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October 23 · 32 min
March or Die - “You Can Be a Good Man Without God” | Coach Chris Hogan on Atomic Masculinity
“I want to say this, and this may bother some Christians. I think you can be a good man without being a believer. What I don’t think is you can explain why you’re doing it.” Coach Chris Hogan spent more than 20 years building young men through high school football, winning national championships along the way. Now he’s doing it full time through Atomic Masculinity, a men’s organization turned online community that he calls a call to arms for Christian men. In this conversation with Jeremy Stalnecker, Chris explains why he named it “atomic” as a direct jab at toxic masculinity, why the lone wolf doesn’t last the winter, and why the men he worries about most are the ones who are isolated and off mission. He walks through the four pillars his entire system is built on, God, yourself, your family, and your service, and makes the case that making yourself your number one project is the least selfish thing you can do. Because when you don’t, your wife and kids get a second rate version of you. He also gets into what accountability actually is, how it differs from mentorship, and the three things he would tell any man who wants to change but has no idea where to start. CONNECT WITH CHRIS HOGAN Atomic Masculinity and the Atomic Briefing newsletter: https://atomicmasculinity.com Booking and speaking: https://coachchrishogan.com Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die: https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy: https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean: https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 23 · 29 min
Hope For The Journey with Monica Schmelter - The Pain You've Buried May Get Louder After 40 But It's Not too Late to Heal S5E4
What if the struggle you’ve been fighting isn’t just about food, your weight, or your habits—but something deeper that needs healing? For many women over 40, the things they’ve pushed down for years start to surface, and the weight they’ve been carrying begins to feel heavier. Maybe you’ve tried every diet, promised yourself you’d do better, or wondered why you keep falling back into the same patterns. What if the question isn’t “What’s wrong with me?” but “What happened to me?” In this episode of Hope for the Journey, Monica Schmelter sits down with Diana LaCerte, host and executive producer of SoulFit, TV, trauma-informed coach, author, and speaker, to talk about the deeper story behind emotional eating, body image struggles, and the habits that keep so many women feeling stuck. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience helping women find lasting transformation, Diana introduces the idea of the “weight beneath the weight”—the emotional, spiritual, and relational burdens that can show up in our physical health and everyday choices. Together, Monica and Diana explore why stress can send us reaching for comfort food, how perimenopause and menopause can change the way we cope, and why old wounds and childhood experiences sometimes show up in unexpected ways during midlife. They also talk about perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the exhausting cycle of trying harder while wondering why lasting change feels so difficult. But this conversation isn’t about shame, blame, or one more thing you need to fix about yourself. It’s about giving yourself grace, inviting God into the places that still hurt, and discovering that healing is possible—even when the journey takes time. Diana also shares why community matters, how to recognize the lies we’ve believed about ourselves, and what it looks like to begin speaking life over our bodies and our stories. If you’ve ever felt frustrated with yourself, wondered why you keep returning to old habits, or sensed that there’s something deeper beneath the struggle, this conversation is for you. You don’t have to stay stuck in old patterns. God can meet you in the deeper places and lead you toward healing, freedom, and a healthier relationship with yourself. In This Episode, You’ll Discover Why the real struggle may be deeper than what you see on the scale. What Diana means by the “weight beneath the weight.” Why stress sends us looking for comfort—and why willpower alone doesn’t always work. How hormones, menopause, and life transitions can affect our emotions and coping habits. How childhood wounds can show up as perfectionism, people-pleasing, and all-or-nothing thinking. Why asking “What happened to me?” can open the door to compassion and healing. How faith, community, and honest conversations help us move beyond isolation. Practical ways to challenge harmful beliefs, speak life over your body, and invite God into the healing process. “What’s wrong with me?” is often better answered by “What happened?” “This time, don’t bypass your heart.” “There is tremendous healing and tremendous freedom in our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.” Take the Next Step Ask Yourself - Body Map Gift from DianaWhat if you stopped beating yourself up for the struggle and started getting curious about the story beneath it? You are not beyond hope, and you don't have to figure it all out on your own. Invite God into the deeper places, give yourself grace for the journey, and remember that healing can begin one honest step at a time. Resources: Diana La
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October 23 · 40 min
Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager - Can Another Person Make You Happy? | Happiness Hour
