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John Smoltz is a World Series champion, former Cy Young award-winner and hall of fame pitcher. He shares his inspiring story about the twists and turns in his career, finding faith in Christ, and rebuilding his life after experiencing hardship. He reveals how God taught him to surrender control and trust Him, while growing in grace in this one-on-one conversation with Jim Daly.

How old is your child going to have to be until you think you can let them go out into the world? Here are some rules for letting your children go.

Dave and Ashley Willis are ready to talk about raising boys who know how to give respect. From Dave’s raw, real talk about battling porn shame (yes, really) to Ashley’s no-nonsense approach to rebuilding trust, this episode is a masterclass in keeping it honest without the guilt trip. They dish on turning everyday moments—like mall strolls and swimsuit magazines—into teachable, not preachy, moments about sex, boundaries, and respect. Plus, they unpack how dads can lay out the ultimate blueprint for sons. Think parenting talks can’t be real, raw, and refreshingly hopeful? Think again. Tune in and gather the tools (and the courage) to raise respectful, confident boys who won’t settle for less.

Show Notes and Resources

• Get FamilyLife's resource, “How to Talk to Your Kids about Sex” with videos for parents and kids
• Get Dave and Ashley's book, "Respecting Boys, Raising Boys Who Respect Girls" in our shop

• Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com.
• See resources from our past podcasts.
• Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app!
• Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
• Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

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What it takes to be a full-time missionary, plus creative ways for women to find friendship, and should you be involved in a church plant?   

Featured musical artist:  Aaron Shust

Roundtable: Are Overseas Missions Meant for Me?

All Christians are called to fulfill the Great Commission, but not everyone is meant to be a missionary in a foreign country. How can you find out if you are? This week’s panel features seasoned missionaries, a missions agency leader, and a prospective missionary to share their journeys toward serving overseas, plus the unique temperament and qualification needs of a missionary, and what to expect in the preparation and candidating process. 

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Culture: Finding Great Friendships as a Woman

How do women, and especially single women, find meaningful friendships in church and beyond? Melissa Zaldivar has creative ideas that focus on being intentional, asking questions, meeting needs, and being open to women in other stages of life. She’ll also list some qualities that are necessary for a real friendship to thrive. Men, next week we’ll have ideas for you!

Visit Melissa’s Website

Get Over Here: A Single’s Guide to Building Meaningful Community   

Inbox: Should I Help Plant a Church?

How do you know if you’re supposed to join a church plant? Pastor Mark Bates weighs in.  

Find us on YouTube 

My wife was one of the most generous people I've ever known. We never had a whole lot to spend on gifts, but somehow she usually found a way to give them. Over the years God has blessed us with some friends who have been very generous with us. They have invited us to get away to their cabin or their cottage or their farm. I can remember occasions where I've been all packed and ready to go and anxious to leave, and my wife hadn't come out yet. I'd go back inside and I'd say, "Honey, what are you doing?" You know where she is? She's rummaging through her gift box or her gift closet, and she would say, "Wait a minute, Honey, I'm looking for a gift."

Sure enough she almost always left a gift behind for those friends. She found something of hers that she could give. I can't tell you how many times she did that for a dinner host, for a sick friend, for a new mom. She just left a gift in so many lives.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Leaving a Trail of Gifts."

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Romans 1:11. Paul says to the Roman Christians, "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong." Whoa! That reminds me of my Karen! "I want to be with you. And when I am, I'll leave you with a gift."

What kind of trail do you leave with the people you touch? It's exciting to live like Paul describes here, consciously asking as you're with a person, "Lord, what spiritual gift could I give him or her? How could I leave this person a little better off than they were before I was with them?" Whether you're on the phone or on the Internet with them, or you're in an appointment, or whether it's a casual contact on social medis, or it's with your mate, or your roommate, or your son or your daughter, or you parents, what kind of gift could I give them on this occasion? I want to impart to you, he said, "some spiritual gift."

Too often we look at it the other way, "What gift can they give me?" We go looking to them for some attention, or information, or affection. What connection does this person have that I could use? What promotion could they give me? What money could they give me? Well, this doesn't talk about living for you to impart to me. It's about me imparting to you.

