Podcasts about ephesians

Caller Questions & Discussion: Chris shares how he has been working on his identity in Christ and journaling about how strong roots produce spiritual fruits. Even though it's easy to get caught up in the outcome, Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:18-19 reminds us to focus on deepening our roots in Christ. Are there any Christian spiritual resources my friend can use after her home was in a house fire? She’s going to have to live in a hotel for months. I was in a car accident 20 years ago when I was drinking, and the friend who was with me died. I'm struggling with survivor's guilt, why God kept me alive, and whether I should stay in the relationship with the woman I’m dating. My husband was unfaithful for the first 25 years of our marriage. I recently confronted him about going to a birthday party for a family member connected to one of the women he had an affair with, and I feel triggered and violated again. I get anxious when I'm around my adult kids, and I had similar feelings around my mother. What can I do about this family-related anxiety?

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is a longtime marriage teacher, speaker, and author, that has helped couples for decades. A former senior pastor at Trinity Church in East Lansing, Michigan, Emerson's work blends pastoral experience, biblical study, and real-world marriage dynamics into practical tools couples can use immediately. In this episode, he joins Brad for his third visit to The Wow Factor this time to talk about his newest book, Light Bulb Moments in Marriage, a collection of insights and stories designed to bring clarity when couples feel stuck, distant, or worn down by years of misunderstanding. Brad and Emerson dig into why many marriages don't need more effort, they need more light. Emerson explains the difference between intent and impact, why couples misread each other's defensive reactions, and how "love" and "respect" show up differently for men and women during conflict. They unpack the "Crazy Cycle" (without love she reacts without respect; without respect he reacts without love), the "pink and blue" perspective gap, and how outside influences (including Hollywood's version of romance) can reinforce the wrong expectations. The conversation is candid, hopeful, and grounded in faith, especially for couples who still believe there's a goldmine inside their marriage, even if it feels buried right now. "Without love, she reacts without respect. Without respect, he reacts without love. And we start spinning, that's the crazy cycle." - Emerson Eggerichs  "We don't need more effort. We just need light." - Emerson Eggerichs  "My defensive reactions are offensive, and I don't realize I'm stepping on her air hose while I'm trying to protect mine." - Emerson Eggerichs  This Week on The Wow Factor: Emerson's backstory: pastoring Trinity Church in East Lansing, studying Scripture deeply, and the moment Ephesians 5:33 clicked in a new way Why "respect" can feel loaded for many women, and how fear of being dismissed often drives conflict reactions The Crazy Cycle explained: how couples unknowingly escalate when they feel unloved or disrespected A key insight from research: why many men withdraw/stonewall during conflict, and how that can be misread as hostility instead of an attempt to de-escalate Why criticism and complaint often come from care, yet can land as contempt in a husband's ears The danger of outside scripts: how Hollywood and social media fuel idealism, comparison, and the belief that "someone else will be easier" The power of a simple repair: how a sincere "I came across unloving" or "I dishonored you" can change the temperature of a marriage fast Dr. Emerson Eggerichs' Wow Moment: Emerson reminds us that most couples aren't miles apart, they're inches apart, but misunderstanding makes the distance feel far greater. When spouses stop assuming the worst and honestly name their part, the marriage becomes workable again. The breakthrough isn't a new spouse or a new life. It's the humility to bring light into the moment and choose repair before resentment takes root. Connect With Dr. Emerson Eggerichs Dr. Emersons Website Buy Lightbulb Moments In Marriage Love and Respect Instagram Love and Respect Facebook Love and Respect X   Connect With Brad Formsma: WOW Factor Website   Brad Formsma on LinkedIn   Brad Formsma on Instagram   Brad Formsma on Facebook   Brad Formsma on X  

Are you caring for aging parents while still supporting your young adult children? You're not alone. In this episode, Krista and Alex explore the emotional complexity of the sandwich generation — a season marked by grief, shifting roles, guilt, and unexpected growth. They discuss how to manage changing family dynamics, set healthy boundaries, reevaluate expectations, and embrace the opportunity for deeper relationships during this transitional stage of life. If you're feeling stretched between two generations, this conversation offers practical insight, encouragement, and hope. In this episode: Why grief and opportunity often coexist How guilt shows up in caregiving The importance of boundaries and self-care Parenting adult children with clarity and respect Listen in for wisdom and practical tools to help you navigate this complex season with intention. A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Podcast - Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast -Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs with Steve Cuss Book- Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss Bible Verses: Exodus 20:12 Ephesians 6:1-3 Mantras *Stay relational, not controlling *Honor without self abandoning LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier  

Psalm 31:1-6 Psalm 130 Ephesians 4:26-27 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

What if Satan's strategy against mankind hasn't changed since the time of Job? The guys examine how the evil one attacks three core areas of a man's life and how Jesus restores what's been taken. A ten-second exchange in a meet-and-greet line sparks Jase's deeper dive into the “new heaven and new earth.” Al and Zach find that the only way to please God isn't through striving, but through trusting what Jesus has finished. In this episode: Ephesians 5, verse 33; Job 31; Proverbs 31; 1 John 3, verses 1–3; Hebrews 2; 2 Corinthians 12; Matthew 24; Romans 1; 1 Corinthians 15; Romans 6, verses 8–10; 1 Corinthians 1, verse 30; John 20; John 21; Hebrews 9, verses 23–25; John 14; Ephesians 2; Ephesians 6; John 17; Exodus 33; John 1, verses 16–18 “Unashamed” Episode 1280 is sponsored by: https://myphdweightloss.com — Find out how Al lost 80+ pounds. Schedule your one-on-one consultation today by visiting the website or calling 864-644-1900 and mention "AL" http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters: 00:00 Omaha=LSU North 06:10 Having a Kingdom Marriage 12:35 Job's Threefold Loss 18:45 Marriage Crisis & God's Timing 23:10 “I'm on a Journey” Conversations 28:20 New Heaven & New Earth Debate 35:00 Resurrection, Atonement & Real Life 44:30 How to Get God's Approval — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 8 of the 9941 Podcast, Granger and the guys tackle a question that’s been buzzing across headlines and social media: Are aliens real—and does the Bible say anything about “little green men”? Sparked by recent comments from political leaders and the renewed conversation around UFOs and extraterrestrial life, this episode dives deep into a biblical worldview on aliens, the paranormal, and spiritual warfare. What does Scripture actually say about intelligent life beyond Earth? Could sightings and unexplained phenomena be something else entirely? The conversation moves through key passages like Genesis 1, Ezekiel 1, Ephesians 6, Colossians 1, and John 1 to explore angels, demons, and the sovereignty of God over all creation. Rather than speculating wildly, the guys anchor the discussion in a “big God theology”—affirming that Christ holds authority over heaven and earth and that humanity holds a unique place in God’s redemptive plan. If you’ve ever wondered how Christians should think about UFOs, aliens, Bigfoot, ghosts, or government disclosures, this episode brings clarity without fear. More importantly, it refocuses the conversation on what truly matters: the gospel, the authority of Scripture, and the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Whether you’re skeptical, curious, or firmly convinced one way or another, Episode 8 challenges you to filter cultural headlines through biblical truth.Follow the show: Instagram - https://www.Instagram.com/9941thepodcast Facebook - https://www.Facebook.com/9941thepodcast YouTube - https://www.YouTube.com/@9941ThePodcast Online - https://www.9941ThePodcast.com Shop - https://yeeyee.com/collections/faithSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this message from Pastor Levi Lusko, we're challenged to examine what our anger is really revealing. Looking at Ephesians 4:26–32, we're reminded that anger itself isn't the problem, but unchecked wrath can open the door to bitterness and death. This sermon teaches us how to define, diagnose, deal with, and discharge anger through repentance and forgiveness in Christ.NEXT STEPS:Ask for prayer or connect with a pastor: https://freshlife.church/contactRegister your decision to follow Jesus and receive free resources: https://freshlife.church/know-godGive a financial gift to support what God is doing as we take steps forward to see the Gospel reach far and wide: https://freshlife.church/giveSUBSCRIBE:Sign up to receive encouragement straight to your inbox, and to stay up to date with announcements, events, and more: https://church.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6ea4d82b2567db3e86b7767cd&id=451f2fe63eDon't miss a video! Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/freshlifechurch?sub_confirmation=1CONNECT ON SOCIALS:Website: https://freshlife.churchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshlifeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshlifechurchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/freshlifeYoutube: https://youtube.com/c/freshlifechurch/Fresh Life Church was pioneered by Pastors Levi and Jennie Lusko in 2007. We exist to see those stranded in sin find life and liberty in Jesus Christ. Today Fresh Life's ministry impacts people with the radical, life-changing message of Jesus' grace, spilling across Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho… and beyond.

Do you ever feel like your marriage is caught in “the crazy cycle?” On today's edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson welcomes best-selling author Dr. Emerson Eggerichs to discuss his book, Love Respect. He shares powerful biblical insights from Ephesians 5:33 about how husbands need respect and wives need love. Discover how to break the cycle and strengthen your marriage. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/707/29?v=20251111

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” — Ephesians 3:8 The apostle Paul felt it a great privilege to be allowed to preach the gospel. He did not look upon his calling as a drudgery, […]