Can another person make you happy? On this episode of the Happiness Hour, Dennis Prager explores the relationship between happiness and the people in our lives. He argues that while others can make us unhappy, they cannot make us happy. True happiness begins with us. However, when we are already happy, the people around us can add to that happiness. Dennis explains why we cannot depend on a spouse, friend, or family member to make us happy, and why entering a marriage in the hope that it will solve our unhappiness is a mistake. Through conversations with callers, Dennis explores the connection between happiness, goodness, and personal responsibility. He discusses the role of therapy in helping people find their own happiness, why he believes good people tend to be happier than bad people, and how we can respond when the actions of others cause us pain. The discussion offers a practical look at what happiness requires and how we can contribute to the happiness of those around us. Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timeless-wisdom-with-dennis-prager/id1517302239 Follow us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4SZEYeH4tuLr2FvG4ok1rl Learn more about Dennis Prager: https://pragertopia.com/ Follow Dennis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DennisPrager Follow Dennis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedennisprager/ Follow Dennis on X: https://x.com/DennisPrager Learn more about the Salem Podcast Network: https://salempodcastnetwork.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 23 · 7 min
Your Daily Bible Verse - How God Redeems the Pain of Rejection (Judges 11:7)
Today's Bible Verse: "Jephthah said to them, 'Didn't you hate me and drive me from my father's house? Why do you come to me now, when you're in trouble?'" — Judges 11:7 How do you move forward when rejection leaves you feeling unwanted or forgotten? Judges 11:7 reveals the pain Jephthah experienced after his family rejected him and drove him away. Yet the same people who had pushed him out eventually came to him for help when they faced trouble. His story reminds us that rejection does not have to define our future or determine our worth. Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker and multi-published author who regularly writes for Love Inspired publishers (fiction), Guideposts (devotions), and numerous Salem owned websites. She creates video devotions for Crosswalk Plus subscribers designed to help people break free from shame, experience increased peace amid anxiety-producing circumstances, and deepen their relational connection with the Lord. She hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and each Friday on the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. When not creating content, you'll likely find her reading, doing something outdoors, or spending time with her favorite people, including her husband of 30+ years and adorable fur baby, Bean, a silly, snuggly and slightly stubborn mini-golden doodle. Find out more at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and sign up for her free, resource-packed and biblically anchored newsletter HERE. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 23 · 8 min
Your Nightly Scripture - Choosing God’s Will over Comfort (1 Peter 4)
Evening Scripture 1 Peter, Chapter 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do — living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Evening Reflection Everyday life presents us with myriads of choices. Some of these choices may seem easy to make. What will I wear today? What will I have for breakfast? Which item will I tackle first from my to-do list? These choices can be easy to make because, ultimately, they have little impact on the grand arc of our lives. After all, if I have scrambled eggs in the morning instead of pancakes, my day doesn’t change all that much. But then there are the choices that come upon us that have an impact on the deep things of life; they pertain to the very way that we live our lives, and our faith. Will we search after the things of God? Or will we chase after our own delights and comforts? The world around us likes to tell us that comfort is king – and that the things we find pleasing, no matter what they are, are worthy of pursuit. But Scripture reminds us of the destructiveness of such living. 1 Peter 4 speaks about orgies, drunkenness, debauchery, and lust. Now, we may not find those things as prevalent in our lives, but underneath these things is a life that pursues personal pleasure and comfort beyond all else. And that is not how we are to live as followers of Jesus. As disciples, we are to choose to direct our life toward God’s will and purpose for our lives. We are to live in a way that is attentive to his life, and respons
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October 23 · 6 min
Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christian... - Praying for Those Fighting Cancer
