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Middle schoolers who grunt. Teens glued to screens. You love your kid—but do they feel liked? On Family Life Today, Kathy Koch sits down with Dave Wilson and Ann Wilson to expose performance-driven parenting and show a better way. If you’re tired of comparing, correcting, and panicking about faith, tech, or rebellion—this conversation meets you in the mess and points you toward your child’s heart.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn more about Kathy Koch and her book "Start with the Heart" at celebratekids.com
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You don’t have to look very hard to find negative people filled with self-pity. That’s why it’s so refreshing to find positive people...no matter the circumstances.

Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the transformative power and significance of storytelling in parenting. Special guests, Dave Arnold, Executive Creative Director of Adventures in Odyssey, and John Pomeroy, the Director of Animation for the new feature length animated Adventures in Odyssey film called 'Journey Into the Impossible." The episode concludes with a listener's question about handling Greek mythology from a Christian perspective, and teaching a Christian worldview.

Article: Bible Reading With Adventures In Odyssey

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In high school our teenage son had a very, very busy life, which just might go with having the same last name as I do. And sometimes I would just find him kind of collapsed on the couch. So, he'd have his New York Giants mug, and his school books, and what was going to be on TV, and of course he had his phone. Now, don't think cell phone. This is like the old fashioned land line phone. Unfortunately, the phone plugged in two rooms away, which means that the cord was stretched to the max to get to his little zone with the couch, and I could tell when he had the phone there, because I kept hearing people muttering all through the house after they tripped over the cord. See, it was right where all of us had to walk to get to the living room or to the kitchen. And I'd just say, "Hey, you've got to do something about this thing that people keep tripping over!" Well, so do you and I.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "How We Keep People From Jesus."

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Romans 2:24. It is a sobering indictment of first century believers. Listen to these words: "As it is written, God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles (or the unbelievers, or the unreached) because of you." Now, the Jewish believers that Paul was talking to were the reached people. And he was saying, "You believers... Because of you, the unreached people are blaspheming God."

Then he talks a little bit about why, for example, in chapter 2, verse 21. He says, "You, then, who teach others; do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?" Then he says, "God's name is blasphemed because of you." In other words, "You're not living what you say you believe, and people are tripping over the contradictions in your life." It's like my son's telephone cord. People keep tripping over it - it's in the way!

You've got to ask, "What is there in my life that could be keeping someone from my Jesus?" It's a pretty horrible thought to think that someone might end up lost forever because I turned them off to Jesus by my inconsistency. You know, most people who come to Christ do it because of a Christian they know. And most people who refuse Christ do it because of a Christian they know.

I wonder if your temper is canceling out your message about a loving Savior. Or the humor that you use. Is it contradicting the purity that Jesus stands for? Maybe that sarcasm is so harsh that it's hard to reconcile with the compassion of Jesus. Maybe your gossip or your backstabbing; maybe that's tripping people up. Or the fact that you're negative most of the time, your laziness at work or school, or a complaining attitude.

See, a Christian ought to be the best employee that employer has, so they bring credit to the name of Jesus. You ought to be the hardest working student in that class whether you get the best grades or not. You're the advertisement for your Savior, and I know you'd hate to be a reason for someone to reject Christ because you never dealt with your tripper-upper.

Actually, if you were to let Jesus change that part of you; that part that's kind of out-of-control, that's inconsistent, that's confusing to an unbeliever, it might just create a curiosity in folks that like, "Wow! What happened to him? You're different." That might get them started investigating your Jesus. It might give you the best opening to share Christ you've ever had; that simple change in you. When they see what happened to you, you get to tell them, "It was Jesus." Because they never saw you be like this before. That's a powerful testimony!

My son and I had to solve that cord problem bef

Read: Matthew 6:25-34

Jacob’s throat tightened as he peered out the kitchen window. I wish we didn’t have to move, he thought. I miss my friends and my old school. After wiping his blurry eyes, he heard something chirping outside. “Look, Mom!” Jacob called. “There’s a nest under the roof over there, and a mother robin is sitting over four babies!”

Mom came in from the other room. “You’re right, Jake! The mother bird will protect her babies until they’re ready to fly and live on their own.”