1 Timothy 4:8 NIV “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”   *Transcription Below*   Brian Smith, author of The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports, is a staff member with Athletes in Action and a cross-country coach at Lowell High School. A former collegiate runner at Wake Forest University, he earned a BA in Communications and Journalism before completing his MA in Theology and Sports Studies at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary. Brian lives in Lowell, MI with his wife and three children. You can find him on Twitter @BrianSmithAIA.   Ed Uszynski is an author, speaker, and sports minister with over three decades' experience discipling college and professional athletes. With a heart for reconciliation and justice, he also works as a racial literacy consultant and marriage conference speaker, blending Biblical wisdom with practical living in the midst of complex cultural realities. He has two theological degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. He and his wife Amy have four children and live in Xenia, Ohio.   The Christian Athlete Website   Thank You to Our Sponsor:  Sam Leman Eureka   Questions and Topics We Cover: What is one of kids' greatest game day complaints?  Is it true that young athletic success is a predictor of adult athletic success? What are a few tips for instilling a heart of gratitude in our young athlete, rather than entitlement?   Related Savvy Sauce Episode: 230 Intentional Parenting in All The Stages with Dr. Rob Rienow   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:51) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today, over 55 years later, at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka.   Owned and operated by the Bertschi family, Sam Leman and Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over Central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at lemangm.com.   Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski are my guests for today.   They are co-authors of this recent amazing book entitled, A Way Game, A Christian Parents Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. And from the very beginning, I was captivated, even with one of the endorsements from Matt Martens, who's the president and CEO of Awana, and he summed it up this way, A Way Game provides a much needed perspective shift on one of the most sacred idols in our culture, youth sports. So, Brian and Ed are all for youth sports, and yet you're going to hear there's a different way to approach it than what we've been trained in culture.   And they're going to share some wonderful and very practical insights. I can't wait to share this with you. Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Ed and Brian.   Ed Uszynski & Brian Smith: (1:51 - 1:54) Thanks for having us, Laura. Yeah, good to be here, Laura.   Laura Dugger: (1:54 - 2:04) So, excited about this chat. And will the two of you just start us off by sharing your family's stage of life and your involvement in sports?   Brian Smith: (2:05 - 3:29) Yeah, there could be a lot on the back end of that question. I'll start with sports, then get into family. I've been involved in sports my entire life, played every sport imaginable growing up, got cut from just about every single sport my freshman year of high school, ended up running track and cross country because it was the only sports that you could not get cut from at my high school.   And I ended up being pretty good at it by the time I was a senior, won some state championships, ended up getting a scholarship to run at Wake Forest University. So, I did that for four years right out of college. I coached a little bit collegiately.   Soon after that, I joined staff with a sports ministry called Athletes in Action that Ed and I have a combined 50 years with Athletes in Action. And really, that's been my life ever since. I've been ministering to college and pro athletes, discipling them, helping them figure out what does that actually look like to integrate faith in sport.   Even today, I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I coach high school cross country while I'm still on staff with Athletes in Action. I have a middle school Bible study that I run on Wednesday mornings.   Been married to my wife, who I actually met in high school. She was a distance runner too, and she ran at Wisconsin. So, we've been married for 20 years.   We have three kids, a high schooler, a middle schooler, and an elementary schooler who are all involved in sport at some level, some way, shape, or form.   Laura Dugger: (3:30 - 3:34) Wow, that's incredible. Thank you, Brian. And Ed, what about you?   Ed Uszynski: (3:34 - 5:04) Well, my story is very parallel to Brian's, just different sports and some different numbers. Just tack on 15 years. Yeah, I was a basketball player.   Grew up on the west side of Cleveland with a high school football coach. My dad was, but I was a basketball player. I played at high levels all the way through my 20s, got to play overseas.   I mean, this was a long time ago, but I got everything I could out of that sport. And as soon as I graduated from college, though, I started to work with that Athletes in Action ministry that Brian mentioned. So, I've been working with college and professional athletes for 34 years now.   And same, coached at different levels, have four kids. Amy and I have been married for 26 years. We have four kids, three are in college, and one's in ninth grade, who has a game this afternoon, actually.   So, we've just been going to games and have been involved in going to sports stuff for the last 20 years with our kids. And really what happened with Brian, and I is that we looked up a decade ago and realized this youth sports thing was a fast train that was moving in directions that we weren't used to ourselves, even though we've been around sports our whole life. It's like, there's something different happening now.   And then thinking about it as Christians, like, how do we do this well as Christ followers? We don't want to separate from it. We don't want to just go for the ride. How do we do this as Christian people? And that's what got us talking about it and eventually led to this book.   Laura Dugger: (5:05 - 5:23) Well, the book was easy to read and incredible. And I'd like to start there where you begin, even where you go back before going forward. So, when you're looking back, what are the factors at play that changed youth sports over time?   Ed Uszynski: (5:26 - 6:17) Well, I'll say this and then Brian, maybe you jump in and throw a couple of them out there. I mean, youth sports is a $40 billion industry today, which is wild to think about. It's four times how much money gets spent on the NFL, which is just staggering.   I can't even hardly believe that that's true, but it is. And it's really just in the last 20 years that that's happened. I mean, 50 years ago, you couldn't have had the youth sport industrial complex, as we refer to it.   You couldn't have had it. There were a bunch of things that had to happen culturally, as is true with any new movement or any paradigm shift that happens in culture. You've got to have certain things be true all at the same time that make it possible.   So, Brian, what were a couple of those? Again, I'll throw it over to you. There's six of them that we talk about in the book. And I think it's really fascinating because I'm a history guy.   Brian Smith: (6:18 - 8:40) Yeah. And we can obviously double click on any of these, Laura, that you want to, but we talk about how the college admissions process became an avenue where youth sports parents saw, man, if we can get our kids involved in some extracurriculars and kind of tag on high level athlete to their resume, it actually helps with the college admissions process. And so even the idea of college scholarships became an opportunity for youth sports parents to get their kids involved.   And then, yeah, maybe sports can actually get them into college. We talk about the economic shifts that happen, the rise of safetyism and helicopter parenting. ESPN was a massive one in 1979.   This thing called ESPN starts, and we get 24-7 coverage of sports, which they started exploring even early on. What does it look like to give coverage to something like Little League World Series and saw that it didn't really matter how young the sport was, it's going to draw a national audience. And so, we've almost been discipled by ESPN really over the last 50 years with this consistent coverage.   We talk about the rise of the sports complex. This one to me is like the most fascinating out of all of them. In 1997, Disney decided to try to get more people to come to their parks.   They built a sports complex, just a massive sports complex. The idea was, are the older kids getting sick of the Buzz Lightyear ride and the Disney princesses? So, let's build a sports complex and maybe it'll be something else that will draw this older crowd too.   And what happened was, I mean, a lot of people started coming to it, but kind of the stake in the ground game changer was when 9-11 hit. In the months and years after that, they saw a lot less people go to their parks, but population actually doubled going to the sports complex, which is wild to think that people were afraid to go to theme parks for a vacation, but they were willing to travel across state lines to play sports at the Disney complex. So other cities and municipalities took notice of that.   Today, there's over 30,000 sports complexes like Disney's, which again, this is all adding to the system of the youth sports industrial complex. Did I miss any, Ed?   Ed Uszynski: (8:41 - 10:47) Well, no, and that's good. And the reason why we even put all that on the table, again, everybody kind of intuitively knows if you're involved, you know, something's not right. But I think it's important to say this is not normal what's happening.   It's a new normal that's been manufactured by a bunch of cultural trends, by a bunch of entrepreneurs that are doing what entrepreneurs do, and they're taking advantage of the moment, and they are generating lots of money around it. So, it should be encouraging. If it's not normal, that means actually there's a counter way of going about this.   There really can be reformation. But when all this money gets involved, the two biggest consequences that come out of that is our kids start getting treated like commodities, which they are, and we could talk the whole time even just about what that means. But maybe even more importantly, or what comes out of that is that beyond their physical development, most coaches and clubs are not paying any attention to their emotional development, their psychological development, their spiritual development, all the different aspects of what it means to be human that, frankly, used to be paid quite a bit more attention to in youth leagues when I was growing up.   I'm 58 now, so I was playing in the 70s and the 80s. And it used to be expected, at least at some level, even among non-Christian people, that you would take those aspects of a kid's life seriously. And now those just aren't prioritized.   And so, what do we do about that? Again, that's kind of our whole point is, well, as Christian people, we're really supposed to be our kid's first discipler anyways. And part of that role and part of taking on that identity is that we would be asking, what is God trying to do in the wholeness of their life, the entirety of their life, even in the context of sports?   So again, I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but that's why we're trying to poke into that to say, oh, we could actually make change. We may not change the whole system. In fact, we won't. Most of us won't be expected to do that, but we can make significant change in our corner of the bleachers and what happens with our kids.   Laura Dugger: (10:48 - 11:05) That's good. And just like you said, to double-click on a few places, first of all, real quick, the 30,000 number, I remember that shocking me in the book, but I'm forgetting now, is that worldwide, the amount of sports complexes or is that just in America?   Brian Smith: (11:05 - 11:06) That's domestically in the US.   Laura Dugger: (11:07 - 11:52) Yeah. That is staggering. And then one other piece, all of this history was new to me as you brought it all together, but it was also fascinated.   This is from page 32. I'll just read your quote. The American youth sports ball began rolling when a British movement fusing spiritual development with physical activity made its way across the Atlantic Ocean at the turn of the last century.   And Ed, that's kind of what you were touching on, that they were mixing, I'm sure, spiritual, psychological discipleship, physical. Can you elaborate more on what was happening and where it originated? Because we've come very far from our origins.   Ed Uszynski: (11:53 - 13:18) Yeah. And there's been a bunch of really great books written about this topic called muscular Christianity. This idea, like you just said, Laura, of wedding physical activity through sports with our spiritual development and expecting and anticipating that somebody that was taking care of their body and that was engaging in sport activity, that was the closest thing to godliness.   That opened up the door for you to also be developing spiritually. And there was an expectation that both of those are going on at the same time. A bunch of criticism about that movement, but it was taken seriously.   The YMCA is actually a huge byproduct of the muscular Christianity movement. The Young Men's Christian Association created space for sports and for athletic activity to take place under the banner of you're also going to grow spiritually as you're doing this. So again, that was a hundred years ago.   And that's not really what AAU stands for today. The different clubs and leagues that we get involved in just don't talk that way anymore. Of course, culture just in general has shifted away from sort of a Judeo-Christian ethic guiding a North Star for us.   Even if we're not Christian people, that used to be more of a North Star. That's gone now. And so, it really is not expected in sports anymore.   Brian Smith: (13:18 - 13:55) And what we're saying is we cannot expect organizations to own that process for our kids. We can't outsource the discipleship of our kids to the youth sports industrial complex or the YMCA or the AAU. It really does start with us as Christian parents to be the primary discipler of our kids.   And there is a way to take what's happening on the field or the court or the pool and turn it into really amazing discipleship opportunities. But it means, and Ed is starting to tease this out, it means we need to change our perspective as parents when we sit in the bleachers or on the sidelines of what we're looking for and even the conversations we have with our kids on the back end.   Laura Dugger: (13:57 - 15:29) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka has been owned and operated by the Bertschi family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago.   If you visit their dealership today though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle.   This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you and they appreciate your business.   Learn more at their website, LemanEureka.com or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them on 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.   Laura Dugger: (15:30 - 15:31) And I want to continue getting into more of those practicals. Do you want to give us just a taste or an example or story of what that might look like?   Brian Smith: (15:32 - 16:54) We keep saying, we keep talking about the importance of the car ride home that it's tempting for us and not us broadly in the U.S., tempting for us, Ed and I, as people who have done this for 50 plus years and who should know better, it's tempting for us as discipled by an ESPN over analyzing everything culture and want to talk about sports to get in the car ride home with our kids and all we want to talk about is how game went, what they did right, what they did wrong, what they could fix next time.   Maybe instead of passing to Tim, they should take the shot next time because they're wide open. They just hit three in a row. So, and what our kids need from us in those moments is less coaching, less criticizing, less critiquing, and they just need us to connect with them.   The stats on kids quitting youth sports is crazy right now. Its 70 percent are quitting before the age of 13, in large part because it's not fun, and a lot of kids are attaching this idea of it not being fun to the car ride home with their parents who, let's say this too, most of us are well-intentioned parents. We're not trying to screw our kids up.   We want what's best for our kids, but the data and the research and the lived experience continues to tell us what our kids need from us is just to take a deep breath, connect with them, less coaching. Ed keeps saying less coaching, more slurpees.   Laura Dugger: (16:55 - 17:07) I like that. And that ties in. Is it called the peak-end principle that you discovered why kids are resisting that critique on the way home?   Brian Smith: (17:07 - 18:17) Yeah, absolutely. The peak-end rule in psychology is known as this: we, just as humans in general, not just kids, we largely remember things in our lives based on the peak moment of that event, but also how the event ends. And so, the peak moment in sport can be anything from something that goes really well, like they scored a goal or made a basket or something that did not go well, just like a massive event that took place that they're going to remember.   But then it's also married to how that event ends. So, if you think for kids, how does every youth sport experience end? It ends with the car ride home.   So, if they're experiencing the car ride home as I did not live up to mom and dad's standards, or there's fear getting into the car because they don't know what their parents are going to say, how are they remembering the totality of their youth sport experience? It is, I didn't, I didn't measure up. I wasn't enough.   It felt like sports was a place that I needed to perform for my parents or my coach. And I always feel a little bit short. We want to help parents see like there's a different path forward that can be more joyful for you, but hopefully more joyful for your kid as well.   Ed Uszynski: (18:17 - 21:37) Well, and, and I'll just, let me keep going with that, Brian. I thought you really articulated all that so well. I can just imagine a parent maybe thinking, was there never a time to correct?   Is there never a time to give input? And we would say, well, of course there, there is, they need far less of it from us than we think they need when it comes to their sport. And again, we can talk about that.   They need far less of that from us. They need us to be their parents, not to be their coaches. Even if we are their coach, they need us to be more their parents.   But there is a time to do it. We're just saying the car ride home is the worst time to do it. And that's usually the time that most of us, you know, we've got two hours of stuff to download with them.   And that's just, it's not a good time. But the other thing that Brian and I keep talking about is how about, what if we had some different metrics that we were even trying to measure? So, most of the time our metrics have to do with their performance.   Like what, what are we grading them on? Again, depending on what the sport is, there's these different things that we're looking for to say, how you did today is based on whether you did this or you didn't do that and whatnot. And we're saying as parents, and again, starting with us, we needed some other metrics that were actually more concerned about what was going on in their soul.   So again, I'm sure we'll talk more about this, but the virtues, how did love show up in the way they competed today? Where that usually is tied to them noticing somebody else. Do I, am I even asking them any questions about that?   