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How do you parent when your kids are grown? Dave and Ann Wilson chat with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, on this episode of FamilyLife Today, offering vital wisdom for parents of adult children. Learn how to release them to make their own choices, even when it's difficult, and maintain a loving influence through open communication. Drawing from his own family experiences, Gary provides practical guidance on respecting their autonomy and navigating tough conversations with grace and humor.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn more about Gary's ministry online 
• Purchase Gary's books on our shop.

• Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com.
• See resources from our past podcasts.
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Now, we had not had a major airplane crash in New York City for a long time. So, we were all pretty riveted at that particular time by the scene of the crash of Avianca Flight 52 on Long Island near JFK Airport. More people survived the crash than died in it, thankfully, but it was still a terrible tragedy. There was no fire, because they were apparently out of fuel, and that was a major reason for the crash.

We watched, especially in the New York area, the dramatic rescues of survivors; some of them live on television. Of course, because Avianca was the national airline of Columbia, many of the passengers were from Colombia and it was mentioned that en route to the U.S. the plane had landed at a city in Colombia that is known to be the center of drug distribution there.

Now, one survivor was really glad that he had survived and he had been rescued, but actually the bad news was not over for him when he was rescued. He was complaining of stomach pains. The hospital x-rayed him and they found dark spots in his intestines. Yeah, you probably guessed it. This injured passenger, it turned out, was smuggling cocaine in plastic bags inside his body. Now, who could have ever predicted when he put that cocaine inside of his body to smuggle it into the U.S. that there would be inclement weather all along the East Coast, they would be in a holding pattern over two hours in the air, there would be a missed attempt at trying to land, the plane would run out of fuel, he would survive a crash, and x-rays would expose his crime? Man, it looked like there was no chance of his getting caught! Actually there's no such thing.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "God's X-Ray Leaves No Secrets."

Well, our word for today from the Word of God comes from the book of Numbers 32:23. Some of God's chosen people, the Jews, have a choice here between a risky obedience and an apparently safe disobedience. I say apparently safe!

Now, the issue they were dealing with isn't so important today as the advice that Moses gives. He says, "If you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out."

I'll bet that's a verse one particular Colombian drug smuggler would agree with, "Be sure your sin will find you out." You know, it's important that you make all of your moral choices realistically. What do I mean? Well, you cannot, and you will not ultimately, get away with sin - ever. If God knows about it, you're already caught! Oh, and He does all the time. That Colombian drug smuggler probably couldn't imagine a way he would be found out. The drugs were totally concealed in his body, but he was found out. You and I will be, too.

Oh, you may be able to cover your sin at work, maybe you can conceal it from your mate, and you might be able to fool every Christian leader you know. Maybe you've found a place where you're sure no one will discover what you're doing. Hear God, "You can be sure your sin will find you out."

Oh, the Devil will wait until disclosure will do the most harm; hurt the most people. He's letting you get away with it right now. And then one day he'll yank that chain, and he'll wait until it will do the most harm and the most damage. God may wait until the seed of sin reaches the harvest stage, but be assured the bill will come for you. So, make no choices thinking that you can get away with sin. God and the Devil are both a lot smarter than you are.

Don't let the delay fool you. God x-rays every passenger, every trip, and His x-ray leaves no secrets.

Tim’s hotel room seemed extra dark at night. What if he got up at night and slipped and fell because he couldn’t see? But when Tim did get up, he was surprised to see a bright light shining from underneath the bed—lighting his path. A motion sensor had activated it. The light only worked, however, if he got up and started to walk.

The Bible says we’re to walk with intent in God’s light. As Paul told the new believers in Jesus at Ephesus, “Follow God’s example . . . and walk in the way of love” (Ephesians 5:1-2). But what does it look like to walk that way?

First, as we step into Christ’s loving light, we turn from our sins—immorality, impurity, idolatry, and coveting. “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,” Paul said, “but rather expose them” (v. 11). In the city of Ephesus, where pagan worship thrived, the apostle’s words would direct the new believers there. “At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (v. 8 esv). He added, “The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” So, “find out what pleases the Lord” (vv. 9-10).

The benefit? The light of Jesus “will shine on you” (v. 14), lighting your path. “Look carefully then how you walk,” Paul concluded (v. 15 esv). Walking confidently in Christ’s light, we’ll bless others as we point them to Him—the source of true Light.

It’s Witness Wednesday!

In this episode of Wretched Radio, Todd Friel engages in a series of dialogues with students on campus in Gainesville, GA. Friel challenges their theological stances, encouraging them to contemplate their paths to heaven, sin, and the core tenets of Christianity.

Segment 1:

• Seventh-Day Adventist believes salvation is through commandments and Sabbath; admits breaking them.

• Todd shows law reveals guilt; salvation is by grace in Christ alone.

• Urged to repent and trust Jesus’ finished work, not his own.

Segment 2:

• Sikh student believes in reincarnation and good works; admits moral failures.

• Todd explains all die once, face judgment, and fall short.

• Presents gospel: Jesus took punishment, offering forgiveness to all who repent.

Segment 3:

• United Methodist student is polite, but unsure of gospel, no assurance of salvation.

• Todd explains sin, judgment, and Christ’s atonement as only hope.

• Challenged to examine if he’s truly trusted Christ.

Segment 4:

• Two postmodern students believe all paths lead to happiness; reject absolute truth.

• Todd shows opposing beliefs can’t both be true; Jesus’ claim is exclusive.

• Gospel offered as God’s kindness: turn to Christ who died for sinners.

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Thanks for listening!

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There are so many different life stages that we can prepare for before we walk through them. It’s important to plan ahead as best as we can even though there are certain unknowns that go before us. In today’s program, host Andrew Marcus gets to spend time with longtime friends Cliff and Erin Ursel, pastors at Westside Church in Vancouver, and unpack all stages of life: singleness, dating, engagement, marriage and raising kids. 

What is the most toxic thing that can destroy spiritual growth and divide the church? Dr. John tackles the dangerous issue of spiritual pride through 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, revealing how pride believes it knows God's mind apart from Scripture and forgets our need for His grace. He warns that everything we have—our abilities, intelligence, and accomplishments—are gifts from God, not reasons for boasting.

The Power of Christ in a Pagan World: Join Dr. John Neufeld for this 20-message series as he focuses on the book of 1 Corinthians. Covering chapters 1-4, The Power of Christ in a Pagan World looks at the many issues that confronted the church in Corinth; Problems that seemed to find their place within the church at every turn! This series helps us unpack the different conflicts and struggles of this early church in a relevant and practical way. Even though the church in Corinth existed a long time ago, they went through trials that might sound familiar to us in the 21st Century!

Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "Worst Apologies Ever." Enjoy!

If you’ve ever been in that muddy hole called the Slough of Despond, you can relate to Christian in The Pilgrim’s Progress. Despondency, or the pits, is really pessimism. It’s a gloomy, negative attitude, which often comes when we rely on ourselves instead of God. Whenever negative thoughts come knocking, don’t open the door. Instead, turn your thoughts to God.