CrossCurrent Podcasts

The reason Eduard Habsburg, Archduke of Austria and formerly Hungarian Ambassador to the Vatican, has written a ‘travel guide’ to the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) is that he finds beauty, meaning, and joy in the experience of being a pilgrim in a foreign land. We pass through the doors—the portals—of the Church and the otherness of it pulls at our hearts and lays on us a bit of a yoke that will feel new. Especially for young people who’ve been crushed softly by the constant entertainment and accommodation, this hardness refreshes their souls, in the tradition of St. Augustine: “our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Is it surprising it is to learn how the first few times he attended the Traditional Latin Mass, he found it off-putting—“oh no, not those crazy weirdoes”—but of course that’s all the more reason for a travel guide; because he can be our guide, like Virgil for Dante to show us around this new world—or, rather, very old world—that is our Catholic inheritance.

Here is my earlier conversation for Eduard Habsburg (from 2023):

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Former teachers Sue Acuna and Cynthia Tobias explain the changes middle schoolers experience and their inner struggles. They’ll share advice for parents navigating their children’s transition to middle school. Hear advice for communicating with middle schoolers, dealing with their doubts and questions about God, and adapting as they grow.
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Fifty years ago, Chuck Colson founded an organization that has changed the lives of millions of men and women across the globe. 

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Join Abdu Murray, Gretchen Huizinga, and John Lennox (virtually) as they help us explore how Christians can live out our God-given humanity in an increasingly AI-driven world. Register at greatlakessymposium.org.

Rest Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Command: How Christian Parents Can Rediscover the Gift of Sabbath in a Nonstop World

Few topics challenge modern Christian families more deeply than how—and why—to actually keep the Sabbath in our culture of relentless busyness and endless to-do lists. Have we missed one of God’s greatest gifts for our homes?

Catherine is joined by Dr. Steven Hall, minister, theologian, and soul-care advocate, to guide parents through the what, why, and—most importantly—the how of Sabbath-keeping for busy families today. With nearly four decades of ministry experience, degrees in biblical studies, pastoral counseling, and spiritual formation, and as the cofounder of Ministry Oasis, Dr. Steven Hall offers a powerful, grace-filled perspective on rest that goes far beyond legalism.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Sabbath as Trust, Not Legalism: Dr. Hall reveals how practicing Sabbath is less about rule-following and more about radical trust—much like the principle of tithing. "Trust is being able to say, okay. There's a hard stop here for me…I'm going to trust God with all of my unanswered emails, all my unattended bills, and all my unrun errands," shares Dr. Steven Hall 09:03.

• Why Rest Comes First: Many Christians “work, work, work, until we finally collapse,” but as Dr. Hall points out, God designed us to work from rest, not rest from work04:39. The Jewish day begins at sunset, with rest and worship, modeling God’s original rhythms.

• Practical Ways to Start: Sabbath needn’t be another item on your checklist. Dr. Hall shares practical, creative approaches for every stage of family life—from “micro-Sabbaths” to trading child care hours with other parents in your community 14:46, 20:10. Even single parents or busy caregivers can carve out sacred time, with the help of honest reflection and support.

• Saying “No” for a Higher Yes: Sometimes, honoring the Sabbath means courageously declining soccer games, dance recitals, or church programs that overcrowd your family’s schedule—trusting that what your children need most is a parent who models margin and abiding in Christ 25:21.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “Sabbath is not about adding one more thing to your to-do list. Sabbath is about removing all the to-do things from your list.” – Dr. Steven Hall 15:21

• “Imagine if parents of young children would live and teach Sabbath, their children would catch it—and break the yoke of the cultural pharaoh over their lives.” – Dr. Steven Hall 17:51

• Stories of creative Sabbath-keeping, from couple tag-team strategies for parents with little kids, to the real-life example of Susanna Wesley using “micro-Sabbath” moments by simply pulling her apron over her head for prayer 31:06.

About the Guest:
Dr. Steven Hall is associate professor of pastoral ministry at Lee University and cofounder of Ministry Oasis, devoted to the soul health of pastors and ministry leaders.

Ready to trade busyness for blessing?
What could Sabbath look like for your family—if you trusted God enough to stop, even when the world demands more? This episode equips you not only with theological foundations, but also with inspiring ideas and practical steps to lead your home into God’s rhythm of rest.

Ask yourself: What is one step you can take this week to model rest, trust, and delight in God for your children? How might your family—and your legacy—change if you made Sabbath a priority?

Tune in and reclaim the gift of Sabbath for your home!

Resources for Going Deeper

We need the wisdom of when to speak, how to speak, and why to speak.

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For more resources visit breakpoint.org.  

As believers in Christ, we’re called to share our faith—but many of us struggle with how to do that. And yet, sharing what the Lord has done in your life should be as natural as breathing. Ashley and Heather Holleman equip you to stand strong in your faith and help others come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. They take on that “scary” word—evangelism—and offer practical, encouraging tips for sharing your faith with confidence and grace.
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Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly! 
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The story of the woman caught in adultery in John’s Gospel has long stirred controversy. Given its checkered manuscript witness, many scholars don’t believe it belongs in John’s Gospel or even in the Scriptures at all, while others think it is Scripture but belongs in a different canonical setting, and still others, like our guest today, believe it is indeed authentically Johannine, foreshadowing Jesus’ own trial and his final victory over darkness.

Tune in as we speak with Onyekachi Ugwu about his recent monograph The Woman Caught in Adultery and the Gospel of John (Mohr Siebeck, 2026).

Onyekachi Ugwu earned his PhD at the Catholic University of Paris in 2024, and is a lecturer in New Testament studies.

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