Are they experiencing peace in the midst of all this chaos and anxiety that shows up at every game? How do we teach them to experience peace? How do they become other-centered instead of just self-centered all the time in a culture, a sport culture that's teaching them to always be the center of attention and try to be?   So, we just have needed to exchange some of what we had on that performance list, like tamper that down a little bit and maybe expand the list of categories that we're looking for that actually will matter when they're 25. And we keep saying this, our goal is that they'd come home for Thanksgiving when they're 25. And so, we need to stay relationally connected to them and how we act on the car ride home day after day after day after day, year after year is doing something to our relationship.   But we also are recognizing that it's really not going to matter whether Trey finishes with his left hand at the game today when he's 25, it's not going to matter. It's not going to matter probably a year from now, but how he goes through the handshake line after the game and the way he addresses other people, and whether or not he's learning to submit to authority, whether or not he's learning to embrace other people's humanity. Yes, even in the context of sports, that's really going to matter when he's 25.   It's going to matter when he's married. Those are the things that will matter. And we say that as people who are older and have been involved in ministry and have worked with college athletes and see what happens in their lives even after they're finished, and they have no idea who they are anymore.   And this thing that's dominated their life has not actually prepared them well to do life. And that's a problem that we say, let's start changing that when they're six and not hope they're figuring it out when they're 22.   Laura Dugger: (21:38 - 22:11) I love that because that's such a theme throughout those virtues that you talked about, but discipleship and sports are a tool or a way that we can disciple our kids. I also love that you give various questions throughout the book and even quick phrases. So to close that conversation on the car ride home, if we say, okay, that's what I've been coaching the whole way home, what is a question we could ask our child afterwards and a statement we could say and leave it at that and do it a better way?   Brian Smith: (22:12 - 23:56) The question I have consistently asked my kids after learning that I've been doing this the wrong way for a long time, I tweet my question to they get in the car and I say, is there anything that happened today from the game that you want to talk about? And it's frustrating to me because 99% of the time they say, no, can we listen to the radio? And we listen to the radio, or they play a on my phone, but I'm respecting their desire that they're done with what just happened and they're ready to move on to the next thing, even though I really want to talk about what just happened.   And then the statement that I want to make sure that I'm consistently saying that they're hearing is I love you and I'm proud of you. So, game didn't go well. Yeah, you did play well today.   That's okay. Hey, I love you and I'm proud of you. Game went well today.   Awesome. Great job. Hey, I love you and I'm proud of you.   So I want that to be the consistent theme that they're hearing for me, which is hopefully going to help them better understand the gospel later in life, that as they get older and older, hopefully they'll begin to realize it seemed like the way that my mom and dad interacted with me when I was performing in sport, but their love was not attached to my performance. That seems really similar to what I'm learning more and more that Jesus does for me, that I'm trying to do all these things that are good. But from what I'm understanding about the gospel, it seems like Jesus loves me in spite of what I do.   He loves me just because He's connected to me, that God loves me because I'm a son or daughter, not because I'm performing as a son or a daughter. So, in a very real way, I really am hoping that I'm giving a good teaser for my kids now for when they fully experience the gospel as they go through the life.   Ed Uszynski: (23:56 - 24:47) Another really good connecting question. I love how you said all that, Brian, is if they don't want to talk about the game, is it okay, did you have fun today? And they can only go in one of two directions.   No. Well, tell me about that. Why not?   And it opens up the door to talk about, well, because I didn't get to play or because something bad happened. And again, tell me more about that. Tell me more about that.   Or they say, yes, great. What happened that was fun? And it creates a very different conversation in the car.   And it opens up, again, relational possibilities that go way beyond, why do you keep passing it when you should be shooting it? Wow. And just all the different ways that that comes out of us, depending on sport, depending on their age.   But those are great questions. Go ahead, Brian.   Brian Smith: (24:47 - 25:41) I just asked my son this morning. He's a freshman. His wrestling season is almost done.   And I just asked, like, what has been most fun for you in wrestling this year? And his first thing was, I feel like I'm learning a lot. And that's really fun for me, which he's on a really good team.   He's had a lot of success. He's made a lot of good friends. But even that gave me a window into his characters.   My son enjoys and I knew this is true about him. But my son enjoys learning, which means he enjoys the process of getting better and better and better, which can happen in school, it can happen doing stuff in the yard, it can it can also happen in sport. But for me to remember moving forward, yeah, he he's probably going to have a different metric for what's fun in sport than I often do for him.   Yeah, like I wanted to learn. I want him to win though, too. He's happy with learning right now.   So, I need to be happy with that for him.   Ed Uszynski: (25:41 - 26:34) If I can say this, too, again, I don't want to be vulnerable on your behalf. But then knowing this, he's lost a lot this year to really good kids. Yeah.   And so much of the learning has been in the context of losing. So, you as a dad, actually, you could be crushing him because of those losses and what he needs to do to fix that and what he needs to do so that that doesn't happen again. And it's like he's already committed to learning.   How do you just how do you celebrate the loss? Like he took the risk to try something new in this movie. He tried to survive an extra period.   That's a process when and it's we just need to get better at that. Like you genuinely can celebrate that. That's not just a that's not like a participation trophy.   It's acknowledging now, do you're taking you're taking the right steps that are actually making you a winner, even if you don't have more points at the end of the game right now.   Laura Dugger: (26:34 - 26:54) Yeah. Yeah. And that long term win that you're talking about, even with character and you've talked about fun and asking them about fun.   Is it true that that's the main reason kids are dropping out of sports at such a rapid rate before age 13 is that it's just not fun anymore?   Ed Uszynski: (26:55 - 28:58) Yeah. Yeah. And why is it not fun?   And again, this is where Brian and I are always getting in each other's business. And we know that this conversation gets in all of our business as adults. But why is it not fun?   It's not fun because of the coaches and it's not fun because of the parents. We are creating stress. We are creating again collectively because we're all in different places on the on the spectrum on this in terms of what we're actually doing when we show up at games.   But if you even just go to any soccer game and you be quiet and just listen to what's happening and everybody's shouting and screaming things and there's contradictory messages being sent and there's angst at every turn and there's an incredible celebration because this eight year old was able to get the ball to go across the line for another goal. And what that's doing inside the kids is it is creating a not fun atmosphere. Let's just say it like that.   That's a not fun atmosphere when you're eight, when you're 10, when you're trying to figure out how to make your body work. You're trying to learn the game that you're unfamiliar with and you're trying to do what this coach is telling you to do. And you're also trying to do what all the parents are telling you what to do.   And if it's a team sport, you're trying to interact and play with other kids who are all in that same state of disarray, which is very stressful and frustrating. And we're just adding to it. So instead of removing it, instead of playing a role that says, we're going to keep diffusing that stress.   And again, I'll speak for myself. Too often, I have been the one that's actually adding to it. And so, kids are just like, why would I do this?   Why would I want to get in that car again with you? It's not fun. This is a game.   And so, there's a million other things that I can do with my time where I don't have everybody yelling at me and I don't have to listen to you correct me for two hours.   Laura Dugger: (29:00 - 29:21) Well, and one other thing that surprised me, maybe why kids are dropping out, you share on page 47, a quote that research reveals a strange correlation. The more we spend, the less our kids actually enjoy their sport. So, did you have any more insight into that?   Brian Smith: (29:21 - 30:50) Yeah, this was a real study that was done at Utah State. Researchers found that the more money parents are spending, again, let's say well-intentioned parents, the more we're spending in sports, the less our kids are enjoying. And the more they have dug into it, they're finding, and intuitively it makes sense.   If you buy your kid a $600 baseball bat, what's the expectation that they're supposed to do with this really expensive bat? When they swing, they better hit the ball, and they better get on base. If we're going to buy you this expensive of a bat, you can't just have process goals with it.   You better swing and hit it. And that's causing stress for kids. If you travel across state lines and you go to Disney to play at their sports complex, you're not there for vacation.   You're there to perform. So even if parents are saying we're trying to have fun, kids know when you're traveling and you're getting all this good equipment and you're on the elite team and you're receiving the best of the best stuff, they know it comes with some sort of an expectation. College athletes can barely handle that type of pressure and expectations, but we've placed this professional on youth sports from fifth five-year-olds to 15-year-olds, and it's just crushing them.   It's crushing them. Again, college athletes and professional athletes can barely handle it. They need mental health coaches for sports, but we're expecting that our five-year-olds can handle it, and they can't.   Ed Uszynski: (30:51 - 31:19) And they may not even be able to articulate it. So that's the other thing. They may not be able to identify what's actually going on inside and put it into words.   So again, that's why we're trying to sound the alarm for ourselves and for others who are listening, because we can do it different. Again, just to even keep spinning it back in an encouraging direction, we can do this different. We can change this this week in our corner of the bleachers.   We can start over again.   Laura Dugger: (31:21 - 31:48) Absolutely and make a difference. And before we talk about even more of the pros with sports, I think it's also necessary to reflect and maybe even grieve a few things. So, what would you say are some things families are missing out on when they choose youth sports to overfill their calendar, that that's all that they make time for?   What do you think they're missing out on?   Brian Smith: (31:51 - 33:16) Yeah, I think a couple that come to mind are family dinners are a big one. That's big for us in the Smith house, is just having the ability after a long day to sit at the dinner table together, to eat food together, and to process the day and be with one another. But when my kids' practice goes late, it means we're either eating almost towards bedtime or we're eating in different shifts.   And so that's something that we grieve. I think for me, when my schedule is full, I'm tempted to adopt the mindset that what's happening on the wrestling mat or on the track matters more than it actually does. And it robs me of the ability to just take a deep breath and smile and enjoy watching my kids play sports.   That without an intervention or a pregame devotional in the car for myself, I risk sitting in the stands or being on the sidelines, being stressed out and putting pressure on myself and pressure on my kids and gossiping about why the coach didn't put this kid into the people next to me, instead of just enjoying the gift that is sports and watching my kid try and succeed and try and fail. That is a gift available to me as a dad to watch my kid do that. But the busyness often robs me of that perspective.   Ed Uszynski: (33:17 - 36:06) Well, and the busyness robs, again, if you're married, that busyness eventually wears away at your relationship. And it's not just sports. I mean, busyness, we can fill our schedule, overfill our schedules with any number of things.   We can overfill our schedules with church stuff to a point where it becomes detrimental to our relationship. If we don't set boundaries so that we're making sure we're doing what we need to do to be face-to-face and to be going to areas beneath the surface with each other in our relationship and being able to do that with our kids as well, eventually there's negative consequences to that. It may not happen right away, but I've definitely experienced that.   We've experienced that in our home where it's easy to maybe chase one kid around for a while, but what happens when you add three into the mix and you haven't really done a time budget or paid attention to the fact that when we sign up for all these things, you get a month into it and you realize, oh, we have to be in different places at the same time. So, we're not even watching stuff together anymore. We're just running.   I can endure anything for a season, but what youth sports wants now in every sport from the youngest ages is that it becomes a year-round commitment. So, you're not even signing up to play a season anymore. You're signing up for a year in most cases because after the games, then they're going to have training.   They're going to have this other thing going on. And so again, can we say, well, we'll play the actual season, but then we're not going to do the additional training over these next three months. Again, we want to give parents' permission that you can say no to that.   Well, we paid for it. Well, it's okay. If you want your kid to be on that team and you like this club or whatever, then you pay the money and you just say, we're going to sit those three months out and we're going to use those three months actually to have people over our house for dinner.   Again, whatever's on the list, Laura, that you said about being more holistic and not letting sport operate like an idol in our life where it's taken on, it's washed out everything else in our life. We can get back in control of that by just saying no a little bit. You can go to church on Sunday.   Even if there's tournament games going on on Sunday, you can go to the coach early and say, hey, we just, in our family, we just don't want to be available before 12. Are you okay with that? And most of the time coaches will be.   The kid might have to sit extra maybe for not being, whatever. Okay. That's not going to be the end of the world that they had to sit out an extra game or had to sit out a half because they weren't available on Sunday morning.   It might actually make a huge difference that they weren't at church for two and a half years in the most formative time of their life.   Laura Dugger: (36:07 - 37:36) And a lot of times the way of wisdom includes reflection, getting alone with the Lord and asking, have we overstuffed our schedule this conversation today? Let's talk specifically with youth sports. Is that trumping everything else?   Because what if we're putting it in a place it was never intended to be as an idol where we sacrifice hospitality or discipleship or community or even just a more biblical way of life? I think we have to bring wisdom into the conversation for what you've mentioned. Whether it's worth it, if they're even enjoying it, how much we're spending on it, and do we have the budget to allocate our finances that way and evaluating the time just to see and make sure that it's rightly ordered.   Did you know you could receive a free email with monthly encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of questions to ask to take your conversation a level deeper, whether that's in parenting or on date nights? Make sure you access all of this at thesavvysauce.com by clicking the button that says join our email list so that you can follow the prompts and begin receiving these emails at the beginning of each month. Enjoy!   But if we flip that to if youth sports are rightly ordered, then what are some things that we can celebrate or reasons that you would want families to give this a try?   Brian Smith: (37:37 - 40:09) The massive positive that we keep coming back to is we have a front row seat to see our kids go through every possible emotion in sport, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. And then if we have the right perspective, we are armed with awesome opportunities and awesome information that we're seeing. We get to see what our kids are really good at.   We get to see their character gaps. And then we get to be the ones who, again, who are their primary response, primary disciplers. It really goes back to like, are we trusting youth sports for too little in our kids' lives?   Like many of us are trusting that our investment is going to get them a spot on a team, or maybe they get an opportunity in high school, maybe in college. And what we're saying is, yeah, that maybe. And that's not a bad end goal.   But if that's everything that you're investing into youth sports, it's not enough. Like what you have available to you every single day is to ask your kid if they showed somebody else's dignity on the field. You don't know if your kid's going to hit a home run today.   That may not be available to them their entire life. What's available to them every single day is to ask a question to their teammate, to see somebody and show dignity to them. And that's really, it's like, it's almost the opportunity of a lifetime for us as parents who, when our kids get home from school, we really don't know what happened most of the day.   We asked them how it went and we get the one-word answer. In sports, we don't have to guess. We get to see everything that happens.   And again, if we are actually trusting youth sports for discipleship investment, that's a good ROI. That's a good return on our investment. But we need a consistent intervention almost daily to say, no, this is why they're in sports.   Yes, I want to see them get better. I want to see them have fun, but Holy Spirit, would you help me see things today that I normally don't see? Holy Spirit, would you put them in circumstances and relationships today and in the season that's going to help them look more and more like Jesus by the time the season's done?   Holy Spirit, would you convict me in the moment when I am being a little too mouthy and saying things that I shouldn't? Would you help me to repent? And God, in those moments where I'm actually doing wrong on behalf of my kid, would you help me to humble myself and apologize to them?   And God, would you repair our relationship that way? So again, all of these options are available just because our kid's shooting a ball or they're on the field with somebody else tackling other people. We're trusting youth sports for too little.   