Podcasts about Christians

In this episode of Pray the Word on 1 Kings 6:14, David Platt reminds us what it means to have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.Explore more content from Radical.

Today on Doubletake: the first episode in a three-part series: The kidnapping of Kayla Mueller.In August of 2013 Carl and Marsha Mueller received a 10-second video in their email. It was of their daughter Kayla, who had disappeared 24 days earlier in Syria. She was thin and dressed in Islamic garb. “I need your help,” she said. “I've been here too long, and I've been sick.”The Islamic terror group ISIS had grabbed her, beginning an ordeal for the Muellers that, in a way, still isn't over.So today we have a story about courage, and fear, and faith despite hopeless circumstances. It's also about finding yourself in a position where you're forced to negotiate. For the highest stakes imaginable: the life of your daughter. With terrorists. With your own government. With yourself. And, ultimately, with God.Support WORLD News Group at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from The Voice of the Martyrs, serving persecuted Christians for almost sixty years. Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned a total of 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ. Upon his release, he and his wife, Sabina, founded The Voice of the Martyrs to help the families of imprisoned Christians in Communist nations and other countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Today, VOM works in more than 70 hostile areas and restricted nations. More information is available at vom.org/SaturdaySpecial

Rich Griffith, Chief Development Officer for Global Action, served as a pastor and played seven seasons in the NFL before the Lord led him to serve pastors and Christian leaders around the world, including many in restricted nations and hostile areas. Rich has had many exciting career highlights, but his favorite is watching these Christian leaders complete their training. "To me, the most incredible thing I've experienced is a graduation." Rich says, "The tears in their eyes… because they felt a calling of God." Rich shares his joy at being able to provide tools and knowledge to new pastors in places like India and Cuba and will share more about the curriculum and how the training is tailored to impact each individual culture. The church in these nations is growing, but there is a great need for more pastors to shepherd that growing flock. You'll also hear how Rich sensed God's call to work for Global Action and how the Lord challenged him on a trip to Cuba, where he saw how persecuted Christians trust the Lord despite their circumstances. One book that God used to challenge Rich was I Am N, a book about persecuted Christians facing Islamic extremists that was produced by The Voice of the Martyrs. Pray for the Lord to raise up more shepherds who will lead Christ's sheep, especially in restricted nations and hostile areas. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria, China, and Iran, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content, and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

In this episode of Pray the Word on 1 Kings 4:34, David Platt reminds us that God blesses individual people in order to bless the nations.Explore more content from Radical.

A White House official called $4 billion in taxpayer funds being spent to address homelessness “God's money — a move experts call an escalation of evangelical religious rhetoric coming from the Trump administration. Also Paula White-Cain, a White House faith adviser, in a recent webinar for the National Faith Advisory Board, called on evangelical Christians as “the body of Christ, just the church” to register to vote to ensure “we would never have an election problem again.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vanessa Sivadge, whistleblower, former Texas Children's Hospital nurse, and recipient of the Share the Arrows award, is back! Vanessa witnessed how the largest children's hospital in the country illegally used state funding to provide minors with transitioning procedures. While many in Vanessa's situation would simply quit, she chose to speak out; first anonymously in 2023, then publicly in 2024. After openly coming forward, she was fired from her job and now leads the organization Protecting Texas Children that fights for parental rights and advocates for children on a legislative level. She joins Allie to discuss how God has continued to write her story and how she is currently speaking the truth and fighting the ideology pushing the mutilation of children's bodies. The past few years have consisted of private back-and-forth conversations as the case against Texas Children's Hospital has unfolded. On May 15, 2026, the case concluded, and Texas Children's was required to pay a settlement. Along with the settlement, five physicians were fired, and America's first detransition clinic was established. Vanessa's story is an encouragement to Christians to speak the truth boldly even when it is difficult and a reminder that God can use them for His glory in the spheres of influence He has placed them.  Check Out Vanessa's Advocacy Organization: https://protectingtexaschildren.com/ Share the Arrows 2026 is on October 10 in Dallas, Texas! Tickets are on sale now at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sharethearrows.com⁠⁠⁠ Share the Arrows is sponsored by: A'del Natural Cosmetics: AdelNaturalCosmetics.com Range Leather: RangeLeather.com/ALLIE We Heart Nutrition: WeHeartNutrition.com Buy Allie's book "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion": ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.toxicempathy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Time Codes 0:00 Introduction 1:12 Why Vanessa Became a Whistleblower 18:43 When She Went Public 23:38 Targeting from the Biden DOJ 38:56 The Settlement 55:02 Vanessa's Perseverance Through Faith 1:02:02 A Special Gift for Allie – Today's Sponsors: A'del | Visit AdelNaturalCosmetics.com and enter promo code ALLIE for 25% off your first-time purchase. Range Leather — highest-quality leather, age-old techniques, and all backed up with a “forever guarantee." Go to ⁠⁠rangeleather.com/allie⁠⁠ to receive 15% off. Good Ranchers | If you go to ⁠⁠⁠GoodRanchers.com⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe to any box of 100% American meat, you'll save up to $500 a year! Plus, if you use code ALLIE, you'll get an additional $25 off your first order. Geviti | Go to gogeviti.com/allie and use code ALLIE for 20% off. Patriot Mobile | Go to PatriotMobile.com/ALLIE or call 972-PATRIOT. Use promo code ALLIE for a free month of service. Episodes You May Like: Ep 1113 | Doctor Warning Against Trans 'Care' SILENCED by Gag Order | Guest: Andrea Haim https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1113-doctor-warning-against-trans-care-silenced/id1359249098?i=1000680059927 Ep 1029 | Whistleblower Nurse Uncovers “Trans Kid” Medicaid Fraud | Guest: Vanessa Sivadge https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1029-whistleblower-nurse-uncovers-trans-kid-medicaid/id1359249098?i=1000660952943 --- ► Buy Allie's book, "You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love": https://alliebethstuckey.com/book ► Subscribe to the podcast: iTunes: https://apple.co/2UVssnP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2FwkXxj ► Connect with Allie on Social Media: https://twitter.com/conservmillen https://www.instagram.com/alliebstuckey/ https://facebook.com/allieBlazeTV/ ► Relatable merchandise – use promo code 'ALLIE10' for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey

In this episode of Cultish, the Super Sleuth sits down with Craig to examine a recent video in which Hayden Carroll critiques Reformed theology. Together, they analyze his arguments, address several misrepresentations of Reformed doctrine, and explain what Reformed theology actually teaches. Rather than responding with emotion, this episode seeks to offer a careful, biblical, and charitable critique while presenting the historic Reformed position in its proper context.  As Christians, we have a responsibility to represent the beliefs of those we disagree with accurately before offering criticism. Throughout this discussion, we demonstrate where Hayden's presentation falls short of that standard. Whether those inaccuracies stem from a misunderstanding of Reformed theology or a failure to engage with it carefully, listeners can judge for themselves as we examine the claims one by one. Be Part of the Mission to Change Lives: HERE SHOP OUR MERCH: HERE

“Are Catholics misled by leftist groups?” This question opens a discussion on the naivety some Catholics may have regarding social justice issues. The conversation also touches on the positive impact of refraining from Sunday shopping and draws parallels between personal trials and those faced by Christ, highlighting the diverse challenges and reflections within the faith. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – I think Catholics have to understand they are being coopted by these leftist organizations. A lot of Catholics are very naive about social justice issues. 07:40 – We stopped going to businesses to do any shopping on Sundays and it has been a good change. 17:30 – Joan's trial tracks very closely with that of our Lord. 22:00 – I've been a widow for 11 years. Before he died my favorite gift to give him was flannel shirts (he was a logger). I still wear his shirts. It has meant so much to me to watch Catholic Answers and the Flannel Panel. 29:40 – Why are companies open on Sundays anyway when they know they won't get business from a lot of Christians?

In this episode of Pray the Word on 1 Kings 3:12, David Platt calls us to pray for wisdom and to trust God to provide it faithfully.Explore more content from Radical.

Greg answers questions about how to interpret “gates of Hell” in Matthew 16:18, whether parents should treat a child who hasn't professed Christ differently, the biggest challenge that has tested his faith, whether Matthew 24:24 means it's possible for the elect to be led astray, and more.   Topics: Should the fact that God is in charge of Hell change my understanding of Matthew 16:18 that “gates of Hell” refers to Satan and his demonic forces? (08:00) Should parents treat a child who hasn't professed Christ differently from their other children? (22:00) What is the biggest challenge that has tested your faith? (26:00) How do we know that Christians believe the right thing? (45:00) Does Matthew 24:24 mean it's possible for the elect to be led astray? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Be One of the 100 Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Related Links: Making Sense of Unanswered Prayer by Amy Hall

The onslaught of artificial intelligence continues! On In The Market with Janet Parshall this week, Lt. Col. Robert Magginis addressed some of the biggest concerns regarding AI including why it is attempting to replace humans and God and why Christians are particularly vulnerable to its seduction. Laurel Slade-Waggoner was back to give biblical and clinical insights to your questions about narcissism. Best-selling author Eric Metaxas took us on a journey through the faith foundations of our nation and explained how the Christian faith of the founding fathers was the power behind the American Revolution. We updated you on what is going on with abortion funding in the United States and why some people are saying that the recent spate of wildfires signals a new health crisis. Arm yourself with the truth! Join Janet and Craig as they teach us how to use God’s wisdom to expose the false narratives in today’s marketplace of ideas.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today David takes a sobering look at what is revealed when the wisdom Christ is made unto us by God is applied to the way many Christians today think of politics. He explains why a Christian worldview looks weak in this sphere and the sin Christians are tempted to as a result. Might it reveal the sin of outright unbelief in Christ, as was once true of him?

