of society, they are eternally changed (e.g. Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10). The food that they ate together provided an opportunity for the gospel to go forth and change people’s lives.

Jesus’ example of fellowshipping together around food was followed in the early church (Acts 2:42) and the disciples’ further ministry following Jesus’ ascension. Peter’s conversion to include Gentiles in the church comes through a dream regarding food (Acts 10). Because all the food is declared clean, Gentiles and Jews could eat together, unifying the church as one in Christ. Later in Acts 16:34, the Philippian jailer eats with Paul and Silas and his whole family is converted and baptized–talk about gospel fellowship!

When we eat together with fellow believers, we are celebrating the unity we have in Christ through the salvation He has provided. Christians eating together is truly a taste of heaven on earth.

So, head over to my blog for my top tips for hosting guests at meal time!
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#hosting #fellowship #christianmotherhood #gospelfellowship

"God has met you so that you would be ready to int

"God has met you so that you would be ready to introduce his glory and grace to your children. Every day is filled with opportunities to point to God." -- Paul Tripp
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Hi, I'm Deborah and I am still trying to live out that quote I read over a year ago. Finding opportunities to share about God with my daughter every day is a joy. And it has made me firm up in my own understanding of faith and doctrine. That's why I have to study theology at naptime every day too! ☺️ But I'm so, so thankful to be a mama and have the opportunity to share about my Savior with her.
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How do you share about God with your kids?
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#motheringforchrist #christianmama #christianmotherhood #gospelcenteredparenting

"When you're a mom, you get the front row seat to

"When you're a mom, you get the front row seat to the best show in town: watching your kids grow up."
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#motherhood #motheringforchrist #honestmotherhood

This corner sometimes causes frustration in my min

This corner sometimes causes frustration in my mind, it's usually in disarray and untidy. But as I looked yesterday at the corner full of fruit and bread from the community larder, eggs from the grocery store, I was so, so thankful. What abundance on just a few square inches of countertop. Lord, keep humbling me and making me thankful for what you provide. ❤️

Participating in Halloween is majorly debated and

Participating in Halloween is majorly debated and I don’t really want to add to that debate with this post. I think that it is a matter of conscience and you need to search the Scriptures to decide for yourself. That being said, one of the main reasons I’m seeing more Christians participate in Halloween is because it is “the only opportunity to share the gospel with my neighbors.” That’s where I had to stop and think… is it really the only opportunity? What is keeping us from getting to know our neighbors the other 364 days of the year?

It IS a convenient opportunity because your neighbors are literally knocking on your door, asking for treats. But it certainly isn’t the only opportunity to get to know your neighbors. Knocking on their door to introduce yourself with a plate of cookies is surely welcomed any other time of the year, right?

If we’re to be the salt and light of the world, then we can’t hide behind our doors waiting for our neighbors to come to us on Halloween. Maybe we need to just put in more effort to seek out gospel opportunities when they’re not convenient.

And, just so you know, I’m aiming these questions at me, not just you. It is definitely easier for me to keep to myself and never talk to my neighbors. But I know that the gospel is worth it, that I serve a powerful God who can use knocking on doors and every-day neighborly-ness for His glory.

I find myself still thinking through these things. What do you think?

Chilling at John Knox's house. . Seriously though

Chilling at John Knox's house.
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Seriously though, being in the same place that this hero of the faith lived and walked gave me chills. I read a biography of John Knox earlier this year, but this weekend in Edinburgh brought it to life for me. I'm so thankful for the glorious history of the church. Have you read about John Knox?
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A quote from the biography I read:
"How can strength ever be wanting for the least saint who finds his might in the fullness of God’s omnipotence? What might God do in our world if ordinary Christians acknowledged their frailty and found rest in God’s grace and power? Knox, the quintessential, simple, sincere, fervent, and unfeigned man summed up what happened in his world. God gave his Holy Spirit to simple man in great abundance. May he do the same in our world. And may we be Christians like John Knox who know our mighty weakness, turn from ourselves, and find strength in the inexhaustible power of God alone." -- Douglas Bond, The Mighty Weakness of John Knox
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#johnknox #knox
#edinburgh #scotland #reformation #churchhistory #reformer

Closing out my posts on the Psalms from the summer

Closing out my posts on the Psalms from the summer with these two questions: What does God's name Yahweh mean and what does it mean for us? Swipe through to see!
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Yahweh is used MANY times in Psalm 135, here is the entire Psalm:
Psalm 135
1 Praise the name of Yahweh;
Praise Him, O slaves of Yahweh,
2 You who stand in the house of Yahweh,
In the courts of the house of our God!
3 Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.
4 For Yah has chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel for His treasured possession.