Jacob watched as the male robin flew in and dropped a worm into the mother’s open beak. She ate part of it, then pushed it out and dropped it toward her babies’ throats. The tiny birds stretched their necks skyward, chirping until the worm was gone.

“Those babies don’t ever have to worry,” Jacob said. “They are warm, safe, and well-fed.”

Mom grinned. “Speaking of being well-fed, you need to eat your pancakes and get ready for school.”

Jacob swallowed hard. “Mom, can I stay home? My new school is nothing like my old one. I don’t have any friends here. Besides, I’ve got a huge test today. I’ve studied, but what if I don’t do well?”

Mom sat down. “You’ve gone through a lot of changes lately. It’s not easy attending a new school, is it? But I bet you can find someone to play with at recess and invite them to eat lunch with you. And I’m sure you’ll do fine on the test—you studied well. Just leave the rest to God. Remember what you said about the baby birds never having to worry?”

Jacob wrinkled his brows. “Yeah, but what does that have to do with me?”

“Well, Jake, God is like that mother bird. He loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us, and we can take refuge in the shadow of His wings. He promises to use everything in your life for good, including the hard stuff. Give Him your worries about making friends and taking tests and trust Him to take care of you and guide you. Just like that mother bird, He will provide everything you need.”

–Linda Champagne

How about you? Do you worry about your problems? Is there something in your life that you’re struggling with right now, like moving or making new friends? Life can be tough sometimes, and God understands that. That’s why He wants you to give all your worries to Him and trust Him to do what’s best for you. He loves you and wants to help you with every problem in your life.

Today's Key Verse: How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Don’t worry

Handle burdens God's way and experience the relief only He can offer.

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After wiping down tables with disinfectant, Shelia stooped to tie a garbage bag filled with used cups and plates. She heaved the bag over her shoulder and turned to survey the church’s multipurpose room. She’d volunteered to clean it for the next gathering and wanted to make sure it was ready. A thought fluttered through her mind: Would anyone notice?

It’s easy to wonder if our everyday contributions to the kingdom are valued. Whether we clean, balance spreadsheets, lead a Bible study, or give money, so many of us remain unseen in our places of service and unnamed in public commendations.

In Luke 8:1-2, the historian catalogs the faithful service of women in the ministry of Jesus. He lists three by name: Mary of Magdalene who was among the women freed of evil spirits and diseases; Joanna the wife of Chuza, who managed Herod’s household; and Susanna. Then Luke says, “Many others . . . were helping to support [Jesus and His disciples] out of their own means” (v. 3). Luke spotlights these unnamed women who invested themselves in supporting the gospel, and so underlines their value.

Just as God includes unnamed women in His account of valuable contributions to His kingdom, He sees our efforts. He knows our names (John 10:3), and He sees our investment in His work (Hebrews 6:10).

Many investors feel tension--do you have to choose between faithfulness and financial performance? The answer may surprise you. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Stella Tai explain how disciplined, values-aligned investing can encompass both impact and competitive returns, even in uncertain times. Then, it’s on to your calls. That’s Faith and Finance Live . . . biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Segment 1

• A coalition of liberal theologians claims democracy is collapsing and urges Christians to “resist”.

• Todd unpacks the irony of condemning “Christian nationalism” while using faith to pressure government policy.

• The emotional language sounds righteous on the surface—but once you slow it down, does it actually hold up?

Segment 2

• “Every person bears God’s image”—but does that automatically determine public policy?

• Todd challenges the logic of using biblical truths to justify specific political outcomes without defining terms.

• A powerful persuasion tactic is exposed: overwhelm your opponent so disagreement makes you look cruel.

Segment 3

• A prominent conservative Baptist leader converts to Roman Catholicism—how does someone go from “grace alone” to a works-based system?

• The deep psychological pull of tradition, history, and apostolic lineage.

• Why parents must ground their children in the doctrine of the true, invisible Church before someone else defines their heritage for them.

Segment 4

• A growing number of Christians now trust AI for spiritual advice more than their pastors.

• Todd explains why AI doesn’t give you truth—it often gives you what you want to hear.

• Massive layoffs, sermon prep shortcuts, and the quiet erosion of pastoral authority—are we outsourcing discernment?

___

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