Hey y'all ! Welcome to another Friday with CWCOI ! In this week's episode, our host, Ally Yost talks about how sometimes we can believe the lie that we are powerless. As Christians, when we completely hand our lives over to Jesus, He is the one who is ultimately in control but that doesn't mean we are powerless in the ways we react, show up, and respond. We are called to steward our lives well as follower of Christ and so it's important for us to recognize that we do have power and authority through Christ who lives in us. "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:25 _____________________________________________ ☆ PRE-ORDER 'LOVE THAT LASTS' HERE: https://allyyost.com/en-usd/pages/book ☆ OUR NEW MERCH IS LIVE! SHOP AT: https://allyyost.com ☆ Find your purpose at Grand Canyon University ➤ GCU.edu ☆ If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started ➤ https://learn.nocd.com/COFFEE ☆ Download the FREE Upside app now to find out how much money you could earn. Use code 'ONICE' to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas ➤ https://www.upside.com ☆ MY BIBLE (code 'ALLYYOST' at checkout) ➤ https://hosannarevival.com/collections/beautiful-bibles/products/nlt-notetaking-bible-belfast-theme ☆ TUMBLER LINK ➤ https://allyyost.com/products/cwcoi-glass-tumbler-white _____________________________________________ Connect further with us ! TikTok ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@christwithcoffeeonice  Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/christwithcoffeeonice  _____________________________________________ Connect further with Ally ! TikTok (2M) ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@ally_yost  Instagram ➤ https://www.instagram.com/ally_yost/  ShopMy ➤ https://shopmy.us/allyyost  Pinterest ➤ https://www.pinterest.com/ally_yost1/_created/

How can you believe what the Bible says about sexuality when Christians have acted so hatefully? How can you be a Christian given the church's record on race? Questions like these have caused many to doubt—and even deconstruct—their faith. Where can we find help when we feel racked by doubt or are walking alongside someone who is? In this talk from TGCW24, Collin Hansen and Rebecca McLaughlin explore these questions and offer hope and help by pointing to Jesus, the one who has the words of eternal life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Should Christians legally oppose a mosque being built in their city? The answer raises difficult questions about religious liberty, biblical conviction, civic responsibility, and the proper role of government. In this bonus episode, Pastors Josh, Carlos, and Paul examine the controversy surrounding a proposed mosque expansion in McKinney, Texas. They explore how Christians can engage local government lawfully and wisely while remaining committed to sharing the gospel with Muslim neighbors. In this episode, you'll learn: How the First Amendment has shaped modern religious-liberty laws What Scripture teaches about false worship and civic leadership Whether Christians can legally challenge mosque construction Why local elections, zoning hearings, and city councils matter How to combine courageous civic engagement with genuine gospel outreach Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.

Prayer is central to every believers' life and critical to discipleship and worship. However, Christians often feel ashamed to talk about their personal prayer life. They read books and manuals on prayer, hoping to find the perfect solution to a fickle prayer life. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:17 titled “The Father of Glory,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones argues that questions found in books on prayer often miss the point. Christians must not focus on form or saying the most beautiful words. Nor should Christians simply telegraph their petitions in a sentence or two. Instead they must remember, recollect, and pause, as the apostle Paul does, to whom they are speaking. Paul, in just one verse, notes in his prayer that he is praying to the God with whom he has a covenant relationship. The God of the incarnate Son. Not an unknown god, but the God revealed through the Lord Jesus Christ. This God is the source of all glory. He is the glorious One, who gives glory, not only to the Son, but to His people. When one remembers who they are praying to before they begin, they will, indeed, find little trouble engaging in the greatest activity any human being can do: speak to God.

If you enjoy this episode, we're sure you will enjoy more content like this on The Occult Rejects.  In fact, we have curated playlists on occult topics like grimoires, esoteric concepts and phenomena, occult history, analyzing true crime and cults with an occult lens, Para politics, and occultism in music. Whether you enjoy consuming your content visually or via audio, we've got you covered - and it will always be provided free of charge.  So, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work of providing accessible, free content on various platforms, please consider making a donation to the links provided below.  Thank you and enjoy the episode!Links For The Occult Rejectshttps://linktr.ee/theoccultrejectsOccult Research Institutehttps://www.occultresearchinstitute.org/Cash Apphttps://cash.app/$theoccultrejectsVenmo@TheOccultRejectsBuy Me A Coffeebuymeacoffee.com/TheOccultRejectsPatreonhttps://www.patreon.com/TheOccultRejectsPrimary sourcesIrenaeus. Against Heresies 1.28. Best early witness for the Encratites' rejection of marriage and animal food. Accessible English text online.Eusebius of Caesarea. Ecclesiastical History 4.28–29. Key source for Tatian, Musanus, and the Severians. Accessible English text online.Clement of Alexandria. Stromata 3. Essential for anti-Encratite argument, marriage/continence debates, Cassianus, and use of the Gospel according to the Egyptians. Accessible English text online.Hippolytus. Refutation of All Heresies 8. Useful for Tatian's reputation, abstinence, and sectarian framing. Accessible English text online.Basil of Caesarea. Letter 188. Important later witness showing Encratites still mattered canonically in the fourth century. Accessible English text online.Synod of Gangra (especially Canons 1–2). Important for the later church's rejection of condemning marriage and condemning meat-eating Christians. Accessible English text online.Tatian. Address to the Greeks. Useful for Tatian's tone, worldview, and severity, even if it is not itself the main Encratite text. Modern Cambridge edition available.Acts of Thomas. Important for the wider encratite ascetic imagination and later patristic memory of the text's Encratite character.Gospel according to the Egyptians (fragments preserved in Clement, Stromata 3). Important for Salome sayings, celibacy discourse, and the wider anti-marriage textual world.Modern scholarshipGuffey, Andrew R. “Motivations for Encratite Practices in Early Christian Literature.” Journal of Theological Studies 65, no. 2 (2014): 515–549. Probably the single best focused article for your episode. It is especially useful on motives, mixed origins, and why Encratite practice cannot be reduced to one simple cause.Litwa, M. David. Early Christianity in Alexandria: From its Beginnings to the Late Second Century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023. Use especially Chapter 8, “Julius Cassianus and Alexandrian Ascetic Culture.” Very useful for Cassianus and Alexandrian radical continence.Crawford, Matthew R. “The Diatessaron, Canonical or Non-canonical? Rereading the Dura Fragment.” New Testament Studies (2016). Strong on Tatian's Gospel harmony, its reception, and the Syriac afterlife of the Diatessaron.McCarthy, Carmel, trans. Saint Ephrem's Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron: An English Translation of Chester Beatty Syriac MS 709. Journal of Semitic Studies Supplement 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993. Useful if you want to lean harder into the Syriac legacy of Tatian.Petersen, William L. Tatian's Diatessaron: Its Creation, Dissemination, Significance, and History in Scholarship. Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 25. Leiden: Brill, 1994. Still an important specialist study for Tatian and the Diatessaron.“The Syriac Versions.” In an Oxford Academic volume on the Syriac New Testament tradition. Useful for concise background on Tatian's Diatessaron in Syriac Christianity.“The Earliest Syriac Literature.” In The Cambridge History of Early Christian Literature. Helpful for placing Tatian inside the broader Syriac literary and ascetic world.Also want to remind people about the website, if you're into reading we have tons of information by multiple contributors, and we got t-shirts up on the site if you're interested. Fun fact, the art is all based on the eyeball. 

Pastor Dale Partridge argues that religious conflict is taking shape in America, while pagan religious communities are crossing oceans to establish their own cities and institutions here. His argument is that Christians should begin thinking just as intentionally about building distinctly Christian communities of their own.

In this month's Favored or Forsaken, Evan, Jamie, and Knox are asking the important questions: Should Jesus influence your interior design? Should more pastors run for political office? And why are we all watching Ted Lasso again? Plus, we brainstorm industries that Christians should co-opt as well as profiles for who would make ideal political candidates. As a company, we will make a donation in memory of Erin's mom, Gwen Hicks, to the foster-care nonprofit she founded, Amarillo Angels. If you would like to join us in honoring her remarkable legacy, head to AmarilloAngels.org to donate in memory of Gwen Hicks with (Faith Adjacent) in parentheses.MENTIONSWhat Would Jesus Design? Here's the Architectural Digest ArticleShould more pastors run for office? Here's the articleJames A. Garfield: Wikipedia | Death By Lightning Ted Lasso: Watch on AppleTVThe Faith Adjacent Seminary: Support us on Patreon. Knox McCoy: Books | Substack | InstagramEvan Dodson: Instagram | TikTok | SubstackJamie Golden: Instagram | The Popcast with Knox and JamieSubscribe to our Newsletter: The Dish from Faith AdjacentFaith Adjacent Merch: Shop HereShop our Amazon Link: amazon.com/shop/faithadjacentFollow Faith Adjacent on Socials: Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The American Church wasn't always afraid to speak into the governance of our nation. So what happened? I'm joined by Troy Miller, President and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, to talk about how Christians were pushed out of the public square, why pastors need to rediscover courage, and what's at stake if believers continue to disengage. We don't need a quieter Church. We need a courageous one—and November is coming.Sentry H2O – Get cleaner, healthier water with a filtration system matched to your home's specific needs. Visit http://sentryh2o.com/heidi for a free consultation.Shop MyFreedomCart for trusted, American-made products that support your values.http://myfreedomcart.com/heidiShow mentions: http://heidistjohn.com/mentionsWebsite | http://heidistjohn.comSupport the show! | http://donorbox.org/donation-827Rumble | rumble.com/user/HeidiStJohnYoutube |    / @‌heidistjohnpodcast  Instagram | @‌heidistjohnFacebook | Heidi St. JohnX | @‌heidistjohnFaith That Speaks Online CommunitySubmit your questions for Fan Mail Friday | http://heidistjohn.com/fanmailfriday