Ed Uszynski: (40:10 - 41:10) That's all big boy and big girl stuff. It just is. I don't normally naturally do any of that.   I have to be coached into that. I have to be discipled myself. I have to work through my own issues, my own baggage, my own fears about the future, my own idolatrous holding onto this imagined future that I have for my kid, irrespective of what God may or may not want.   I've got my own resentment. I've got my own regrets from the past. I wish things had gone differently for me, so I'm going to make sure they go different for you when it comes to sports.   And it's hard to look in the mirror and admit that I have anger issues. I mean, youth sports create a great opportunity for me to get up all my pent-up frustration from the day. We've given ourselves permission to do that, in most cases, to just yell and yell at refs and gripe about coaches and yell at kids.   Brian Smith: (41:10 - 41:31) Because that's what we do at the TV, right? When our favorite team is playing, we've conditioned ourselves to say, awful call, that was terrible. Then we get on social media and we complain about it.   We are discipling ourselves to this is how it's normative to respond within the context of sports. Then we carry all that baggage to our six-year-old soccer game.   Laura Dugger: (41:33 - 42:02) Well, I love how you keep pointing it back toward character and discipleship. You clearly state throughout the book, sports don't develop character, people do. But could you maybe elaborate on that a little bit more and share more now that we've listed pros and cons, you still list a completely different way that we can meaningfully participate while also pushing back?   Brian Smith: (42:04 - 43:49) I'll start with the first part, and then you can answer the second. We use the handshake line as a great example of why character needs to be taught to our kids. If you just watch a normal handshake line left without coaching, the kids are going through it, especially the ones who lose with their head down, they have limp hands, there's no eye contact, and they're mumbling good game, good game.   Sometimes they don't even say it, they'll say GG stands for good game. They don't just learn character by going through the handshake line. If anything, that's going through it like that without any sort of intervention or coaching, that's malforming their character.   That's teaching them when things don't go well, that it's okay for them not to be a big boy or a big girl and look somebody in the eye and congratulate them. What needs to happen? An adult needs to step in and say, hey, as we go through the handshake line, whether you win or lose, here's how we do it with class.   We shake somebody's hand, we look them in the eye, and we say good game. Even if in those moments we don't actually mean it, we still show them dignity and honor. And then when we're done going through the handshake line, guess what we're going to do?   We're going to run down the refs who are trying to get in their car and get out of here, and we're going to give them a high five and say, thank you so much for reffing today. That stuff needs to be taught. Our kids don't just come out of the womb knowing how to do that.   We have to teach them how to do it. Sometimes good coaches will do that, but the more and more we get sucked up into the sports industrial complex, we're getting well-intentioned coaches, but we're getting coaches who care more about the big W, the win, than the character formation stuff that happens.   Ed Uszynski: (43:49 - 45:27) They need to keep hearing it over and over again. I have a ninth grade Bible study in my house the other day with athletes and a whole bunch of my son's basketball team. Exactly what Brian just said, I actually was like, wow, I've got them here.   There was a big blow up at a game the other day, and we wound up talking about it. I said, I'm going to take this opportunity actually to say what Brian just said. When you go through a handshake line, this is how you go through it.   I watched what happened in the game a couple days later. Basically, they did the exact opposite of what I told them to do, and they lost. It was just what Brian said.   They went through limp handed. They didn't look anybody in the face, and they weren't even saying anything. I just chuckled to myself, and you know how this is as a parent.   They may or may not do it. Of course, those aren't my kids. I have more stewardship over my child, who actually, he is doing what I've asked him to do because I've re-emphasized it across time now.   It's not a failure because they didn't do what I said. Again, the pouty side of me wants to be like, forget it. I'm just not even going to try anymore.   It's like, no, they're kids. That was the first time they've heard that. They're going to do what their patterns have, the muscle memory that's been created by their patterns, just like we do as adults.   The next time I have a chance to bring that up again, I'm not going to shame them. I'm just going to go over it again with them. Here's how we do it.   It's super hard to do this, guys, when you just want to be violent with people or you want to cry. You got to pull yourself together. That's what big men do.   That's what big women do in life. They pull themselves together in those moments and do the right thing.   Brian Smith: (45:28 - 46:01) You don't know whether the fifth time you say it is going to stick or the 50th time. Your responsibility as the Christ-following parent is to do it the sixth time and the seventh time and the seventh time and trust that God is going to take those moments and do what he does. We're ultimately not responsible for our kids' behavior.   We're responsible for pointing them in the right direction, and then hopefully, yeah, the Holy Spirit steps in and transforms and changes and convicts in those moments, but it might take some time.   Ed Uszynski: (46:02 - 47:47) Tom Bilyeu So that's how you push back, Laura. You were asking that. How do we push back without being just completely involved in it or going for the same ride that everybody else is going for?   There's just little moments like that scattered throughout. Literally, every day that my kids are involved in youth sports, the car ride over, what happens on the way home, how we talk about it, what happens during the game and what we wind up talking about out of that, the side conversations that happen that just get brought up apart from games of how we interact with people and so-and-so looks like they're struggling. What do you know about that?   That's how we push back, that in our corner of the bleachers, oh, how we interact with other parents. We haven't even talked about that yet, that I can take an interest in more than just my own kid in the bleachers and spend way more energy actually in cheering for other kids and just trying to give them confidence and spend way less time trying to direct that at my own child who knows that I'm there. In fact, my side kid has said he doesn't want to hear my voice during the game.   It distracts him. He's like, I'd much rather that you cheer for other people. It's like, okay.   Having questions ready for other parents during timeouts and as you sit there for hours together, what do you talk about? Well, I could be the one that actually initiates substantive conversations over time with them and asks them about what's going on in different parts of their life. And in having done that, people want to talk.   They want a safe place actually to share what's going on in their So let me be the sports minister. Let me take on that identity and actually care about other people.   Laura Dugger: (47:49 - 49:47) I love that. Even that practical idea of just coming to each game, maybe with a different question, ready to open up those conversations. And I'll share a quick story as well.   Our two oldest daughters recently just gave cheerleading a try at a local Christian school that allows homeschool kids to participate. And this is an overt way that somebody chooses the different way. So, it's the coach of the basketball team.   His name is Cole. And at the end of every game, we saw him consistently throughout this season when it was a home game, whether their team won or lost, he would ask them, okay, shut off the scoreboard. It's all blank.   He gathers both teams. As soon as the game is over teams, cheerleaders, the stands stay filled with all the parents. And he says, this is not our identity.   The world and Satan, our enemy, who's very real. He wants us to put our identity here, but it's not here. You made us better tonight by the way that you played and you were able to shine Jesus.   And we're going to go a step further and we're going to do what we call attaways. So, he's like, all right, boys, you open it up. And his team is trained.   They say to the other team, Hey, number 23, what's your name? I loved how you pushed me so much harder tonight and says, my name's Ben. And so, their Attaway is, Hey, Ben.   And everybody goes, Hey, Ben. Yeah, Ben. Yeah, Ben Attaway.   And everybody just erupts in clapping. And the other team is always blown away and they are just grinning, whether they just lost. So, the boys go through that for a while and then they open it up to the other team and they start sharing Attaways.   And then they open it up to the crowd and the parents are able to say, I see the way you modeled Jesus by being selfless with the ball or whatever it is. So, Cole said that his college coach did that many years ago and he's passed that on. And I love that's one way to redeem the game.   Ed Uszynski: (49:47 - 51:39) Wow. Beautiful. Beautiful.   Yeah. That's amazing. And, you know, I, so Brian and I talk about this too.   And I coached at a Christian school. So, we, we think that it's really important if you're going to play sports and you're going to be a Christian coach that you actually take the game seriously. And that we actually are here to compete and we are here to try to win.   There's nothing wrong with that. And we're going to pursue excellence when we show up with our bodies, and we train for this sport and we're going to try to win. Cause I think sometimes we end up kind of going all or nothing, especially within our Christian circles.   We're uncomfortable with that. And it's like, yes, do that. And on the backside of that to do what that coach did is amazing.   It's that, that is, that is exactly what we're saying. We're also going to try to form our souls in the midst of this. We're going to try to win on the scoreboard.   Okay. The game's over, we lost, we won, whatever. There's more going on here than just that. And can we access that together? And again, that's so rare. Probably everybody listening has never even heard of anything like what you just said.   It would be amazing if a bunch of people did, but that's what we're saying. Let's do more of that. Let's find ways to have more of those conversations in our sphere of influence.   Maybe we're not the coach, but we can do that in our car. We can do that when we're at dinners with the other, with other players and other team, you know, we, we can do that. We can take that kind of initiative.   If we have those categories in our mind, instead of just being frustrated that my kid didn't get to play as much tonight. And I'm that bugs me. It's like, okay, it can bug you.   And now I gotta, I gotta be a big boy and get more out of this than just being frustrated that he or she didn't get to play as much. It's hard.   Laura Dugger: (51:40 - 52:11) Absolutely. Well, and like you guys are doing having Bible studies outside of the, the team that you can instill values in that way and share scripture that they're memorizing to go out there with excellence for the Lord. So, I love all of that.   And I've got just a few quick questions, just kind of for perspective. I want to draw out something from the book. Is it true that young athletic success predicts adult athletic success?   Brian Smith: (52:13 - 53:51) It is not true. This is, this is not a hot take. This is researched back more and more research they're doing on this.   And they're finding that there's not a direct correlation between a young elite athlete and them continuing that up into the right trajectory and being an elite athlete later in life in large part, because when puberty hits, like everything is a game changer. So, this is, I found this fascinating and this is probably going to be new to you too. This just came out today.   At the time we're doing this podcast, the winter Olympics is going on in Norway. It's just like, they're killing it. Nor Norway's youth sports system.   This is wild. They give participation trophies for all the kids. They don't keep score until 13 years old.   They don't do any national travel competitions, no posting youth sports results online. So, there's no online presence of youth sport results. And their country motto is joy of sport for all.   And they're, they're killing it right now in the Olympics. So, like, that's not to say, like you got to follow their model and then you're going to win all these gold medals, but it is, there is something to just let the kids have fun. And the longer they play sport, because it's fun, the better opportunity you're actually going to have to see them blossom and develop some of these God-given gifts that they might have.   Don't expect it to come out before they're 13. Even if it does, there's no guarantee that it's going to continue on until they're 23. Just let them have fun.   Ed Uszynski: (53:52 - 55:55) Brian, we, Brian and I got to speak at a church the other day about this topic. And there was a couple that came up afterwards and they asked the question of what, so when do you think we should let our kids play organized sports or structured sports? And so again, Brian and I are careful.   Like I, there's no, there's no one size fits all answer to that. We would suggest as late as possible, wait as long as possible. Because once you start doing structured sport where there's a coach and you have to be at practices and the games are structured and there's reps, it just cuts away all the possibility they have to just play and just to go up to the YMCA and just play for three hours at whatever it is that they like to do.   And they said, well, it's encouraging to hear that they said, because we, we actually are way more into just developing their bodies physically. And so, we do dance with them, and we do rock climbing and they were kind of outdoorsy people, and they just started listing off all these things they do because we want them to become strong in their bodies, and learn to love activity like that. And I just thought, again, that's, that probably would cause a lot of people to freak out to hear that, that they have eight, nine-year-olds that aren't on teams yet.   They're just, they're training their bodies to appreciate physicality and to become coordinated and to, you know, to get better at movement. And it's like, what sport is that not going to be super helpful in five years from now, even when they're 12, 13 years old. And now they really do want to play one sport, and they do want to be on a team.   They're going to be way ahead of the kids actually that just sat on benches or stood in the outfield, you know, day after day after day at practices. Again, that's maybe hard to hear, but maybe there's some adjustments that need to be made again; to give ourselves permission to say, we don't have to get on that train right now. You don't have to, your kid's not going to be behind.   They actually could be ahead. If you do the kinds of things we just talked about.   Laura Dugger: (55:56 - 56:11) I love that. And even that example with what it looks like played out with Norway and also, do you have any other quick tips just for instilling and cultivating a heart of gratitude and youth sports rather than entitlement?   Brian Smith: (56:13 - 57:33) I'm a high school cross country and track coach, and I have kids on my team who want to get faster at running, but instead of running, they want to lift weights and they want to do plier metrics. So, there's, yes, there's a spot for that. But the way you get better at running is to run.   You got to run more miles and more miles. And I think gratitude is similar. That gratitude, part of it is a, it's a feeling, but it's also a muscle that we can flex even if we don't feel it.   And so, I would encourage parents who are trying to instill gratitude into their kids to give them practical things like, hey, after practice, just go shake your coach's hand or give them a fist bump and tell them, thanks for practice today, coach. That that's a disciplined way to practice gratitude that will hopefully build the muscle where they're, they're using it later in life. After a game, I taught my kids this when they were young and they still do it today.   Go shake a ref's hand. I mentioned this earlier, just a really, really practical way to show thankfulness and gratitude to somebody who really doesn't get a whole lot of gratitude pointed at them during a game or after a game. If anything, they have people chasing them through the parking lot for other reasons.   I want my kids to be chasing them down to give them a fist bump or a high five. And so, gratitude is something that we can just practice practically. And hopefully the discipline practice will lead to a delight and actually doing it.   Ed Uszynski: (57:34 - 59:39) And how do we cultivate an inner posture? Cause I tend to be a cup half empty type person. I'm a, I'm a whiner by nature and a continuous improvement.   There's always something wrong. And I'm, it's easy for me to find those things just as a person. I'm not even saying that as a dad or a coach or anything.   And it's been super helpful to me in the last decade, even to just like, I can choose to shift that. There, there is, there's a list of things that are broke, but there is always a list of things that are good. There's always something good here to be found.   And even as I've tried to like, again, tip the scales more in that direction, I can keep pushing that out of my kids. So, so this, you know, my ninth-grade son tends to just like, he doesn't like a whole bunch of what's going on in basketball right now. So, I keep asking him if he's having fun.   He says, no, like, why not? Or like, who did, why did you not have fun today? So, it's just the same thing every day.   I'm like, okay, who did you enjoy even being with today? Nobody. And I'm like, dude, I don't believe that actually.   I just, I don't believe that. There was somebody that you had some moment with today that you enjoyed, or you wouldn't want to keep going back up there because, and he does. So, give me a name.   Okay. Lenny. What happened with Lenny that was fun? And I make him name it. Like I'm, I'm, I'm trying to coach him through it. And sure enough, he does have some sentences of what was fun today.   And it's like, good, let's, let's at least hold onto that in the midst of all the other stuff that's not right. Let's choose to see the thing that was good and that you enjoyed and that we could be thankful for. Not everybody got to have that today.   Again, I have to have my, I have to be the parent. I have to be the discipler. I have to be in, you know, in charge of my own soul that wants to be negative all the time and say, nope, we're going to, we're going to choose gratitude today because the Bible tells us to do that.   There's something about that posture that opens the door for the gospel to be expressed through us. So, let's practice.   Laura Dugger: (59:40 - 59:50) Well said, and there's so much we could continue learning from both of you. Where can we go after this chat to learn more from each one of you?   Brian Smith: (59:52 - 1:00:14) Yeah, we do a lot of our writing online at thechristianathlete.com. And so, if you go there, you can see articles that are specifically written for parents, for coaches, for athletes, all around this idea of what does it look like to integrate faith and sport together? So, the

