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Foster parents experience unique circumstances that come with unique emotions, and sometimes it can feel as though no one can relate to their life. Strength and encouragement come from viewing foster care through the lens of the Gospel. This is the message that Jason Johnson, author of Reframing Foster Care, brings. In this interview, he will share stories from his own foster parenting journey, such as the hard decisions and processes that he and his wife have had to go through, including the very real issues that come with relating to the birth parents of the children they are fostering. He will offer support to foster parents, as well as encouragement to those who are considering fostering. Also, he will give practical ways that we can all help, whether we feel called to be involved in foster care or not.

Every kid deserves something to call their own. This suitcase has three things inside: a Bible, a teddy bear, and a handwritten letter to remind a child in foster care how much he/she is loved. When you give, we'll say thanks with a copy of Reframing Foster Care and an audio download of "Foster Care: How Everyone Can Help."

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Some people excel in prayer. They are the SEAL Team Six of intercession. They’d rather pray than sleep. Why is it I sleep when I pray? It’s not that we don’t pray at all; we all pray some. Surveys indicate one in five unbelievers prays daily. Just in case, perhaps?

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he gave them a prayer. A quotable, repeatable, portable prayer. Could you use the same? “Father, You are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Here’s my challenge for you: every day for 4 weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

When you’re a five-year-old girl, going to dark places can be pretty scary. When my wife was that age, she lived in the country and she had this long, often dark road that she walked to get to the school bus. Part of the way, there was a grandma, and then there was a neighbor who watched and waved at her as long as she was in sight. See, it was that last stretch that was the problem. Trees covering that road, making it dark on the sunniest day, and sounds in the woods that reminded her of those wild critters that lived in their area. She told me how she made it down that stretch. She said, “There was one thing that got me through every day. I sang this little song, ‘Jesus loves me, this I know.’”

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “The Dark and Lonely Stretches.”

It was years later and my honey’s beloved grandfather was 94 years old. Little did we know that one particular call to him would be her last. It was brief, but it was memorable. Granddad was at the point where he often didn’t recognize even the people closest to him even though they had a pretty small family. When my wife called, she identified herself, and he responded, “I don’t know who this is.” She again gave her name and reminded him that she was his granddaughter, the daughter of his only son. Just a chuckle on the other end, and Granddad said, “I don’t know who this is.” Then, when she told him she loved him, he seemed a little embarrassed. "Who is this strange woman saying she loves me?"

That’s when my wife said, “Well, Granddad, that’s OK. Because all that matters is that you know that Jesus loves you.” We will never forget his suddenly animated response: “Now Him I know!” Think about it: a scared little girl, walking a stretch she had to walk alone; a grandfather, walking the final stretch of life so many have to walk alone. Each of them, at opposite ends of life, finding their anchor in the very same place—in the same person—in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

He wants to be your anchor for every dark, every lonely stretch you're going to ever walk—including that final stretch. The one the Bible calls “the valley of the shadow of death.” The writer of that 23rd Psalm put it this way, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” One “unloseable” relationship that not even death can interrupt. The one that you were made for that you were never meant to lose.

The Bible says of Jesus that we were all “created by Him and created for Him” (Colossians 1:16). Problem: we haven’t lived for Him. We’ve chosen to usurp the throne of our life, to do what we want, not what God wants. So life is lonely and meaningless because we’re away from the One we were made for. And only the death of the Son of God could pay the penalty for that sin.

And how do you know you can count on Jesus for every stretch of the road? Well, our word for today from the Word of God in Romans 8:39, “Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That’s your ironclad promise from the one who’s never broken a promise.

He’s coming where you are today, offering you this relationship that He actually died to give you. If He wouldn’t turn His back on you when loving you meant dying for you, He will never turn His back on you. But you have to open your life to Him. Trust Him totally. Would you do that today? Tell Him, “Jesus, You’re my only hope. I’m Yours beginning today.” When you do that, that’s how your anchor relationship with Jesus begins.

I want you to be sure beyond any shadow of a doubt that you have got this settled with God once and for all. That's why I’m urging you to go to our website's today. It’s ANewStory.com. There you'll see the information

Recently abortion advocates, like US Senate candidate James Talarico, have made the news attempting to twist scripture in an effort to defend pro-abortion policies. 

What every Christian should know is that the Bible is clear. Abortion is immoral. 

The Bible repeatedly establishes personhood in the womb. 

Hedieh Mirahmadi Falco, founder of Resurrect Ministry, shares her journey from Islam and 20+ years fighting terrorism in the U.S. to finding hope in Jesus Christ. Hear about Iran’s underground revival and be inspired to confidently love and reach others with the Gospel.
Host Barry Meguiar is a car guy and businessman who hosted the popular TV show, Car Crazy, on Discovery Networks for 18 years. He loves cars, but he loves Jesus even more! Learn more about Barry at IgniteAmerica.com
Get your copy of Barry’s book Ignite Your Life: Defeat Fear with Effortless Faith at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and other online booksellers.

Learn more about:
- Why obedience matters when sharing the Gospel
- How we can work God into any conversation
- Why 80% of Americans are looking for God
- When we can use humor to share God’s message
- How the Holy Spirit gives us a voice

Check out Why Share? on IgniteAmerica.com to learn why it is important for every believer to share their faith. Then visit First Steps which provides practical ways to get started in your faith-sharing journey. Sign up to receive emails that will bring you solid faith-sharing tips and powerful inspiration.

00:00 A Daughter's Journey from Depression to Jesus
00:48 Welcome to Ignite and Meeting Hedieh Miramonte
01:52 From Secular Iranian Roots to Islam
03:16 Fighting Terrorism as an FBI Contractor
05:20 Leaving Islam and Finding Christ
06:10 God Reveals Himself to Devout Seekers
07:14 The Underground Revival in Iran
08:57 Understanding Viral Videos of Iranian Worship
11:01 Gen Z Rejecting Emptiness and Finding Truth
13:17 Why 80 Percent of Church Kids Reject God
16:13 Loving Muslims and Seeing Their Hearts
19:55 Closing Thanks and Subscribe Encouragement

Anne shares about praise and the crucifixion from Philippians 4:4.