The Bridge Austin

Why are the Western Wall, the Garden Tomb, and the Garden of Gethsemane so important to Jews and Christians? Rabbi Schneider shares why people of the Jewish and Christian faith still revere the holy places, pray at the Western Wall, and look for Jesus to return. Learn how Jesus did not operate in His feelings. He operated in truth. Learn how to distinguish feelings from truth and obedience. Continue to choose truth and obedience even when you don't feel like it and you will be blessed. To get strong, you have to pray.

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Today, Pastor Jack teaches that when we face our giants, we must not shrink back and assume we are helpless. When we are in Christ, He is by our side, and the outcome is in His hands.

One of the most amazing things about God is how He works through people. When someone serves you or shows you genuine care, that’s the love of God working through them. So, how does God do it? In today’s message, Pastor Chris reminds you that when you give your heart to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live within you, guiding you, transforming you, and using your life to point others to Him. All you have to do is let Jesus into your life, and watch the Holy Spirit work through you.

Mark Gregston shares how unexpected setbacks — including getting fired — became the catalyst for founding Heartlight Ministries and beginning a lifelong “journey to genuineness.” As he reflects on rejection, pride and unresolved personal issues, he encourages parents to consider how their own wounds and blind spots may be influencing their parenting. Mark urges moms and dads of struggling teens to start by looking inward, examining motives, addressing past hurts and embracing authenticity — before focusing on their child’s behavior. Ultimately, he reminds parents that self-reflection and healing can lead to a more grounded relationship with their teens.

To learn more about Heartlight and see if this ministry can help you and your struggling teen, please visit heartlightministries.org

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

As the year winds down, most of us feel the crunch of holiday travel, family gatherings, and a calendar that fills up faster than we expect. But this season also offers something incredibly valuable: a natural pause. A moment to look back, look ahead, and make sure our financial lives still reflect the things—and the people—we care about most.

To help us think through this year-end reset, we sat down with Cole Pearson, President of Investment Solutions at OneAscent, a family of companies committed to helping believers invest in alignment with biblical values. Cole shares practical, hope-filled steps to set your finances on a firm footing as you head into a new year.

Before crunching numbers or updating accounts, Cole suggests beginning with the why behind your financial decisions.

“As the year winds down,” he says, “it’s the perfect time to pause and make sure our financial life still reflects our actual life—our goals and values.”

This is the heart of wise stewardship. Money isn’t the goal; it’s a tool. And when our tools aren’t aligned with what matters most, our decisions can drift.

Cole encourages families to sit down—whether with a spouse, children, or even a financial advisor—and ask a simple but powerful question:

“What is most important for us to reflect through our financial life?”

These conversations reconnect us with the things God has entrusted to us: people, opportunities, relationships, and resources. When your values are clear, your financial decisions begin to tell a consistent story.

To help families gain clarity, OneAscent uses three helpful “lenses” that offer a holistic view of stewardship. Each one enables you to assess where you are and where God may be inviting you to grow.

1. Perspectives: How You Think and Feel About Money

Every financial decision begins with a mindset. Do you naturally want to give? Save? Spend? Invest?

None of these instincts is wrong—money is simply a tool. But understanding how God has wired you helps you use that tool intentionally rather than reactively.

2. Priorities: What Matters Most to Your Family

Once your perspectives are clear, it’s time to identify your priorities.

• Is this season about legacy?
• Providing stability for your family?
• Creating margin for relationships?
• Leaning more fully into generosity?

“When you know your top priorities,” Cole says, “you can give every dollar a job. It brings focus and direction to your plan.”

3. Milestones: What’s Changing in Your Life?

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on transitions:

• A new job
• A retirement
• A new child or grandchild
• A loss in the family
• A health change

Life transitions always put money in motion. Recognizing them early allows you to adjust your financial plan before drifting off course.

Together, perspectives, priorities, and milestones provide a complete picture of your financial health—and help ensure your plans align with your values.

For many families, generosity naturally comes up during year-end reflections. The holidays remind us that giving is both worship and witness—an expression of God’s grace through us.

Cole encourages families to approach generosity as intentionally as investing.

“Whether you’re investing or giving,” he says, “we think of both as investing God’s resources. We want all of it moving in the same direction—reflecting the same values.”

Talking about generosity as a family:

• Fosters un

Leading parenting expert and pediatrician Dr. Meg Meeker shares about the masculinity crisis in today’s culture and encourages you as a parent to take an active role in guiding and shaping your son’s character. She says the foundation of any boy’s life is built on three things: his relationship with God, his parents, and his siblings and friends. Dr. Meeker takes a positive view of masculinity as she offers seven secrets to raising healthy sons.

Receive the book Boys Should Be Boys and the audio download of the broadcast "How to Provide a Healthier, Happier Childhood for Your Son" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today!

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As December 25th quickly approaches, you’re likely in the throes of getting ready for Christmas. Maybe you’re wrapping gifts, making trips to the grocery store or arranging travel plans to visit your family. Dr. Robert Jeffress takes time to pause and reflect on the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ.

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