A cancer patient is considered a survivor from the moment of diagnosis, continuing for the rest of their life. For a two-time cancer survivor, that definition carries weight that only experience can give it. And one of the things that experience also teaches is this: the patient is never the only one fighting. During the first cancer journey, a husband became a primary caregiver while also working full-time and pastoring a church. Family cooked meals and stayed close. Everyone, at various points, felt exhausted and overwhelmed. What carried them through was the faithful, consistent prayer of friends and church members who refused to stop interceding. That prayer covering made the difference when cancer came a second time and another battle began. So many people have been touched by this disease, either personally or through someone they love. And Psalm 41:3 speaks directly into that reality with a promise worth holding: the Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. Not a vague comfort but a specific declaration about where God positions Himself when His people are sick and suffering. The verses that precede it extend that promise further. God’s blessing and favor rest on those who show kindness to the weak, those who step in and carry the load alongside someone who is fighting. The caregivers, the friends who show up, the family members who cook the meals and make the appointments and stay through the treatments, they are fighting too. And they need prayer covering every bit as much as the patient does. Tonight, wherever cancer has touched your life or the lives of people you love, bring them before God. Name them. Hold them in prayer. And remember that the battle, as overwhelming as it feels, ultimately belongs to God. He sustains. He restores. And He never leaves the sickbed unattended. Ponder Tonight Cancer affects not just the physical body but the emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of a person’s life. Prayer that covers all of those dimensions is one of the most complete and powerful forms of support available to those in the fight. The caregivers, family members, and friends who walk alongside a cancer patient are fighting their own version of the battle. They need prayer, rest, and community just as genuinely as the patient does. Psalm 41:1-2 extends God’s blessing specifically to those who show kindness to the weak. Stepping up to help someone who cannot care for themselves is not just a practical act. It is a spiritually significant one that God honors. The battle belongs to God. That is not a platitude for those who are exhausted and afraid. It is one of the most sustaining truths available when the fight feels like too much to bear alone. Tonight’s Scripture “The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” — Psalm 41:3, NIV “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” — 2 Chronicles 20:15, NIV Your Evening Prayer Father, Thank You for being with those who are fighting cancer. Tonight we lift up every patient and ask for healing and restoration in their bodies. Give them peace for the journey ahead when anxiety threatens. Guide them through difficult decisions. Send the right people to encourage and support them. We also pray for the caregivers, the family members, the friends who are fighting alongside. Give them good rest and the energy to meet the challenges ahead. On the days when everyone becomes weary from the fight, remind survivors and caregivers alike that the battle is not theirs but Yours.
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October 23 · 9 min
Everyday Prayers with Million Praying Moms - Why We Pray: We Believe Praying Scripture for our Children is Powerful
"Praying Scripture over our family is a partnership for the hearts of our children that God invites us into." In today's episode, Nicolet Bell shares what changed when she added God's Word to her everyday prayers, and why you can pray with confidence. LINKS: Freebie: Drive Time Conversations Fruit of the Spirit Download How to Pray God's Word for Your Children Follow Everyday Prayers @millionprayingmoms Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! Support the ministry with your $5 monthly gift through Patreon. Why We Pray: We Believe Praying Scripture for our Children is Powerful by Nicolet Bell Reference: Hebrews 4:12 Prayer: Father, give me confidence that Your Word is living and active, taking form and shape to help my children be more like You. Don't forget order Nicolet Bell's new devotional, https://a.co/d/06GRMj33. Discover more Christian podcasts at https://lifeaudio.com/ and inquire about advertising opportunities at https://lifeaudio.com/contact-us. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 23 · 8 min
The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Chris... - Encountering the God Able to Calm Our Fiercest Storms
God doesn’t always provide immediate relief, but His presence and power remain constant even when life feels out of control. When you’re facing uncertainty, remembering how God has carried you through past hardships can strengthen your faith and help you trust Him with today’s struggles. Rather than focusing only on when your circumstances will change, you can grow closer to Jesus by learning who He is and relying on His strength. Discover how to find peace amid anxiety, trust God when answers seem delayed, and build a resilient faith that holds firm through life’s fiercest storms. Highlights What Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:41 teaches us about His power and authority Why God doesn’t always provide immediate relief when we face fear, anxiety, and difficult circumstances How life’s storms can reveal doubts and strengthen our understanding of who Jesus truly is Why remembering God’s faithfulness in past struggles can help you trust Him through present challenges How to rely on Christ for lasting peace instead of depending only on changes in your circumstances Why God can use difficult seasons to deepen your faith, develop perseverance, and strengthen your spiritual foundation Practical ways to turn to Jesus in moments of fear and find comfort in His unchanging character and presence Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Encountering the God Able to Calm Our Fiercest Storms By: Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading: They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” - Mark 4:41 Often, when difficulties hit, I want immediate rescue. In the past, when God didn’t respond as I’d hoped, I tended to feel frustrated or abandoned. At times, I even accused Him of ignoring me when I most needed Him. Yet, looking back on our history, I’m able to see how often He used my most challenging circumstances for my good: to liberate me from a harmful behavior, heal a wound, or deepen my faith. While I occasionally still slip into old, panicked respo