One of the evidences of our having been adopted into God's family is that we pray. But what are we to actually pray about, and how? In Ephesians 3, Paul reveals his prayers for the Ephesian believers, providing a pattern for prayer that both encourages and challenges believers in all times. In this message, Alistair Begg examines Paul's entreaty, the generosity upon which it's based, and the glorious end toward which the apostle prays: that God will get all the glory He deserves. Bible passages: Ephesians 3:14-21

You want to live with more purpose, but somewhere between the to-do list, the kids, and the mental background noise of everything you haven't done yet, intentional living starts to feel like one more thing to fail at.In part one of this two-part conversation, Pastor Gina and Meghen unpack what it actually means to live intentionally, and it's not what you think. It's not a better planner or a longer checklist. It's knowing where you are, letting the Lord order what's in front of you, and learning to hold your days loosely enough that there's room for Him to move.They open in Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3, then get honest about the moments that expose how stretched thin we really are: the short tone with our kids, the dinner reservations we choose because we know we'll actually be present there, the plant that kept growing because nobody was striving over it.If you've been asking "Am I going to be okay?" and looking for the answer everywhere except the One who has it, this episode is for you.Part two drops next month with practical steps you can actually use.Text RENEW to 45000 to stay connected, share your story, or ask for prayer.

In this episode, we cover:The Call to Boston: An urgent invitation for the entire region to consecrate itself for the "10 Days of Prayer" in September, preparing for the great things God is about to do. The "Joshua Generation": Recognizing the apostolic mantle of Lion of Judah as a vanguard for spiritual awakening.The Anatomy of Exhaustion: Identifying the "best" (burden) that keeps believers from moving forward and the difference between external strength and internal fortitude. The Secret of Moses: Why "Show me Your glory" is the most daring prayer in the Bible and why the presence of God is more valuable than any promised land. 5 Practical Steps for Strengthening: 1. Recognizing your weakness. 2. Trusting in His power. 3. Praying without ceasing. 4. Meditating on the Word. 5. Living a life led by the Holy Spirit. The 21-Day Challenge: A practical look at a "complaint-free" life and the power of changing our internal dialogue to reflect God's character. Key Moments:[00:00] Prophetic Introduction: Preparing for the September "10 Days of Prayer." [12:15] The Mirror of Isaiah: Why exhaustion doesn't change the nature of an infinite, unwearied God. [28:40] Heart Surgery: God's interest in healing the hidden wounds of resentment, anger, and depression. [45:10] The Practice of the Presence: Methods to cultivate a constant awareness of God in daily activities. [01:05:00] Final Victory: Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3 for being filled with the fullness of God. Key Scriptures:Isaiah 40:28-31: The promise of renewed strength for those who wait on the Lord. Ephesians 3:14-21: Paul's prayer for the "inner man" to be strengthened with power through the Spirit. Psalm 139: The impossibility of hiding from God's pervasive and loving presence. Exodus 33:11-18: Moses' refusal to move forward without the presence of God. Connect with us:English Website: http://LeondeJuda.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cljofficial/#Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/congregacionleondejudaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeondeJudaBoston

In this episode, we cover:The Call to Consecration: Revisiting Joshua 3:5 as a prophetic mandate for the "Joshua Generation" to prepare for the amazing things God is doing in Boston. The Apostolic Mantle: Understanding the privilege and burden of being a church that leads during a season of spiritual awakening. The Danger of Hypocrisy: Why doing the right things (praying, fasting, giving) for the wrong reasons (to be seen by others) results in losing your heavenly reward. The Inner Sanctuary: How meditation and prayer allow Christ to construct a private space in the heart where we commune with Him. A Primer on Prayer: Breaking down Ephesians 6:18 to understand praying in the Spirit, on all occasions, with all kinds of requests. Fasting as Acceleration: Why abstaining from food is not a way to manipulate God, but a way to bring our own pride and bondages to the surface. Key Moments:[00:00] Prophetic Review: Why we are meditating on the "amazing things" promised to a consecrated people. [18:45] The Warning: Pastor Sam's "Lost in Space" robot alert regarding the wrong motives in spiritual practices. [32:10] The Reward is Jesus: Shifting from prayer as a "chore" to prayer as the joy of friendship. [47:30] The 5-Minute Primer: A deep dive into the types of prayer, including confession, thanksgiving, and silence. [01:05:20] The "Why" of Fasting: How fasting reveals the things that control us—like pride, anger, and hidden habits. Key Scriptures:Joshua 3:5: "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." Matthew 6:5-18: Jesus' God's-eye view on praying and fasting in secret. Ephesians 6:18: The one-verse primer on a lifestyle of vigilant prayer. Luke 11:1: "Lord, teach us to pray." Connect with us:English Website: http://LeondeJuda.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cljofficial/# Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/congregacionleondejuda YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeondeJudaBoston

Have you ever felt discouraged by suffering - either in your own life or in the world around you? Have you wondered if God is really in control? In Ephesians 3:1-13, Paul gives us a new perspective on the things that can discourage: lift your eyes upward and trust in God's steadfast, unshakable, eternal purposes as He builds His church.

