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Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "The Lost Boys." Enjoy!

Whether you’re seeking new friends or wanting to deepen existing relationships, this episode of Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage will help women and men build their respective friendships. Erin and her friends discuss how deep, supportive female friendships are vital for navigating life’s challenges, providing encouragement, and fostering spiritual and emotional growth. Then, Greg and his friend Bill discuss the unique challenges men face in forming deep friendships, such as busyness, reluctance to be vulnerable, and prioritizing family. We also answer a listener’s question about a sexless marriage.

The Friendships of Women

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Parents, you’re only human. Everyone makes mistakes. But stay at it. Your family needs you!

Vanessa and Scott Martindale offer advice for couples on centering their blended marriage around Christ. Hear how to avoid the pitfalls of “inner vows” and prioritize each other. Vanessa and Scott will help you experience the fullness of redemption for your blended family.

Discover with Pastor Chuck Swindoll more about the entrance of sin and death that spread to all humanity. Compare Adam and Christ to better understand sin, death, the law, and grace (Romans 5).

From the Series: Romans: The Christian’s Constitution

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On September 11, twenty-four years ago, I saw the Twin Towers crumble to dust. And then, on September 11th this time around, I saw so many people grieving the shocking assassination of a hugely popular Gen Z influencer in front of 3,000 people.

In both cases, millions of people were devastated in disbelief and grief. Including reporters, politicians, law enforcement people - and lots of ordinary folks. And certainly the 2001 tragedy had a scope much greater, but this assassination hit many young people very personally.

I found myself praying, again, what I cried out to God 24 years ago. "God, what do You see here?"

The answer has been the same both times.

Souls. Lost souls. Grieving souls. Eternal souls.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "A Fatal Shot, A Wounded Generation."

Working with young people my entire life, I've seen many of them become less engaged with their world and with current events. A lot of them know more about Taylor Swift's love life but can't find Ukraine on a map or tell you the name of the Vice President. But they were drawn to Charlie Kirk, and he was dedicated to involving them in the major issues of our time.

A prime time CNN host said: "If you don't know who Charlie Kirk is, ask your teenager or your college student."

He was, in a sense, a generational prophet to many of them. He had over five million followers on X (formerly Twitter) and hundreds of thousands of listeners to his podcast and radio program. A lot of people have said that this generation is disconnected. But listen, they connected with Charlie Kirk.

To countless millions of young people, he was finally a voice they could trust. Suddenly, he was gone.

For me, this isn't about Charlie Kirk's politics or his culture war perspectives. It is, of course, about his wife Erika and their two children. I'm so glad the Bible says, "the Lord is close to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18). She has a relationship with Him. I pray Jesus will hold them close in His big arms.

I do see what God showed me on that dark September 11 years ago. Those souls. The emotional outpouring that has flooded social media gives testimony to the deep sense of personal loss so many young people are feeling now.

After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, there was a hole in our hearts that none of our usual "go to" answers could fill. So we turned to God. Churches were full. Prayer was everywhere. Many people opened their hearts to Jesus who died for them and beat death by His Resurrection.

For many contemporary young people, this recent loss has left their own hole in their heart. That's where it's about "souls." This trauma will be, for many, a "turning point." Sadly for some, to anger, retribution, disillusionment, despair. All destinations devoid of hope.

Or to Jesus, whose hope is stronger than death, guaranteed by an empty tomb. Which brings us to our word for today from the Word of God, which happens to be a verse that Charlie's wife posted hours before his death.

Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength. An ever present help in trouble."

We are desperate for a generation that doesn't carry all our baggage. A spiritual awakening may well be our only real hope. And our young people may be our only real hope of a better tomorrow. I'm praying the death of a looked-to leader may lead them to the Leader whose life and hope are eternal.

Jesus called us to tell our world about His unloseable love - and then to let them experience that love through us. That was his final order.

I think about the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the guard coming on and the guard coming off exchange these words. The current guard says, "Orders remain unchanged." And the new guard says, "Orders acknowledged."

W

Early in the basketball season, the coach at our neighborhood middle school seemed to work hardest convincing his players to risk shooting the ball. “Shoot!” he pleaded from the sidelines. His players eagerly passed the ball. Dribbling was a favorite too. The season was half over before most of them would shed their doubts and try to shoot the ball to score. But “going for it” made all the difference. By obeying their coach, letting go of doubt, and trying—even if they often missed the target—they learned to win.

Jesus teaches us to let go of doubt to obey His call to make disciples. He explains, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20).

In practical terms, this can mean stepping out of our comfort to share our story of what God has done for us. Or getting involved in the lives of our hurting neighbors, showing them Jesus’ love. Such approaches work, but only if we let go and try them.

Above all, we go in Jesus’ authority to attempt what may look hard—making disciples. But we need not fear. Jesus promised: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (v. 20).

The post Dr. Fred Hartman – Unexpected Guests appeared first on MGO Radio/Canada's National Bible Hour.

In Mark 8, Jesus sets forth the path of discipleship—what it means to follow Him. It is not an easy, casual path, but an exceedingly important one that we explore this week.

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