Bethel is still producing “visions,” parents are increasingly being cut off by their adult children, free speech collides with Islam, and two former NBA players expose the WNBA's transgender dilemma. What should Christians learn from all of it? Segment 1 • A Bethel Music singer describes a dramatic “vision” of Jesus. • Why chasing fresh revelations can quietly undermine the sufficiency of Scripture. • If your church sings Bethel Music, what exactly are you supporting? Segment 2 • Why are so many adult children cutting off their parents? • Five influences driving family estrangement, from politics to therapy culture. • What Christian parents can do now to strengthen relationships with their children. Segment 3 • A British activist tests whether an Oxford audience really believes in free speech. • Why one envelope containing a supposed image of Muhammad caused an uproar. • What the confrontation reveals about Islam and Western values. Segment 4 • Two former NBA players say they identify as women and want into the WNBA. • Their stunt forces the transgender sports debate to confront its own logic. • When obvious truths are rejected, why facts alone may never be enough. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley have a thought-level discussion on what Christians should think of public schools requiring bible reading. Questions Covered in This Episode: What should Christians think of public schools requiring Bible reading? Are public schools a place where religious education happens or should happen? What is the role of education? Is education a human right? Whose is the primary responsibility to educate? What is the good of public school? How can someone be involved in public school? Why is the Bible part of the curriculum in Texas schools now? Should public schools require Bible reading, and why? Should other religious texts be included in required reading? What is a potential problem with the Bible being taught in public school? What text are they including? What are they missing? How is this the same or different than the posting of the Ten Commandments? Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Romans 5, 1 Corinthians Deep Discipleship Program “Forming Souls in an AI Future” by Ben Sasse “Should the ten Commandments be Posted Publicly Part 1” “Should the ten Commandments be Posted Publicly Part 2” Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway's Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Even if their paths cross only for a season, Christians can leave a lifelong impact on one another's spiritual lives. Today, Sinclair Ferguson remembers Dennis, whom God used in his life as a first-year university student. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/a-christians-enduring-influence/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In this Bible Story, we were introduced to Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. The three young men are specially chosen out of the Judaen captives to sit under the king as wise men. King Nebuchadnezzar attempts to indoctrinate them into Babylonian ways, however they prove that following the Lord proves to be more useful for human flourishing. This story is inspired by Daniel 1:1-16. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Daniel 1:8 from the King James Version.Episode 162: The kingdoms of Israel and Judah had fallen and the men of nobility were taken captive. Among these handsome and well educated men were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. These four feared God and though they were brought into the King's court to be influenced, God used them to skillfully influence the King and his men instead.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does Scripture actually mean when it commands us to “disciple the nations”? Is the Great Commission simply about converting individuals—or can nations themselves truly become Christian? In this episode of The Magistrate, James Baird is joined by George Sayour, filling in for Josh Howard, to examine what the Bible teaches about nations, national identity, and the reign of Christ.James and George explore the biblical meaning of ethnos, the relationship between individuals and nations, and whether Scripture gives us categories for speaking about a genuinely Christian nation. Along the way, they work through Genesis 10, Matthew 28, Revelation 21, and the broader biblical story of Christ’s authority over the nations.What would it actually mean to disciple a nation? And should Christians expect the gospel to transform not only individuals and families, but entire peoples, cultures, and societies?The Magistrate explores Christian political theology, civil government, history, and the proper relationship between Christ, His Church, and the nations.

I’ve heard it said, “We can’t make our children believe. We can only give our children reason to believe what we believe.” That’s a wise observation—but how do we do it? Of all people to take parenting advice from, the apostle Paul is seldom the first choice. It’s likely that he had no children. Parents prefer to hear from someone who’s been-there-done-that, someone who knows about sleepless infants, the storms of puberty, and how it feels to pray for a prodigal. Yet Paul has something to teach us here. Paul had been on his way to persecute Christians when Christ intervened. Paul fell to the ground, blinded (Acts 9:1-9). Soon he was visited by Ananias who restored his sight and explained his mission: “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard” (22:14-15). Paul did witness, and God gave him a quiver-full of spiritual offspring. His “parenting approach” was to share what he’d seen, and to pray. Whether parenting our own children or interacting with others, we can’t make them believe. Rather, we witness with our words and lives as to what we’ve seen and heard. And we pray. Our God, who sent Paul to the gentiles, sends us with the same instruction: witness so they may believe. Then entrust them to our Father who loves them.

These days, we take the polarization of faith in America for granted: Christians are mostly conservative, and liberals are hardly religious at all. But it wasn't always this way.

Islander #6 magazine is now one sale. Buy it here! Harry, Luca and Firas discuss attacks on Christians, the collapse of Hollywood, and the sorry state of the gaming industry.

What is dispensationalism? What is the alternate view, covenant theology? Many Christians don’t understand why dispensationalism is being attacked with such vigor; perhaps those doing the attacking don’t either but the prevailing mood today is, there is no rapture or at least not one that takes the Christians out of the world before judgment. And Israel? Well, they aren’t even in the picture and what’s more, that’s not Israel over in, well, Israel. On today’s SUFTT, Mary starts with biblical interpretive systems of prophecy and from there expands on the really big picture of dispensationalism and how it beautifully fits the historical-grammatical-literal interpretation of Scripture. Are we seeing the church age wrap up and the Day of the Lord commence? We look at the history of the Jews, the Temples that have come and gone and why; and why the rapture is as important to us as it would be to Israel. A full hour of fascinating bunny trails. Hippity hop!     Stand Up For The Truth Videos: https://rumble.com/user/CTRNOnline & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQQSvKiMcglId7oGc5c46A

What if your greatest need isn't more self-care, but more Christ? Dr. Greg Gifford examines key biblical passages that redefine how Christians should think about guarding the heart, resisting sin, and caring for the body God has entrusted to them. You'll leave with a clearer, more biblical framework for navigating today's booming self-care culture. Transformed Podcast Episode 188 | August 13, 2026 ___ Thanks for listening! Transformed would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Transformed we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

