In this message, I reflect on a powerful truth: we grieve the loss, but we remember the gift with gratitude. Recently, our community gathered to celebrate the life of Susan “Suzie” Smith—a woman whose compassion, courage, and decades of nursing changed countless lives. Over 1,000 people came together to honor her legacy, her faith, and her impact.

As I share memories, scripture, and the hope we cling to in Christ, I’m reminded how important it is to teach our kids not to run from grief but to walk through it with faith and gratitude. Suzie’s life was a gift. Her legacy continues through The Our Angel That Flies Foundation, and through every life she touched.

If you’ve lost someone you love, I pray this message encourages you. Watch now—and remember the gift God gave through their life.

Questions for personal reflection:

What does it mean to “grieve the loss but remember the gift”? Can both happen at the same time?

How can a person’s legacy continue to impact others after they’re gone?

Why is it important for young people to learn how to process grief rather than avoid it?

When have you seen someone use their life to serve and uplift others, the way Suzie did?

In this episode of Connecting Faith & Life, I’m sharing a message that hit home for a lot of parents when I first recorded it a few years ago. I spend a lot of time in schools, churches, and classrooms talking with kids and I hear the conversations they’re having.

The truth is simple: our kids are listening to loud voices every day. Social media, friends, and the internet are shaping their thinking long before many parents even realize it.

That’s why I want to encourage you with one simple challenge: talk to your kids.

Talk about the small things.

Talk about everyday life.

And don’t be afraid to talk about the hard things too.

If we stay silent, other voices will gladly fill that space. But when we build real conversations with our kids, we earn the trust to guide them through the issues that matter most.

In this episode, I share why conversations matter, how parents can build trust with their kids, and why silence might be the biggest mistake we make.

Watch now and ask yourself: Are my kids hearing my voice clearly? 

Questions for personal reflection:

Why do you think many parents hesitate to talk with their kids about difficult topics?

What are some simple ways parents can start everyday conversations with their kids?

How does social media influence the way kids form opinions today?

If kids are hearing many voices online, how can parents make sure their voice matters most?

In part two, I talk honestly about the Super Bowl controversy, halftime shows, and the bigger question we all need to ask: just because something is lawful, is it beneficial? I’m not here to give you a list of what to watch or not watch. I’m asking the question that has challenged me deeply: Does this glorify God? Does it stir my affection for Christ or steal it?

We have freedom as believers. But freedom isn’t the same as growth. In this episode, I share four practical heart-checks that have changed how I consume music, shows, social media, and everything in between. I’m still growing. I’m still learning. But I want to be intentional about connecting my faith and my life.

Watch now. Then ask yourself: Would Jesus pass the couch test in my living room?

Questions for personal reflection:

How do you decide whether something is beneficial for your spiritual life?

Have you ever realized something you were consuming was shaping your thinking more than you thought?

What does it practically look like to “renew your mind” in today’s media culture?

Does your entertainment stir your affection for God or slowly dull it?

Rooted and Ready Day 28 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Did you watch the Super Bowl? Did you see the halftime show or the alternative broadcast from Turning Point USA? In this episode of Connecting Faith and Life, I take a different angle on the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny, the NFL, and the cultural reactions that followed. Instead of debating sides, I ask a deeper question: Are we trying to clean up the world or point people to Jesus?

As believers, we can choose what we watch. But is it beneficial? Does it stir our affections for God or steal them? In Part 1, I share four biblical principles to help us think clearly, act wisely, and keep the Gospel central in a culture that constantly demands our attention.

Watch now, then ask yourself: What am I consuming and what is it shaping in me?

Questions for personal reflection:

Why do you think Christians often rush to debate cultural moments instead of focusing on the gospel?

What does it mean that people are “dead in their trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2 in the Bible)? How should that shape our expectations of the world?

How can you tell if something is stirring your affection for God or stealing it?

What is one area of media or entertainment where you may need to become more discerning?

What’s love got to do with it? In this Connecting Faith & Life episode, I wrestle with a simple but life-changing question: Which definition of love are you living by? On Valentine’s Day, culture tells us love is a feeling. Chemistry. Romance. But Scripture tells us something deeper. In this video, I talk about how love doesn’t start with us. It starts with God. God doesn’t just show love. God is love. And that changes how we treat people online, in our homes, and even when love isn’t returned.