5 For I know that Yahweh is great
And that our Lord is greater than all gods.
6 Whatever Yahweh pleases, He does,
In heaven and on earth, in the seas and in all deeps.
7 The One who causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth;
Who makes lightnings for the rain,
Who brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

8 He struck the firstborn of Egypt,
From man to beast.
9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt,
Amongst Pharaoh and all his slaves.
10 He struck many nations
And slew mighty kings,
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
And Og, king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan;
12 And He gave their land as an inheritance,
An inheritance to Israel His people.
13 O Yahweh, Your name is everlasting,
O Yahweh, Your remembrance is from generation to generation.
14 For Yahweh will render justice for His people
And will give comfort to His slaves.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear,
Surely, there is not any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
All who trust in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless Yahweh;
O house of Aaron, bless Yahweh;
20 O house of Levi, bless Yahweh;
You who fear Yahweh, bless Yahweh.
21 Blessed be Yahweh from Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise Yah!
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*All content on the slides is available on my blog, Naptimetheologian.com under "God's Name, Yahweh."
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#psalms #psalm #biblestudy #biblestudynotes #bibleverses #psalmsofthesummer #biblicaltruth #biblicaltheology #biblicalliving #theology #theologymatters

A "trailing spouse" is the husband/wife that follo

A "trailing spouse" is the husband/wife that follows their spouse on an expat assignment. Originally, it was common to be known as an "expat wife," but, thanks to the feminist movement, now it could be a husband trailing his wife overseas, so the term has changed.
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Why talk about this term? Well, it was new to me and describes my current lot in life. I've followed my husband overseas to live here in England and I don't have a job of my own outside the home... I'm trailing behind my husband.
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In the world's eyes, that is a bad thing. But I'm here to say that... it's not! Firmly standing behind your husband and supporting him in his endeavors overseas is significant. Even more so, it's what we are called to do as wives in the Bible:

"Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord." Ephesians 5:22

"Young women [are] to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2:4-5
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Ultimately, being a loving, supporting mother and a respectful, caring wife will never be enough for society. But that is exactly what God wants us to be in our homes, mamas, whether you're an expat or not. So, yes, I am a trailing spouse. A happily trailing spouse. What about you?
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#expatwoman #expatmom #expatfamily #expatriate #expat #livingabroad #discovertheworld #athomeintheworld #globalcitizen #overseas #overseaslife #alifeoverseas #showthemtheworld #aroadlesstraveled #cornersofmyworld #thisgloballife #expatlife #expatliving #expatblogger #expatmum #expatwife #ukmoms #deeplyrooted #womenintheword #womenoftheword #trailingspouse #godlywives #submissivewives

We've completed 1 year of the GAPS diet! 🥳 If y

We've completed 1 year of the GAPS diet! 🥳 If you're new, this is a diet that focuses on healing a leaky gut with nourishing meat stock and natural probiotics. So what has changed for us? We now go through at least 8 sticks of butter per week, our fridge always has meat stock ready for drinking and yogurt ready for eating, our freezer always has chicken wings for more meat stock, and there's almost always something fermenting out on our kitchen counter (sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, etc). But the biggest change is that Aletheia's eczema has completely gone away and we only have small flare ups occasionally! 🙌 It's been a lot of hard work, but I'm so thankful for the opportunity and resources available for us to try this way of eating as a solution to her eczema. We plan to stick with it for another year. We have definitely tasted and seen that the Lord is good in this last year of eating (Psalm 34:8).
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Pictured: a beautifully swirled cup of meat stock. 😋
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#gapsdiet #gapsmama #gapsdietheals #gaps #nourishingfood #nourishingtraditions

Hi! I'm Deborah, a graduate student wife, expat,,

Hi! I'm Deborah, a graduate student wife, expat,, theology nerd, and, as of yesterday, a homeschool mom! 🥳 My daughter is only 3, so we aren't doing a lot, but I wanted to get into a routine with our days starting this year (I like routines! 😆). Truth is, I was homeschooled my whole life so I'm really excited to start this journey with my daughter. I'll be sharing a bit more about exactly what we're doing and how you could do it too on my blog soon, so keep an eye out. 👀 But for now, how about you? We're you homeschooled? Private? Public? What about your kids? Let me know in the comments! ☺️
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Oh, and please enjoy this picture of the sunshine because it's currently pouring rain here in Oxford. 🥴
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#homeschooling #christianhomeschoolers #homeschool #christianmama #proverbs31mom #gloriousmotherhood #belovedlife #christcenteredmama #inspiremotherhood #documentlife #writeyouonmyheart #joyfulmamas #nothingisordinary #letthembelittle #honestmotherhood
#godlymotherhood #beautyfromashes #womenintheword #homeschoollife #homeeducation #homeschoolmom #expatmom #expatliving #internationalschool #teachingabroad #adventureparenting #littleexplorer #travelfamily #expatfamily #bringthekids