It's Thursday, August 13th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Haitian gangs target churches Violent gangs in Haiti are increasingly targeting churches. These gangs control up to 90 percent of the capital of Port-au-Prince. They have killed and kidnapped religious leaders and shut down dozens of churches.  Catholic Bishop Joseph Gontrand Décoste told Aid to the Church in Need, “We are the last remaining retaining wall: moral, ethical, spiritual, and prophetic. … That is why they want to eliminate us.” Christians help victims of Columbia's earthquake Christians are bringing disaster relief to Colombia.  A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the South American country on Monday. The quake killed 250 people and injured thousands more.  Many Christian relief organizations are sending aid to the country, including Samaritan's Purse. Franklin Graham, the president, wrote on X, “We … are currently working to put together an airlift of relief supplies, including emergency shelter tarp and hygiene kits. I encourage you to pray for the people of this country.” Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Send a much-needed donation to the Columbian victims of this earthquake through Samaritan's Purse. You'll find the donation link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. Mexican Bible Society translates Scriptures into 8 local languages The Bible Society of Mexico is celebrating six decades of ministry this year. The Bible has been translated into eight indigenous languages in the country. And the demand for Bibles is growing as Protestant churches expand their presence.  Efraín Amaro is the head of distribution of the Bible society. He told Christian Daily International, “In 60 years, more than 374 million biblical materials have been distributed. We have reached 13 cities across the country with service and distribution centers.” Revelation 7:9-10 says, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'” White House Press Secretary Karolien Leavitt embraces motherhood White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, age 28, will be leaving her position to fully embrace motherhood. She and her 60-year-old husband, Nicholas Riccio, have two children together -- their son Niko, 2, and Viviana who is three months. In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump explained that she “will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!” In a statement on X, Leavitt added, “Serving as the White House Press Secretary over the past year and a half has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime. I am incredibly grateful to President Trump for granting me so many extraordinary opportunities, such as working in the West Wing and spending countless hours in the Oval Office, flying around the world and meeting foreign leaders, and traveling across our beautiful country and meeting Americans from all walks of life. “The truth is, since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary. And that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House.” Titus 2:4-5 says, “Train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” Democrat socialist barely defeated in Wisconsin Socialist Democrats suffered a setback in Wisconsin on Tuesday. Moderate David Crowley barely defeated socialist Francesca Hong in the Democrat primary election for governor. According to NBC, the vote was 39.8% vs 39.3%. Just 3,796 votes separated the two in the statewide race. Leftist candidates had been winning many Democrat primaries this year. Despite being considered a moderate, Crowley believes that killing unborn babies is “healthcare” and must be “protected at all costs.” He made this comment in his victory speech. CROWLEY: “Every one of us has something much bigger to unite around. And that is keeping [Make America Great Again] extremism from bringing the chaos we see in Washington into our neighborhoods right here in the state of Wisconsin. From the very first day that I announced this campaign, I said the real threat wasn't any of my primary opponents. The real opponent has always been Tom Tiffany. That remains true today.” Tiffany, the Republican nominee for Wisconsin governor, is currently a member of Congress. The Washington Examiner reports that new Democratic-affiliated polling shows Crowley beating Tiffany by three points this fall, though the race is within the margin of error. Crowley leads Tiffany 47% to 44%, according to the poll by Protect Our Wisconsin, a group backed by the Democratic Governors Association.  Federal gov't gave mega money to religious migrant resettlement groups The federal government funded major religious groups with hundreds of millions of dollars in migrant resettlement grants. The data comes from Brian Chau, the founder of Efforts News. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk brought attention to this research in a post on X this week. In one case, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops received over $180 million dollars in migrant resettlement grants in 2024. That was over 80 percent of the group's revenue at the time. The contracts ended last year after the Trump administration cut funding to such programs.  Women hold more jobs than men in America Women now hold more jobs than men in the U.S economy.  A report from Indeed's Hiring Lab found the number of jobs held by men declined by 142,000 between February 2025 and February 2026. Over the same period, the number of jobs held by women grew by 298,000.   The report noted, “More jobs are held by women than men in the non-farm economy, not because of a recession, but because of years of eroding male labor force participation.” Americans become skeptical of capitalism Americans are becoming less positive toward capitalism. A new Gallup survey found 54 percent of U.S. adults said they have a positive image of capitalism. That's down from 61 percent in 2010. Thirty-nine percent said they have a positive image of socialism. That's up from 36 percent in 2010. The drop in positivity toward capitalism has accelerated since 2021. Americans trust small, local businesses and churches And finally, Americans tend to trust small, local institutions, according to research from the Barna Group.  U.S. adults put some of their highest trust in local businesses, individual Christians, and small churches. They put moderate trust in Christian pastors, Christian non-profits, and Christian businesses. But they had little trust for megachurches and celebrity pastors.  Compared to 2024, Christian non-profits, charities, and small churches saw the largest growth on the trust index.  Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, August 13th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Why does God allow difficult seasons? When life feels uncertain, painful, or unfair, it can be easy to question God’s character and wonder if our struggles are a result of something we did wrong. But Scripture reveals a different truth: God’s heart toward us is rooted in love, grace, and mercy—not punishment or condemnation. Vivian Bricker explores how knowing who God is helps us navigate suffering, uncertainty, and the lies we often believe about God’s intentions. Through Scripture, we are reminded that God’s love does not change based on our circumstances, and that hardship is not proof of God’s rejection or displeasure. Highlights: Why the unknown can make us question God’s goodness and control Understanding the difference between biblical truth and the idea of karma Why suffering is not always a reflection of God’s punishment How the New Covenant through Jesus changes our understanding of blessings and curses The importance of knowing God’s character so we can recognize false beliefs How God’s love remains constant even during difficult seasons Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Join the conversation: How can a deeper understanding of God’s character change the way you view hardship? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Understanding God’s CharacterBy Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). In my opinion, the scariest thing in the world is the unknown. Whether that be an undiagnosed illness, starting over in a new city, or thinking about the future, the unknown can be terrifying. None of us can truly know what is ahead because we are not the ones in control. For some of us, there will be good times ahead and for others, there will be hard times. One cannot be dogmatic and say that those who have good times are in the will of God and those who are going through tough times are not. It is never within God’s will for us to be in pain, to be depressed, or to be sick. He never intended for us to go through any of these things, and it is not right for people to believe in the ideology that if you do good, good returns to you from God and if you do bad, bad returns to you from God. This is not biblical as this is actually a belief in karma. Karma is part of the religious beliefs contained within Hinduism and Buddhism. Although karma has become popularized within mainstream media, Christ followers do not need to endorse it. Karma is refuted in the Bible as Psalm 103:10-11 says, “he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Therefore, we don’t need to say that God blesses certain people while cursing others. The aspects of blessings and curses based on your actions were true within the Mosaic Covenant, but it is not true for us today. We are under the New Covenant by the blood of Jesus (Luke 22:20). Within the Mosaic Covenant, Israel was petitioned to obey God, and blessings would come to them; however, if they did not obey God and did evil, curses would come into their midst. Since we are not under the Mosaic Covenant, we don’t need to hold ourselves or others to this type of thinking. If we are having dreadful things happening in our lives, they are not caused by God. And if we are having good things happening in our lives, we cannot always be dogmatic to say it is caused by God either. To say that “God has blessed me because I’m doing well, but He has cursed you because you are not doing well” is not rooted in biblical truth. This is why Christians need to be more aware and not to flaunt things they believe are blessings. This only gives the idea that if you are struggling, you have done something terrible in the eyes of God, and you must be cursed. As Christ followers, this type of thinking needs to end. We all have free will, and with it, we have chosen to do terrible things (Romans 3:23). Additionally, we live in a fallen world that is covered in sin. This is why we shouldn’t be quick to say, “It is God’s will for you to suffer from (fill in the blank).” God never intended for evil, sin, or death to be in the world. He wanted us to live in perfect harmony with Him in the Garden of Eden. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Bible tells us, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s character is found in love. Since God is love, why do we believe the lie that He brings curses into our lives or into the lives of others? This goes against His very nature. God is love, and He is not going to bring harm into our lives. As Christ followers, we need to be aware of who God is and His characteristics, as this can help us weed out lies that pull us away from Him. Even well-meaning Christ followers can say unhelpful and unbiblical things, which is why we must be level-headed and fully understand the Bible ourselves. Regardless of what you are going through, remember the truth that God is love, and you are loved by Him, and neither of these things will ever change. Have you ever thought a terrible thing happening in your life was due to God punishing you? What made you think like this? How can having a proper view of God’s character help you understand Him better? Further Reading: Romans 5:8 1 John 3:1 1 John 4:19 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sometimes I wish it were in my power to get every church youth group in America to go on a missions trip. Something unusual happens when some all-American kids suddenly get plunged into another culture to do some work in Jesus' name. It does something for the people they go to help, but I think it does more for the kids who are doing the helping. I heard a local youth group report on their trip to Mexico. Basically they had all of their support stripped away from them while they were there. It was a language they weren't accustomed to, the money was different, they didn't have the comforts they were used to, they had some spiders hanging over them as they slept at night which they for the most part don't have at home. They had unfamiliar food. The customs were things they weren't used to. The result on these mission trips is pretty predictable. All of a sudden, kids who never have devotions are up early in the morning on a rock with a Bible somewhere. Kids who have always thought prayer was boring are saying, "Let's pray!" What they learn several thousand miles from home is something you may need to learn right where you are today. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Desperate for An Answer." Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Matthew 5:6. You might recognize this as being in what's called The Beatitudes, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. He says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." I think Jesus is describing spiritual health here in terms similar to what we do when we talk about physical health - appetite. How's your appetite? And He is talking about people who say, "I'm hungry for the Lord; I'm thirsty for the Lord. I need more of You, Lord. I need You!" Those kids on that missionary trip are learning a valuable lesson. With all of their usual dependencies stripped away, they find out that you know the Lord when you need the Lord. Maybe that's why third-world Christians have so much more power in their lives, and have so much more revival in their experience than we do. They don't have all of the props we do, and it seems that those who know the Lord the best are those who need Him the most. We dig deeply into the Lord when the bottom drops out. I'm sure you have. I have. And then, once things have stabilized, we tend to return to our old props. We tend to return to a casual Christianity instead of this desperately dependent but very rich faith. The fact is we desperately need the Lord every day, not just when the bottom drops out. We're as needy as the people in the third world. We shouldn't be confused because we've got internet, and movies, and concerts, and church services, and homes and all these other support structures. We just don't cling to Him because we're surrounded by so many other resources. Do we have to wait for all our resources to be stripped away before we learn how much we need our Lord? Do we have to be starving to death before we get to be hungry for more of Him? "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They will be filled." See what we're missing because we haven't acknowledged how much we need Him? Even now, why don't you ask the Lord (it's kind of a strange prayer), "Lord, make me desperate for You." He'd rather do it without trauma and without tragedy. Ask Him to give you a new hour-by-hour sense of your desperate need for Him; an hour-by-hour dependency; the child on his Heavenly Father. And then live today as if God is your only hope, not just one of your many resources. When you need the Lord desperately, you get to know Him deeply.

In this Ask Mark Anything episode of the Equip Podcast, Emily puts Mark in the hot seat for a round of listener questions kicked off with a back-to-school theme. From dating age gaps and spiritual readiness, to the Shroud of Turin and relics, to prayer for the sick and getting the most out of a sermon, Mark and Emily work through it all with a mix of humor and biblical grounding.Episode Highlights01:33 — The most satisfying new school supply: pencils, pens, and Trapper Keepers03:14 — What age gap is too big when dating?06:52 — Has the advice on spiritual growth before dating flipped, and why?12:24 — Proofs of Christianity, relics, and the Shroud of Turin16:44 — What relics actually are, and why the ancient and medieval church was drawn to them19:44 — Should Christians build their faith on the Shroud of Turin?20:35 — Why doesn't Cornerstone use healing oils or pray publicly for the sick during the service?21:02 — Walking through James 5 on prayer, anointing with oil, and healing23:00 — Why healing prayer isn't treated as a central part of the corporate gathering26:01 — How to get more out of the sermon each week28:52 — Preparing your heart before the sermon: coming to hear a word from the KingResourcesCornerstone Sermons: Listen OnlineThe Reason for God by Tim KellerEvidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowellAsk Mark a Question!Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

2 Timothy 2:8-14 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss why Timothy had no need to be ashamed and why we have no need to either.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=26476The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