If you’ve ever wondered whether love is more than emotion… this one’s for you.

Watch now. Then ask yourself: What would change if you let God define love?

Questions for personal reflection:

Where did you first learn what love means? Music, movies, family, church? How has that shaped you?

How is God’s definition of love different from the world’s definition?

Can you love someone you strongly disagree with? What would that look like?

What would change in your relationships if love was based on commitment instead of feelings?

I once helped my wife repot a plant, moving it from a small pot into a bigger one so it could keep growing. That simple moment reminded me of something deeper about how we work with kids and teenagers.

Too often, we label people based on who they used to be instead of giving them space to grow. Just like plants need room for their roots, people need grace, patience, and space to grow.

In this episode of Connecting Faith and Life, I share a youth leader training on why labels can stunt spiritual growth and how even “Doubting Thomas” was given room to believe.

If you work with kids or teens, this conversation matters.

Watch now and ask yourself, Are we giving them room to grow?

I don’t usually get excited before something happens. I protect my expectations. But once something is finished, I celebrate. That’s exactly what this episode is about. I’m celebrating the completion of Rooted and Ready, a 30-day journey through Scripture designed to help grow your faith and transform your life.

In this episode of Connecting Faith and Life, I share why this series matters to me, how it came together, and how you can walk through it on your own, with your family, or in a group. This isn’t about going viral. It’s about obedience, faithfulness, and letting God use what’s been planted.

Watch now. Walk through it. And ask yourself, what would God do with my obedience?

Questions for personal reflection:

Why do you think finishing something matters spiritually, even when results feel small?

Which verse or idea from Rooted and Ready stood out most to you, and why?

How does your perspective change when obedience becomes the goal instead of outcomes?

What is one faith step God may be asking you to take right now?

30-Day Rooted and Ready series

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I’ve learned the hard way that ministry can drain you if you never stop to refuel. In this video, I wrestle with a question many leaders feel guilty even asking: Should you ever put yourself first? 

Using Scripture, personal experience, and the reminder to stay connected to the Source, I talk about avoiding burnout, abiding in Christ, and why ministry should always flow from time with God, not replace it. If you’re serving in kids or youth ministry and feeling stretched thin, this one’s for you.

Watch now, share it with your team, and let’s talk about what it really means to stay connected.

Questions for personal reflection:

Where do you feel most spiritually drained right now, and why?

What does “staying connected to the source” practically look like in your weekly routine?

Have you ever confused serving God with spending time with God?

What is one change you could make this month to protect your spiritual health?

What’s the one skill that will really help you reach students? In this episode, I share why authenticity, personal faith, and truly listening matter more than trying to be cool or relatable. I talk about setting healthy boundaries, why respect still matters, and how understanding a student’s story can completely change how you connect with them. 

This conversation is for ministry leaders, parents, and anyone who works with kids and teens. I also introduce a free training series from Proclaim Ministries designed to help adults connect with children in meaningful ways.

Watch now, reflect honestly, and ask yourself: Am I really listening? 

Connecting with Children

Questions for personal reflection:

Why do you think authenticity builds trust with students more than trying to act like them?

What does it look like to truly listen to a student without trying to fix them?

How do boundaries actually help students feel respected and safe?

How does the idea “seek first to understand” change the way you approach difficult behavior?

I’ve learned that if something matters, you protect it. That’s why I believe kids need to hide God’s Word in their hearts. In this video, I share why teaching memory verses matters, how Psalm 119:11 has shaped my ministry, and a simple five-step method I’ve used through CEF and in my own church. I also walk through 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 and show how hand motions and engaging activities help kids actually remember Scripture, not just repeat it. This isn’t about entertainment. It’s about helping kids treasure God’s Word for life.

Watch now and ask yourself, what are we really teaching kids to hold onto? 

[0:00] Intro

[0:45] How to teach memory verses

[8:20] 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 memory verse

Questions for personal reflection:

Why do you think memorizing Scripture is harder to prioritize today?

How can fun activities support Bible teaching instead of replacing it?

When have you personally needed Scripture during a difficult or tempting moment?

What’s one way you could help a child rejoice, pray, or give thanks this week?

How to Teach a Memory Verse

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 memory verse