Even the greatest prophet had a moment of uncertainty. But rather than condemn John, Jesus gave a response that may surprise some of us. Notes: Luke 7 John, in a moment of doubt, sent a message to Jesus,“Are You the One, or should we look for another?” Doubt is a sign that someone is thinking. A French proverb says, “He who knows nothing doubts nothing.” “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.” #1 Moses was ready to quit. Numbers 11:14–15"I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me now." #2 Elijah was ready to quit.(1 Kings 19:4) #3 Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith. #4 Paul the Apostle was deeply discouraged.(2 Corinthians 1:8) #5 David wrote half the Psalms while angry, confused, or feeling abandoned by God. #6 John the Baptist was discouraged and entertained doubts. Read Luke 7:18–28 John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. John was in prison because of his bold preaching to King Herod. In John’s mind, Jesus the Messiah would organize a revolt. John was expecting political deliverance.Jesus was bringing spiritual deliverance. Sometimes we misunderstand God and His word. Jesus understood John’s questions and his doubt. Jesus answered John’s doubt with evidence and clarification, not condemnation. Galatians 5:15But if you are always biting and devouring one another,watch out! Beware of destroying one another. It is easier to critique than create.It is easier to tear down instead of build up. Jesus loves you and understands your questions, too. Psalm 10:1Why, O LORD, do you stand far away?Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:16 (a)The LORD is king forever and ever. Jesus defended John publicly,when John criticized Jesus privately.(Luke 7:24) You have immeasurable value because you are God’s creation.(1 Peter 2:9) Ephesians 2:10For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross so you could have a relationship with Him. Doubt is a matter of the mind. Unbelief is a matter of the will. John was doubting, but he still believed. Jesus refocused John’s priorities. John’s doubts were answered by Scripture.(Luke 7:22) Stay the course when you don’t see the plan.(Luke 7:23) Luke 7:28I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is! John was a part of the Old Testament economy.You are a New Testament believer. John was a friend of the Bridegroom.You are the bride of the Bridegroom. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even the greatest prophet had a moment of uncertainty. But rather than condemn John, Jesus gave a response that may surprise some of us. Notes: Luke 7 John, in a moment of doubt, sent a message to Jesus,“Are You the One, or should we look for another?” Doubt is a sign that someone is thinking. A French proverb says, “He who knows nothing doubts nothing.” “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.” #1 Moses was ready to quit. Numbers 11:14–15"I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me now." #2 Elijah was ready to quit.(1 Kings 19:4) #3 Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith. #4 Paul the Apostle was deeply discouraged.(2 Corinthians 1:8) #5 David wrote half the Psalms while angry, confused, or feeling abandoned by God. #6 John the Baptist was discouraged and entertained doubts. Read Luke 7:18–28 John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. John was in prison because of his bold preaching to King Herod. In John’s mind, Jesus the Messiah would organize a revolt. John was expecting political deliverance.Jesus was bringing spiritual deliverance. Sometimes we misunderstand God and His word. Jesus understood John’s questions and his doubt. Jesus answered John’s doubt with evidence and clarification, not condemnation. Galatians 5:15But if you are always biting and devouring one another,watch out! Beware of destroying one another. It is easier to critique than create.It is easier to tear down instead of build up. Jesus loves you and understands your questions, too. Psalm 10:1Why, O LORD, do you stand far away?Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:16 (a)The LORD is king forever and ever. Jesus defended John publicly,when John criticized Jesus privately.(Luke 7:24) You have immeasurable value because you are God’s creation.(1 Peter 2:9) Ephesians 2:10For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross so you could have a relationship with Him. Doubt is a matter of the mind. Unbelief is a matter of the will. John was doubting, but he still believed. Jesus refocused John’s priorities. John’s doubts were answered by Scripture.(Luke 7:22) Stay the course when you don’t see the plan.(Luke 7:23) Luke 7:28I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is! John was a part of the Old Testament economy.You are a New Testament believer. John was a friend of the Bridegroom.You are the bride of the Bridegroom. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psalm 45 Ephesians 1:3-10 Romans 12:1-2 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

Ephesians 5.3-6 | Ron DowningLearn more about Redeemer Kansas City by visiting redeemerkc.church Come visit us every Sunday morning at 10amSermon Notes

Pastors Caleb and Chrissy Cole continue the Through the Fire series with “Keeping the Fire Alive.” Teaching from Leviticus 6, Revelation 2, and Ephesians 4, they show how love must be cultivated through daily rhythms, intentional priority, truth in love, and consistent connection. This message challenges couples to protect the flame God has given them and choose love daily. (00:00) - Through the Fire Part 4 Introduction (02:00) - How Do We Fall in Love Again? (04:00) - Love Is a Choice, Not a Feeling (06:30) - Leviticus 6: Keep the Fire Burning (09:30) - The Flame Dies in Drift, Not Disaster (12:00) - Stop Doing Nothing (15:30) - The Flame Requires Priority (18:30) - Go Back to What You Did at First (22:00) - The Flame Needs Oxygen: Truth in Love (25:45) - Flames of Love vs Flames of Fury (29:30) - The Flame Survives on Consistency (34:15) - Protect the Tone and Time (38:00) - Daily Rhythms Restore the Fire (40:00) - Salvation & Marriage Prayer

God's plan since the beginning of times was to save the world. The covenant and promise to Abraham (Genesis 12) is fulfilled through Christ. This is our purpose in the church. To take the grace, peace, hope Paul describes in Ephesians 1-2 and share that with the world.

Are you stressed, stuck, or constantly comparing yourself to everyone else? The problem might not be your circumstances — it might be that you're sitting in a seat that was never assigned to you. In this message, Pastor Eric Thomas delivers a word that will shift how you see your life, your purpose, and your next season. Drawing from his own story — homeless at 16, a high school dropout eating from trash cans — Pastor Eric shows what happened when he stopped chasing everyone else's seat and got into his own. Everything changed. God didn't assign your seat by accident. Before you were born, He factored in your gifts, your history, your capacity, and your calling. He said — this seat. This flight. This moment. Your job isn't to find the best seat in the room. It's to get into the one that already has your name on it. In this message you'll discover: Why your struggle may have nothing to do with your effort — and everything to do with your seat How social media comparison is keeping you out of your assignment What it really means that God chose YOU before you ever chose Him Why some seats are seasonal — and how to trust the transfer The leadership principle: every seat has a function, not everyone is called to the mic The formula for your clearance: Calling + Confirmation + Character

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hank addresses a common question brought up over and over again, which is: “Who is the Antichrist?”Hank also answers the following questions:Is the pretribulation rapture doctrine so foundational that it can affect one's salvation? Elden - NE (4:18)Is it permissible to pray for children from broken homes? My Pastor told me not to pray for them. Mary - St. Louis, MO (6:45)I have a porn addiction, and many of my co-workers bring pornographic images into the workplace. How can I handle this situation? Matthew - Lincoln, NE (9:24)Did angels have sex with women in Genesis 6:2? Marvin - Sioux City, IA (15:12)Are Hades and Hell two different places? Marvin - Sioux City, IA (17:12)Regarding the book 23 Minutes in Hell, do you think this story is true, and must we live a perfect life to make it to heaven? Katie - IA (19:13)Is David talking to himself in Psalm 4 when he says, “be angry and sin not”? How does this relate to Paul's citation in Ephesians 4:26? Greg - Kansas City, MO (23:48)

Send a textIn this real and honest conversation, I sit down again with Christian artist The Dreamr (Drew Smith) to talk about faith, fatherhood, marriage, and what it really means to obey God — even when it's uncomfortable.We dive into the importance of purity before marriage, the responsibility of fatherhood, and the challenges that come with living out your faith in real life. We also discuss hard moments in ministry, including what it looks like to confront sin with love and stay faithful to God's instructions even when it's misunderstood.This episode is raw, honest, and centered on what it means to truly follow God — not just in words, but in action.If you're trying to grow in your faith, lead your family well, and learn how to listen when God speaks, this conversation is for you.Featuring: Drew Smith (The Dreamr) Christian Artist | Worship Leader | Kingdom VoiceTopics Covered:Fatherhood and spiritual leadershipPurity and waiting for marriageObeying God when it's difficultHard conversations in ministryMarriage and commitmentFollowing God's voiceLiving out real faithSubscribe for more real conversations about faith and life.Follow OneFaith: YouTube: @weareonefaith Instagram: @weareonefaith TikTok: @weareonefaithSupport the showThank You for Listening! When you like, share, subscribe & follow us on social media, you help advance the gospel to people we are targeting! You play a HUGE part in helping us build the Kingdom of God through the message he has given us! Help us build up God's Kingdom by following us @weareonefaith as we follow Christ! "One Lord One Faith One Baptism" - Ephesians 4:5

(Bilingual) このメッセージでは登牧師が「神様の喜びの中で暮らす家族」について以下の３つのポイントから話します。ディスカッション用の質問はノートの最後に確認できます。In this message Ps Noboru talks about “A FAMILY LIVING IN GOD'S JOY” in these 3 points:Check the questions for discussion at the end of the note.創世記 1:28 ERV / Genesis 1:28 ERVルカ2:43-50 ERV / Luke 2:43-50 ERVエペソ4:3-6 / Ephesians 4:3-6 ERVエペソ4:15a / Ephesians 4:15箴言13:24 ERV / Proverbs 13:24ピリピ4:6-7 / Philippians 4:6-7 ERV1.神の喜びは、一致し、信頼がある家族にあるGOD'S JOY IS FOUND IN A FAMILY WITH UNITY AND TRUST2.神の喜びは、愛と真理にあるGOD'S JOY IS FOUND IN LOVE AND TRUTH3.神の喜びは、祈りと励ましの中にあるGOD'S JOY IS FOUND IN PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENTQUESTIONS(質問) : ・How does God give your family strength when things are hard?・What is one Godly habit you want to do more as a family?・How can we build our families on God's Word?・How can we show more love and truth to each other at home?・What is one thing our family can pray for together right now?・大変な時、神様はどのように家族を力づけてくれる？・家族で今後も継続したい神様中心の習慣はある？・神様のことばをどのように家庭の土台として築き上げられる？・どうしたら家庭の中でより愛と真理をもって接することができる？・今この瞬間、教会の家族として祈れることはある？Connect with us:Web: mylifehouse.comInstagram: instagram.com/lifehouseglobal/Facebook: facebook.com/lifehouseglobalVideo Messages: ビデオメッセージ: youtube.com/LifehouseTokyoOther Podcasts:Want to listen to our messages in other languages?Lifehouse Messages (English): https://lifehousemessages.captivate.fm/listenLifehouse Hong Kong (Cantonese & English): https://lifehousehongkong.captivate.fm/listen

A desperate father says the quiet part out loud: I believe—help my unbelief. That honest confession from Mark 9 becomes our doorway into a wide-ranging, deeply practical conversation about faith that holds under pressure, marriages that model covenant love, and the civic virtue required to keep a free people free. We start with the Transfiguration and the healing that follows, where Jesus links real power to real prayer, then ask what it means to live that dependence when our homes and headlines feel chaotic.From there, we turn to Ephesians 5 and talk plainly about leading by example. Children don't learn healthy marriages from lectures; they learn them from what we prioritize when work, entertainment, and screens compete for attention. Sacrificial love and grounded respect are not relics—they are skills we practice. Psalm 43 helps us push back on discouragement with hope, while Proverbs 10 warns how fast a loose tongue can undo wisdom. The through line is simple and demanding: pray first, love with grit, tell the truth.History sharpens the point. We examine the Red Army Faction as a case study in how ideology turns grievances into violence, then spotlight First Sergeant James H. Bronson's Medal of Honor moment as courage in the storm. Samuel Adams joins the chorus with a bracing reminder that liberty erodes when virtue thins. The lesson is personal and public: honest doubt is not disqualifying, but it must be yoked to prayer, discipline, and moral clarity. If we want homes that hold and a nation that endures, we can't outsource the work of character.Join us for scripture, story, and straight talk that aims to strengthen your faith, your marriage, and your resolve. If this conversation moves you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: where do you need courage today?#SamuelAdams, #KateSteinle #DailyScriptureSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe Countryside Book Series https://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2