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October 23 · 3 min
Chapter-A-Day Audio Bible - Isaiah 35
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 23 · 6 min
Your Daily Prayer - A Prayer to Rediscover Purpose in Life
Mary Oliver’s question cuts through the noise of ordinary days with surprising force: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” It is the kind of question that either energizes or unsettles us, depending on the season we are in. And in seasons of heartache, loss, and hardship, it can feel almost cruel — because the blur of suffering makes it hard to believe that our lives matter at all, let alone that we are capable of acting as agents of meaningful change. Ecclesiastes begins in exactly that territory. Wisdom, pleasure, and work are all described as chasing the wind. The wise and the fool, the rich and the poor, will all die with the same fate. From a purely natural standpoint, everything ends — so what does any of it matter? But Ecclesiastes does not leave us there. Solomon turns our attention to God, and the conclusion is not nihilism but worship: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. With God, nothing is meaningless. The diligent work on a worthy task, the pursuit of godly wisdom, the choice to act justly — all of it is seen and known by the God who will bring every deed into judgment. And the longing to matter is not a symptom of existential crisis. It is built in. We were made to know God and glorify Him, and Scripture tells us that He prepared good works for us to do before we were even born. We are His masterpieces. That truth does not exempt us from suffering or confusion, but it does mean that what we do with the life He has given us means far more than we imagine. Bible Verse “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” — Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NIV Ponder Today The longing to matter is not meaningless — it is built in. Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us God has set eternity in the human heart. The ache for significance is not an existential crisis to be managed. It is a design feature pointing us toward the God who gives our lives their true meaning. With God, nothing is meaningless — not even the small, mundane tasks no one notices. Ecclesiastes reorients us from the visible and celebrated to the God who sees every deed, including every hidden thing. What we do in His strength and for His glory matters, whether or not anyone else is watching. Seasons of suffering have a way of making meaning feel inaccessible. The blur of loss and hardship can strip our sense of purpose and leave us going through the motions. That is exactly when Ecclesiastes’ conclusion is most necessary to return to: God is the reason we are alive. We are God’s masterpieces, created for good works He prepared in advance. Ephesians 2:10 places our purpose not in our own ambitions or visible achievements, but in the specific, God-prepared works that only we — placed in this time and this place — can do. What we do with the life God has given us means more than we imagine. Mary Oliver’s question is not just poetic. It is theological. The answer we live out, day by day, in faithfulness and in trust, matters eternally. A Prayer for You Today Lord, these days I often feel untethered from anything greater. I go through the motions of routine and necessity, but something inside me yearns to know that what I do has meaning. Guide my steps as I begin to walk with renewed purpose today. I do not know what the future holds or what obstacles I may face, but I trust that You will be with me. What I do for Your glory and in Your strength matters, even the small and mundane tasks no one notices. Focus my eyes on eternity so that as I m
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October 23 · 4 min
Daily Devotions with Pastor John - Hold it up to the light of the Gospel
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 22 · 13 min
The Bible Study Podcast - #994 - Exodus 38-39 – The Priestly Garments
This episode is part 23 in a study of the book of Exodus. The craftsmen build the alter, courtyard, priestly garments and the other things they will need for worship. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 22 · 35 min
Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Ben... - How to Step Boldly into the Ministry God Created You For
