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I viewed the opening displays of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City with curiosity but kept my emotions in check. That changed when we entered the inner exhibit, which the curators have wisely closed off from children and those wanting to shield themselves from the more heartrending images. As I encountered story after story of heartbreak and loss, waves of lament rose within me.

When we witness or remember such destruction and pain, we can join the cries of those who have voiced their distress to God. This includes the words of anguish found in Lamentations, which many scholars believe the prophet Jeremiah wrote after the destruction of Jerusalem. In the tightly formed structure of this poem, he releases his sorrow and grief over the pain of God’s people: “See, Lord, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed” (Lamentations 1:20). And yet he looks to God as the ultimate judge, knowing that only He can deal with the sins and destruction: “Let all their wickedness come before you” (v. 22).

This kind of honest crying out to God can help us to grapple with painful atrocities such as what happened on September 11, 2001, or other current-day evil deeds. We look to God for help, hope, comfort, and justice.

It’s easy to forget how something as simple as a pair of shoes can change a life. But for vulnerable children around the world, shoes mean protection, dignity, and the chance to dream. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Shawn Spurrier and Rob West share how Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls is meeting this need with the love of Christ, one pair of shoes at a time. Then, it’s on to your financial questions. That’s Faith & Finance Live, where biblical wisdom meets today’s finances—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.

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To learn more about Rob West, click here.

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It’s Witness Wednesday!

Todd Friel is back on campus to engage students in conversations about life’s purpose, evolution versus creation, and the central message of Christianity.

Segment 1:

• Luke was raised Christian, but unsure if he’s good enough to go to heaven.

• Believes Jesus died for his sins, but thinks he still has to “clean up” to be accepted.

• Todd walks Luke through the Law and Gospel to clarify salvation is about forgiveness, not performance.

Segment 2:

• A mechanical engineering student is approached by Todd to discuss ultimate questions.

• Rejects rigid religious structures, unsure whether Jesus is God or just a great prophet.

• Believes morality is relative, but admits he’d be guilty before God on Judgment Day.

Segment 3:

• Our mechanical engineering student continues his conversation with Todd.

• Realizes salvation isn’t about being “pretty good”—it’s about repentance and trusting Christ fully.

• Todd encourages him to flee to Christ to escape the coming judgment.

Segment 4:

• Todd’s final interaction of the day is with a young lady who grew up with a casual connection to Christianity and the church.

• She has some Bible knowledge and answers Todd’s questions about being a good person very honestly.

• She is challenged to examine if she truly know Christ as Todd explains the future judgment that awaits.

___

Thanks for listening!

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Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "Chinook Winds." Enjoy!

Sexual sin is never accidental. Failure does not spring out of nowhere. The seeds of temptation are sown in our heads and hearts. How can we ensure that those seeds do not become fruitful? Dr. John offers four insights from Proverbs 7 which enable us to stand against the tide of sexual temptation. Wisdom is not simply being aware of the dangers, but knowing how to resist.

Wisdom Matters: Is it better to be wealthy, good looking, successful, popular or wise? If any Christian isn't sure of the answer, then Proverbs has something to say! In this 10-message series, Dr. John will point us to wisdom that shapes our living. Proverbs doesn't guarantee us wealth or popularity, but it does promise the blessings of God. 

Dig deeply into Abraham’s story with Pastor Chuck Swindoll. Discover how faith is based on knowledge and strengthened in waiting.

From the Series: Romans: The Christian’s Constitution

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Bravery is not just limited to war—daily life can be a battlefield. If you’re facing a tough situation requiring great courage don’t compromise on what you believe. The world needs people who are committed to standing alone for the truth.

Popular guest Dr. Randy Schroeder discusses habits you can integrate into your marriage. Jim talks to Randy about pursuing the daily essentials of affection in your marriage, promoting emotional closeness, and leaving and cleaving properly. On the second day, they discussed positive communication habits, conflict resolution, and guarding your relationship well.

I was sitting on our front porch, and I saw our son-in-law suddenly running full speed across the front yard, headed for the back yard with his camera in his hand. With my incredible detective mind, I surmised that he had seen something that would make a great photo; something that apparently wasn't going to be there for long. Actually, he had seen our horse running across the pasture with her mane flowing and beautifully illuminated by the setting sun. Well, having a wife who's taken some pretty amazing photos over the years, I understood this. I guess you'd call it the "seize the moment" thing. Photographers know about this, and you'd better not get in their way.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "While the Window's Open."

Photographer-types understand a life-principle that a lot of us miss - that there are moments, there are opportunities that have to be seized - or they're missed forever. And it isn't just photographs. It's precious life moments where a window of opportunity opens for a brief time, maybe just a moment, and either we stop and we take that opportunity or sometimes we lose it for good.

Thus, God's counsel in Ephesians 5, beginning in verse 15, which is our word for today from the Word of God. He says, "Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise..." Okay, so what does wise living look like? "...making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

Apparently, knowing and doing God's will in your life often depends on seeing the opportunity He has opened up for you and seizing that opportunity. Many of life's regrets are about opportunities we missed because we let them slip by. Like the aging businessman who says, "If only I'd spent more time with my family." As many times as I've heard that lament, I have never heard anybody say, "My only regret is I wish I'd spent more time with my business." Nope, never heard it.

When your child is ready to talk, you'd better drop everything and listen. The window won't be open for long. When your child is ready to be affectionate, you've got nothing more important to do than respond. When your son or daughter has time to be with you, you'd better have time to be with them.

The same applies to your mate, your parents, others that you love. Many a tear at a funeral is over opportunities we did not take when this one that we loved was still touchable, still thankable, still forgivable, still huggable. And how many chances do we have a day to simply compliment someone, encourage someone, stop and listen to someone. Those are God-moments - opportunities to be a channel of God's love into a person's life.

Most importantly, how many times do we pass up a God-given opportunity to talk about our relationship with Jesus Christ, when the eternity of that person may depend on them hearing about our Jesus? Spirit-filled living involves making yourself available each new day to seize the opportunities that God gives you in that day. If you're the kind of person that's all rigid, programmed and inflexible, you'll probably miss or ignore the many times the Holy Spirit is saying, "This is it! This is your chance. The window's open. Do it now. Seize the moment!"

Like a photographer running to capture his picture before the moment passes, we need to capture the God-moments that He is weaving into each new day. Those scenes are just too good to miss!