The transformation process is not mysterious, though it often feels hidden. Many Christians experience a deep frustration because they see little progress in themselves or others, as if sanctification were a secret code reserved for the spiritually elite. But repentance—the Bible's word for change—is neither cryptic nor arbitrary. It is objective, sequential, and transforming. You can change. You can also help others change. But that requires learning to discern between worldly sorrow and godly repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). The worldly sorrowful person feels bad; the godly sorrowful person turns around—what we call repenting. The first cries tears of regret; the second bears fruit worthy of repentance. This chapter will help you tell the difference. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/what-is-change-how-do-you-know-if-someone-has-changed/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Here are links to some of the stories mentioned in today's episode:   Christianity Today reports that “after making deep cuts in global health, food assistance, and other foreign aid based on allegations of fraud and abuse in USAID, the Trump administration announced $2 billion in humanitarian-aid funding for faith-based groups, with a consortium of US Christian organizations overseeing $1.4 billion.” Here's Warren's 2016 talk to the Western Conservative Summit. It's called: “The Political Illusion: Choosing Christianity Over Political Ideology.” The talk begins at the 2:35 mark. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) does an annual survey that with a sample size of more than 68,000 from more than 400 colleges and universities. It's one of the most comprehensive surveys of its kind. The survey asks about church attendance, and – according to Ryan Burge, who has parsed the numbers – “the two most “teched up” majors are the least Christian: data science and computer science. Just 27-28% of these folks identify as Protestants, Catholics, or generic Christians. In contrast, about 30% say that they are atheist/agnostic and another 13% are non-religious. In other words, they are about fifteen points more apt to be nones than Christians. An excellent article in the online British publication “Premier Christianity” by Derek Hughes reflects on the “quiet power of slow faithfulness and asks whether Christians have forgotten how to commit to work whose fruit they may not live to see.”   The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Michelle Drake, a Christian health coach, Pilates instructor, and host of the Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast. After overcoming years of eating disorders, perfectionism, and an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise, Michelle now helps Christian moms pursue health from a place of stewardship rather than striving. In this conversation, she offers a compassionate and practical perspective on creating healthier rhythms for women in ministry. The invisible weight moms carry. // Michelle explains that one of the greatest challenges for working moms is the constant “mental load” they carry. Beyond their ministry responsibilities, they’re managing family schedules, meals, appointments, school decisions, friendships, finances, household responsibilities, and countless unseen details. Many simultaneously wrestle with guilt, feeling they’re never doing enough at home or at work. While they often appear highly capable, many are quietly carrying an exhausting emotional burden that supervisors rarely see. When health becomes another burden. // Modern culture often frames health through pressure, perfection, and appearance. Instead of becoming a source of strength, health can become one more impossible standard moms feel they must achieve. Michelle describes how many women believe they must exercise perfectly, prepare flawless meals, and meet unrealistic expectations, or they shouldn’t bother trying at all. This “all-or-nothing” mindset creates shame rather than freedom and often pushes healthy habits further out of reach. Create a culture of rest. // One of the greatest gifts church leaders can offer their teams is permission to embrace rhythms of rest. Michelle points to Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–30, reminding leaders that rest isn’t a distraction from ministry. Rather, it is part of faithful ministry. Churches that consistently model healthy rhythms help staff understand that their worth isn’t tied to constant productivity. When leaders prioritize abiding in Christ over endless activity, they create healthier teams capable of sustaining long-term ministry. Recognize the warning signs. // Burnout rarely appears overnight. Michelle encourages leaders to watch for subtle changes in previously engaged team members: withdrawing from conversations, reduced enthusiasm, difficulty making decisions, unusual forgetfulness, or becoming overwhelmed by tasks they normally handled with ease. These outward behaviors often reflect burdens that have been accumulating beneath the surface for months. Rather than immediately trying to solve the problem, leaders should view these moments as invitations for compassionate conversation. Movement supports more than physical health. // As a Pilates instructor, Michelle sees firsthand how exercise isn’t simply about fitness—it helps people release accumulated stress, become present, and create space for clarity. Setting aside time for movement also communicates something important: “I matter too.” For busy moms who spend much of their lives caring for others, intentional physical activity becomes an act of stewardship rather than selfishness, allowing them to show up with greater energy for their families and ministries. Start with listening, not fixing. // Michelle believes the most practical step leaders can take is surprisingly simple: have intentional conversations. Rather than assuming they know what someone needs, supervisors should ask questions like, “What’s taking the most energy from you in this season?” Then simply listen. Many moms don’t need immediate solutions as much as they need to feel seen, understood, and supported. Relational leadership builds trust long before organizational changes become necessary. Small habits create lasting change. // Through her Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast, Michelle encourages women to reject perfectionism and instead build simple, sustainable habits that fit their current season of life. Whether it’s preparing healthy meals in practical ways, fitting in ten-minute workouts, or reframing health through a biblical lens, the focus is always on consistency over intensity. To learn more about Michelle Drake visit michelledrake.co and listen to her Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Intulse If you’re committed to the growth of your church, make sure your communication systems are set up so nobody feels left behind. When your church is smaller, that comes easy. You know people by name. A guest doesn’t get lost in the shuffle—someone follows up, every guest, every time. But growth can change that—unless your systems grow with you. Perhaps this church using Intulse says it best: “Intulse has revolutionized the way we communicate with people, giving us the ability to make a big church feel small because of that personal connection.” The Intulse app gives your team members a working church number, so anyone can call or text without ever handing out a personal number. Every conversation syncs straight into your ChMS, like Planning Center, so your whole staff stays on the same page—no matter who a person talks to. That’s how you keep every person feeling known, no matter how big your church gets. Want to know if your communication systems are ready for growth? Download Intulse's free guide, “10 Communication Blind Spots That Hinder Church Growth,” at Intulse.com/unseminary. And if any of those blind spots hit home for you, schedule a call with one of their church communication specialists to learn how Intulse can help. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. So glad that you have decided to tune in. Listen, if you’re an executive pastor, senior leader, person that’s like over leading people in your church, you’re going to want to tune into today’s episode. You’re going to want to stay connected all the way to the end because I suspect that today’s thing that we’re talking about, you’ve either reflected on and thought, hmm, that’s something that I’ve got to work on. We’ve got to think through as an organization. Or we’re going to name an issue today that I think you should work on and be thinking about. So whether you think it or you should just want to listen to me you should tune in and be a part of this conversation.Rich Birch — I'm excited to have a new friend of mine, Michelle Drake, on the on the phone on the phone. We’re not on phones, on the internet, on the not even on the internet, on the podcast. Michelle and I attend the same church, Connexus Church, and have a mutual friend and made the connection. And we got talking, got to know each other. And I said, hey, Michelle, I got to get you on the podcast. I want I want people to hear from you and learn from you. Rich Birch — So Michelle, why don’t we start with kind of tell us a little of your background. What do you do? Who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself.Michelle Drake — So hi, I’m Michelle. I am a mom. I am a Pilates instructor. But most importantly, I am a daughter of the king. I am a Jesus lover, follower. And really, I think that why I’m landing here today is because I spent a lot of my life feeling like I was never enough. I was a perfectionist really early on. I was always trying to prove my worth. And, you know throughout my teenage years, I really used food and exercise as a way to cope and gain control over my life. And that quickly spiraled into multiple eating disorders and that I battled. And I was in and out of the hospital throughout my whole teenage life, basically.Rich Birch — Wow. Michelle Drake — So yeah, so it was really chaos. So that’s kind of the foundation of like ah the where I have where I am at now. Rich Birch — Yep. Michelle Drake — You know, so even like I went to university when I went to university, I was like trying to go to the furthest university way to run away from my problems, but of course they followed me there. Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — And instead of things getting better, unfortunately, they spiraled more, more extreme. I kind of swung to the opposite extreme. So where I once was like overly controlled with like food and exercise, I lost control completely. And so, you know, where I had once been like super underweight and ended up the hospital with severe eating disorders, I was like now gaining a ton of weight. Like I wasn’t moving, I wasn’t going to class. It was just super chaotic.Rich Birch — Wow.Michelle Drake — So eventually I started to you know do some inner work and found some spiritual practices. And I even back back in the day, like in my mid-20s, I started a coaching practice because I had found some freedom, a little bit of freedom in like my food and exercise journey. But I was still very much in my own process. And I also didn’t know Jesus at the time. Michelle Drake — But then im met Jesus And everything changed. And, um you know, within six months, six months, I was married. And then two years later, I had my first daughter, Daisy. And it was really becoming a mom that really brought everything into focus in a new way for my health in particular.Michelle Drake — So I chose to have an unmedicated home birth. And I had this very like ideal, ideal picture. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — Idealized, I guess, kind of vision of like what I wanted it to be. So I really wanted to be like peaceful with worship music and, the sense of like calm and control. And of course, like it was absolutely nothing like that. It was beautiful, but I realized like I actually wasn’t in control of anything. And it was really intense and it was super primal and it was just far beyond anything that I was prepared for. Michelle Drake — And but that was a really beautiful moment for me because somewhere like in within that process, I hit this point of like surrender. Like, okay, I can’t actually do anything here. I just have to like let go and let my body do this work. And so, yeah, I I realized that there was really nothing I could do to control what was happening. I just had to trust my body.Michelle Drake — And it really struck me that this was my body doing something that I could not will my way through, but that it was really designed for. And, you know, it carried me through something that I could not do on my own.Michelle Drake — And so that that experience, it shifted something in me. It made me realize, and this is a piece that I was missing, is that my body isn’t something to control or to punish, but really it’s something that God designed as a vessel. And it’s really how we become, you know, his hands and feet in the world.Michelle Drake — And so, you know, after that point, I became like after birth and realizing like, okay, my body is designed as a vessel. Like it’s it’s actually God’s. So at that point, I became I began to bring more like intentionality into the way that I cared for my body.Rich Birch — That’s cool.Michelle Drake — And not from a place of obsession, but a place of stewardship. Yeah.Rich Birch — That’s pretty cool.Michelle Drake — Yeah. And so, you know, the result of that is feeling like the best that I’ve ever felt, more confident in the way that I take care of myself. And and actually that allows me to become more outward focused because, you know, my habits are sustaining my health in a way that supports how I can show up for my family.Michelle Drake — And so, yeah, I just feel like, you know, I I feel the sense of God inviting me into something that I can like share my story to help other moms, you know, step into that same place of stewardship, like free from that shame or guilt. Rich Birch — So good. Michelle Drake — So yeah, that’s kind of, a sorry, that’s like a lot.Rich Birch — No, no, it’s wonderful. Don’t apologize. That’s fantastic. I think that’s that’s great. Like the thing, um friends that listening in, obviously we talk to church leaders every week and trying to provide help. And, you know, I’m honored that you would take some time to be with us today for a couple of reasons. Rich Birch — First of all, um you know when a allow we have a lot of executive pastors listening. And if I was to go and speak at a conference of executive pastors, maybe there’s 500 leaders in the room and 15 of them would be women. And they’re, unfortunately, in the minority.Rich Birch — And then when I think about there’s like a thing I’m going to name publicly that I don’t think I’ve ever said publicly in whatever, 800, over 800 episodes. Like there’s I know on the staff teams that I’ve led that when I think about the people that I led, it was the moms that are like amazing leaders. They’re just incredible, like doing so much. And it’s like a secret hack. Find them a mom and they’ll get stuff done because they they have to.Michelle Drake — Yes. Yes.Rich Birch — And so today, I’m honored that you would help us kind of think help us think more critically on behalf of the moms on our teams and to think through you know, what we, you know, some, maybe some ways we should be leading. That’s the kind of conversation that we’re going to have here, friends that are listening in.Michelle Drake — Yes. Totally.Rich Birch — So when you think of the, you know, Christian moms… Michelle Drake — Yeah. Rich Birch — …you know, assuming that they’re Christians who are working for us on our teams as staff at church, which that should be the case.Michelle Drake — Hopefully.Rich Birch — What are some pressures that these people are carrying around them that especially as they’re you know, as their leaders, employers, that we maybe don’t see, that isn’t isn’t clear, that maybe isn’t on the surface? Because I look at moms and I’m like, those people are superheroes. They’re getting tons done. But what are some of those pressures that they might not see?Michelle Drake — Yeah. I think that, you know, mental load is a huge thing for moms. You know, and depending on like what season of life that they’re actually in with their families and children, you know, they’re thinking about like scheduling appointments and like socializing their kids and, you know, how they even like want to educate their children. That’s a big conversation, like the Christian kind of sphere. Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%. Michelle Drake — And then, you know, also what’s for dinner and doing laundry and organizing their homes and making time for friends and, you know, getting the kids and all these different activities and like, everything else that doesn’t really to a huge degree include themselves.Michelle Drake — And, you know, oh ah then if we’re talking about women in ministry um and leaders on on ministry teams and they’re working outside the home. And then maybe that there’s this sense of guilt for like working outside the home and then, you know, not being home enough or not being at work enough or, you know, not contributing enough in the household or not contributing enough at work. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — And so like there’s there’s this tension of like, I feel like there’s this tension of moms um of like they’re doing so much and at the same time feeling like they’re still not doing enough. And so, you know, yeah, I just think like, and then and then also in the in this sphere of health, as it kind of falls to the back burner because they have all this going on in their heads of like… Rich Birch — Other things happening. Yeah. Michelle Drake — …all of these things is like, okay, well, and then there’s also this thing of like exercise and like eating healthy and how do I feed my kids healthy and how do I eat healthy and how do I feel good and exercise and look this certain way and, you know, it just a lot. Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%. Michelle Drake — So these are some of the mental things that moms are carrying. Rich Birch — Yeah, just a few of the things that are that are bubbling around. Michelle Drake — Just a few of the things. Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — You know, it feels it feels like as a guy watching messaging that is pointed at moms particularly, women generally, but moms particularly, there’s like so much on the health front that… Michelle Drake — Yes. Rich Birch — …that runs pressure, you know, guilt, perfection. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — It’s like tapping and and a negative emotion. Help us understand what does that do to someone over time? How does that, how does that impact the people on our teams? Michelle Drake — Well, yes, I think that and definitely the culture, there’s like a lot of cultural messaging around health. For moms that’s rooted in like pressure and guilt and perfection. And over time, you know, instead of like health being a thing that is like supporting your life, it actually becomes something that like drains you. And I know because that’s like, you know, the exact kind of messaging that pulled me into the extremes and the extreme patterns in my own life. Michelle Drake — And so, so much of what the world offers is really centered on either like aesthetics, like how you look or and this like hyper vigilant pursuit of like doing it perfectly. And, um you know, I think a both of those things carry a lot of shame and that’s really the world’s framework for health is like, you’re not doing enough and you’re not where you need to be, you know? Michelle Drake — But again, like we just spoke about, like moms are already carrying so much and there’s, you know, not enough time or energy or mental space or even like finances, because that’s a huge thing now, like spending as much money as you can on your health and on the best foods to do health in the way that culture says that you’re supposed to do it. Michelle Drake — You know, whether that’s like the hour long workouts or perfect, perfect meals and, you know, um buying all organic even and, you know, doing all the right things. Michelle Drake — So the message underneath all that is like, if you’re not doing it all, you’re not doing enough. So, you know, I think a lot of moms believe that health is only really worth pursuing if it’s, you know, looking a certain way and doing a certain way. And if they can’t do it that way, then often, you know, they’re not doing it at all. It’s just far too overwhelming to even start. Michelle Drake — Yeah. So, you know, I think that then the shame cycle kind of kicks in where like, you know they’re feeling behind. They’re feeling guilty about their bodies and about their habits and about not being more disciplined and because they can’t like live up to this cultural standard. And that creates this like inward spiral that actually pulls them away the presence with their families, the presence in their workplace, you know, that’s that really is what health should support.Michelle Drake — So the thing that’s really supposed to become this like supportive mechanism for the rest of their life… Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — …becomes another source of burden. Rich Birch — So as a supervisor, like I want to create a culture where my team can thrive, where people have, you know, it’s it’s a great experience. And, you know, we’re obviously talking about moms specifically today. Like often without realizing it, I can imagine a world where work can become a negative force in that cycle that we’re talking about there. That actually just being a part of the kind of the pressure of that environment.Rich Birch — And I don’t want that to happen. I want it to be a positive force. I want to create a kind of culture where like, where, you know, pro moms, moms can have a great experience. It’s a great, you know, it’s a great experience for them.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — What does that look like? How, what, what would be, how could you coach us, you know, to, to try to make this a kind of environment that particularly for moms could be, and even maybe particularly around these health issues, how do we make it a more positive environment for them?Michelle Drake — So I guess the question, yeah like how do you support these moms and how do you create environments that supports these moms?Rich Birch — Sure.Michelle Drake — And, um you know, I think that the best place for leaders is not like about like jumping in and saving the day or something like that. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — Or like start like changing whole environments. But I think just like relational. I think that’s the first thing is just like understanding the weight that moms are carrying.Michelle Drake — And because like, again, like moms in ministry are wearing those multiple hats are not only like the leaders and the employees, but they’re also wife and mom and homemaker, and they’re constantly shifting between them. So, you know, that’s a really heavy mental load, like we discussed. And yeah, so when you’re carrying that much, it’s really easy to kind of start believing that your value is tied to, you know, your productivity or how well you’re like, holding it all together.Michelle Drake — And so, you know, like I know that because I’ve also lived that. And and there’s a season where I felt weighed down by so many, all these different responsibilities and felt like it all came down on me. And then if I dropped the ball, like everything would fall apart. Michelle Drake — But I think the reframe here is like looking to what Jesus offers. And that is, you know, in Matthew 11, where he says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I’m gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. And so I think like, I think that really creating a culture of rest and a culture and a rhythm of rest within these workplaces, within these ministry pursuits is like that rest isn’t like rest is encouraged and is part of, is part of the kingdom work and it’s not taking away from the kingdom work, but it’s actually how, you know, we are able to be filled and overflow into, you know, everything else that we’re supposed to do.Michelle Drake — So I think like, I think that if leaders can really establish that rhythm for moms, because again, that’s not only going to benefit moms who already have so much, you know, to carry, but everybody else on the ministry team really is that, is that like rest is part of this. And that is, you know, abiding in Christ. Like when we can do that, like our priorities begin to shift. We begin to like lay down some of those heavy burdens and just making that, you know, really central to the mission is, yeah.Rich Birch — That’s good.Michelle Drake — Yeah. I think that’s, I think that’s really one of the greatest gifts that leaders can give to the moms and their team.Rich Birch — Yeah. Rest in the midst of it. Yeah.Michelle Drake — Yeah. Just a culture that consistently points them back to Jesus.Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. If if there was a mom on our my team who was running on empty, I feel like it’d be easy for me to miss the signals, that there would be like signals that are sent that and it could be… Listen, I like feel like I’m fairly in touch, but like maybe I’m just an idiot guy and I just don’t see it. Rich Birch — What are you know those early warning signs that like, hey, maybe there’s something here that’s not going correctly that that, and and it might not be that like, hey, I’m like you say, it’s not my job to necessarily jump in and, you know, fix it. But it’s but, you know, we want to provide a a culture that can support women in the midst of that. So what would be some of those early signs that kind of we should pay attention to before it becomes a crisis?Michelle Drake — Yeah, I think, so if there’s a woman who’s like, yeah, generally like quite engaged and then all of a sudden they’re starting to become a little bit more withdrawn or, you know, like a little bit less, whether it’s talkative or energetic or whatever within those settings, I think that’s a really good sign. um you know, and then also to like showing up physically, but and maybe not like emotionally invested into the mission. Maybe it’s taking longer to make decisions or, or, you know, decision-making becomes harder.Michelle Drake — I think also to forgetfulness, like forgetting things. So if you notice like a mom, Oh, like I asked her to things. She’s not do, she didn’t do it. Like, and usually she does or ah overwhelmed by, you know, seemingly menial tasks.Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — I think that’s things that she would normally handle. Well, I think that’s a good sign that maybe she’s carrying a little bit too much. Yeah. And, and, you know burnout, it doesn’t happen overnight. And I think that a lot of ah a lot of these signs are actually just like finally the physical manifestation of something that she’s been carrying for a while.Rich Birch — Right. Been bubbling.Michelle Drake — Yeah, so…Rich Birch — Talk to us, at you know, from your perspective as a person who spends their days, like you said, you’re a Pilates instructor, you spend a large portion of your day helping people be active and stay active and do that in a healthy way, in a way that’s not, like you say, focused on the kind of negative reasons for that.Rich Birch — Talk to us about the connection between being active, and this would really be for anyone, moms included, being active and dealing with stress, the stuff that’s going on in life. How are those two connected to each other?Michelle Drake — Yeah, I think that they’re hugely, hugely connected. Because being active is like taking the time to be active and setting apart that time is, you know, is not only like you’re getting the physical benefits and and and the actual neurochemical benefits of that and of that activity. And but you’re also saying to yourself, like I deserve this time too.Michelle Drake — Like I’m pouring constantly out into everyone else, into my ministry, into my family. And so setting apart this time for me is doing something good for myself. But that, that has like these reverberation effects on everything else that I do.Michelle Drake — And so, um, yeah, I think that, sorry, I forget what the question was.Rich Birch — No, it’s just what’s the connection between you know being active and dealing with stress?Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — How do those two work together from your perspective as someone who helps people stay active?Michelle Drake — Yeah. Yeah, I think also too, like just the the physical, like being physically active, there’s something like there’s like the psychosomatic thing where you can like be active and, and, and like get your heart rate pumping and sweat. And it’s like releasing something. Michelle Drake — I don’t know what it is. Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — But like, often too, we’re carrying stress in our body and and we can feel it in our body and we’re tense and stuff. So then when you’re able to, and I teach like hot Pilates, so you’re sweating a lot… Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — …and you’re just like releasing all this. And, you know, and you see people get like so intense, like in the burpees and, and they’re just getting really into it. And, and you know, a line I often use is just like in those burpee moments, in those moments where it’s like really, really intense. I’m just like, I’m just saying like, let everything go that you do not need to carry anymore. Like let it go. Michelle Drake — And I don’t know what it is about that, but yeah, something does release when we are moving physically and it just creates this like space of clarity. And I think also to like presence, like you’re so present when you are moving your body in like maybe an intense way, maybe a less intense way, but when you are like intentionally moving your body does require a sense of presence. And when you’re present, like, i don’t know, stress doesn’t really exist in the present.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, yeah. Right. Michelle Drake — So I think it’s really beneficial in that way for sure.Rich Birch — So true. Yeah. During COVID, I was one of those people that bought a Peloton and, and I’m over a thousand rides in love it. Michelle Drake — Amazing.Rich Birch — It’s like, it’s incredible. And I would say, it has changed my, my view on all of this. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — Like I used to, I used to go to the gym and all that. And it was, but it was like a, I did it because it was like, I got to check the box. I got to do this. I know this is an important thing. Michelle Drake — Yes. Yes. Rich Birch — But I look forward to those experiences and the days I don’t do that, I can feel it. I’m not as sharp. Michelle Drake — Yep. Rich Birch — And, you know, and I don’t deal with stress as well. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — And I’ve even joked with other friends. It’s like, don’t get me started talking about Peloton. You know, I’ve talked with other friends. I’m like, there’s something about, obviously they’ve, obviously spent a lot of time listening to their and instructors and it’s always positive. It’s always, you know, there’s, they’re, they’re not like, um, even though you’re working hard, there’s no, it’s never a negative. It’s always, you know, they’re always using positive reinforcement. Rich Birch — And I’ve, I’ve joked with friends. I’ve said, listen, even just having 30 minutes in a day of someone telling me like, you can do this, like you, you got this, you know, is… Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — …cause there’s a lot of things in life where we don’t have that, you know, i don’t have that kind of… Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — …you know, reinforcement, which has been, it’s been transformative for me for sure. Michelle Drake — Yeah, and I think in those moments too when you’re like working really hard like and you’re sweating and it’s in it you’re like, oh, man, I don’t know if I could go anymore. And you have that story playing in your head of like, I can’t do it.Michelle Drake — But then somebody says, you can do it. Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — You’re like, okay, you’re you’re instantly being reframed. Rich Birch — Yes. Michelle Drake — Like, okay, in my head I said I can’t, but then this person is saying I can. So there’s like, yeah, that that instantaneous like kind of moment of like, oh, no, yeah, I am doing it actually. Yeah. Rich Birch — Yeah, absolutely. Well, and it was, I’m the slow learner. I was hundreds, maybe four or 500 rides in before I realized this is actually mostly a mental thing than it is a physical thing. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — Like I’m, it’s mostly between my, my ears where I’m like… Michelle Drake — Yes.Rich Birch — …you know, my body can keep going, but it’s in my head. I’m like, oh, OK, I’m done. I’m done. I just don’t want to keep going. And I never quit a ride, but you can you know, you can bail on a ride before you know you actually stop turning. And so, yeah, that’s interesting. That’s been an interesting journey for me, for sure, in a in a great way. And it and it for sure has helped me be better at what I do to be more show, you know, show up more in the rest of my life, for sure.Michelle Drake — Yeah, that’s beautiful.Rich Birch — So you actually built a podcast around this, which I think is exciting. Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — And I’d love to hear us a little bit more about this. It’s called it’s called Health Habits for Christian Moms.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — We’ll put a link to it in the show notes, but tell us about the podcast. How you know how is it helping? What’s your heart behind it? I know as a podcaster, it’s a lot of work to pull the podcast together. So talk to me about the podcast.Michelle Drake — Yeah. So, ah you know, Health Habits for Christian Moms is is really something that I felt drawn and into or invited into by the Lord, you know, after like what I told you with my story and everything like that. But it really exists because, you know, I see that this pattern from moms of like moms who like love God and love their families and want to take care of their health, but, you know, feel exhausted and overwhelmed and stuck in this all or nothing mentality. And so, you know, this podcast is for moms who like know that their health matters, but struggle to make it a priority in the middle of like all of those things that we talked about, all of the real life things.Rich Birch — Yes, yes.Michelle Drake — You know, she’s busy. She’s carrying a lot of responsibility. And then and then I think a big thing is that she feels guilty taking that time away from herself, like away from every all the other responsibilities to put into her health, into herself.Michelle Drake — So like instead of adding more pressure, like how the world would with with health, I am, my aim is to help this mom build simple, sustainable habits, you know, that fit into the season of life that she’s actually in, and honor all the responsibilities that she already has.Michelle Drake — And I also really try to frame it in a biblical lens. So it’s not about like chasing a gut and like not about chasing perfection or, you know, not trying to earn worth through the way that we look or whatever it is. But but it’s about stewardship and caring and like really talking about like how do we care for the body God gave us. So that actually we can have more energy, more stamina, more capacity to serve the people that God has put in our life.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. I love it.Michelle Drake — YeahRich Birch — I would, give me a sense of what, you know, maybe a couple episodes, the kind of thing that you cover on the podcast.Michelle Drake — So it’s it’s honestly mostly super practical tips. Rich Birch — Yep. Michelle Drake — So it would be super practical tips like meal planning, like how to do that in a way that’s ah not overwhelming, um how to get dinner on the table in 10 minutes in a way that’s like still healthy food, um you know, habit formation, 10-minute workouts, like things that are super applicable and immediately applicable to her life. Michelle Drake — And then, but then also we’re talking about like these underlying issues and underlying struggles as well, whether it be like that guilt piece or the comparison piece, the people pleasing piece or believing, you know, that everyone’s, everyone else’s needs comes, comes first, comes above like her own needs.Rich Birch — Yep.Michelle Drake — And so, yeah, I think that’s that’s kind of how I I start with the practical. I lead with the practical. And then I’m sprinkling in that that encouragement of like reframing health into that biblical perspective.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Yeah, that’s fantastic. You know, what struck me about this, even in this conversation is like, this could be a great thing to hand off if I’m an executive pastor or senior leader type person in the church. Like, this could be a great thing to pass off to your team and say like, hey, here’s here’s a resource for you, you know. You’re doing a great job. You’ve got lots of health habits, healthy habits, you know, person on our team, people on our team, but like this might help. And here’s a, you know, here’s a link to it. That could be a great way to pass it along ah to, you know, just help ah the folks even to just acknowledge, hey, I understand that here’s some things that you’re, you know, you’re thinking about.Rich Birch — So just as we’re kind of closing up today’s episode or thinking about, you know, bringing it down, you know, for a leader that’s listening in today who wants to do something this week to kind of take a first step to better support, particularly the moms on their team, what would you tell them? What advice would you give them that they could they could take a step this week to help support ah those and just incredible people on their teams?Michelle Drake — I think intentional connection and conversation. And, you know, I think asking the mom on your team, you know, what is taking the most energy from her in this season? I think moms really thrive on, on like that, that kind of connection piece and sharing burdens.Rich Birch — That’s good.Michelle Drake — And so I think, and and just listening to her and not trying to fix it, because I think that good leadership really starts with like, understanding your team in a relational way. So I would say that and and and trying to help kind of take off some of her burden simply just by listening, you know. And then um and then those other pieces of like creating cultures of of rest and and rhythms of rest is is really important. But something immediately applicable is just establishing like a relational, like truly caring conversation with with the mom on your team.Rich Birch — So good. Super helpful. Well, we’ll link to Health Habits for Christian Moms in the show notes. We want people to go over there and check it out. Is there anywhere else we want to send people online to connect with you, to kind of follow with your journey? Where do we want to send people? Michelle Drake — So definitely the podcast is the first the first place that I would send people. I am in the process of publishing my web website. So that will be published probably within the next week or so. I’m sure I would imagine that it’s going to take a while for this podcast to come out, but I don’t know what the timeline is.Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — But but yeah, people will be able to find me at my website as well.Rich Birch — Great. What’s the address there?Michelle Drake — So the address is michelledrake.co.Rich Birch — Dot co. Great. Well, thanks, Michelle. I really appreciate being on today. So fun to connect over the internets for the podcast and all the best at Health Habits for Christian Moms. It was fun getting to know you a little bit more better today. Thanks so much.Michelle Drake — Thanks, Rich.