Or maybe, you too often impart a gripe instead of a gift. There are some people who just tend to drop bad news or some burden on everybody they meet. You walk away and they are feeling down or suddenly heavier than before you were with them.

Because Jesus lives in you, people should feel richer after they have been with you. Do they? What gift could you give them? A word of encouragement maybe, or just to put your arm around them and pray with them if that would be appropriate right now, or a testimony of how God is at work in your life right now that might help them see how He can work in theirs. Maybe you could share with them just something you're thankful for that God has done for you, a God-sighting you've had today, or maybe some good news about a friend instead of bad news, a verse that came alive for you recently. Maybe just give them a chance to laugh when it's been mostly tears.

The gifts will differ with the person's need, but your mission - your attitude - should always be "What gift can I leave today?" I remember singing that song "Make me a blessing to someone today." Well, you will be a blessing if you approach folks as a giver and not a taker.

I've watched the blessing a person can leave because she was always looking for a gift to give. Why don't you try that as a lifestyle? I think you'll like it, and they'll love it.

Find out the four-step process that God employs to bring a person into submission to the Holy Spirit.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Louise, a project manager, regretted taking on the freelance job. Both the client and designer were testing her patience. Why is it so difficult? she wondered. Why can’t these people get it together?

Weeks later, as she read Proverbs 27, verse 17 stood out—“iron sharpens iron.” “You can’t file down rough edges with something soft, like silk,” she told her small group soon after, “you need something hard, like iron.”

Louise realized that the challenges in the project were smoothing down some rough edges of her own. She was learning to be more patient and humble, and to adapt to different working styles. God, she concluded, was using the project to expose her flaws and teach her new lessons about working with others.

Much of the book of Proverbs extols the value of godly wisdom, but this wisdom doesn’t come easily. It needs to be sought after with obedience and discernment (3:13; 13:20; 19:20), and refined in crucibles, furnaces, and mortars (27:21-22)—situations that may mean temporary pain and suffering.

Yet the Bible reminds us that challenges come with rewards: in seeking God’s wisdom diligently and obeying His ways, we will find true security, satisfaction, and blessing (vv. 26-27).

Segment 1

• Nick says evolution explains the appearance of design, but Todd pushes back.

• Though raised Catholic and Hindu, Nick says he believes in “something above us” but isn’t sure one religion has the full truth.

• Todd walks Nick through why Jesus’ payment for sin is necessary.

Segment 2

• Todd presses Nick on objective truth: if Jesus rose, it’s true for everyone.

• Todd argues truth doesn’t depend on culture or birthplace, but Nick says otherwise.

• Todd says that if Jesus beat death, then His claims demand a verdict.

Segment 3

• Jordan and Todd discuss rising suicide and mental illness rates.

• Todd connects it to worldview: if life is meaningless and subjective, despair makes sense.

• Jordan agrees that postmodernism leaves people empty.

Segment 4

• Jordan calls herself a Christian but admits she can’t articulate why Jesus’ death matters.

• Todd explains the purpose of life through the gospel.

• By the end, Jordan quietly confesses: “I might not actually be saved.”

___

Thanks for listening!

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Did you know your financial advisor can actually help you invest in ways that reflect your faith? Advisors do more than just help you hit financial targets—they can also guide you in making a lasting impact with your investments. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Josh Bean share how to start the conversation about faith-based investing. Then, it’s on to your calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live—biblical wisdom for your financial journey. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio.  To join our team of supporters, click here.

To support the ministry of FaithFi, click here.

To learn more about Rob West, click here.

To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.

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This special 100th episode of 'Practice Makes Parent' features renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert, Dr. Daniel Amen. They discuss the importance of brain health in parenting and how small daily habits can build resilience in children. Dr. Amen shares insights from his research on brain imaging and how understanding brain health can transform mental health approaches.

Learn how to guard your child's mental health with this free video series

Free Digital Download: Focusing On Your Family's Mental Health

Join Parenting Scripts: When What You're Saying Isn't Working, Say Something New

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