The Bridge Austin

Listen in as Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why teens might “spin out of control." They explain this can happen when they can’t manage life within the boundaries of home, which can lead to disrespect, dishonesty, risky behavior or shutting down emotionally. Mark explains that these patterns are often a cry for help, revealing deeper struggles teens can’t navigate alone. Parents are encouraged to recognize early warning signs, adjust home structure with clear expectations and seek outside support when needed. Above all, teens don’t actually want their lives to fall apart — they need intervention, guidance and a restored relationship with their parents.

Join Mark in Texas at one of the Families In Crisis Conferences, an event designed to help parents who are struggling with their teens. Visit familycrisisretreat.com to learn more or register!

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.

Former atheist and award-winning legal editor Lee Strobel sets out to uncover the truth behind Christmas. Was Jesus really born in Bethlehem? Why December 25th? Through careful investigation and historical insight, Lee separates fact from fiction – revealing the true reason for the season: celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Receive a copy of The Case for Christmas and an audio download of "Examining the Evidence of Christmas" 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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The holidays are meant to be a season of joy, generosity, and gratitude. Yet for many families, the celebrations come with a heavy dose of financial stress—stress that lingers long after the decorations are packed away. Our desire to bless others often leads to spending more than we planned. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Recently, we sat down with Neile Simon, Certified Credit Counselor and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Christian Credit Counselors, to talk about how families can give meaningfully, stay within their means, and refocus on what Christmas is truly about.

Most people enter the holiday season with the best of intentions. We want to show love, bless others, and create special memories. But somewhere along the way, those intentions can derail.

Neile explains that a mix of cultural pressures makes overspending almost effortless: holiday sales, credit card offers at checkout, “buy now, pay later” deals, and social media’s endless highlight reels. Before long, the drive to be generous morphs into the belief that we must spend more to prove how much we care.

And the consequences last far beyond December—financial stress, increased debt, and a January filled with regret rather than joy. The good news: overspending isn’t inevitable. Neile suggests starting early and planning intentionally.

1. Decide what you can truly afford. Account for all holiday expenses—gifts, food, travel, entertainment, and even small traditions that add up.

2. Set a total spending limit. Let this number guide every decision throughout the season.

3. Use cash or debit when possible. “When the money’s gone, you’re done—and that’s okay,” Neile says. This simple boundary protects you from impulse spending.

4. If using credit cards, treat them as tools—not the enemy. Used wisely, they can help you track your spending. The key is to stay disciplined and avoid taking on debt you can’t comfortably repay.

Ultimately, a budget is not a restriction—it’s a path to freedom. It helps you enjoy the season without dreading the bill that arrives in January.

Generosity isn’t measured by price tags. In fact, the most meaningful gifts are often the simplest.

Neile encourages families to focus on personal, relational giving:

• Handwritten notes
• Homemade treats
• Shared experiences
• Thoughtful, small gifts with clear intention

Her own family keeps gift-giving fun by setting spending limits and doing a white-elephant exchange. “It takes the pressure off,” she says, “and turns gift-giving into shared laughter and memory-making.”

When togetherness becomes the priority over possessions, Christmas becomes both more joyful and more affordable.

For families already carrying debt, Christmas can feel like a tug-of-war between generosity and financial reality. Neile offers this encouragement: give within your means—even if it means scaling back.

Why? Because responsible giving protects your finances, your peace, and your future.

“Think of it this way,” Neile says. “A relaxed, stress-free January is far better than stressing out after overspending in December.”

Scaling back isn’t failure—it’s stewardship. And it models wisdom and faithfulness for your children.

Amid the lights, the gifts, and the traditions, it’s easy to lose sight of the heart of Chri

If you had to explain the meaning of Christmas in a single sentence, would you be able to pull it off? Well, the Apostle Paul managed to do it! Dr. Robert Jeffress digs deeply into this simple—yet profound—summary of the Christmas story.

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Chip's series on James 1 offers God's hope and insight for facing trials and fear today.

3 Observations about life in a fallen world

1. Trials are inevitable

2. Trials tend to “make us” or “break us”

3. Victims fail to move beyond asking “why” and remain stuck in their pain

A word from God to those whose world is “falling apart.” -James 1:1-4

1. What can I control? -My ATTITUDE

2. What must I do to make it through today? -ENDURE

3. What hope do I have for tomorrow? -God will take the WORST and use it for my BEST

How God uses adversity to mature us

1. We're forced to DEPEND on God at a new level. Left alone, we're self-sufficient, proud, and insensitive to Him.

2. We're WEANED from the temporal, urgent, and worldly affairs of life. We're forced to REEXAMINE our values, priorities, commitments, and future.

3. Trials let us WITNESS God's reality and power first-hand. Our need becomes the vehicle of His grace; our problems the object of His power.

4. They serve as a TESTIMONY to the unbelieving world. How we endure hardship shows the world how real God is.

5. We become sensitive, caring, and compassionate CHRIST-LIKE people. Those hurt deeply tend to love deeply.

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The word "angel" means messenger. God has used angels down through the ages to communicate to His people. In this message, Pastor Lutzer takes a tour of the Old Testament to identify the "Angel of the Lord." What if this wasn't just a member of the angelic host but the Son of God Himself?

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Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. 

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In this episode of The Creative Connection, Pastor Ed explores the painful experience of betrayal by examining the biblical story of Joseph, highlighting how betrayal often surfaces during times of success and comes from those closest to us, but through God's grace and the example of Jesus, betrayal can be transformed into a process of spiritual growth and redemption.