What does the word “homophobic” actually mean—and why is it so effective at shutting down conversations?In this episode, Joel Settecase examines the clever trap hidden inside this emotionally charged label. When Christians affirm the Bible's teaching about sex and marriage, they are often accused of fear, hatred, or prejudice before their actual beliefs are even considered.But name-calling is not an argument.You'll learn how the word “homophobic” can smuggle unproven assumptions into a conversation, shift attention away from the real moral question, and pressure Christians into silence. You'll also discover how to slow the conversation down, ask clarifying questions, expose the faulty reasoning, and respond with both biblical conviction and genuine compassion.Christians are called neither to compromise God's truth nor to treat their neighbors with contempt. We must speak the truth in love, recognize the dignity of every person made in God's image, and remain faithful to the authority of Jesus Christ.Go DeeperMen who want to become the worldview leaders their families and churches need are invited to join the Hammer & Anvil Society. https://thethink.institute/societyPastors and church leaders can bring practical worldview and apologetics training to their congregations through The Think Institute. https://thethink.institute/forchurchesThe Think Institute is a Christian nonprofit ministry. Your financial partnership helps equip believers to explain, share, and defend the Christian message. Give now at https://thethink.institute/partner

Lead Time was asked to remove our recent conversation with Casey Salminen concerning Concordia University Ann Arbor. We have done so.In this personal response, Tim Ahlman addresses the decision, acknowledges what he does and does not know, and reflects on the sadness of conflict and litigation among fellow Christians. He emphasizes that the story of CUAA is complex, that no one should be reduced to either hero or villain, and that he continues to pray for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, their leaders, and everyone affected.But this response is also about something larger: Should difficult matters within the church be discussed publicly? Tim explains why Lead Time has sought to elevate the voices of pastors, commissioned workers, and lay leaders—even when their stories are uncomfortable. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️Care about the future of the LCMS?Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Why is it so hard to put your phone down?In this clip from The Hacka Podcast, Dr. Tom Trimble explains why endless scrolling isn't simply a lack of willpower. Social media platforms are designed to capture and keep your attention, making self-control one of the greatest spiritual challenges of our generation.Together, we discuss algorithms, dopamine loops, TikTok, the attention economy, and why Christians must intentionally take back control before technology begins shaping us more than Scripture.If you've ever caught yourself reaching for your phone without thinking, this conversation is for you.In this video:- Why social media is so addictive- The attention economy explained- How algorithms keep you scrolling- Why self-control is a spiritual discipline- Taking back control of your attention

