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When teens push others away, there’s usually more going on beneath the surface than meets the eye. Whether it’s anger, a need for independence or past hurts, these defensive walls can signal a deep need for connection. In today’s show, Mark sits down with two teens from Heartlight who’ve struggled to let their families truly get close to them. For Joey, growing up adopted left a lasting impact on his ability to trust others — even when he longed for close relationships. Both teens are learning what it takes to break down barriers and reconnect. Listen in now!

Interested in learning more about the Heartlight residential program? Go to heartlightministries.org today.

Losing a spouse changes almost everything. Beyond the emotional weight of grief, there are practical responsibilities that can suddenly feel overwhelming. Bills still need to be paid, accounts need attention, and financial decisions that once seemed routine may now feel impossible.

For widows, navigating those responsibilities can be especially difficult when grief affects their ability to think clearly, make decisions, and plan for the future.

Rachel Faulkner Brown understands this firsthand. Widowed twice by the age of 31, she has experienced profound loss, financial mistakes, and unexpected challenges. Today, as the Founder and Executive Director of Never Alone Widows, she helps women find hope, healing, and community after losing a spouse.

Rachel joined the show today to share what those experiences taught her about stewardship, financial vulnerability, and learning to trust God when life feels out of control.

"The day after Blair died, I threw away the Dave Ramsey envelopes."

That striking statement from Rachel's article in Faithful Steward magazine captures how dramatically grief can reshape a person's relationship with money.

Before losing her husband, Rachel had been committed to careful budgeting. At 21, she attended a Dave Ramsey conference, embraced its financial principles, and worked with her husband to manage their resources responsibly. But after his death, something changed.

"I knew that feeding my children was much more important than getting the envelopes right," she explained.

For Rachel, abandoning the envelope system wasn't necessarily about rejecting financial discipline. It was about recognizing that her circumstances had changed and the system she once relied on no longer served her immediate needs.

Grief can force us to reconsider our priorities. And sometimes, wise stewardship means adjusting our financial practices to reflect the realities of a new season.

One of the most important lessons Rachel learned was the value of patience when making major financial decisions after a loss.

She remembers meeting with a financial planner in Atlanta shortly after becoming a widow. Although she felt pressure to make investment decisions, something didn't seem right.

She ultimately chose not to move forward. The year was 2008, just before the financial crisis devastated investment portfolios across the country. Looking back, Rachel is grateful she resisted the pressure to act before she was ready.

Her experience highlights an important principle: Not every financial decision needs to be made immediately.

Grief can affect memory, concentration, and emotional well-being. Decisions that would ordinarily be straightforward may become much more difficult.

Some responsibilities, however, cannot wait. Household bills, insurance matters, and essential account management may require immediate attention. But major investments, significant purchases, and other long-term commitments can often wait until things are clearer.

Patience can be a form of wisdom, especially when circumstances make us vulnerable to pressure or manipulation.

When Blair died unexpectedly, Rachel discovered just how much of their financial life he had managed. She didn't have account passwords or ready access to important financial information. Even gathering the necessary documents felt overwhelming.

Fortunately, two close friends stepped in. They contacted financial institutions, organized investment information, and assembled a notebook containing the details Rach

Cynthia Yanof shares humorous stories about the messy parts of parenting and daily life. Hear her insights into reframing messy experiences as blessings from God. Be inspired and learn about loving others well, even when it’s challenging.

Get "Life is Messy, God is Good" free with your gift.

Praying Scripture Over Your Child’s Life -- Protect your child’s spiritual foundation with this free 7-part series. Jodie Berndt shares Scripture-based prayers to strengthen your child’s faith, help them navigate life’s challenges, and stand firm in their walk with God.

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Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!

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Could the same spirit of prayer and faith that fuels a ministry also speak into the unrest and division shaping our world today? In this episode of The Alex McFarland Show, Alex talks with his wife, Angie, about Jesus and their shared ministry, then turns to the unrest in France, political polarization, and why Christians should pray, engage, and vote in the upcoming midterms. Hear their call for believers to support one another and keep spreading the gospel.

Scripture References:

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Links: 

·      Alex McFarland

·      Ask Alex

·      10 Issues That Divide Christians by Alex McFarland

·      The Assault on America: How to Defend Our Nation Before It's Too Late! by Alex McFarland

·      TheCove.org

·      My Relationship with God Free e-book

·      100 Bible Questions and Answers for Prophecy and End Times by Alex McFarland

·      United in Prayer Devotionals

·      Speaking Calendar

·      Book Alex

·      Give Online

·      Alex McFarland Ministries

P.O. Box 485

Pleasant Garden, NC 27313

1-877-937-4631 (1-877-YES-GOD1)

Keywords/Hashtag:

#TheAlexMcFarlandShow #AlexMcFarlandMinistries #AlexMcFarland #Bible #apologist #Christian #wordofGod #apologetics #religion #prayer #truth #scripture #Jesuslovesyou #Christianity #evangelism #God #Jesus #ChristianWorldview #France #podcastcommunity #pfcaudiovideo

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No matter your circumstances or feelings, one thing never changes: God is with you. Pastor Robert Morgan discovered this through the years he cared for his wife with multiple sclerosis. Join us as Robert draws on that hard-won faith to show us that God is present even in times of transition, loss, or doubt.

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Monday, October 26, 2026

Liberty has chosen some intriguing headlines for the second hour to help us understand the things happening in the world around us and, as believers, how we should relate to them.

Today brings us a plethora of informative interesting topics. Don’t miss even a minute.

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