I went on an errand by myself this morning and it

I went on an errand by myself this morning and it was much... easier. No hitching the trailer to my bike, no adjusting my daughter's helmet, no buckling all her straps or buttoning down the windscreen in front her.
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It was also much... quieter. There was no explaining where we're going, what we're getting, or when we'll be back home. There weren't any questions that I had to turn around to answer. And there wasn't any belting out of "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing!" (It's a regular in our house. 🤷🏻‍♀️)
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So while it may have been easier, but it was definitely not better. Those questions and moments during our bike rides are such sweet opportunities to get to know my daughter and hopefully point her back to Christ. They are moments to cherish, and moments that were missed by this mama this morning. ❤️
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#christianmama #proverbs31mom #gloriousmotherhood #belovedlife #christcenteredmama #inspiremotherhood #documentlife #writeyouonmyheart #joyfulmamas #nothingisordinary #letthembelittle #honestmotherhood #gracebasedmotherhood #gracefilledmotherhood #motheringforchrist #gospelcenteredparenting
#godlymotherhood #beautyfromashes #womenintheword

Vacation Recap (with photos!) 🙌☺️ 1. Tinsid

Vacation Recap (with photos!) 🙌☺️
1. Tinside Lido is a waterside, art deco pool that was built in the 1930s, beautiful but too chilly to swim for me! 2. Smeaton's tower is a lighthouse that was built 14 miles of shore on a reef to keep the ships from crashing. When it went out of service the interlocking granite stones that made up the house were disassembled, boated in to shore, and reassembled here above the shoreline. We climbed to the top for a wonderful view! 3. Saw this model of the Mayflower at the Mayflower Museum. I have traveled the world with a toddler, but I can't imagine doing it on a ship for months at a time! 4. The Mayflower steps commemorate the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth in 1620 (note the American flag!). 5. We drove to Land's End, the westernmost tip of England, and the views were stunning! I love it when the sun peaks through and beams on the ocean. 6. Walking along with my little trooper. She did a great job with all the walking and seeing all the old places. It's a joy to be her mother and watch her enjoy the world. ❤️
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Which place would you want to see??? Let me know in the comments!

We are on full vacation mode here in Plymouth. Did

We are on full vacation mode here in Plymouth. Did you know that this is the city from which the Mayflower set sail to America? Yesterday I stood outside the oldest commercial bakery in England. It supplied the pilgrims of the Mayflower with food for their journey 400+ years ago. 🤯 Still blows my mind that things are this old in England. Makes me thankful that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He's the same as He was 400 years ago and He will still be the same 400 years from now. He's the same God who moved in the hearts of the pilgrims and the same God who moves in our hearts now. All glory be to Him! 🙌
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"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

When you read the Bible a lot, there is a temptati

When you read the Bible a lot, there is a temptation to think that you know it all, that you’ve got it all together, and maybe even that you don’t need to read it as much because you’ve already read it so much. But that’s not what David says in Psalm 119. I’m amazed and humbled by the very last verse of the longest Psalm and you should be too.

After David has waxed eloquent about loving, knowing, practicing, being renewed by, and living out God’s laws, scriptures, words, and precepts, here’s what he says, “I have wandered about like a lost sheep; search for Your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.” (Psalm 119:176).

Shouldn’t David have it together by now, after 175 verses shouting praises of God’s Word? Thankfully, he doesn’t, and we don’t either. We are all sinners who need God to search us out in order to be His servants. Isaiah says that we are all like sheep who have gone astray and we turn others to their own way (Isaiah 53:6).

Isn’t that a humbling reminder? No matter how much we read the Bible (and we should read it a lot!) or how much we know about God, we will always need His help. Yes, we will grow in knowledge and faithfulness as He sanctifies us, but we will not reach some plateau where we no longer need to read our Bibles or ask God for help.

Let that encourage you to seek Him out today! Ask Him for help as you are pursuing holiness in your life. Ask Him for help as you read your Bible today. Ask Him for help in all of life. He will never run out of resources for you and you can always depend on Him. He is the great shepherd who takes care of His sheep (us!) and even laid down His life for them (John 10:11). So be a humble servant before Him.
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#psalms #psalm #biblestudy #biblestudynotes #bibleverses #psalmsofthesummer #biblicaltruth #biblicaltheology #biblicalliving #theology #theologymatters #theologystudent #reformedtheology #oldtestament #psalmsofdavid

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