In the show, Dr. Ray interviews Adolphus Sims about the critical issues of our digital age and the working of the Holy Spirit in the local church. This show covers important information for all Christians to consider in our rapidly advancing digital society. Is live streaming accomplishing the will of God for the church? How does the Holy Spirit move in the church without personal contact?  Heb 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Help Dr. Self continue this show - partner at www.icmcollege.org/donate  Answer your call by enrolling with the International College of Ministry at www.icmcollege.org/enroll  Purchase Dr. Ray's latest book, "The Call." God called you, and you answered: this is what you need to know! Click Here  Follow and subscribe to Self Talk with Dr. Ray Self on our podcast website: https://www.icmcollege.org/selftalk.   Click here to purchase Dr. Self's book – Hear His Voice, Be His Voice, or visit Amazon.com. Click here to purchase Dr. Self's book – Redeem Your Past and Find Your Promised Land, or visit Amazon.com. Or our new podcast website at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2249804   For show topic suggestions, email Dr. Ray Self at drrayself@gmail.com Enjoy free courses offered by the International College of Ministry Free Courses Show host bio - Dr. Ray Self founded Spirit Wind Ministries Inc. and the International College of Ministry. He holds a Doctorate in Christian Psychology and a Doctorate in Theology. He currently resides in Winter Park, Florida. He is married to Dr. Christie Self and has three sons and a daughter.

In this episode Trent calls out Christians who downplay the crimes of Andrew Tate.

Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest instead of going directly to Jesus? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists respond to major Protestant objections to the Sacrament of Confession. They explain how a priest can say “I absolve you” without claiming to be God, why the priesthood of all believers does not eliminate the ministerial priesthood, and whether John 20 gives the apostles the authority to actually forgive sins or merely announce God's forgiveness. The discussion also examines how this authority was passed on after the apostles, what the Bible means when it commands Christians to confess their sins, and whether perfect contrition makes sacramental confession unnecessary. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:51 – Why do I have to confess to a priest — can't I go straight to Jesus? 5:00 – Because priests are not God, when a priest says ‘I absolve you,' how is that not the blasphemy the scribes accused Jesus of? 07:45 – Why a special priest at all — aren't all believers priests? (The priesthood of all believers — doesn't that make every Christian a priest, with no need for an absolving clergy-caste?) 18:30 – Doesn't John 20 just mean the apostles announce forgiveness, not absolve? (Couldn't that just mean they PROCLAIM God's forgiveness — preach it — rather than personally absolve?) 24:50 – Even if it's real absolution power God gave the Apostles, why think it passed on after the apostles died? (Where does Scripture say it passes on, instead of dying with the Twelve?) 38:38 – When the Bible instructs us to confess our sins isn't that a reference to mutual accountability among believers — not kneeling before an ordained man? 49:31 – If perfect contrition already forgives, isn't the sacrament unnecessary?

As Christian nationalism tightens its grip on the nation's politics, a new crop of progressive candidates is putting faith front and center. From James Talarico to Abdul El-Sayed, the religious left is making a more explicit play for political power (and challenging the idea that Republicans get to own God). Can religious progressives provide an effective counterweight to Christian nationalism, or are we just inviting more religion into a political system that could use a lot less of it? Also on the show: Christians find God on both sides of the fight over massive AI data centers; Florida's attorney general picks a fight with Catholic schools over vaccine exemptions; the Arizona Supreme Court hands the Mormon Church a win in a horrific child-abuse case; anti-Muslim opposition to a proposed mosque lands an Oklahoma city in court; new data reveals just how differently Mormons practice their religion around the world; and Texas' mandatory Ten Commandments displays face a new legal challenge.

In this episode, J. Warner Wallace takes you into the forensic details of the Bible's sacrificial system to examine a stunning claim: when John the Baptist called Jesus "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," he was doing something that flatly breaks the Old Testament lamb pattern. Using the same cold-case, investigative approach he applied for years as a detective, J. Warner shows that the mismatch between the Old Testament lamb pattern and Jesus' sacrifice is not a problem to explain away—it's a powerful evidential clue that Jesus is the God-man, whose once-for-all sacrifice has infinite worth. If you've ever wondered how the sacrificial system really worked, whether penal substitution is biblically grounded, or why Jesus must be God for the atonement to make sense, this episode will help you see the Lamb of God with fresh eyes. If this episode was helpful, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Your support helps more people discover the evidence for the Christian worldview and grow in confidence as case-making Christians.

In this Bible Story, we are taken up in the Spirit of the Lord with Ezekiel as he scanned a large valley of dry bones. As the spirit of God rushed into the valley, the bones come to life and are restored. This story is inspired by Ezekiel 37. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Ezekiel 37:5 from the King James Version.Episode 161: Among the fields of Babylon, the prophet Ezekiel was walking and praying to God. Suddenly, he was given a vivid vision of a dry valley filled with bones. And as he walked through this valley, God asked him, “can these dry bones live?” God was making a point that even though His people looked dead on the inside, He would indeed give life to the spirit of Israel. He would bring Israel and Judah together once again and would appoint a savior to lead them.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As I'm still on the road in Moscow, Idaho, today's podcast was originally recorded exactly one year ago. It's sort of a part two with the most recent weekend podcast about the Letters of C.S. Lewis. Today we look at four of these letters more closely, especially in regards praying for suffering and persecuted Christians. Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us! Today I’m going to look closer at four of the ten letters, each dealing primarily with prayer, from last weekend’s podcast on the China letters of C.S. Lewis: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-cs-lewis-china-letters (Also see this related content: C.S. Lewis, Burnt Marshwiggle, and the Brainwashing of Richard Wurmbrand) Here are the specific letters we cover in today's Prison Pulpit podcast: 1940- To his brother Warnie, on the burden of sympathy in a world of “instant” news: Barfield…is very much depressed, having a greater faculty than you or I for feeling the miseries of the world in general, which led to a good deal of argument, how far, as a man and a Christian, one ought to be vividly and continuously aware of, say, what it's like on the [front]line at this moment. I took the line that the present rapidity of communication, etc, imposed a burden on sympathy for which sympathy was never made: that the natural thing was to be distressed about what was happening to the poor Jones's in your own village and that the modern situation, in which journalism brings the Chinese, Russians, Finns, Poles and Turks to your notice each morning really could not be [faced] in the same way. 1946- To Dom Bede Griffiths, on a future Christian China and carrying all the world’s burdens: No, I don't think I feel like you, ‘disillusioned’. I think that though I am emotionally a fairly cheerful person my actual judgement of the world has always been what yours now is and so I have not been disappointed…When you say that nothing… has a value in itself, that everything has a value in relation to God, I couldn't agree with you more. And I often, like you, think that all the valuable future may lie with the Christened Chinaman. But one mustn't assume burdens that God does not lay upon us. It is one of the evils of rapid diffusion of news that the sorrows of all the world come to us every morning. I think each village was meant to feel pity for its own sick and poor whom it can help and I doubt if it is the duty of any private person to fix his mind on ills which he cannot help. (This may even become an escape from the works of charity we really can do to those we know). 1953- To Father Manna, on the Chinese “disaster” and Western culpability in the matter: [Dearest Father Manna, regarding] your article on [the] Chinese disaster…I used [to entertain many hopes for China myself], since missionaries have served there for many years not unsuccessfully: now it is clear, as you write, that all is on the ebb. Many have reported to me too, in letters on this subject, many atrocities, nor was this misery absent from our thoughts and prayers. Footnote- [In his letter] Fr Manna pleads for greater recognition of the gravity of Communist persecution of Christian hospital workers (as well as missionaries) in China. He argues that if [a French Communist Party leader] is arrested in the West, the Communists rise in protest. There should be no less an outcry on behalf of victimized missionaries. 1962- To Mary Van Deusen, on ignoring present pain to pray for the suffering in China: You are always in my prayers. As regards this particular matter [of moving], I sympathise both with [your husband’s] dislike of noise and your dislike of moves. I suppose one thing we must do about these minor crises is to get them into perspective. At the moment when the nuisance of the move is worst, remember that (at that precise moment) people are dying in pain and others are at their bedside, and in China children starving and men in prison camps and some of them being tortured. Follow China Compass Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

In the final episode of this series, we explore why Christians can face the future with confidence rooted in Christ’s victory. Cultural reformation begins with worship, repentance, discipleship, and obedience—and grows through ordinary faithfulness in families, churches, schools, workplaces, and communities. The calling is not to change everything tomorrow, but to reject withdrawal and despair, bring every area of life under Christ’s reign, and build faithfully for generations to come.