Episode Summary: Have you ever felt a stirring in your heart that God created you for something more, yet you weren’t sure how to take the next step? Many of us wrestle with doubt, fear, or the belief that our dreams are too small—or too big—for God to use. My guest today, Linette Rainville, knows what it’s like to start small but dream big. In her new book, Start Little, Dream Big: Grow the Ministry You Were Born to Build, Linette shares how God takes ordinary obedience and multiplies it into extraordinary kingdom impact. If you’ve ever longed to step into your calling, this conversation will encourage you to move forward with faith. Today we’re going to talk about How to Step Boldly into the Ministry God Created You For. Quotables from the episode: You have something the world needs. This gift that you're holding wasn't just meant for you. It was meant for the world. God wants you to step out boldly because it's not about you. There's no need to compare because God has assigned someone to you We cannot compare because God has an avenue, whether you're a big ministry, small ministry, big megachurch, small church, it all matters in the kingdom. Don't wait until you get to your destination to be fulfilled. You need to be fulfilled in each step of the journey, each season. We are only obliged to do the very next thing God’s called us to do. It's not that you can't do it. It's just that you haven't been shown a roadmap. When it feels slow or the growth feels invisible, friend, I just want you to remember God is still working even when we don't see it. When it feels slow or the growth feels invisible, friend, I just want you to remember God is still working even when we don't see it. You have all the raw material you need to step forth boldly with courage and confidence. Scripture References: Matthew 13:31-32 NIV “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Philippians 2:13 “…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Recommended Resources: Start Little, Dream Big: Grow the Ministry You Were Born to Build by Linette Rainville Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar:
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October 22 · 36 min
I Wish You Could Hear This - 6 Steps to Better Your Marriage (Part 1) - Episode 52
Summary Most of us can probably think of something we'd like to change in our marriage. Maybe we keep having the same argument, feel disconnected after years of focusing on work or the kids, or simply wish we had more fun together. But what if making our marriages better doesn't have to be as complicated as we sometimes think? In this episode, Shaunti and Jeff share the first three of six practical steps they've discovered through their research on highly happy marriages. They explore why we need to learn from couples who are doing marriage well, how small habits practiced consistently can make a surprisingly big difference, and why giving ourselves and our spouses grace is so important as we learn and grow. Along the way, they share fascinating findings about the power of verbal affirmation, why celebrating small wins matters, and how a simple shift in the way we view our marriage can change the way we approach challenges. The encouraging news? You don't have to overhaul your entire marriage overnight. Sometimes the biggest changes begin with one small thing you choose to do differently today—and then keep doing tomorrow. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Small Changes That Can Improve Your Marriage 01:30 Step 1: Learn From Marriage Role Models 04:44 What Shaunti and Jeff Discovered Studying Happy Couples 06:55 The Surprising Power of Saying "Thank You" 09:24 Why We Need Real-Life Marriage Mentors 13:16 Step 2: Practice Small Habits Consistently 15:06 Why Little Things Matter More Than Grand Gestures 16:57 How Consistency Creates Lasting Change 19:22 The Power of Small Wins 21:52 Noticing and Affirming Your Spouse's Efforts 23:47 Step 3: Give Yourself and Your Spouse Grace 27:28 How Small Habits Can Change the Way You See Yourself 29:33 Shifting From an "Eject Button" to a Lifelong Mindset 32:36 Why Happy Couples Learn to Let Things Go 33:31 The Biggest Takeaway: Start With One Small Thing Resources The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages by Shaunti Feldhahn For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn For Men Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn Invite Shaunti to Speak Would you like to explore having Shaunti speak at your next event? Whether you're planning a marriage event, women's gathering, retreat, or conference, we'd love to connect! Email speaking@shaunti.com or visit shaunti.com/speaking to learn more. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 22 · 1 hr 11 min
Thinking Christian with Drs. James Spencer and Ash... - Michael Rhodes on What the Bible Says About Politics | #12
Michael Rhodes — lecturer in Old Testament at Carey Baptist College in New Zealand, former pastor, and author of Practicing the King's Economy and Just Discipleship — returns to discuss his new book, Reimagining Biblical Politics: What Scripture Says About Public Life and Why It Matters. Rhodes wrote the book deliberately without addressing contemporary American political issues, hoping to give a partisan-divided church something it could use together. His argument is that Scripture speaks about politics constantly, and in many voices: John says get out of Babylon, Jeremiah says seek its welfare, Paul says submit and also flees a trial he considers unjust, and the Hebrew midwives lie to Pharaoh and are blessed for it. Underneath the diversity, one claim holds everything together — the Lord reigns. He distinguishes outpost politics, the public life of a people living under God's reign, from pilgrim politics, how that people engages nations that don't recognize it. Both are political; only one usually gets called that. The conversation turns to why churches gather less diversity than their neighborhoods, what Rhodes learned from a conversation after Trayvon Martin's death, and why Daniel worked for Nebuchadnezzar and criticized him anyway. Go deeper: Christians & Politics Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers. Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction. Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.org About James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/james The Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/framework Order Digital Discernment: amazon.com Advertising and partnership inquiries: info@thinkingchristian.org Find more from Michael at https://michaeljrhodes.substack.com Chapters: 00:00 The book, the podcast, the Substack 02:12 A choir of political voices 06:25 Faithful action that doesn't look alike 09:38 Outpost politics and pilgrim politics 14:04 Why blurred lines are a gift 18:34 What Scripture demands and what it leaves open 22:33 Rounding up at the checkout 25:07 Where local political action actually happens 29:09 Is justice the church's job or the state's? 32:33 The house church in China 34:19 The lines churches inherit 38:13 Who arranges the chairs 42:00 Same footage, different verdict 46:13 Who sets the table 51:30 Daniel worked for Nebuchadnezzar and criticized him 52:20 Learning to see what you're not seeing 59:49 When presidents quote Scripture about America 1:03:12 Designed poor: a Memphis neighborhood Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 22 · 40 min
Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager - Kidnapped by Terrorists: 1,967 Days in Captivity
Mark Gonsalves spent 1,967 days held hostage in the Colombian jungle after the plane he was traveling in crashed during a counter-narcotics mission. In this interview with Dennis Prager, Gonsalves recounts his capture by FARC guerrillas, the brutal conditions of captivity, and how the group used American hostages as political leverage. He describes the violence and intimidation he witnessed, the ideology used to recruit young guerrillas, and the uncertainty of living for years at the mercy of his captors. Gonsalves also shares how he turned to God as the plane was going down and how faith and hope sustained him through five and a half years in captivity. He recounts the daring Colombian military operation that finally brought his ordeal to an end, along with the emotional reunion with his daughter, who had grown from a child into a teenager while he was gone. His story is one of survival, faith, and perseverance in the face of extraordinary hardship, and a sobering look at the human cost of terrorism. Gonsalves also co-authored Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle, documenting his experience alongside two fellow hostages. Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timeless-wisdom-with-dennis-prager/id1517302239 Follow us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4SZEYeH4tuLr2FvG4ok1rl Learn more about Dennis Prager: https://pragertopia.com/ Follow Dennis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DennisPrager Follow Dennis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedennisprager/ Follow Dennis on X: https://x.com/DennisPrager Learn more about the Salem Podcast Network: https://salempodcastnetwork.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 22 · 22 min
The Bible Explained with Jenn Kokal - 2 Peter 2:1-9 - In a World of Bad Theology, Be Like Lot and Noah
*Quick note: In this episode I accidentally said we were reading 2 Peter 2:1-11, but we're actually reading 2 Peter 2:1-9. Sorry about that! Today, we continue through 2 Peter 2:1-9, where Peter warns that false teachers will come into the church: Sometimes the most dangerous heresy is wrapped in a very pretty Christian bow. Why does a church hierarchy with no accountability set a church up for failure? "It shall not be so among you." Jesus calls church leaders to be servants. "Lord, Lord." Who are Jesus' scary words in Matthew 7 really directed to? Noah and Lot didn't go along with the crowd. How can we be like them? Related Episodes: Acts 20:25-38 (From Christ) - Paul Warns about False Teachers and What to Watch Out For Matthew 7:13-20 (From Christ) - How to Accurately Tell A False Teacher Click all the links for more cool stuff: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle Check out LifeAudio for other faith-based podcasts on parenting, studying Scripture, and more: www.lifeaudio.com Need help memorizing Scripture? Check out Verse in the Chorus: https://www.youtube.com/@VerseintheChrous Become a member to gain access to The Bible Explained on Fridays: https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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October 22 · 7 min
Your Nightly Scripture - Finding Strength When I Feel Weak and Weary (Isaiah 35)
Evening Scripture Isaiah, Chapter 35 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Evening Reflection While there is great joy in following Jesus, following Christ does not exempt us from exhaustion. Walking in righteousness and holiness is difficult, and sometimes it can feel like a constant battle against the culture, Satan, and your own fleshly nature. Sometimes it can exhaust you to the point where you don’t feel like putting on your armor or fighting the good fight of faith. If you are in this place, you are not alone; this can happen to all of us. When faced with being weak and weary, that is the time to recognize that part of your strength comes from your hope in what God has promised to do. In Isaiah 35, we see how his promises work in us. God’s promise becomes the source of strength for those with feeble hands, weak knees, and fearful hearts. By shifting your focus to a God who will come to save and to rescue, your hands become stronger, your knees straighten and your heart becomes courageous. This speaks to the amazing hope that is birthed by holding on to God’s promises. These verses in Isaiah identify three areas you can place your hope. The hope of deliverance that God will come and save you. The hope of restoration, that he will