Hey y'all ! Welcome to another Friday with CWCOI ! In this week's episode, our host, Ally Yost talks about grace within the church. In most cases, it is relatively easy for us to extend grace to those around us who are in the world and it's not always as easy to extend that same grace to those who are are in the body of Christ. We all recieve grace from God and when we understand and recieve that, we are then able to equally extend that same grace to others. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 _____________________________________________ ☆ 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/CWCOI ☆ College Women, to start a Delight chapter on your campus or to learn more information visit ➤  www.delightministries.com/startadelight ☆ For their buy 1 get 1 50% off deal, head to ➤ 3DayBlinds.com/COFFEE ☆ Go to ➤ cozyearth.com/COFFEE for up to 20% off! ☆ Go to ➤ brooklynbedding.com and use code COFFEE at checkout for 30% off sitewide ☆ REP CWCOI MERCH ➤ https://allyyost.com  ☆ MY BIBLE (code 'ALLYYOST' at checkout) ➤ https://hosannarevival.com/collections/beautiful-bibles/products/nlt-notetaking-bible-versailles-theme  ☆ TUMBLER LINK ➤ https://allyyost.com/products/travel-tumbler _____________________________________________ 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/

Ephesians 1:15-23 (ESV)Andrew and Edwin consider the great gift God has given His church by giving Christ as the head of it.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=24653The 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/ 

Presented by Julie Busteed I've been reflecting on some of Jesus' sayings—his proverbs—and I've noticed how often they return to the posture of the heart. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5:8). That raises an important question: what does it mean to have a pure heart? We often assume a pure heart means doing everything right—appearing polished and put together on the outside. But that kind of purity is rooted in our own striving, and it doesn't work. It doesn't last. It isn't sustainable. Scripture tells us the truth about our condition: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9). Have you ever surprised yourself with your own reaction—something you said, thought, or felt—and wondered, where did that come from? It wasn't how you wanted to respond, yet it was real. The human heart is complex, deceptive, and difficult to understand. But when our hearts are turned toward purity, this posture gives the Holy Spirit room to work in us and through us. What difference does a pure heart make in the workplace? It shows up in genuine joy when a coworker receives a promotion or praise. It looks like helping others even when it doesn't advance your own position. It means refusing to gossip, choosing authenticity, and living with integrity when no one is watching. The right heart begins with humility. Scripture often speaks of a broken or crushed heart as a picture of humility. This kind of brokenness is essential, because a hard or stony heart will not submit to God's will. We pray with the psalmist, create in me a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10). Jesus promises it is the pure in heart who will see God. And when we invite Christ to dwell in our hearts, everything changes. This is why Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is such a powerful one to pray: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16–19). Oh, that you and I would know this love—love that surpasses everything else—and be filled with it. Press on. Don't be discouraged. The work God is doing in the heart is often slow and unseen, but it is never wasted.

Join host Jeff on this Friday episode of Right On Radio for a wide-ranging program that blends scripture, current events, and intelligence analysis. The show opens with the Word on Word segment — a listener-facing scripture choice between 1 John 3:18 and Ephesians 5 — and reflections on faith, hope, and the sing-along power of Chris Tomlin's “Our God.” Jeff moves into pattern-recognition analysis and media commentary, responding to technical issues from a previous livestream with Tim and previewing his own upcoming books (including a project on "decoding the power of three"). He plays and contextualizes a series of clips including excerpts from Tucker Carlson's Huckabee interview about Bibi Netanyahu's Amalek remarks, clips of rabbis discussing the historical concept of Amalek, and related commentary from media figures such as Rick Wiles and a rabbi's daughter describing hidden practices inside religious communities. The episode digs into military and intelligence topics: reports about the USS Gerald Ford operating in the Middle East (including crew unrest and clogged plumbing reportedly caused by sailors), possible Iranian strike capabilities, and the presence of Chinese and Russian naval assets. Jeff cites voices like Colonel Douglas MacGregor and ties those reports to broader geopolitical concerns. Political and national-security coverage includes clips from Tulsi Gabbard on the "deep state," Secretary Kristi Noem describing discovery of a secret SCIF and alleged surveillance on staff devices, John Solomon on election vulnerabilities and Senate procedure, and viral commentary from Steve Seibold about possible political plans. Jeff also touches on documents and allegations involving the Maxwell family, foreign access to U.S. systems, and historical conspiratorial claims he's tracking. Interwoven with the intelligence and political segments are human-interest moments: a military aviator receiving recognition for bravery, a short classroom clip (a nun teaching the virtue of "doing the little things well"), viewer chat reactions, and fundraising updates for the show. Jeff closes with a call to prayer (Saturday at 8 p.m.), encouragement to love God and neighbor, and a musical send-off. Listeners can expect a mix of biblical reflection, multimedia clip analysis, national-security reporting, and opinionated pattern-recognition — plus references to guests and clips from Tim, Tucker Carlson, Huckabee, Tulsi Gabbard, Kristi Noem, John Solomon, and others. The episode is aimed at listeners who want faith-based commentary tied to provocative media and intelligence topics. Want to Understand and Explain Everything Biblically?  Click Here: Decoding the Power of Three: Understand and Explain Everything or go to www.rightonu.com and click learn more.  Thank you for Listening to Right on Radio. Prayerfully consider supporting Right on Radio. Click Here for all links, Right on Community ROC, Podcast web links, Freebies, Products (healing mushrooms, EMP Protection) Social media, courses and more... https://linktr.ee/RightonRadio Live Right in the Real World! We talk God and Politics, Faith Based Broadcast News, views, Opinions and Attitudes We are Your News Now. Keep the Faith

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners  John's reminder about that anointing  which we received from the Father and reminding us to abide in Him.  Scripture References: 1 John 2:27; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 JOhn 5:13; 1 John 2:12-28; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 14:16-27 Scripture translation used is the NASB “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 1971, 1995, 2020 (only use the last year corresponding to the edition quoted) by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S NEW PODCAST- The First Love ProjectHere is the video introducing the podcast on You Tube-https://youtu.be/PhFY1moDDmsHERE IS A LINK TO THE YOUTUBE PLAYLIST FOR FIRST LOVE PROJECThttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdaujk1npuKR0BLSkTlKyxmuxavrZQHM6&si=dC10K4Qdh0xMKElU FIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishaffer DAILY MUSICAL DEVOTIONAL BY THE WORSHIP INITIATIVE:Text SING to 79316CHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Lately I've felt a heaviness that's hard to explain. Are you guys feeling it too?Not just regular sadness, something deeper. Like my eyes have been opened to how much darkness there really is in the world. And if I'm honest, it made me feel overwhelmed… and even angry. The kind of anger that makes you want to call everything out. But somewhere in that, I realized my heart was starting to feel hard and that scared me.Because I never want to look more like the world than I look like Jesus.God has taken me through such a deep spiritual journey recently, and this episode is really just me speaking from that place. No perfect outline, no polished message just me trying to process what God has been showing me with you guys.I talk about what it feels like to see darkness clearly without losing hope… how reading the Old Testament made me realize evil never really stopped… and how God met me in a moment where I honestly felt exhausted and asked Him what the point of all of this even is.And instead of pressure, like always, He met me with gentleness.This episode is about learning how to hold righteous anger without letting it turn into sin… how to discern truth and remain hopeful… and how to stay like Christ in a world that can feel harsh and confusing.Because following Jesus right now can feel complicated. The lines feel blurred. There are so many voices telling us what is right and wrong. And sometimes it feels easier to become hardened than to stay loving.But Jesus didn't call us to perform righteousness, He called us to abide in Him.This is not a fear message. It's not a “Jesus is coming tomorrow” message. It's just a reminder that we are not fighting for victory, we are living from it.Jesus has already overcome the world.And even when everything feels heavy and confusing… He is still gentle with the weary.So if you've been feeling spiritually tired… overwhelmed by the world… or unsure how to follow Jesus without losing your heart in the process,you're not alone. I promise you're not. Love you guys!!John 16:33“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”Scripture Mentioned:1 Peter 5:8 • 2 Corinthians 11:14 • John 16:33 • Romans 8:1 • Ephesians 2:8–9 • Matthew 22:37–39 • Galatians 5:22–23 • Matthew 5:44 • Matthew 9:10–13 • Ephesians 4:26 • Matthew 11:28 • John 14:26–27 • Romans 8:26 • Hosea 6:6 • John 15:5 • Matthew 24:36 • James 1:27 • John 1:5 • Revelation 21:4 • Philippians 1:6instagram.com/growingthrough.pod

Today, Paul M. Neuberger locks in on the family. God's first institution. The frontline in a spiritual war that's raging in homes, schools, boardrooms, and nations. Marriage is under attack. Gender is blurred. Parenthood is undermined. The sanctity of life is questioned. Culture calls it progress; Scripture calls it rebellion.Leaders, parents, executives, your role isn't to blend in. It's to stand up. That stance will cost you, criticism, isolation, pressure to compromise. But hear this: Jesus is still Lord. The Word is still truth. Courage is not optional; it's essential.What will you do when your moment arrives? Will you retreat… or rise?Buckle up. This episode is raw, real, and rooted in truth."For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." –Ephesians 6:12Episode Highlights02:07 – This episode exists because something foundational is under direct, sustained, and strategic attack, and too many Christians are either asleep, distracted, or afraid to say so out loud. The family unit is under assault, not accidentally, not gradually not unintentionally. What God established as his first institution is now the primary battleground in a much larger spiritual war.09:19 – From the beginning, his strategy has been to undermine trust in God's word and replace it with self-defined truth. Scripture tells us this in Genesis chapter 3, verse 1: Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, did God really say— that question still echoes today. Did God really mean marriage to be permanent? Did God really define male and female? Did God really assign parents primary authority over children? Did God really intend life to be protected at every stage? The goal isn't immediate rebellion, but gradual doubt.51:00 – It was designed to remind us of something foundational: God's design for the family isn't outdated, fragile, or negotiable. It's essential. The family is where faith is first modeled, where truth is first taught, and where identity is first formed.Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite

The Agony of Separation: The Price He Paid MESSAGE SUMMARY: In today's message, we're reminded of the profound truth that Jesus is the answer to the deepest struggles of humanity. We're called to open our eyes to the suffering around us - broken relationships, addictions, financial burdens, and physical ailments. This reflection challenges us to see beyond our own circumstances and recognize the pain in others. The central theme echoes Christ's compassion and His desire for a relationship with each of us. As His body, the church, we're entrusted with the responsibility to extend His love to those in need. This message invites us to consider: How can we be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world crying out for hope and healing?   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Insensitivity. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Gentleness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):  John 14:6; Acts 4:12: Matthew 9:36; Colossians 3:12; Isaiah 53:5; James 5:16; Revelation 3:20; John 15:5; 1 Corinthians 3:20; Ephesians 4:11-12 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Essentials Part 5 – The Holy Spirit” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Pastor Steve teaches out of God's Word in Ephesians 5.Listen to CORE TRUTH RADIO every weekday at 5:30pm on KKLA 99.5 FM!