heal and renew what is broken. The hope of everlasting joy, where he replaces yesterday’s sorrows with the joy of his presence. As you consider your journey, just know there will be moments where you feel weak or weary. However, you don’t have to stay in that place. Your hope in God allows you to look beyond what you are experiencing and focus on what God has promised for you ahead. Focusing on your future hope can give you all the strength you need to find strength in your present circumstances. Evening Prayer Lord, I am tired. My strength is weak. I am weary and I feel like I have nothing left to offer. I pray in this moment that you will help me find strength in the truth of your promises, knowing that you will never go back on your word. Let my confidence soar and renew my strength by the hope of your word. Remind me that this season is temporary and that today’s weariness is part of the journey but not the end of the story. Thank you for your promises, whi
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October 22 · 5 min
Your Nightly Prayer: Evening Prayers for Christian... - When Darkness Feels Loud
There are seasons when darkness does not just surround us. It feels like it is inside us. The kind that makes getting out of bed feel like the heaviest task imaginable. The kind that whispers that things will never get better, that the pain is permanent, that the loss is too large to recover from. What that high school heartbreak taught, in ways that took years to fully understand, is that what we most need in those moments is not advice or a solution or someone telling us to look on the bright side. We need someone to sit with us in it. And then, gently, refuse to let us stay there forever. A mother who showed up with an errand and an outfit and the willingness to be present. An hour later, there was laughing in a store and crying at a movie and being held. Not because the pain was gone. Because someone refused to leave her in it alone. John 1:5 does not minimize the darkness. It names it plainly. The darkness is real and present. God knew we would face it. But the verse does not end there. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Has not. Present tense. Active and ongoing. Not someday, not eventually. Right now, in this night, however dark it has grown, the darkness has not overcome the Light. Knowing that does not make hard nights easy. There are still days too heavy to rise from. But the enemy would want nothing more than for us to stay under the covers and give up. The Light within us fights. And it does not lose. If tonight feels dark and the Light feels far away, it is still there. You are not alone in this. The darkness can threaten, but it cannot win. Ponder Tonight John 1:5 does not deny the darkness. It holds the darkness and the light in the same sentence, which is one of the most honest and sustaining things Scripture does for those who are suffering. What we need most in the darkest moments is not solutions but presence. The mother who showed up is a picture of what God offers, someone who sits with us in the pain and also refuses to leave us there permanently. The Light of the world is within every believer, which means even on the nights when God feels nowhere to be found, He is actually closer than the darkness feels. The enemy wants us to stay under the covers and give up. Getting up anyway, even on the heaviest days, is itself an act of resistance and a declaration that the light has not been extinguished. Tonight’s Scripture “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5, NIV Your Evening Prayer Lord Jesus, Right now, we are struggling to see the light. We know You are with us, but You feel nowhere to be found. When we are afraid, help us put our trust in You. The darkness may exist on this side of heaven, but in the end, it does not win. You are our eternal light, and You will fight for us. We love, praise, and thank You, Jesus. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understand
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October 22 · 7 min
Your Daily Bible Verse - It's Not Too Late to Come Home (Luke 15:20)
Today's Bible Verse: "He arose and came to his father, But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, he ran and embraced him and kissed him" — Luke 15:20 Have you ever wondered if you've wandered too far from God to come back? Luke 15:20 reminds us that it's never too late to return to our Heavenly Father. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father doesn't wait for his son to prove himself worthy of forgiveness. Instead, he runs to welcome him home with love and compassion. Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture. UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel ️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Jessica at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Rev. Jessica Van Roekel is a passionate Christian speaker, author, and worship pastor who shares how God brings beauty from brokenness. Her message centers on God’s power to rescue, restore, and renew, even after seasons of rejection or loss. She is the author of Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything, a guide to seeing God’s purpose in life’s disappointments. Jessica and her husband are raising a vibrant family, with two adult daughters, a college-aged son, and a high school daughter. You can explore her teachings, devotionals, and resources at WelcomeGrace.com. Let Scripture shape your heart today—begin with the Bible Verse of the Day on Biblestudytools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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