It is important for the people of God to not only be born again but to continue in His Word! It is not enough for us to be baptized and even receive the Spirit of God if we do not continue to learn of Him and what His will is. In this week's study, we discuss the importance of having the Word of God.  Focus: John 7:38  All Verses Covered: John 7:37-39, Ephesians 6:17, Matthew 22:29, 2 Timothy 3:1-5  Original Air Date: February 26, 2026  We have bible studies via Zoom every Monday at 7 pm Central Standard Time. Here is the meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86546164133?pwd=R3IwVTdJN3E1Wm1kU2JNOU1ZZlVJdz09  Access all of our messages: https://www.jmsbible.com/messages  Got a topic you want us to cover in our Facebook live streams? Fill out our form here: https://www.jmsbible.com/requests. We go live every Thursday evening at 6:30 pm central time. Join us LIVE on our Facebook page to ask questions and get live answers! Even if you disagree with something we say, mention it to us so we can see what the scriptures say!  If you have any questions about a specific scripture or topic and would like for us to discuss it on our Facebook live streams, please contact us at https://www.jmsbible.com/contact. We are open to any and all questions or concerns.  If you would like to donate, our CashApp tag is $JoyStorm12. Thank you for all of your support!  Joy in the Midst of the Storm Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JMSBible/

In a world where social media outrage and political divides are fracturing families and friendships, Christian women often find themselves heartbroken and exhausted—walking on eggshells at family gatherings, losing loved ones to heated text threads, or feeling torn between biblical truth and grace-filled love. If you're tired of ideological loyalty replacing Christ-centered relationships, this episode of Faith Fueled Living is your grounding guide to discernment and restoration.Host Kristin Fitch dives deep into why external influences like media echo chambers and emotional reactions are quietly eroding Christian community and family bonds. Drawing from Scripture, she unpacks God's blueprint for unity (John 17:21), loving your neighbor amid disagreement (Mark 12:31), and standing firm in truth without sacrificing compassion (Ephesians 4:15). Discover practical steps to slow down before reacting, rebuild peace in strained relationships, and reclaim your identity in Christ over party lines or viewpoints.Whether you're navigating political family division, faith-based friendship fallout, or the tension of differing beliefs, learn how to respond with wisdom, humility, and self-control. It's possible to hold unshakeable convictions while protecting sacred connections—turning division into deeper unity.Key Takeaways:Family division thrives when identity shifts from Christ to ideology—reanchor in Him for lasting peace.Media-fueled emotions often override biblical discernment; pause, pray, and listen first.True Christian unity means grace-filled disagreement, not forced agreement on every issue.Protecting relationships is a spiritual discipline: prioritize love as the greatest commandment.Restore harmony through humility, active listening, and Spirit-led conversations.If you're a faith-filled woman seeking hope amid relational rifts, hit play now for actionable insights that fuel your walk with Jesus. Subscribe to Faith Fueled Living for more episodes on biblical living, women's faith journeys, and overcoming division with grace. Download today and step into discernment-driven love!Christian response to political division, Family conflict and faith, How to handle political disagreements as a Christian, Biblical unity in divided times, Christian women and family conflict, Restoring broken relationships biblically, Christian discernment in difficult times, Faith and politics balance, Loving your neighbor when you disagree, Overcoming division in Christian families, Grace in conflict, Biblical peacemaking, Christian approach to social issues, Standing firm in truth with love

When authority wobbles, everyone feels it.In this episode of Mark & Pete, we examine the troubling case of a teacher reported to have been under the influence of alcohol while teaching — slurred speech, disorder in the classroom, and a profession once synonymous with stability suddenly looking fragile.This is not a tabloid pile-on. It's a deeper conversation about professionalism, standards, burnout, and what happens when the adults in the room are no longer steady.Teaching in the UK has become increasingly pressured: behaviour challenges, retention crises, administrative overload, safeguarding responsibilities, and public scrutiny. When a teacher crosses the line into intoxication while on duty, it raises uncomfortable but necessary questions. Is this personal moral failure? A symptom of systemic strain? Or part of a wider cultural erosion of self-control and accountability?We discuss:Teacher conduct and the Teaching Regulation AgencyProfessional standards in UK schoolsBurnout and alcohol misuse trendsClassroom authority and behavioural collapseThe difference between compassion and lowered expectationsFrom a Christian perspective, we explore Ephesians 5:18 — “Do not be drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit.” Sobriety is not merely a private virtue; it is a public responsibility when others depend on your clarity.There is room for mercy. There must be support for those struggling. But standards matter. Authority matters. Children need grown-ups who are present, clear-minded, and trustworthy.Expect calm commentary, cultural analysis, original poetry from Mark, and a steady biblical reflection from Pete.Because someone is always learning from the example set at the front of the room.Faith. Culture. Calm commentary.#MarkAndPete #EducationCrisis #TeacherStandards #UKSchools #ProfessionalConduct #ChristianPerspective

Join us as Robert Hernandez teaches through Ephesians 5! Click Here for February's SOAP scripture reading plan! For more information about Fusion Church, visit us on the web or follow us on social media here!

Kindness is always _________________. [Ephesians 4:29-32] Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. [30] And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. [32] Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. God wants us to show kindness even when we are _________________. [Proverbs 15:1 CEV] A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up. We should not allow unattractive _________________ into our life. [Colossians 3:12-13] Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. The _____________ _____________ wants to use you to show kindness. [Zechariah 7:9-10] “This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. [10] Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other. God _________________ us to be kind to others. [Romans 2:4] Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? God wants _________________ acts of kindness, not _________________ acts of kindness. [Proverbs 19:17 CSB] Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and he will give a reward to the lender.

Send a textThis episode reflects on the State of the Union as a picture of our culture's team-based identity and challenges Christians to examine where their ultimate allegiance lies. Looking at Joshua 5 and Ephesians 1, we're reminded that Jesus does not come to endorse our side—He reigns as Lord over all. As citizens of heaven living in exile, we are called to love our country, pray for our leaders, and seek its good without confusing national loyalty with Kingdom loyalty. The gospel frees us from partisan tribalism and calls us to stand for truth, love our enemies, and submit fully to Christ. Because one day, the only standing that will matter is before the throne of the Lamb.

Life comes with three certainties - pain, uncertainty, and constant work. So how do we live with peace, purpose, and freedom in the middle of it all?  Pastor Ben Young opens Ephesians 4 and gives us a practical path forward: renew your mind, release bitterness, and walk in kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. 

A Frank Sinatra hit song, a COVID-era mask callback, and a brutally smelly airplane converge into one uncomfortable truth: spiritual independence sounds great…until it doesn't. The guys center on John 15 and the difference between staying connected to the source of life and slowly drifting into spiritual decay. Along the way, they land on two words they argue may be the most important in all of Scripture and figure out how to become best friends with Jesus. In this episode: Matthew 28, verses 18–20; Acts 17, verses 24–28; John 15, verses 1–17; 2 Corinthians 2, verses 14–16; Ephesians 1, verses 4–10; 1 John 2, verse 6; Hebrews 2, verses 5–9; Hebrews 12, verses 26–28; Psalm 8, verses 3–6 “Unashamed” Episode 1278 is sponsored by: https://timtebow.com/tree-unashamed — Get your copy of If the Tree Could Speak on Amazon today! https://cozyearth.com/unashamed — Get up to 20% off when you use our link or code UNASHAMED! https://preborn.com/unashamed — Visit the PreBorn! website or dial #250 and use keyword BABY to donate today. http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://open.spotify.com/show/3LY8eJ4ZBZHmsImGoDNK2l Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters:  00:00 Zach's Mysterious Absence 04:32 Entering the “North Carolina Research Triangle” 12:18 Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra & “I Did It My Way” 16:48 The Brick Capital of the World 24:42 What Does It Really Mean to Abide? 29:36 The Vine, the Branches & the Source 38:10 The Airplane Smell Story 43:18 The Two Most Important Words 47:26 A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken 51:38 Jesus Calls Us Friends — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Creativity is a gift from God—but for many of us, it has been wounded. A harsh comment from a teacher. A dismissive word from someone we trusted. A comparison that made us feel small. Over time, criticism can silence what once felt joyful and free. Today’s devotional reminds us of a powerful truth from Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork.” The word handiwork implies intentional design. It means you were crafted with care. And because you were created by a creative God, His image in you includes the ability to create. When others criticized your work, they were speaking from human limitation—not divine authority. God never ridicules the sincere offering of your gifts. He delights in the heart behind what you create. Creativity isn’t only about talent or technical skill. It’s about reflecting the beauty, order, and imagination of our Creator. Whether through art, music, writing, cooking, building, designing, or problem-solving, creativity can glorify God and bless others. If your creativity feels buried, it may not be gone—it may simply need healing. The Lord can restore what discouragement tried to steal. He can renew confidence where shame once grew. And He can give you the courage to begin again. Your creative expression does not have to be perfect to be pleasing. It simply needs to be surrendered. Main Takeaways Criticism can wound creativity, but it does not erase God’s design. You are God’s handiwork, intentionally created with purpose. Creativity reflects the image of our Creator. God delights in sincere offerings, not perfection. The Lord can restore confidence and joy in creative expression. Today’s Bible Verse “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:10 Your Daily Prayer Prayer excerpt for listeners: “Heal the wounds that keep me from trying and restore the creativity You placed within me.” Listen to the full prayer here. To view the prayer in written format, visit the links below. Want More? Relevant Links & Resources Find more encouragement and daily devotionals: LifeAudio.com – Christian podcasts and devotional resources Crosswalk.com – Faith-based articles, prayers, and Bible study tools This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.orgTrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We continue our study in Ephesians 5:15–16 examining the "ways of the wise." Contrasted with the "fool" and "unwise," Paul exhorts us to live in wisdom. In this study, Nathan talks about what Scripture says about wisdom, how we can continually live in wisdom, and how that practically changes our spiritual lives day-to-day.------------» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/

Many believers want to follow Jesus deeply but when it comes to church, they often feel hesitant, disconnected, or overwhelmed. Where do you even start? And does involvement really matter? In this episode, we explore why the local church isn't just another obligation to manage but the primary place God designed for spiritual formation. We grow through accountability, shared life, and serving one another as the body of Christ. God has intentionally gifted every believer to strengthen and build up the church (Ephesians 4; Colossians 3). That means you have a meaningful role to play—not someday, but now. Tune in to discover how to recognize and develop your spiritual gifts and take one simple step toward allowing God to use you to bless others and experience deeper belonging in His church.   Helpful resources: Lina Abujamra's new book All Your Life Quiz to find out your Spiritual gifts Watch the conversation on YouTube here  

The Rise of Replacement Theology and Anti-Jewish Propaganda | KWR-0057 Kingdom War Room Episode Description In this Kingdom War Room roundtable, Dr. Michael Lake is joined by Dr. Mike Spaulding, Dr. Corby Shuey, and Dr. Justin Elwell for a sober, Scripture-centered discussion on replacement theology (supersessionism)—its historical roots, its modern resurgence, and why it fuels dangerous anti-Israel rhetoric in our day. We address: how supersessionism was codified historically and how it continues to shape today's conversations why God's covenants (especially the Abrahamic) are foundational to understanding the entire Bible the warning of Romans 11 and the inconsistency of claiming "Israel is replaced" while still appealing to Israel in end-times frameworks why "unhitching" from the Old Testament throws away the very definitions that make the New Testament intelligible the difference between critiquing a government's policies and condemning an entire people why the remnant must return to the Word of God—with God's definitions—if we're going to stand faithfully in the days ahead

Ephesians 1:15-23 (NKJV)Andrew and Edwin discuss the hope which keeps us hanging on no matter what.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=24639The 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/ 

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Jase repents to Tim Tebow after admitting he sorely misjudged him when they first met, assuming his bold faith was an act. Tim opens up about fatherhood, marriage, and the conviction that sparked Tim's new book — imagining the crucifixion from the perspective of the tree that held Jesus. The guys wrestle with a piercing question: when we stay silent about Christ, is it because we don't really believe the gospel or because we don't love people enough? Check out Tim's poignant new book here: https://www.amazon.com/If-Tree-Could-Speak-Story/dp/1400256399 In this episode: Luke 19, verse 40; Ephesians 2, verses 8–9; Ephesians 2, verse 10 “Unashamed” Episode 1275 is sponsored by: https://stopboxusa.com — Get 10% off at StopBox when you use code UNASHAMED at checkout.  https://texassuperfood.com — Get 35% off your first order when you use code Unashamed. https://meetfabric.com/unashamed — Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Chapters: 00:00 Ice Storm Aftermath & Jase's Injury 06:25 Special Guest Tim Tebow  09:40 Rivalry & Repentance 13:05 Marriage, Fatherhood & Responsibility 18:30 The Sermon That Sparked the Book 24:10 If the Tree Could Speak Explained 36:20 From Shame to Throne: The Cross Reframed 42:10 Parenting, Legacy & Teaching the Cruciform Life 48:05 Final Thoughts & Where to Find the Book — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices